AFL Finals W2, Tips and Previews
Melbourne vs. Brisbane
September 9th
There is nothing like a final with an extra whiff of a grudge match and this one fits the bill perfectly.
Dayne Zorko’s exchange with Harrison Petty is still very much front of mind for both these clubs and while Zorko seems to have got the message, he will receive a reception not seen at the MCG since the days of Richard Hadlee bowling against Australia in the 1980s.
But for all the angst and spite, it will be the cooler heads that prevail here as is usually the case in finals. It’s one thing to fly the flag, another to make a preliminary final which is the main objective.
Lachie Neale is in career-best form, a statement that doesn’t come lightly for a Brownlow medallist. But Melbourne has proven to be his bogey side this season, a fact he is well aware of.
Joe Daniher is the key for Brisbane this week after an impressive performance in the win over RIchmond. He will be faced with All-Australian full-back Steven May this week – as tough a contest as you can get. If he can break away with a couple of goals at least, Brisbane will have their best chance of an upset.
The main concerns for Melbourne are Christian Petracca’s fitness and Max Gawn’s effectiveness, after both were in question following the loss to the Swans.
Petracca is pushing through with a fractured leg while Gawn’s lack of impact as a forward has been under the spotlight.
Both are among the best players in the league and were the Demons’ best two in last year’s finals series. You can’t write off a champion, especially one with recent success under its belt and the Demons are the bet here.
SUGGESTED BET:
Demons -18.5 at $1.90
Collingwood vs. Fremantle
September 10th
The rise of Collingwood has been one of the stories of 2022.
No team has a better recent record of securing close wins, a record that only came to a halt at the hands of minor premiers Geelong last week. But only just.
Nick and Josh Daicos are two of the best ball gatherers in the AFL at the moment while Mason Cox loves the September stage. If he gets the ascendancy up forward and in the ruck, Fremantle will have no answer.
The Dockers have shown true character in hard-fought wins after last week’s incredible fightback against the Western Bulldogs. Brandon Walker and Michael Frederick showed a speed and tenacity that is one of Fremantle’s biggest threats, while Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw are genuine weapons in the midfield.
Collingwood might be the story of the year so far but Fremantle’s steady season can’t be ignored, despite missing several key players through injury.
The home ground advantage is a genuine factor in this one, with the Magpies more than familiar with the MCG as their home ground, particularly in front of big crowds with plenty at stake.
Fremantle is only an occasional visitor to the home of football and a hostile crowd, the black and white army won’t exactly be welcoming.
Both teams are comeback specialists but Fremantle can’t count on giving the Magpies as much slack as they gave the Bulldogs last week. Collingwood to get the job done.
