St Kilda v Geelong
That last day in September and it should be an absolute cracker of a game with the Grand Final everyone really wanted to see with the best two teams, Geelong and St Kilda facing off this Saturday.
Can the Saints go marching in? If Lenny Hayes runs riot they'll go close to it.
As expected the Cats named an unchanged lineup and good to see David Wojcinski not miss out this year. For the Saints, Lyon has added Sean Dempster in place of Robert Eddy.
Ross Lyon obviously believes Dempster can play a role this Saturday and he should know after being an assistant coach at Sydney, when Dempster played for the Swannies.
Last time this teams met in round 14 this year, the Saints went marching on with a straight kick the only difference between the two teams ( 14 . 7- 91 to 13 . 7 -85 )
The Saints have been unstoppable this year with a 22-2 win/loss record and definitely look a more settled team than the one that last participated in a Grand Final in 1997.
Geelong have been the benchmark over the past 3 years with such a dominance but only one premiership to show form it with a shock loss to Hawthorn in last year’s.
The line up of both teams is at full strength and the midfield features a whose who of the best in the business.
Teams
St Kilda
B: Jason Blake, Zac Dawson, Steven Baker
HB: Brendon Goddard, Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert
C: Farren Ray, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Andrew McQualter, Justin Koschitzke, Clint Jones
F: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Jason Gram
Foll: Steven King, Leigh Montagna, Adam Schneider
I/C: Luke Ball, Raphael Clarke, Sean Dempster, Michael Gardiner
Emg: David Armitage, Jarryn Geary, James Gwilt
In: Dempster
Out: Robert Eddy
Geelong
B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright
HB: Tom Harley, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, James Kelly
HF: Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Mooney, Steve Johnson
F: Travis Varcoe, Tom Hawkins, Paul Chapman
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C: Brad Ottens, Shannon Byrnes, Max Rooke, David Wojcinski
Emg: Shane Mumford, Simon Hogan, Mathew Stokes
No change
Key Players
With such an evenly strong performance from all players in both the Saints and Cats line ups it is hard to single out just a few from each team…but hey I’m willing to give it a go.
St Kilda
Nick Riewoldt – Quite simply if Riewoldt plays to his maximum capability the Saints will win the 2009 Grand Final. He is so crucial to their line up and is definitely a match winner when the game is on the line.
My only concern is a niggling knee injury due to the way Riewoldt throws himself at the football. I like the way he goes about his business but will someone please teach the man how to stop, drop and roll! Harry Taylor for the Catters should match up on the Saints skipper.
Lenny Hayes – A very important player for St Kilda, especially when he so effective in clearances with his in and under work, into attacking 50s with his penetrating kicks and the quality of his ball use. Hayes has had an outstanding year and I expect the ‘Ginger Ninja’ Cameron Ling to match up on Lenny.
Geelong
Garry Ablett – The deserving winner of the Brownlow medal could do the double with a North Smith medal if he leads his side to victory.When at his best, Ablett is unstoppable and Geelong need him for clean delivery into their forward 50. Clint Jones or Leigh Montagna should get the match up.
Steve Johnson – The unpredictable brilliance of Stevie J could blow the game apart if he gets on a roll. Last week he cleared out the cobwebs with a fine performance back from injury and is possible of a best on ground game this weekend. I’m expecting Sam Gilbert to line up on him.
North Smith predictions : Garry Ablett
First Goal : Adam Schneider
Who will win and why
If the Saints can contain and attack they will win the 2009 Grand Final in a low scoring tight game. I definitely think the Saints can play a ‘Sydney like’ game plan that can contain and nullify Geelong with their hard tackling and running. It’s no coincidence that Saints coach Ross Lyon was an assistant coach at Sydney and now head coach of a defensively strong team in St Kilda.
Geelong can manage to find that extra gear when being contained and possibly have too many potential match winners for the Saints to lock it down. But whether they lift to the occasion or simply self-implode like they did last year against Hawthorn – is the question.
I’m hoping this is the match we have been waiting all year for in a classic tactical and intense game…no pressure guys. The Saints have been brilliant this year but this year the Cats look steeled and more determined than the years gone by. The Hawks did Geelong a favour by defeating them last year in the GF…making many in Catland wake up to the fact that premierships don’t grow on trees.
St Kilda could win but Geelong simply will.
Geelong by 5 points
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September 25th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Good review of the Grand Final John!
My tip for the margin is Geelong by 24 points with the Norm going to either Riewoldt or Chapman and first goal to Chapman also…
I agree that Riewoldt basically is the key, if he fires St Kilda will win and if Harry Taylor can win or keep him below 8 marks and 2-3 goals, Geelong will win.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:37 am
St Kilda 2 points
Nick Reiwolt for the first goal and norm smith medal
September 25th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Geelong by 16
Joel Selwood to win Norm Smith
first goal to Kosi
September 25th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Cats by 43 pts. Have to stick to it coz of pre-finals tipping contest.
Bartel the Norm Smith
Chapman the 1st goal.
September 25th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Saints by 3 points.
Stephen Milne for first goal
Nick Dal Santo to win Norm.
Geoff Matheson´s last blog ..Unhappy with your team’s performance? Get a refund!
September 25th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
St Kilda by 15 points for mine.
James Rose´s last blog ..Grand Final questions – St Kilda vs. Geelong
September 26th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I want to say St. Kilda but I diont think I can as it is an emotional choice rather than practical. NO!! St Kilda it is
St Kilda 21pts. (thats what my son picked at school)
September 26th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
wow what a game!!
A few blunders by the silly umpires but our full wrap up
will be up on Monday, think this will enable us to give a full proper report.However feel free to write what you think of the game.
EDIT: I have just written up a report, could not wait two days to write about the game
http://www.kick2kick.net/afl/geelong-cats-premiers-2009