Four teams left and deservingly so it is the four best teams of the regular season that will be battling it out for a Grand Final berth.
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
No changes to both teams as they go in at full strength for this monumental clash.
St Kilda should be feeling refreshed after a week off to recover after soundly beating Collingwood by 28 points.
There was a bit of a stutter with 2 shock losses to the Kangaroos and Dons at the end of the regular season but then the Saints showed their real intent in the first week of finals.
That saying the Saints did not play at their best and definitely benefited from an atrocious opposition performance by the Magpies.
Scott Pendlebury will play this weekend after only 12 days recovery from a leg fracture
The last time these two teams met during the regular season St Kilda easily disposed of the Doggies by 45 points in round 17…but that does seem like a long time ago now.
Unlike the Saints, the Dogs have had to back their heels in and after a loss to Geelong in the first week of finals they easily accounted for Brisbane last week by 51 points.
The Doggies had a strong finish to the year beating Geelong and Collingwood at the end of the regular season, and only wasted opportunities cost them their game against the Cats in Finals Week 1.
So the gap might of closed between these two teams since they last met.
Both teams run hard and the midfield battles will be close but the key for the Western Bulldogs is containing the 3 main forward threats for the Saints - Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and Stephen Milne.
Brian Lake and Dale Morris are more than capable of taking the big 2 at the Saints and if Riewodlt’s marks and lead up work can be restricted the Saints will suffer.
The Saints on the other hand will try to bog it down in the Bulldog’s 50 and stem the free flowing forward game Rocket’s boys like to play.
Both teams are starved of silverware so there is a lot on the line and both teams have given themselves the best opportunity of winning a GF this year.
I just think the Saints best game so far this year could be this one and their best in my opinion is a little bit better than the Bulldogs can manage.
St Kilda by 11 points
Geelong v Collingwood
No question about it Geelong desperately needed another week off so their win against the Bulldogs in week 1 of finals was crucial. Suffering more batter than a serve of Fish and Chips, Stevie Johnson has been named in the team as well as Max Rooke.
These two ins for the Cats should help bolster their attacking options up forward. Meanwhile the Magpies have included Scott Pendlebury and dropped Paul Medhurst.
A miraculous recovery for Scott Pendlebury considering he only fractured his leg less than two weeks ago!
Like Stevie J is to Geelong Pendlebury is to the Collingwood Magpies. Hopefully he gets through the game unscathed but this could seriously backfire for the Magpies if Pendlebury is not 100 per cent.
Josh Fraser and Dayne Beams both missed last week’s game with injuries and although they have been named this week are only cited as Emergencies.
The similarities with both teams is that Geelong and Collingwood both have usually very solid defensive lines and their Achilles heel is usually the movement around the half forward area.
Both teams rely on moving the ball quick on a rebound into the half forward line and while the Cats and Magpies equally do this very well, I think Geelong have the stronger defensive structure than the Magpies.
A week off can be a benefit for Geelong but an inspiring come from behind win can also boost the belief for a team like the Magpies.
Not much in this one but I have to back the favourites.
Geelong by 8 points
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September 18th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Have to agree with your tips Johnny…
Geelong and St Kilda for me as well.
I think the Dogs may be the best to cause an upset though and who ever wins would be the romantic fancied team for the premiership.
Interesting to see both Stevie J and Pendles back in, last year Geelong suffered with bringing in Chapo half fit, wonder if it will back fire for either team again.
Jermayn´s last blog ..2009 AFL Preliminary Finals Tips
September 18th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Saints
Cats
September 18th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Cats and Saints for me too. Really don’t want to see the Magpies in a Grand Final, and think the Saints should be too good.
Geoff Matheson´s last blog ..Bowden Bowin’ out
September 18th, 2009 at 10:06 am
im going to go the bulldogs, just because i think the saints aren’t as strong as they were when we played them last, and because they still havent convinced me that they are that good.
geelong only because they’re playing collingwood and i think their time is up
Mike´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net
September 18th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Saints and Cats for me as well.
I thin Adam Schneider may sneak under the Dogs radar and if he does look out, he loves these sorts of games… As St Kilda supporters found out when he was playing for Sydney : (
James Rose´s last blog ..James’ Weekly Punt- Finals week 3
September 18th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Think the Dogs have players that could do the same as Schneider and be the difference (playing devils advocate hear). Aker is a proven big Finals player and if Hahn, Higgins, Gia or Murphy can build on their match last week (had indifferent finals form before) they could outrun the Saints.
and James and the others, what you think about leaving Maxy out? Smart move? or poor? Personally I think its a good move, shows that no position is guaranteed and no matter who you are, your not going to be ‘gifted’ a spot. Think Zac a better option…
September 18th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
It has to be
St Kilda
Geelong
from me also. I can’t see itany other way.
September 19th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Wow what a game!
Did Riewoldt dive? I think he did but the fact remains that the Doggies did not take their chances with more inside 50m’s, more scoring shots and they won more contested football yet they could not win.