Geelong v Fremantle

Geelong looked shellshocked early in last week’s 4 point loss to the Saints and they spent all of the game playing catch up.

You always felt that Geelong would time their counterattack, but with the conditions making the football slippery it came down to the dying seconds.

Regardless of Cameron Ling‘s goal being disallowed, the Cats had their opportunities but did not grab them and a few players especially Joel Selwood had quiet games and were well held.

Fremantle had the homeground advantage and a sea of purple to make up for their lack of finals experience from a young, exciting team.

The Dockers dominated early to eventually triumph by 30 points over a Hawthorn team off their game.

Now a Docker for life, Pavlich will be a crucial player in Freo's chances of winning.

It was a scrappy game with the Hawks kicking 1 goal and 11 behinds early in the first half to blow any chance of a tight contest.

Freo’s young guns like Morabito, Hill and the leadership of senior players Pavlich and Sandilands created a good mix, and the winning margin could of been a lot bigger if the Docker’s ball use had been more efficient into their forward 50.

Geelongs Changes:

In: Podsiadly, Lonergan
Out: Andrew Mackie, Mark Blake

Fremantle’s Changes:

No change

Who Will Win between Geelong & Fremantle

It is not a small but a HUGE oversite by the AFL that the Dockers will be playing their first game at the MCG this year in tonight’s semi final.

I don’t think it will be a deciding factor but it doe not help the Freo players are’nt too familiar with the MCG in this supposed national competition.

There has to be some concern for the Dockers over Ruckman Aaron Sandilands‘ knee but regardless he will play, although they would of preferred him to be 100% and playing a more pivotal role in the Ruck.

We saw last week that the young players were not perturbed by the big game feel of finals and it will be great to see some hard-running from Michael Johnson, Stephen Hill and Anthony Morabito who are used to the open spaces of a ground similiar in size.

Geelong will be hoping experience counts for everything in this do or die clash and the inclusion of goal sneak J-Pod just might spark the Cats into life.

The Cats will be all too familiar with the Gee playing 8 matches there this season but having mixed success with a 50% win loss record at the ground.

It is very hard to tip against the huge experience of Geelong and very rarely have they lost 2 in row in recent years, but the Cats must not underestimate their opponents who are more than capable of beating them.

Geelong by 11 points

Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans

The Western Bulldogs looked outclassed and underdone with both injury and a lack of intensity leading to their 62 point loss to Collingwood.

Barry Hall struggled to get into the game and as a result did not have the greatest impact, while the Doggie’s midfield were well held by the Magpie’s defensive pressure.

The last month of football has been disappointing for the Dogs with only one win coming from the past four outings and with a string of players barely fit enough to make it out on the park each week.

Sydney just don’t want Brett Kirk and Paul Roos to leave as they continue to extend their stay with a tight fought 5 point win over Carlton.

This match showed a few people the Swans are still capable of kicking goals and don’t be deceived that the Swans are an old team, as they do have a bit of run and spark with the likes of talented youngsters Jetta, Jack and Hannebery.

Western Bulldogs Changes:

In: Hooper, Wood
Out: Tim Callan, Shaun Higgins

Sydney Changes:

In: McGlynn, Bradshaw
Out: Paul Bevan, Jesse White

Who Will Win between Western Bulldogs & Sydney

The loss of Shaun Higgins this week will be a blow to the Bulldog’s engine room and a few of the Doggie’s other midfield type players like Gilbee, Boyd and Picken need to step it up and win some much needed hard ball gets.

Brad Johnson is operating on one leg but the others in the forward line have no excuses and players like Hahn and Hall really need to present in front of goals.

The Swans have a very average winning record at the MCG but have some big ins with known goal kickers McGlynn and Bradshaw to bolster the Swan’s forward stocks.

That saying Sydney have been on a roll with a month filled with victories and are playing some football that is reminiscent of their 05,06 years.

I don’t think the Bulldogs have enough bite to get over Sydney but it won’t be from lack of trying.

Sydney by 9 points

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