We, as passionate football fans, have been blessed with the match-up that we all wanted to see. The high-flying Sydney Swans ($1.60) taking on the spirited and determined Western Bulldogs ($2.45).
You get the feeling that the Dogs will carry the support of the neutral fans, such is the path this humble, success-starved team from the west of Melbourne has taken. Its inspirational skipper Robert Murphy has missed the vast majority of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Clay Smith has overcome personal adversity in many different facets. A pint-sized midfielder named Caleb Daniel has stunned the football fraternity with what he has offered the Bulldogs in only his second season in the big time.
On the other side of the ledger, the Swans face the criticism of a side that has been looked after by the AFL. Its controversial signing of Lance Franklin a couple of seasons ago has been a source of much conjecture over the following years. Its recruiting of academy players in Isaac Heeney and this season’s Rising Star, Callum Mills, is another sore point for neutral supporters.
But when analysing the game itself, it is clear to see why the Swans go in as favourites. Its midfield has tremendous depth with players like Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack and Heeney all in great form. With Buddy Franklin up forward, anything can happen and there is no doubt he has the potential to take this game by the scruff of the neck. Buddy poses as a tough match up for the young Bulldogs defence, with Joel Hamling and Fletcher Roberts expected to share the duties on the former centurion goal kicker.
But week after week we marvel at the dogged, determined attitude that the Footscray boys exhibit on the big stage. There is an infectious air of confidence and optimism within the group that just makes most pundits believe that they are a chance. Marcus Bontempelli, the unheralded Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae form a young and exciting midfield that is capable of dominating a match.
While the advantage clearly lies with the Swans, the determining factor of this match will be how both sides start. Sydney are notoriously quick starters and if the game is played on their terms, it could be over very early in the piece. But Luke Beveridge is arguably the best coach in the league and one would think that he would have the measures in place to ensure that his opposition is contained. Tune in as this could be one for the ages.
Best Bet - Sydney Swans -10.5 ($1.91)
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Blue Bet Words: Jackson Clark (@JClark182)
