Port Adelaide Power vs Geelong Cats
Thursday (1st October 7.40) Adelaide Oval
Finals kicks off in the city of churches between the top of the table Power and the Geelong Cats. Both teams have been in red hot form and will benefit from the week off to gain some players back. The Cats have been playing very fast footy and might have a secret weapon up their sleeve with Dangerfield going forward and kicking goals. In their last game of the season he went forward and kicked 3 goals in the last qtr and was unstoppable with his pace. The Power had a good win vs a Pies team that threw everything at them. The Power finished first for a reason they played smart footy for the whole year but the Cats did beat them earlier this year so I am a little worried about how they will stack up against the Cats forward line. Hawkins is in career best form and is kicking bags each week, he kicked 5 the last time these two played so if he has a blinder the Cats win. It will be tough and hard early, but I am tipping an upset and the Cats to have a famous win. Cats by 10.
H2H
Cats have won four of the last five games vs the Power
Best bet
Cats win $2.15
Brisbane Lions vs Richmond Tigers
Friday (2nd October 7.50) Gabba
Match of the first week of the finals here with two teams that have had outstanding years, and this looks like a cracker. The Lions have had a great run of the green with being able to play most of their games in Qld due to the Covid-19 saga, but the Tigers have settled into hub life and look unbeatable at stages throughout the year. Tom Lynch is out with a hamstring injury which hurts the Tigers chances of winning but there are many players who can step up and kick goals for the Tigers. One being Dustin Martin in the same final last year he kicked 6 goals and was the match winner for the Tigers when they smashed the Lions last year. If the Lions can hold the Tigers midfield they can win this game but I think the Tigers will be too strong across the ground as they move the ball very well and play the Gabba like their own home ground.
H2H
Tigers have won five of the last five games vs the Lions
Best bet
Tigers win $1.73
Tigers -2.5 $1.90
Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda Saints
Saturday (3rd October 4.40) Gabba
Two teams who have improved drastically this year. The Saints are playing finals for the first time since 2011 while the Dogs will want to improve on last year’s finals appearance where they were smashed against the Giants in week one of the finals last year. The Dogs are playing some fast football and the Bont and his troops are in full force, I worry for the Saints and their defence with Bruce and Naughton on fire at the moment. Naughton is coming off a fractured cheek bone, but he is ready to go. If the Saints are any chance this weekend they need to start well, and Steele and Jones need to lead this side. King needs a big game as a rookie he could make his mark on this finals game. The Dogs know finals footy so I believe they will have more experience in this game and win it quite easily. Game should be played in perfect conditions 4.40pm in Brisbane could not ask for better time to play. Dogs by 20+
H2H
Saints have won three of the last five games vs the Bulldogs
Best bet
West Coast Eagles vs Collingwood Magpies
Saturday (3rd October 8.10) Optus Stadium
These two teams love playing finals against each other and this game looks a cracker. The Eagles are flying into the finals getting back Sheed, Redden, Shuey, Kennendy and Cripps who have all passed fitness tests. The Pies on the other hand have fell into the finals but that won’t worry them, they would love to knock off a side that beat them in the 2018 Grand Final. This game here brings back memories of a semi final between these two sides in 2007 that went to extra time at Subiaco Oval. The Pies were given no hope during the week and somehow beat a red-hot Eagles side in extra time. All the Pies need to do is be in the game with the Eagles at half time then it is anyone’s ball game. The ruck battle between Grundy and Naitanui will be a great watch and whoever can get on top their will give their side the best chance of winning. De Goey up one end for the Pies and Flyin Ryan up the other for the Eagles two class forwards. Will be an awesome game that is why the Pies line looks inviting.
H2H
Eagles have won four of the last five games vs the Pies
Best bet
Pies +12.5 $1.90
