~AFL Semi-Finals Preview~
Friday 7.50pm @ MCG- Hawthorn Hawks vs Melbourne Demons
A huge clash at the ‘G’ to begin the weekend! The resurgent Hawks are taking on a Demons outfit that everyone has to take seriously now after they outclassed Geelong in every facet of the game during the opening week of the finals series. Star Hawthorn midfielder Jaeger O’Mera’s late withdrawal is a huge setback for the Hawks.
Key Match-Up:
McEvoy vs Gawn- The battle of the rucks is going to be pivotal in this one. Melbourne’s Max Gawn has taken all before him this season, winning this year’s Coaches Association award.
He has amassed over 1000 hit-outs this season, which is well clear of his nearest rival and if he can dominate this stat on Friday night and give is hard nose midfield contingent of Oliver, Viney, Jones and Petracca first use then Hawthorn are going to find themselves on the back foot from the get-go.
McEvoy is no slump in this area of the game but is going need to be at his best to break even.
It’s both these players ability to impact the game outside of the taps that makes them such quality players. Both love getting behind the ball to take intercept marks from kicks that are sent straight down the line. The Demons have adopted a tactic that squeezes the opposition down one side of the ground and forces them to kick towards Gawn. Hawthorn will need to be wary of this.
Tip:
Two contrasting game styles come together in an intriguing match up. Melbourne will look to win the hard stuff and get first use of the pill. Hawthorn will sit back and sweat on turnovers and use their elite ball movement to move the ball forward slowly. Hard to go past the in-form Demons in this one.
Melbourne -15.5 @ $1.95
Saturday 7.25pm @ MCG- Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants
Collingwood and Nathan Buckley have silenced any doubters they may have had at the beginning of the season and their form may be slightly underrated after going close to defeating the Eagles in the west last week. GWS seem to be hitting their strips at the right time and come into this in great form after smashing Sydney last week.
Key Match-Up:
The Midfield- Both teams possess elite midfields that can rotate multiple combinations depending on the situation of the game. Collingwood’s midfield play an attacking, move the ball forward at all cost game style. The silky smooth skills of skipper Scott Pendebury leads the way for the pies, backed up by Sidebottom, Adams and the returning Treloar. Emerging superstar Jordan De Goey can also spend minutes in there and is something the opposition has to consider. Callan ‘Cement Head’ Ward is in career best form for the Giants. Like his name suggests, is ability to win the hard ball is inspirational. He’ll be backed up by the hard running Dylan Shiel and the smooth moving Stephen Coniglio. This battle will be huge!
Tip:
Both teams come into this in great form but things look to be building nicely for the Giants and this has to be their time with their once young draft picks hitting their prime. Giants @2.4
