SATURDAY, September 29
AFL Grand Final
Collingwood v West Coast at the MCG 2.30pm AEST
Head to head: Magpies 24 Eagles 26 Drawn 1
Finals head to head: Magpies 4 (including one win in extra time) Eagles 2, Drawn 1
Last clash: qualifying final, 2018 – Eagles 12.14 (86) bt Magpies 10.10 (70) at Optus Stadium
First Magpies v Eagles grand final
TAB Sportsbet: Magpies $1.67 Eagles $2.25
BetEasy: Magpies $1.67 Eagles $2.25
The premiership decider is a clash of two compelling storylines. The Magpies stuck with coach Nathan Buckley last year and their faith has been rewarded in spades as they’ve returned to the finals for the first time since 2013.. West Coast are out for redemption after their 2015 grand final shocker against Hawthorn. It is also a clash of contrasting strategies – Collingwood’s chaotic game style versus West Coast’s control. The Magpies start favourites, courtesy of the MCG home ground advantage. But this means nothing to the Eagles, who beat Collingwood at the MCG in round 17 and won again three weeks ago in the best match so far of the finals series. Just as the Magpies have reached the grand final despite a rash of injuries this season, the Eagles are without key duo Nic Natanui (knee) and Andrew Gaff (suspension). But they have settled their lineups when it matters most and they will take unchanged teams into Saturday’s clash.
Key: Jeremy McGovern. The Eagles key defender, a three-time All-Australian, is one of the AFL’s best intercept marks. But he was hurt in the preliminary final win over Melbourne, with the Eagles saying it is a hip pointer injury, not the rumoured broken ribs. McGovern is arguably the most important player on the ground, given the key role he played in their round-17 win over the Pies. Significantly, Chris Mayne blunted McGovern’s influence in the qualifying final when he went to him in a defensive forward role. If McGovern is hobbled by his injury, or they can restrict his game, it is a huge boost to their premiership chances.
Tip: Eagles by 10 points.