A PREVIEW OF THE AFL PRELIMINARY FINALS (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, September 20:
Second Preliminary Final: Richmond v Geelong at the MCG, 7.50pm
Head to head: Tigers 88 Cats 104 Drawn 3
Last clash: R12 – Cats 16.8 (104) bt Tigers 5.7 (37) at MCG
Last final: 2017 QF – Tigers 13.13 (91) bt Cats 5.10 (40) at MCG
This time last year, the Tigers appeared on track to defend their 2017 premiership before Collingwood demolished them in a preliminary final. They look in much better shape this time and made Brisbane pay dearly for wayward goalkicking in a strong qualifying-final win. The Cats responded superbly to their poor qualifying-final loss by taking down reigning premiers West Coast, but have the distraction of Tom Hawkins’ tribunal hearing. Richmond will have the bulk of the crowd support and Dustin Martin in supreme form.
Tip: Tigers by 20 points
SATURDAY, September 21:
First Preliminary Final: Collingwood v GWS at MCG, 4.35pm
Head to head: Magpies 6 Giants 3
Last clash: R18 – Giants 19.8 (122) bt Magpies 11.9 (75) at Giants Stadium
Last final: 2018 Semi-Final – Magpies 9.15 (69) bt Giants 9.5 (59) at MCG
Collingwood’s qualifying-final win over Geelong looked a lot more one-sided than the 10-point margin. The Magpies were superb defensively and charged into the preliminary final on the back of a five-game winning streak. But Giants coach Leon Cameron promises they are in better nick than last year’s semi-final loss. GWS outlasted Brisbane in a brutal semi-final that sets them up well for a hostile MCG crowd. But the Giants, like Geelong, must win at the tribunal or lose a key player – in this case, star onballer Toby Greene.
Tip: Magpies by 15 points