Adelaide V Fremantle at AAMI Friday Night
It’s a semi final so the loser is out of the race and unlike Geelong who bought the sleepy part of “Sleepy Hollow” with them last week to their match with Fremantle the team from the city of churches will not win by praying but by playing from the first bounce. Mid season I wouldn’t give the Dockers much of a chance but if they play the way they did against Geelong they have every chance of a second upset. Both teams have a line-up of very good players and it will be the team which takes the initiative rather than the team that tags good players well that will win the game. Home ground advantage here is usually a factor but in finals probably less so. The winning team has the daunting prospect of playing Hawthorn the week after.
Adelaide by 21
Collingwood V West Coast at the MCG Saturday
Of the two games this weekend I find this the hardest to tip because West Coast is certainly good enough to beat Collingwood easily in Perth but I expect it to be a lot tighter playing at the MCG. Maxwell is a big loss to the Pies and so is Waters for the Eagles – similar roles they play. The West Coast forward line is in good form, lots of talls and their ruck combination of Natanui and Cox will test Jolly. Midfielders and on ball players match up well so the game should be a cracker. This contest will be decided on the mental state of the players and just who is switched on - like the MCG lighting. The winner of this game plays Sydney and either Collingwood or the West Coast Eagles can win that game and go into the Grand Final. A lot at stake so don’t expect any faint hearted footy in this match!
West Coast by 6
Article last changed on Thursday, September 13, 2012 - 6:26 PM EDT