We take a look at Friday nights (6/9/2019) AFL Finals Week 1 match which is between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies. View the odds and teams for both sides as well as our Tips and Bets for the match.
When: Friday 6th September at 7:50PM
Where: MCG
Bet ?: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
A big crowd will be on hand to witness this rematch of Round 1’s epic heavyweight clash.
Geelong got the better of Collingwood that day winning by seven points, but as the odds suggest, the bookmakers are having a difficult time separating the two based on recent form.
Collingwood posed a few questions towards the business end of the season but have since responded by winning four of their last five games. To be fair, those wins have come over the Suns, Demons, Crows and Bombers, but with health somewhat on their side now, the Pies are poised for a deep finals run.
Geelong, on the other hand, bounced back from a one-point loss to the Lions a fortnight ago to thump Carlton by 68-points. The minor premiers would like this final to be played at GMHBA Stadium, but the Cats should feel confident in the fact they are 4-1 at the MCG this season.
Much of this game will boil down to the midfield battle, as both sides possess their own unique strengths.
Collingwood finished the home/away season ranked first in disposals, while the Cats ranked on top in tackles.
Chris Scott’s side has won three straight over the Pies dating back to 2017, although it’s worth noting Collingwood own a handy 3-1 record as the “away” underdog against Geelong.
The last five games between these two sides have been decided by 1-39 points, and with two potent forward lines, it’s safe to expect the same on Friday night.
With that in mind, goals have typically come at a premium between these two in recent memory. That should play into Geelong’s hands, but only if Tom Hawkins turns up for the contest.
Against top four sides this year, Hawkins has combined for only eight goals. It’s been a down season by his usual standards, and if the Pies can isolate him early, Collingwood should be well on their way to a spot in the Semi-Finals.
Odds:
Tip: Geelong Cats at $1.72
Value Tip: First Goal Scorer: Tom Hawkins at $8.00
Teams:
CATS
B: Z.Tuohy, M.Blicavs, H.Taylor
HB: M.O’Connor, J.Henry, T.Stewart
C: M.Duncan, P.Dangerfield, B.Parfitt
HF: G.Ablett, E.Ratugolea, G.Rohan
F: L.Dahlhaus, T.Hawkins, J.Bews
FOLL: R.Stanley, T.Kelly, J.Selwood
I/C: J.Kolodjashnij, T.Atkins, G.Miers, Q.Narkle
EMG: S.Selwood, S.Menegola, J.Parsons, L.Henderson
IN: J.Kolodjashnij, T.Atkins
OUT: L.Henderson (Omitted), C.Guthrie (Injured)
MAGPIES
B: L.Greenwood, J.Roughead, J.Howe
HB: J.Crisp, D.Moore, B.Maynard
C: T.Phillips, S.Pendlebury, C.Mayne
HF: S.Sidebottom, B.Mihocek, W.Hoskin-Elliott
F: J.Elliott, J.De Goey, J.Stephenson
FOLL: B.Grundy, A.Treloar, T.Adams
I/C: J.Noble, C.Brown, J.Thomas, R.Wills
EMG: M.Scharenberg, T.Varcoe, J.Madgen, J.Daicos
IN: S.Sidebottom. J.De Goey, J.Stephenson
OUT: M.Scharenberg (Omitted), T.Varcoe (Omitted), J.Madgen (Omitted)
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change
