Friday‘s AFL Finals 2017 match is between Geelong Cats and Sydney Swans. The opening bounce is set to commence at 19:50 local time with the game to be played at MCG. The away team Sydney Swans are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Geelong Cats and Sydney Swans.
When: 19:50 | Friday 15/9/2017
Where: MCG
Watch: Channel 7, Fox Footy or ? Watch Online for FREE HERE on your? or ?.
Preview:
Can the Cats recover quickly enough after their qualifying final beat down at the hands of Richmond? The 51-point drubbing led to a week of soul searching at the Cattery, while the Swans gathered even more momentum with a 65-point pummelling of Essendon. The win was their 15th from their past 17 games after starting the season 0-6. Chris Scott’s men will also need to deal with the mental demons associated with the Swans, who beat them with ease at Simonds Stadium in round 20 and brushed them aside in last year’s preliminary final. Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was below his best in his first match back from ankle surgery but will be better for the run. The winner will face minor premiers Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Key: Tom Lonergan’s duel with Lance Franklin will be one to savour, but the Cats must do better in their own attack if they are to win. They’ve scored a total of 61, 60 and 60 points in their past three clashes with the Swans – all losses. The recall of forward Dan Menzel could be pivotal, while superstar Patrick Dangerfield could spend a little more time inside attacking 50 too.
Tip: Swans by 12 points
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Sydney Swans at $1.37
Value BET: First Goal Scorer – Sam Reid at $13.00
More Info:
Head to head: Geelong 120 Sydney 100 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 20, 2017 – Swans 16.11 (107) bt Cats 8.13 (61) at Simonds Stadium
Finals Head to head: Cats 0 Swans 4
Last final: 2016 Preliminary Final – Swans 15.7 (97) bt Cats 8.12 (60) at the MCG
Tab Sportsbet odds: Cats $3.30 Swans $1.35
William Hill: Cats $3.20 Swans $1.35
Teams:
CATS 
B: T.Stewart, T.Lonergan, Z.Tuohy
HB: A.Mackie, L.Henderson, Z.Guthrie
C: M.Duncan, J.Selwood, M.Blicavs
HF: S.Menegola, H.Taylor, B.Parfitt
F: D.Menzel, T.Hawkins, J.Parsons
FOLL: Z.Smith, P.Dangerfield, S.Selwood
I/C: J.Bews, J.Kolodjashnij, D.Lang, S.Motlop
IN: D.Menzel, D.Lang
OUT: C.Guthrie (calf), J.Murdoch (omitted)
SWANS 
B: N.Smith, H.Grundy, C. Mills
HB: J.McVeigh, D.Rampe, Z.Jones
C: I.Heeney, J.Kennedy, J.Lloyd
HF: D.Towers, L.Franklin, G.Hewett
F: K.Jack, C.Sinclair, S.Reid
FOLL: S.Naismith, D.Hannebery, L.Parker
I/C: H.Cunningham, N.Newman, T.Papley, G.Rohan
EMG: A.Aliir, J.Foote, D.Robinson
IN: Nil
OUT: Nil
AFL News:
Greater Western Sydney continue to lock away their in-demand AFL stars, with former No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield the latest to re-sign.
There had been speculation Whitfield could leave the Giants in the post-season trade period despite having another year to run on his contract.
But instead of chasing a pay rise at a rival club, Whitfield has penned a new deal that will result in him staying at GWS until at least the end of the 2020 season.
Whitfield joins Dylan Shiel, Jon Patton and many other teammates to re-sign this year, with all eyes switching to classy midfielder Josh Kelly.
“These negotiations all have their own timelines. Over the course of the last six months, we’ve probably had six or seven players recommit to our footy club,” GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
“It hasn’t been the smooth-sailing year that everyone wants but, in the background, these players have put pen to paper. It’s a great signal to our footy club and the rest of the competition.
“They want to be here.
“No doubt a number of footy clubs would have been looking at Lachie, and rightfully so – he’s a terrific young player.”
Whitfield described it as a “pretty easy decision”.
“This has been my home since I arrived five years ago and this is where I want to play my football,” the 23-year-old said.
“We’re building something special.”
Whitfield made a delayed start to the season after his six-month ban for evading a drugs test.
He has been one of the Giants’ best in an injury-marred campaign but had been notably quiet in last week’s qualifying-final loss to Adelaide.
“He’d be the first one to walk in and say ‘nah, it’s unacceptable’,” Cameron said.
“We’re expecting some good things from Lachie this weekend. He played really well in last year’s finals series.”
