Friday 7th September, MCG.
First final game of 2012 sees the Minor Premiers, Hawthorn taking on Collingwood at the “G” on Friday night. The Hawks continue to firm as favourites for this year’s Premiership flag, now at a quote of $2.10 and rightly so as from round 10 this year, they have only suffered the one loss which was to Geelong who kicked a goal after the siren to win by two. The only set back the Hawks have faced is last week’s hamstring injury to key defensive player Brent Guerra who will be missing for this clash and be a major loss for the Hawthorn. Last year’s Premier’s Collingwood have been a little up and down in the latter half of this season producing a 4-3 record in the last seven weeks. Worryingly, the three losses have come at the hands of fellow finalists, Hawthorn (138-91), North Melbourne (91-61) and West Coast (107-58) whilst the wins were over team in the bottom half of the ladder The good news for Collingwood fans was the return to form last week of star forward Travis Cloke who kicked five majors in the Magpies’ win over Essendon 104-72.
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It’s hard to find a chink in the armour of the Hawks and there’s no doubting the Magpies will have their work cut out for them. Travis Cloke and the Magpies will need to kick a bagful again if Collingwood stand a chance given that the ‘Pies have only registered more than 100 points twice in the past five matches (104 against Essendon and 174 against GWS) whilst the Hawks are at the other end of the spectrum and have failed only once since round 10 to break the 100 point mark and of their opponents during this time, only Geelong scored in access of 100. Given their attacking and defensive record throughout the year, it’s impossible to go pass the Hawks and they’ve been waiting for the finals to get underway for several weeks now.
SPORTSBET HAWTHORN 1-39 @ $2.20