Thanks twinky!
Onto the Grand Final..
This game is almost impossible to pick on paper. Geelong have been the premier team over the last 3yrs, with this their 3rd successive grand final appearance. People were writing them off mid way thru the season but they have peaked at the right time. A 12 goal smashing of Collingwood last week has Saints fans worried they are back to their best. The weather is meant to be terrible, windy, rain, possibly hail. This is meant to suit Geelong as they play in wet conditions frequently, whereas St.Kilda play in the dry conditions under the roof at Etihad.
The Saints have been the best team this year and have continued that into the finals. They could very well have lost last week against the Bulldogs, but some inspirational performances but a few of their leaders got them over the line. They go into this game full of confidence knowing that they have already beaten Geelong once this year.
My view is that the Saints have been the team all year, and they will win this one aswell. While all the money has been on Geelong, alot to do with the weather, i dont see why the weather cant also benefit the Saints. They have the best defensive unit over the past 50yrs. With the bad weather it is naturally harder to move the ball quicker, harder to get inside 50s, harder to score once you get inside 50s, added into St.Kildas full ground pressure and i think Geelong may struggle to find any room for their quick handball possession game.
All the forward attention will on Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, but i feel the more important players on the day will be the crumbing, pressure forwards. Milne, Schneider, McQualter and Dempster. They need to get a few goals between them and keep the ball in St.Kildas attacking half. If they can do this, then the class thru the middle, Hayes, Dal Santo, Montagna, Goddard etc can afford to be more dangerous going forward.
While there is no doubt the class of Ablett, Selwood, Corey, Chapman, Enright, Bartel, Johnson (the list goes on!) will give everything they have and keep Geelong in it, i am backing Ross Lyon to have a game plan to be able to get his Saints over the line!
The wet weather will mean that it should be a low scoring game, so goals will be at a premium. Thats why i think Brendan Goddard is a good value bet for the Norm Smith medal. If he gets his average 25-30 possessions and can manage to kick a goal or 2, then he has to be a massive chance.
Bet: St.Kilda Saints +9.5
Bet: Brendan Goddard for Norm Smith medal @ $17
Onto the Grand Final..
This game is almost impossible to pick on paper. Geelong have been the premier team over the last 3yrs, with this their 3rd successive grand final appearance. People were writing them off mid way thru the season but they have peaked at the right time. A 12 goal smashing of Collingwood last week has Saints fans worried they are back to their best. The weather is meant to be terrible, windy, rain, possibly hail. This is meant to suit Geelong as they play in wet conditions frequently, whereas St.Kilda play in the dry conditions under the roof at Etihad.
The Saints have been the best team this year and have continued that into the finals. They could very well have lost last week against the Bulldogs, but some inspirational performances but a few of their leaders got them over the line. They go into this game full of confidence knowing that they have already beaten Geelong once this year.
My view is that the Saints have been the team all year, and they will win this one aswell. While all the money has been on Geelong, alot to do with the weather, i dont see why the weather cant also benefit the Saints. They have the best defensive unit over the past 50yrs. With the bad weather it is naturally harder to move the ball quicker, harder to get inside 50s, harder to score once you get inside 50s, added into St.Kildas full ground pressure and i think Geelong may struggle to find any room for their quick handball possession game.
All the forward attention will on Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, but i feel the more important players on the day will be the crumbing, pressure forwards. Milne, Schneider, McQualter and Dempster. They need to get a few goals between them and keep the ball in St.Kildas attacking half. If they can do this, then the class thru the middle, Hayes, Dal Santo, Montagna, Goddard etc can afford to be more dangerous going forward.
While there is no doubt the class of Ablett, Selwood, Corey, Chapman, Enright, Bartel, Johnson (the list goes on!) will give everything they have and keep Geelong in it, i am backing Ross Lyon to have a game plan to be able to get his Saints over the line!
The wet weather will mean that it should be a low scoring game, so goals will be at a premium. Thats why i think Brendan Goddard is a good value bet for the Norm Smith medal. If he gets his average 25-30 possessions and can manage to kick a goal or 2, then he has to be a massive chance.
Bet: St.Kilda Saints +9.5
Bet: Brendan Goddard for Norm Smith medal @ $17