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The second week of the 2014 AFL Finals will sees two high-stakes elimination semi-finals.
After a tough first week of tipping, The Roar‘s expert panel is looking for redemption as they once again put their tips and predictions on the line.
On Friday night the Scott brothers face off at the MCG when Geelong Cats host North Melbourne, then on Saturday evening Port Adelaide head west to face Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
Both matches appear poised to produce tightly fought contests, and both have the potential to fall either way.
More AFL Finals:
» PREVIEW: Geelong Cats vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
» PREVIEW: Fremantle Dockers vs Port Adelaide Power
» Complete guide to week 2
» 2014 AFL Draw
» AFL Finals homepage, full coverage
» Latest AFL video
Friday September 12, 7:50pm (AEST), MCG
TV: Seven Network (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Odds: Cats $1.63, Kangaroos $2.30*
Glenn says: Geelong to beat North Melbourne by 19 points. Tom Hawkins’ duel with Scott Thompson will be a key with the big Cat looking to atone for a quiet first final. I think the Geelong midfield, led by skipper Joel Selwood has a little more class and should see the Cats advance to the last four.
Sean says: Can the Kangaroos beat Geelong? Yes they can. Am I brave enough to tip them? No I’m not. Geelong by 15 points.
Geoff says: North Melbourne to defeat Geelong by 32. Last week I tipped with my heart, this week I’m heartless. It’s been a weird season for Geelong: despite finishing equal-top on points, they always looked like they were struggling. They struggled past rubbish sides and mid-tier sides, and struggled against the best. Twice in the last three weeks, they were flat against Hawthorn when it mattered. With Stevie J and Motlop compromised by injury, and an unwelcome trip to Sydney ahead, Geelong should be looking to 2015.
North, meanwhile, had an adrenaline-boosting win over Essendon, following a much more consistent end to the year. They’re excited, they’ve got Boomer Harvey back in the side, and Sydney assignments hold few fears for them. Two of the Cats’ best games this season were against North, both times knocking them over cleanly. North are due to produce their A-game against the hoops.
Cam says: Geelong by 27. For all the talk of North’s chances, they did allow themselves to get six goals down against an average Essendon, while Geelong were actually in front of Hawthorn halfway through the third, and never really played that well throughout the course of the match. North have achieved their goal of winning a final under Brad Scott, and the manner of victory may not leave much in the tank. Both sides are inconsistent within games, but the Cats are better, and they can be trusted to get the job done.
Dan says: The Scott twins coach in a final against each other for the first time as Brad’s North meets Chris’ Geelong. It’s been a massive week for Brad who, as well as turning around the Kangaroos’ fortunes in the second half against Essendon in the elimination final, became a father for the first time during the week.
He needs his side to start well this week and will have an advantage in the ruck with Todd Goldstein against Mark Blicavs. He will also be hoping Scott Thompson can hold Tom Hawkins, because if that happens where will the Cats’ goals come from?
Harry Taylor may have to play forward, and if that’s the case, who gets last week’s match winner, Ben Brown, as the third tall defender for Geelong? Despite that I am being conservative and believing that Geelong’s second and third tier players step up to help the stars and they move through to their seventh Preliminary Final in eight years.
Saturday September 13, 5:45pm (local) 7:45pm (AEST), Patersons Stadium
TV: Seven Network (LIVE), Fox Footy (LIVE)
Odds: Dockers $1.55, Power $2.50*
Glenn says: Fremantle to beat Port Adelaide by 4 points. These teams met in Perth in round 23 with fourth position up for grabs with the Dockers winning by eight points. The Power will be full of confidence after dismantling Richmond last weekend. The Travis Boak-Ryan Crowley will be pivotal. While Fremantle will be without Hayden Ballantyne, the leading goal kicker this season, the home side should get over the line … narrowly.
Sean says: Port did absolutely nothing wrong in its demolition of Richmond last week. Having said that, a trip west and a determined Dockers team should prove too much for them this weekend. Fremantle by 18 points.
Geoff says: Fremantle to defeat Port Adelaide by 22. We saw a couple of weeks ago that Freo outclass Port, especially on Western Australian soil. The Dockers are angry after a poor showing against Sydney, and have a plaudit-laden Nat Fyfe risen again from his tribunal crucifixion. Hayden Ballantyne is a loss but Matt de Boer will cover. I’ve loved watching the Power this season, and it should be another high-octane game, but the Dockers will pull away from them in the end, and could cause some headaches for Hawthorn next week.
Cam says: Fremantle by 8. Again sticking with history and the top four side getting through, as well as the fact that the Dockers lose at home under Ross Lyon about as often as Richmond wins finals. That said, they’re playing a bit battered and bruised at the moment, missing key players from their best 22, and the free-running, hard-nosed approach of Port is sure to test them out in every possible way. This one’s going to be brutal, and every Hawthorn fan will be watching it with a smile on their face.
Dan says: For the first time in seven years in this current finals system, I believe a team from outside the top four can make it to the Preliminary Final. Port can defeat an injury hit Fremantle, who are without their two best key defenders again in Michael Johnson and Luke McPharlin, while other stars like Michael Barlow have injury concerns as well.
Port can score quickly like that seven-goal, 20-minute blitz in the first quarter against Richmond last Sunday, so the Dockers’ undermanned defence and manic pressure will have to be at its best. I don’t think they can be. Remember! Port was top at the half way mark of the season and would have been a worthy top four side. It looks like straight sets for the Dockers and another lost opportunity for Ross Lyon.
| Week 1 | Semi-finals | Prelim-finals | Grand Final | Total | |
| Glenn | 2 | 2 | |||
| Sean | 2 | 2 | |||
| Geoff | 2 | 2 | |||
| Cam | 1 | 1 |
*Odds correct as of 10:30am Monday September 8
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