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After an incredible first week of finals, we are down to the last six.
A spot in the preliminary final is up for grabs.
First up, Geelong will face the Greater Western Sydney Giants on Friday night at Optus Stadium. The Giants earned their spot in Week 2 after holding off a fast-finishing Sydney Swans outfit in last week’s elimination by a solitary point. Geelong were however outclassed by a Port Adelaide side in Adelaide by 43 points.
GWS have won their previous three clashes against Geelong, most recently in Round 21 where they upset the Cats down in Geelong by 19 points. Toby Green had a field night with four goals.
Key players
Geelong
Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan, Issac Smith, Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rowan.
GWS
Harry Perryman, Tim Taranto, Josh Kelly and Jesse Hogan.
Geelong have had two really frustrating games in a row. Losing a 44-point lead to Melbourne, before the disappointing qualifying final against Port Adelaide. This is around the time where you would expect a response from them. For GWS Toby Green is a big out with suspension and they will need to find other avenues to goal. I feel as if Geelong will have the scoring power, with Hawkins and Cameron up forward.
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(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Prediction: Geelong by 25 points.
On Saturday night, the Brisbane Lions will host the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba. The Lions are looking to make it back to the preliminary final for the second consecutive year after their loss to Melbourne in the qualifying final. The Bulldogs were ultra-impressive against Essendon, with their emphatic second half getting them out to a 49-point victory in last Sunday’s elimination final.
The last time these teams met, it was the Dogs by 19 points at Mars Stadium in Round 4. At that point in the season the Lions were 1-3, but they have recently picked up their form to finish fourth place, just nudging the Dogs out of the top four.
Key players
Brisbane
Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron, Daniel Rich, Mitch Robinson, Hugh McCluggage and Dane Zorko.
Western Bulldogs
Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae, Aaron Naughton, Josh Schache, Josh Dunkley and Cody Weightman.
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Brisbane are generally good at home and they will be looking to find better form after their disappointing result against Melbourne. With the home crowd behind them and Cameron firing up forward, Brisbane should get through to play Port in the preliminary final.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Prediction: Brisbane by 15 points.
We look forward to some enthralling semi-final action and seeing who will carry on to face Melbourne and Port Adelaide for a spot in this year’s grand final.
