AFL Finals - Week 2

[Booney]

Geelong v Port Friday night

Sydney v Carlton Saturday night

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Something like 24 of the last 26 semi-finals have been won by the team who finished top 4 and lost the first week ( Geelong / Sydney ) and this week looks likely to be the same outcome. Or is it?

Port would be the bigger upset of the two and Carlton would also not be fancied but both will head into this weeks games full of confidence after beating more fancied opponents last weekend. Remember, Port and Carlton fought out a close one in the final minor round game at Footy Park. This seems to have hardened them for the first week of finals, but will it be their down fall this week, players getting tired.

Geelong v Port - Heading over tomorrow morning for this one, pretty excited about what the game has in store.

Geelongs 9 consecutive wins over Port has them the favourite to keep this run going (along with finishing 2nd during the minor round), but the wins in Melbourne have been at Cat Park where they simply strangle the life out of opponents, the extra space at the G might give Port a chance to use the pace the young side posseses.

Enright is a loss for Geelong, no doubt. He held Wingard to almost no impact in the game played recently between the two sides and is one of Geelongs crucial back half generals. More will fall to Bartel to do and I'd expect Monfries to go to Bartel and continue his defensive forward role on him. Monfries got off the chain last time to boot 7 majors, some of them after the game had been won when Geelong were 51 points up at half time. Port ran that game out in the last quarter, or Geelong shut down, either way it was a 25 point margin at the final siren.

Again this week Geelongs ruck stocks will be tested by the in-form Matt Lobbe who had 59 hit-outs against them last time round and this is where Port get the very first of the advantages, hitouts to advantage. Lobbe must not only get first hand on it, he must use it to advantage by hitting it down Ebert, Boak and Wines' throats. Of course, Selwood and co. will be doing their best to read it off hands and get the ball quickly to Podsiadly (who Port seem to never cover) and the returning Hawkins. (LOL - "turning" - like he can do that!)

Port always struggle to match Pods and Hawkins up, I think we get it the wrong way round. Carlile goes to Hawkins and Trengove to Pods. I'd flip it around this week, but I'm not the coach.

Johnson in the front half will perhaps be shaded by Tom Jonas and Cassisi will take him when he moves onto the ball. He too is often too good for Port defenders and must be held for Port to be a chance. Easier said than done.

With a wet night predicted in Melbourne the game might just be a slog, not the fast paced running game Port will want.

Having said that, I expect it to be fairly close. History suggests the Cats will win. I hope not, but I'd say Geelong by 17 points. If Port are within 3 goals at 3/4 time, it might be a different story.

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I'll leave Sydney v Carlton to one of their supporters to preview - my tip - Sydney by 9 points.

[The Sleeping Giant]

I'll give it a crack.

Out of the 2 sides, Carlton's form is far better. Sydney have dropped off the last few weeks, even though they have played the top 2 sides 3 weeks in a row. Carlton have been fantastic in their last 2 wins, but I believe the win against Richmond may have taken it's toll. A lot of sore bodies at Carlton by the looks of things, and coupled with travelling and a 2 day shorter break, Sydney has a huge advantage. Carlton's chances rest massively on Judd. As the great man Paul Roos said, he looks like he has too wait for the sting to get out of the game before he can impact.

Sydney will have too improve a shit load. Got smashed last week in uncontested poss, and if they use the ball like that again shut the gate. Expect a big game from Jack this week. If Goodes plays in the forward line it could be an interesting night.

Sydney by 15 pts with Carlton in the game until the last 10 minutes. The lucky winner gets to go to Freo to get pantsed.

Other game Geelong by 5 goals.

[Trader]

Only 43 inside 50s last week against the Pies. Lucky to get away with that one.

Still having periods in the game where our boys go to sleep.
When things aren't going our way, we struggle to put the breaks on.
We can't rely on our ability to run over sides late. Good sides don't let it happen.

Finals Week 1 Vs Collingwood we conceeded 6 goals to 1 from half way through the 2nd to half way through the third.
Rd 23 Vs Carlton 9-2 from half way through the 3rd to half way through the last.
Rd 22 Vs Freo We let them kick 13 of the first 15 goals, then broke even after that.
Rd 20 Vs Geelong Another game it took us to half time to wake up as you mentioned above.
Rd 19 Vs Crows They kicked 7-2 in the 3rd.
Rd 17 Vs Saints - We let them go on a 9-2 run.
Rd 15 Vs Ess - They kicked the first 6 of the 2nd term.
Rd 10 Vs Doggies - They kicked the last of the first half and then 5 to 0 in the 3rd term.
Rd 6 Vs Roos - They kicked the last 8 of the first qtr.
Rd 5 Vs Eagles - They kicked 7 of the first 8 of the game.
Rd 3 Vs Crows - They kicked 8 to 1 during the 2nd and start of the 3rd.

We're a young side and the consistancy will improve with experience, but it is an alarming trend that's occuring more and more in the latter rounds.

6 day break with travel on both sides of it. Will be interesting to see how the boys pull up.

[daysofourlives]

What chance Port v Geelong having a bigger crowd than port v Pies last week?

[Rik E Boy]

What chance Port v Geelong having a bigger crowd than port v Pies last week?

None I reckon.

regards,

REB

[daysofourlives]

What chance Port v Geelong having a bigger crowd than port v Pies last week?

None I reckon.

regards,

REB

Only have 50000 to beat

[westozfalcon]

Unlike Collingwood last week, Geelong won't be expecting victory over Port to be a fait accompli. The Cats will be appropriately switched on and I tip them to win by 38 points.

Carlton are not saddled by the burden of expectation and are revelling in the pressure-free finals wildcard they've been handed. I reckon they will topple a worryingly fragile Sydney by 15 points.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Would take an almighty effort from Port to beat Geelong tonight.. do I think they can? Actually yes, I think Port could very well cause an upset!

Don't think the 6 day turnaround will hurt, programs and recoveries these days are the best they can be, they'll be fresh and Melb is only a couple hours on a plane. Playing last week at the MCG will assist the Power tonight and Geelong had it tough against the physical pressure of Fremantle.

For me I actually think that Motlop is the danger to watch - Port seem happy to have shootouts and allow other teams to run a bit more free, and Motlop if given space is fit and quick enough to play Port at their own game and carve them up.

[woodublieve12]

Would take an almighty effort from Port to beat Geelong tonight.. do I think they can? Actually yes, I think Port could very well cause an upset!

Don't think the 6 day turnaround will hurt, programs and recoveries these days are the best they can be, they'll be fresh and Melb is only a couple hours on a plane. Playing last week at the MCG will assist the Power tonight and Geelong had it tough against the physical pressure of Fremantle.

For me I actually think that Motlop is the danger to watch - Port seem happy to have shootouts and allow other teams to run a bit more free, and Motlop if given space is fit and quick enough to play Port at their own game and carve them up.

Don't let a hawthorn supporter read that.

[Frosty]

Kreuzer is now out of the Carlton team for tomorrow night - Sydney rucks to dominate and the Swans to win easily by 6 goals.

[Rik E Boy]

Yep good call Frosty. Not sure where the love for Carlton comes from. Sydney in Sydney is a different proposition than Richmond making their first finals appearance in a dozen years. Port will be a bit too pleased with themselves and the Cats will be snaky.

Sydney by 29 points
Geelong by 33 points

regards,

REB

[daysofourlives]

If Schulz stopped fumbling everything Power would be 3 or 4 goal up. Easily the worst on the ground so far

[Jim05]

Come on Geelong,need to lift

[daysofourlives]

Come on Geelong,need to lift

Yep cmon the Cats

[The Dark Knight]

If Schulz stopped fumbling everything Power would be 3 or 4 goal up. Easily the worst on the ground so far

Got a few mates at the moment, players from both sides have been fumbling. The pressure is top notch.

Agree the Power should be up by 3/4 goals

[beeroclock]

If Schulz stopped fumbling everything Power would be 3 or 4 goal up. Easily the worst on the ground so far

Got a few mates at the moment, players from both sides have been fumbling. The pressure is top notch.

Agree the Power should be up by 3/4 goals

It's a pretty crap game really.
Good luck beating the Hawks either of these sides on present form.

[daysofourlives]

Geez this game is Ports to lose from here.
They are to quick and are out working Geelong by a long long way. Got a new hardest working 2 way midfield in the comp i think

[Jim05]

Hawkins is a crock, the decision to play him is biting them on the arse big time

[beeroclock]

That would have to have been the softest free kick in history to Westy.
Oh well.
Play on.

[Spargo]

Umpires have let so much go and then gift westhoff that soft one.