Collingwood vs Geelong : Finals Week 4 AFL 2011
After being walloped by Collingwood in their 2010 preliminary final, Geelong was supposed to be on the slide. It was expected to be the end of a great era of Cats dominance. But, here we are just over 12 months on, and Geelong is on the verge of claiming its third premiership in five seasons – at the expense of the Magpies winning its second in succession – the two sides clashing in Saturday’s Grand Final at the MCG. Despite waning belief from the football-going public, and Collingwood marching...
Geelong vs West Coast : Finals Week 3 AFL 2011
West Coast may be the rank outsider to defeat Geelong in their Qualifying Final at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, but at least the Eagles can go into the clash with the knowledge it is the only side left in the premiership race to have defeated the Cats this season. Neither Collingwood nor Hawthorn has beaten Geelong in five attempts this year, while West Coast managed the feat in round 16. Admittedly, that game was in Perth, and during a mini-slump by the Cats which they have certainly recovered...
Collingwood vs Hawthorn : Finals Week 3 AFL 2011...
Hawthorn is rank underdog to beat reigning premier Collingwood in their Preliminary Final clash at the MCG on Friday night – and rightly so. The Hawks have been brave, throughout the entire 2011 home and away rounds and the finals, typified by Lance Franklin’s determination to not just play but play a big role in last week’s gutsy semi-final victory over Sydney. But, against the Magpies, they may be found wanting. Franklin, who defied the odds to kick four goals last week in a 36-point win,...
West Coast vs Carlton : Finals Week 2 AFL 2011
An understrength Carlton ($2.70) faces a massive task to keep its impeccable record in Perth intact and its season alive when it's hosted by West Coast ($1.48) in their First Semi-Final clash at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night. The Blues have won four of their last five games at Subiaco, including their last two against the Eagles, but they head in to the cut-throat final without at least three stars. Playmaker Bryce Gibbs has now joined key forwards Matthew Kruezer and Jarrad Waite on...
Hawthorn vs Sydney : Finals Week 2 AFL 2011
Genuine premiership contenders a week ago, Hawthorn faces the ugly prospect of being dumped from the finals in 'straight sets' if it cannot keep a rampant Sydney star Adam Goodes quiet in Friday night's Semi-Final at the MCG. Of course, the Hawks may also need to find a way to kick a winning score without their own indigenous marvel, Lance Franklin. But stopping Goodes in his 300th game could prove tougher. Whether in the midfield or up forward, Hawthorn has few players, if any, capable of stopping...
Carlton vs Essendon : Finals Week 1 AFL 2011
No team likes to lose an elimination final, but it will be a seriously bitter pill to swallow to be dumped out of the premiership race by a genuine arch nemesis. It’s the fate that awaits one of Carlton or Essendon when they clash at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. One will go on and play the loser of the Collingwood-West Coast qualifying final. The other will be sent packing for season 2011. The Blues ($1.38) will go in as favourites, having finished fifth, three spots ahead of the Bombers ($3.10)....
St Kilda vs Sydney : Finals Week 1 AFL 2011
St Kilda put itself in a strong position to progress to Finals Week 2 after its round 24 win over Carlton. The result allowed it the all-important hosting duties for its Elimination Final against Sydney on Saturday night, at Etihad Stadium. Home-ground advantage might be about all that separates these two tough combatants. The Swans haven't beaten the Saints at Docklands since their first meeting there in 2000. There is little between the pair, both finishing with 12.5 wins, the Saints edging...
Collingwood vs West Coast : Finals Week 1 AFL 20...
Who would’ve thought last year’s premier would be facing such a major challenge in the first week of the finals against last year’s wooden spooner? Collingwood hosts West Coast on Saturday afternoon in their Qualifying Final at the MCG, and while the Magpies should be able to progress to a preliminary final, they will get one hell of a fight. Last week’s results alone show the match could be closer than many think. While Collingwood suffered just its second loss of the season in being...
Geelong vs Hawthorn : Finals Week 1 AFL 2011
Geelong meets Hawthorn in Friday night’s Qualifying Final at the MCG – and it promises to be another absolute thriller between two fierce rivals. The Cats finished second with a 19-3 win-loss record, the Hawks third at 18-4. Geelong certainly has the score on the board in recent games between the two heavyweights – they’ve won both clashes this season to make it six in a row – but there has been very little separating the pair. The Cats won by five points in round 12 (88-83) after trailing...
Richmond vs North Melbourne : Round 24 AFL 2011
Richmond takes on North Melbourne in a dead-rubber Sunday twilight match at Etihad Stadium to end the 2011 home and away rounds. Pride is all that is up for grabs, with the winner set to finish ninth and take some extra confidence into the off-season. If momentum counts for anything, the Tigers might just be able to snatch another win to end another frustrating season on a high. They’ve won their last three – against Sydney (99-56), Melbourne (117-110) and Adelaide in Adelaide (99-121) –...