Week 1 expert ideas, premier, Brownlow, biggest September surprise and more – The Roar
Spring has sprung, September is right here, and the finals are upon us!
18 groups have been whittled all the way down to one of the best eight, and of these, it’s protected to say 5 are nicely and really within the anticipated premiership combine. Nonetheless, that’s one further – because of Carlton’s scorching run of type – from what number of contenders we normally have at this level; and with no clear frontrunner given Collingwood’s current shakes and Brisbane being, nicely, Brisbane, it’s about as open a yr as we’ve had in ages.
So forward of tonight’s Pies-Melbourne blockbuster on the MCG to kick off the finals, The Roar’s resident AFL consultants have gathered to make all the massive calls. Who wins the flag? Who claims the Brownlow? What controversies shall be in retailer all through this month of insanity? And, to start with, who will start their September marketing campaign with a victory this weekend?
The biggest prize of all of them is up for grabs, and the journey begins once more now. Let’s start.
Tim Miller
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Port Adelaide
Biggest story: The common suspects will complain when an ARC rating overview within the final minutes of a good sport takes an eternity to make an inconclusive ruling.
Intestine feeling: Bit pessimistic, however after such an ideal, even season I reckon we’re in for an additional totally terrible grand remaining.
Brownlow Medal: I’m feeling a tie – Nick Daicos caught by Marcus Bontempelli within the final spherical.
Norm Smith Medal: Josh Daicos.
Undoubtedly will occur: An elimination remaining winner shall be talked up as a semi-final favorite, solely to be soundly crushed (Carlton, anybody?)
Undoubtedly received’t occur: A Ben Keays-like ARC controversy to resolve a match – that was a as soon as each 10-year occasion, and the measures the AFL introduced in to attempt and cease it from taking place are ridiculous.
Who wins Finals Week 1:
Collingwood: I’m nonetheless not solely satisfied about Melbourne, and even with no Nick Daicos, the Pies’ run and gun from half-back needs to be sufficient to overwhelm a staff with out the important thing ahead targets which can be the minor premiers’ biggest weak spot.
Carlton: Who is aware of how far they will go, however I stand by the Blues being one of the best staff in it proper now – the Swans are a tough opponent, however their Achilles heels – key backs and inside midfielders – are primed to be exploited by a staff with enormous strengths in that regard.
GWS: St Kilda’s run to the finals has been inspiring, however the Giants hit finals in high type and dispatched quite a lot of top-eight groups alongside the best way. The Saints haven’t crushed one other finalist since Spherical 13, whereas the Giants are 2-2 since then. Let’s be sincere, although: neither is making it previous week two anyway.
Port Adelaide: My huge name for finals week one is that this: the Energy to trigger a serious upset and proceed the Lions’ horror finals report. Port smashed them to smithereens again in Spherical 1, and whereas that broke a run of 5 straight losses to Brisbane and haven’t received on the Gabba since 2017, these data are made to be damaged.
Brayden Maynard of the Magpies tackles Ed Langdon of the Demons. (Picture by Darrian Traynor/Getty Photos)
Dem Panopoulos
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Melbourne
Biggest story: A draw throughout finals creates huge dialogue for quite a lot of days, overshadowing every little thing else in sports activities media.
Intestine feeling: Brodie Grundy and Sam Hayes swap golf equipment – and it’s agreed upon earlier than both Melbourne or Port Adelaide is knocked out of finals.
Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (suppose Zak Butters will under-poll in the identical method Robbie Grey did in 2014 when he was one of many favourites, however had no historical past)
Norm Smith Medal: Darcy Moore
Undoubtedly will occur: Collingwood no less than make the Grand Last.
Undoubtedly received’t occur: Brisbane followers reaching out to me in a peaceful, measured method no matter how they fare.
Who wins Finals Week 1:
Collingwood: A very powerful one to select – it’ll simply be about who’s fitter and who can maintain the tackling strain for longer if the poor circumstances hit. Slight edge in direction of the Magpies there.
Carlton: Enjoyable truth, these two groups have performed one another on the MCG as soon as within the final 37 years and thrice in over a century. Going off that type line, the Blues win.
St Kilda: For many of the season, I used to be firmly towards the Saints taking part in finals. However they’ve modified how they’re taking part in, ought to welcome again quite a lot of regulars and they common more photographs towards GWS of their final three video games than some other opponent. Upset alert.
Brisbane: I’ve tossed and turned 100 occasions over on this one. I believe Port’s tackling strain could make the Lions crumble as they’ve achieved quite a lot of occasions this season and it’s their avenue to profitable, however till they really do it, no Charlie Dixon and a mean defence leans it within the favour of the house staff. Can be watching this match very, veeeery intently.
Connor Rozee. (Picture by Chris Hyde/Getty Photos)
Cameron Rose
Premier: Brisbane
Runner-up: Melbourne
Biggest story: There may be nothing surer than a aim line overview deciding the result of an in depth remaining.
Intestine feeling: Carlton makes a deep run.
Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli the quick finisher to overhaul Nick Daicos who will fly out of the gates. Needs to be an exhilarating rely.
Norm Smith Medal: Zac Bailey
Undoubtedly will occur: The umpires will smash an in depth remaining.
Undoubtedly received’t occur: Port win the premiership.
Who wins Finals Week 1:
Melbourne: The Pies have simply been just a little shaky, and Melbourne is the staff that may shut them down, as they proved earlier this yr.
Carlton: Taking place to GWS in Spherical 24 was the loss the Blues needed to have, and I’m not satisfied concerning the Swans.
GWS: The Saints have discovered a little bit of type once more, however there’s one thing concerning the Giants in finals: they invariably discover a method by way of the primary week.
Brisbane: Have to stay with the house staff right here, regardless of their deplorable report in dwelling finals underneath Chris Fagan. I believe the Lions can lastly go all the best way.
Jack Higgins. (Picture by Cameron Spencer/AFL Images/Getty Photos)
Liam Salter
Premier: Collingwood
Runner-up: Brisbane
Biggest story: Actual crystal ball second, however a Brisbane-Carlton prelim. It’ll be completely insane, with Carlton falling simply quick and the Lions snapping a tough preliminary remaining report of late.
Intestine feeling: Port disappoint.
Brownlow Medal: Zak Butters. An actual darkish horse, and shall be battling Marcus Bontempelli, with Nick Daicos’ harm ruining his possibilities right here.
Norm Smith Medal: Nick Daicos. No Brownlow this yr, however he’ll shine on the final day of September.
Undoubtedly will occur: Umpiring controversy. It’s already saved a staff out of finals, and regardless of the AFL’s pleas of redemption, it’s inevitable.
Undoubtedly received’t occur: Any real blow-out wins. Many coronary heart palpitations forward for lots of followers.
Charlie Curnow of the Blues celebrates a aim. (Picture by Michael Willson/AFL Images by way of Getty Photos)
Who wins Finals Week 1:
Collingwood: Sure, they’ve misplaced some lustre, and stay Nick Daicos-less, however they’re primed. Anticipate a bloody powerful opposition within the Demons, although, however beating one of the best is the way you win the lot.
Carlton: Spherical 24’s loss apart, the Blues are very, very prepared for the massive stuff. Anticipate it to be shut, and given the Swans’ report this yr, controversial. Fortunate us.
St Kilda: The hardest sport to select, however the Saints are this weekend’s biggest underdogs. Not satisfied in any respect they’ll go deep – or make any impression past their elimination remaining – however they’ll declare the Giants’ scalp.
Brisbane: Sorry not sorry, I’m a contrarian on Port. The Lions merely haven’t had a greater likelihood at profitable a premiership than proper right here, proper now, and they understand it.
