AFL Preliminary Finals
AFL 
/ Nick Tedeschi / 22 September 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now
This week Dale Thomas and Ben Reid return, both positive ins but both again causing disruption to the Collingwood team.
Nick Tedeschi is looking forward to two tightly contested games this weekend in the prelim to the 2011 Grand Final.
HAWTHORN (v Collingwood)
1 unit at match odds of $2.50 or better
1 unit on Either Team Under 15.5 (Tri Bet) at $3.20
Collingwood have come up very short for a team that very nearly got rolled in the first qualifying final by West Coast, a team not nearly as well matched against the Pies as Hawthorn.
The Pies are deserved favourites, but in what is set to be a close preliminary final this is way too short. The Hawks have won five of seven against the Pies and Collingwood are vulnerable having brought in so many faces in recent times. This week Dale Thomas and Ben Reid return, both positive ins but both again causing disruption to the Collingwood team. The loss of midfield coach Mark Neeld throughout the week only enhances the distraction. The biggest worry for the Magpies will be in the ruck where the in-form Max Bailey will again look to dominate Darren Jolly.
If Buddy is healthy and Sam Mitchell and company can make it a wash in the midfield, the Hawks are a chance. This is forecast to be a close game which the Hawks could pinch.
At the very least, it seems doubtful they will get blown out.
CLCK HERE FOR THE MATCH ODDS.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TRI BET.
GEELONG (v West Coast)
1 unit on Geelong Under 39.5 at Winning Margin odds of $2.25
It has been a wonderful year for the Cats and their unexpected turnaround is expected to be rewarded with a Grand Final berth on Saturday afternoon.
West Coast have been remarkable this year, going from a wooden spoon to a preliminary final, but their dream run is expected to come to an end against Geelong. The biggest issue for the Eagles is that their dynamic ruck duo are unlikely to dominate against experienced campaigner Brad Ottens as they have against weaker teams in recent weeks.
The Cats have won six of their last seven against the Eagles and are expected to down West Coast again, though with the Eagles' honesty, a blowout isn't expected.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH ODDS.
