My Geelong Cats face a tough test in the Collingwood Magpies Saturday at the MCG. Though I do have a soft spot for the Magpies [I'm an old school Heckle and Jeckle fan, kiddies.], I love the Cats.
Here's a preview from AFL.com:
Grand Final preview: Collingwood v Geelong
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday 1 October, 2.30pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Collingwood 126 wins, Geelong 94 wins, one draw
LAST TIME: Geelong 22.17 (149) d Collingwood 8.5 (53), round 24, 2011 at the MCG
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Collingwood: WLWBW Geelong: LWWBW
SUMMARY
It's the Grand Final most footy purists had hoped for since midway through the season.
Although there's an injury cloud or two hanging over the combatants, the best two teams all season will line up at the MCG on Saturday.
Geelong and Collingwood have won the past two flags and suffered only five losses between them all season.
The fascinating match-ups start in the coaches' box. Mick Malthouse will oversee his last game in charge after 28 seasons, while at the other end of the scale, Chris Scott will coach in a Grand Final in his debut campaign.
Injuries will play a big part in the build-up, with Geelong sweating on the availability of mercurial half-forward Steve Johnson (knee) and Collingwood waiting on ruckman Darren Jolly (groin) and All-Australian defender Ben Reid (hamstring).
They've played twice this season, with Geelong winning the round eight clash in a controversial nail-biter (remember Scott Pendlebury's no-goal after playing on?) and demolishing the premiers just a month ago in round 24.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the Magpies get the ball inside 50 enough to give themselves a chance? In their two meetings this season, the Cats have suffocated the usually free-flowing Magpies, winning the inside 50 count by a staggering 62-42 (round eight) and 68-35 (round 24). Unless Collingwood find a way to get the ball forward more often to give Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes some opportunities, they could be in for a long afternoon.
Will Geelong play a defensive half-forward on Leon Davis? It's not in the Cats' nature to be too defensive, but through Paul Puopolo last week, Hawthorn showed the laser-like skills of Davis can be ruffled under pressure. The All-Australian sets up a lot of Collingwood's attack from the back half with his pin-point passing, and stifling that could help the Cats go a long way towards winning.
PREDICTION
Geelong by 11 points.
Here's more pregame stuff from down under [Hemisphere centric.]:
Team first for Pies
Midfielder Dale Thomas says Collingwood won't use Mick Malthouse's exit as motivation in Saturday's Grand Final Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 1:29 PM
Chris Scott says the club will wait until Friday to fully test Steve Johnson's knee Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 12:41 PM
Newly-crowned Brownlow medallist keen to focus on Saturday's decider after early-morning dip in Port Phillip Bay Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 12:34 PM
Umpires named for decider
The AFL has announced the umpires for this Saturday's Grand Final Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 10:36 AM
Jolly Wood replacement
Cameron Wood is in good enough form to replace an injured Darren Jolly should the latter not be fit enough to play on Saturday Monday, September 26, 2011 - 2:43 PM
Pods' long road
James Podsiadly has come a long way from being the warm-up supervisor in Geelong's last grand final to being the full forward this year Monday, September 26, 2011 - 1:43 PM
Podsiadly cleared for decider
The match review panel has cleared James Podsiadly of any wrongdoing following an incident with West Coast's Adam Selwood Monday, September 26, 2011 - 12:54 PM
Balme backs sore Johnson
Geelong football manager Neil Balme says Steve Johnson may still play in the Grand Final Monday, September 26, 2011 - 9:12 AM
Jolly still doubtful, Reid firming
Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh says Ben Reid is a stronger chance than Darren Jolly to play in Saturday's Grand Final Monday, September 26, 2011 - 8:25 AM
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