AFL Grand Final Preview

WHAT a year we’ve had. Yes, it’s a well-worn cliché, but 2005 has delivered in spades for AFL fans and now we’re counting down the hours to the final showdown. Bring it on!

There’s a school of thought that this year’s Grand Final showcases two teams who are not of ‘champion’ quality. It’s been said that Sydney are too defensive and that West Coast are too unaccountable. Maybe they’re fair accusations, maybe not.

But for all the negative talk, these two teams are still here on that ‘One Day in September’ and will leave nothing in reserve. And don’t worry – this has all the ingredients for the best Grand Final in the history of the expanded national competition.

After all, the bookmakers can’t split them, and rightly so. This one could go down to the wire.

But the question everyone wants answered is simple. Who will win the flag? Will it be the warriors from the west or the heroes of the harbour?

SportsAustralia.com’s expert panel of football writers have banded together to give you their tips, and for what it’s worth, I’m leaning toward the Swans.

Bet of the week: Norm Smith Medal - Ryan O’Keefe @ $15

Getting the Norm Smith Medal winner correct is always tough – but rest assured, only a true ‘game breaker’ can ever steal it. Such recent winners, like Byron Pickett, Andrew McLeod, Nathan Buckley, James Hird and Shannon Grant are all known for being able to change the course of a match. O’Keefe has these qualities, and if West Coast can’t nullify his influence, he could be the ultimate thorn in John Worsfold’s side.

It’s hard not to get caught up in the hoopla of the Grand Final as an event; but remember, for all the Brownlow hangovers, parades, trading scuttlebutt, extravagant breakfasts and Delta-gate that circles around town at this time of year, there’s still a game of football to be played.

And what makes it even more interesting is that the respective teams are both strong and vulnerable in equal measure.

West Coast put in a more impressive match than Sydney over four quarters last week, but it was the Swans who set tongues wagging with their demolition job on the Saints with an unanswered eight-goal finishing burst, proving their MCG pedigree in the process.

However, Sydney have been racking up the frequent flyer points in recent weeks, and could that now start to catch up with some weary bodies? It’s likely to have an impact, but the severity of it is anyone’s guess.

The Eagles have the best midfield in the competition – that’s undisputed. But what happens if Paul Roos’s chargers can nullify it? Should that happen, Sydney’s superior key position talent can stamp their authority on the game.

Therein lies what might prove to be the difference between the two teams.

West Coast lack the requisite power forwards and defenders to dominate the game, and while Sydney’s occasionally protective mentality might prevent them from streaking clear, their even spread of talent across the park – plus a lean and mean Barry Hall fit and ready in the forward line – leaves them in pole position to claim glory.

Sydney by 7 points.

Until next season, Happy punting!

SportsAustralia.com - AFL Reporter Selections
Sydney Swans	Margin	Norm Smith Medal
Sebastian Hassett	7	Ryan O'Keefe (Syd)
Alistair Hogg	10	Brett Kirk (Syd)
Brett Collett	15	Brett Kirk (Syd)
Nick Mockford	21	Nick Davis (Syd)
Nick Smart	23	Brett Kirk (Syd)
Sebastian Greenway	29	Brett Kirk (Syd)
Andrew Donnison	43	Tadgh Kennelly (Syd)
West Coast Eagles	Margin	Norm Smith Medal
John Kehoe	9	Ben Cousins (WCE)
Damien Souness	9	Tyson Stenglein (WCE)
Scott Smith	14	Chris Judd (WCE)
Emma Krieger	26	Chris Judd (WCE)
Adam McBride	42	Daniel Kerr (WCE)

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