AFL FINALS TIPS: Brisbane v Gold Coast

Saturday, September 13 – 7.35 PM AEST – Venue: Gabba

The Suns Coach Damien Harwick has already labelled this game the ‘biggest game in Queensland history’ so let’s hope it lives up to that high mark, by both sides bringing high pressure, and lots of excellent skills on display.

The Suns gun midfield is led by Jarrod Witt’s dominance in the ruck, giving plenty of the ball to the skipper Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller. These three need to not only get the ball but they need to use it well to ensure they provide Ben King, Bailey Humphrey, Sam Flanders, Ben Long and Ben Ainsworth the opportunities to kick a winning score. King finished second in the Coleman Medal on 62 goals for the year behind Jeremy Cameron on 83.

The Lions defence wont make it easy for them though with Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner, Brandon Starcevich, Ryan Lester, and Dane Zorko working well with each other to repel forward attacks.

With Lachie Neale out for the season with a calf injury, it’s the midfield that needs to stand up for the Lions. Zac Bailey will spend more time in the midfield to support the Ashcroft boys, Dunkley, Fletcher, Berry and Rayner. McCluggage was well held last week but is too good to go missing again. Same applies to Charlie Cameron up forward, who had a shocker too. Fagan needs to move him into the midfield at times each quarter to free him up and give him confidence with ball in hand.

Henry Smith kicked four goals in the VFL semi final last week and may be a better option than Sam Day, Ty Gallop and/or Logan Morris who all seemed overawed on the big stage last week – this wont be any easier! Oscar McInerney is starring in the VFL too and unless its going to be wet, he will be considered by Fagan for the ruck role with Darcy Fort playing ruck and forward. This would make it harder for Witts to dominate the ruck duels too.  

David Swallow was almost the villain when he turned the ball over in the middle of the ground to enable Freo to score a goal late in the game last week. But he became the saviour moments later which his goal turned point sending the Suns into this semi-final. He is likely to be sub again and is the only player to be still playing at the club since its first season in 2010. Will this be his final game or will the fairy tale continue in this his final year. Daniel Rioli and Bailey Humphrey will be better again after getting a couple of games under their belts after injury.

The Lions need to hold their own in the midfield and get at least 10 goals out of livewire forward Kai Lohmann, Charlie Cameron, Callum Ah Chee and Cam Rayner.

What a game this should be!    

Lions by 11 points