Preliminary Final Teams

FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN

Friday September 25 at Subiaco Oval, 8:20PM

DOCKERS

B: L.Spurr, M.Johnson, Z.Dawson

HB: S.Hill, G.Ibbotson, C.Sutcliffe

C: N.Suban, N.Fyfe, T.Sheridan

HF: M.Barlow, C.Mayne, D.Pearce

F: H.Ballantyne, M.Pavlich, M.Walters

Foll: A.Sandilands, D.Mundy, L.Neale

Inter: M.Taberner, T.Mzungu, J.Griffin, M.de Boer

Ins: M.Taberner, J.Griffin

Outs: C.Pearce (omitted), Z.Clarke (omitted)

HAWKS

B: B. Stratton, B.Lake, M.Suckling

HB: G.Birchall, J.Gibson, S.Burgoyne

C: B.Hill, S.Mitchell, L.Shiels

HF: C.Rioli, J.Frawley, I.Smith

F: L.Bruest, J.Roughead, P.Puopolo

Foll: B.McEvoy, L.Hodge, J.Lewis

Inter: R.Schoenmakers, T.Duryea, D.Hale, B.Hartung

No changes

Dockers have decided to load up with height bringing in Griffin and Taberner at the expense of Clancee Pearce and Zac Clarke neither of could be happy because if the Dockers make the big dance it would be hard to see either player getting back in. Personally I can't believe their was so much speculation about Ryan Crowley getting back in after being suspended for a year I mean seriously why would you risk it if it was a Lance Franklin or Nic Nat then it would be a different story but Crowley give me a break.

This is the Hawks time of year and despite their second trip to Perth in 3 weeks I expect them to prevail even without Gunston but this will be close

Hawks by  13 points

WEST COAST EAGLES v NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday September 26 at Subiaco Oval, 7:45PM

EAGLES

B: S.Hurn, W.Schofield, S.Wellingham

HB: E.Yeo, J.McGovern, B.Sheppard

C: J.Cripps, M.Priddis, M.Rosa

HF: D.Sheed, J.Darling, M.LeCras

F: J.Hill, J.Kennedy, C.Sinclair

Foll: N.Naitanui, L.Shuey, A.Gaff

Inter: S.Butler, X.Ellis, M.Hutchings, C.Masten

Ins: M.Priddis, C.Masten

Outs: P.McGinnity (omitted), S.Selwood (omitted)

KANGAROOS

B: M.Firrito, S.Thompson, S.Atley

HB: L.Hansen, J.Macmillan, S.Gibson

C: S.Wright, J.Ziebell, B.Jacobs

HF: S.Higgins, D.Petrie, N.Dal Santo

F: K.Turner, J.Waite, B.Harvey

Foll: T.Goldstein, A.Swallow, B.Cunnington

Inter: B.Brown, L.Thomas, T.Garner, R.Tarrant

In: R.Tarrant

Out: L.McDonald (omitted)

If the Roos had not traveled to Sydney last week I would have given them a reasonable chance this week but 2 interstate trips consecutively against top teams and with the Eagles having a weeks rest too much of a tall order I think especially with Masten and Priddis back in. But if the roos can break even on centre clearances, inside 50's and contested ball Petrie, Brown and Waite can cause enough problems in the air against a defense devoid of a lot of height. The Eagles play zone defense and thus can chop each other out which works well when you can force the opposition to kick the ball long under pressure in the forward 50 so the Roos need to find space through the midfield so they can lower their eyes and hit lead up forwards. 

But the Eagles for me by 34 points.