SECOND SEMI-FINAL - GEELONG CATS v GWS GIANTS
Friday 3 September - Optus Stadium, 7:50pm
For all your latest TAB odds on Geelong vs GWS, CLICK HERE.
GEELONG
In: Z. Tuohy, E. Ratugolea, M. Holmes
Out: S. Simpson (omitted), L. Dahlhaus (omitted), M. O'Connor (hamstring), S. Higgins (managed)
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Last week's sub: S. Higgins (replaced M. O'Connor)
B: J.Henry, L.Henderson, J.Kolodjashnij
HB: Z.Tuohy, M.Blicavs, T.Atkins
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C: C.Guthrie, M.Duncan, I.Smith
HF: E.Ratugolea, J.Cameron, G.Rohan
F: B.Close, T.Hawkins, G.Miers
FOLL: R.Stanley, J.Selwood, P.Dangerfield
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I/C: J.Bews, M.Holmes, S.Menegola, B.Parfitt
EMG: S.Higgins, S.Simpson, D.Fort, Z.Guthrie
GWS
In: B. Hill, C. Stone
Out: T. Greene (suspended), T. Green (arm), S. Reid (hamstring)
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Last week's sub: T. Bruhn (replaced I. Cumming)
B: J.Stein, S.Taylor, I.Cumming
HB: L.Ash, N.Haynes, L.Whitfield
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C: J.Kelly, S.Coniglio, H.Perryman
HF: T.Taranto, H.Himmelberg, D.Lloyd
F: Z.Sproule, J.Hogan, M.de Boer
FOLL: S.Mumford, J.Hopper, C.Ward
I/C: T.Bruhn, B.Hill, C.Stone, C.Idun
EMG: J.Riccardi, K.Briggs, P.Davis, J.Peatling
VERDICT:
Two huge losses for the Giants with Toby Greene missing through suspension and young gun Tom Green through injury make defeating the Cats a much tougher task. The Cats have elected to bring in both experience and height with defender Zac Tuohy and forward Esava Ratugolea coming in while 2016 premiership player Luke Dahlhaus has been dropped after his six-disposal effort against Port Adelaide last week. Shaun Higgins could be the medical substitute again after being left out of the Cats' 22.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Jeremy Cameron v Sam Taylor
A week after keeping Swans superstar Lance Franklin to three goals, young Giant Sam Taylor will face off against former teammate Jeremy Cameron. Look for Taylor to play on Cameron when inside 50 with the ever-reliable tall in for another huge match-up this week.
Rhys Stanley/Esava Ratugolea v Shane Mumford
In the battle of the big men, Geelong will look to outwork Giants big man Shane Mumford with a two-pronged ruck attack of Rhys Stanley and inclusion Esava Ratugolea. Mumford's tap work should be enough to give his midfield first use inside but expect the Stanley and Ratugolea to try and outwork Mummy around the ground and drift forward. This could be one of the game's most important duels.
BEST BETS (odds correct as of 03/09/21):
First goalscorer:
Jeremy Cameron (GEE) - $8
Tom Hawkins (GEE) - $9
Jesse Hogan (GWS) - $11
Most disposals:
Joshua Kelly (GWS) - $3.75
Cameron Guthrie (GEE) - $4
Duncan Mitchell (GEE) - $4.50
FIRST SEMI-FINAL - BRISBANE LIONS V WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday 3 September - The Gabba, 7:20pm
For all your latest TAB odds on Brisbane vs Western Bulldogs, CLICK HERE.
BRISBANE
In: D. Robertson, J. Payne
Out: D. McStay (concussion), J. Prior (omitted), R. Mathieson (medi-sub)
Last week's sub: R. Mathieson (replaced D. McStay)
B: M.Adams, D.Gardiner, B.Starcevich
HB: G.Birchall, H.Andrews, D.Rich
C: H.McCluggage, D.Zorko, M.Robinson
HF: L.McCarthy, T.Fullarton, Z.Bailey
F: K.Coleman, J.Daniher, C.Cameron
FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Lyons, L.Neale
I/C: D.Robertson, J.Berry, N.Cockatoo, J.Payne
EMG: C.Ah Chee, R.Lester, R.Mathieson, C.Ballenden
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: None
Out: J. Johannisen (medi-sub)
Last week's sub: J. Johnannisen (unused)
B: E.Wood, A.Keath, B.Williams
HB: T.Duryea, R.Gardner, B.Dale
C: A.Treloar, J.Dunkley, L.Hunter
HF: L.Vandermeer, A.Naughton, B.Smith
F: T.Liberatore, T.English, C.Weightman
FOLL: Le. Young, J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli
I/C: J.Schache, M.Hannan, C.Daniel, R.Smith
EMG: M.Wallis, Z.Cordy, A.Scott, J.Johannisen
VERDICT:
The loss of tall defender Dan McStay for the Lions is a big one with the inclusion of key defender Jack Payne signalling a shuffle of some of the back six for the clash with the Dogs. They've also brought in Deven Robertson for the omitted Jaxon Prior. The Dogs have selected an unchanged line-up from the side that defeated Essendon last week with defender Zaine Cordy named as an emergency after being a late withdrawal last week while Norm Smith medallist Jason Johnannisen likely to be the medical substitute again after being named as an emergency.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Hugh McCluggage v Lachie Hunter
Two of the competitions premier wingman will battle it out with both proven ball winners. McCluggage and Hunter both had 24 disposals last week so expect both to carry that good form into a do or die final on Saturday night.
Charlie Cameron v Bailey Williams or Easton Wood
After kicking five goals in a losing side last week, expect Lions small forward Charlie Cameron to cop a fair bit of attention from either Bailey Williams or Easton Wood inside 50. Both would be solid matchups on the livewire goal sneak while Taylor Duryea could also be an option for coach Luke Beveridge.
BEST BETS (odds correct as of 03/09/21):
First goalscorer:
Charlie Cameron (BRI) - $8.50
Aaron Naughton (WB) - $9
Joe Daniher (BRI) - $10
Most disposals:
Jackson Macrae (WB) - $2.25
Lachie Neale (BRI) - $3.75
Marcus Bontempelli (WB) - $6.50
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