3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2020 AFL Season.
We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.
COLLINGWOOD V PORT ADELAIDE
Monday 21 September @ the Gabba
The very last match of the 2020 Home and Away season is a cracker with two finals teams involved and plenty of history too.
Wonder if the two Presidents will have a little fun sparing session in the lead up?
Whichever of the black and white stripes comes out on top could well have a big say comes that October date.
Collingwood has had the better of the clashes recently and by good margins. But acknowledgement must be made that Port were not what they are now.
The Pies did a fair job late to get away from a plucky Gold Coast at this very ground a week ago.
They really should be beating them more easily if they were a real contender but they did what was required to make the finals and that was the only outcome acceptable.
To see Treloar back getting plenty of touches takes the pressure off Pendlebury and Adams without Sidebottom available.
If they were to be any shot at a win in any of the finals, they need all those troops at the top of their games as their forward line doesn't look able to kick a huge score – even with Jordan De Goey back and firing.
As for Port, they could not have had more fun in the lead up game. They gave Essendon a thrashing post the quarter time hooter.
The names in the midfield that have stood up all year were to the fore. Wines and Boak were joined this time by Rockliff and they just pulverised the Bombers.
Charlie Dixon is best when he has some others to take pressure off such as Marshall and Gray and even the resting ruckman.
It doesn't allow any double teaming as say Richmond did superbly last week to Tom Hawkins.
The critical nature of this game has implications for both teams.
For the Power, it will mean they stay atop the table and finish the Minor Premier. They then face a Geelong team who have sauntered rather than sprint into the finals. A loss means they do face those Tigers.
For Collingwood, they improve their placing up to sixth with a win. But a loss sends them to Perth (and all the quarantine regulations that brings). They already know their fate depending on outcome which is better than some teams have had.
Port need to maintain the heat for the four quarters as the Pies don't tend to give up. Reckon they are the better team but that doesn't mean much in a quasi-final.
Watch for Collingwood to double team Dixon and keep it tight. If that occurs it provides opportunity for Gray and Marshall to be off the chain and scoring.
Match Selection: Port Adelaide by 7 points
Suggested Bets: Total Points -114.5 @ $1.90
Suggested Bets: Robbie Gray 2+ Goals @ $3.00