Team Tips: Second-half effort saves Tiger, marking power crucial for CatsMatt Balmer
October 19, 2020
Source: FOX SPORTSBoth Geelong and Richmond are flying high after winning through to the Grand Final.
But will either side swing the selection axe?
PREDICTED TIGERS 22No change.
B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Liam Baker, Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
HF: Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna, Dustin Martin
F: Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin
I/C: Jack Graham, Jayden Short, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad
EMG: Oleg Markov, Josh Caddy, Mabior Chol, Jake Aarts
The Tigers appear certain to make no change meaning Josh Caddy won’t win his spot back after an inconsistent season.
Caddy is a two-time premiership player, but has struggled with his form and battles injury throughout 2020.
With Mabior Chol not winning selection against Port Adelaide, a team his height might’ve match up best against out of all the finals teams, he would be an outside chance to return.
Oleg Markov and Jake Aarts have both impressed in the second-half of the year but were pushed out when Shane Edwards, Bachar Houli and Dion Prestia returned after long lay-offs.
Five-time premiership Hawk Dermott Brereton believed last year’s Grand Final story Marlion Pickett won’t be dropped for the match, despite an underwhelming finals series.
“The boy wonder from last year’s Grand Final is lucky he had a competent second-half, Marlion Pickett,” he said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“He was very flaky in the first half and I was looking at it ‘C’mon son, hang onto the ball and don’t cough it up’. If he had an average second half you’re bringing in one of the more experienced boys who have been there already.
“But he came good in the second half and probably still gets the nod.”
PREDICTED CATS 22No change.
B: Jack Henry, Harry Taylor, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Lachie Henderson, Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart
C: Mitch Duncan, Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola
HF: Luke Dahlhaus, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers
F: Gary Ablett, Tom Hawkins, Sam Simpson
FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie
I/C: Jed Bews, Brandan Parfitt, Zach Tuohy, Mark O’Connor
EMG: Tom Atkins, Zach Guthrie, Esava Ratugolea, Bradley Close
The Cats are also very settled on their side with key forward Esava Ratugolea the player who would appear the closest to gain selection, after booting two goals and clunking seven marks against the Tigers in Round 17.
But the young tall was dropped before finals, with Patrick Dangerfield utilised inside 50 in a more prominent role.
Brereton believed it was a discussion worth having, given his extra height inside 50.
“I look at Geelong and I look at their build right now, some players might be a little old, but they are an Esava Ratugolea game away from winning a premiership,” he said.
“Esava Ratugolea, Richmond were powerless to stopping him marking. As much as he did that, he just doesn’t score goals. If he could somehow get the ball through the goals, he’s a lock in Geelong’s forward line.
“Tom Hawkins as powerful as he is, out marks opponents when he is one-on-one, because Tom doesn’t jump. He’s not a big jumper at the footy, he pushes and out marks.
“Gary Rohan beats his opponent to the drop of the ball, he doesn’t really jump at the ball. They have no-one who launches at the footy when it comes in high. Tom will get there and push and shove, but if there’s three in the pack, one of them is jumping higher than Tom.
“That’s why Dangerfield has made such a huge change to their forward line when he goes there. Because he gets to the drop of the ball and launches. If they believe they can get parity in terms of inside 50s, I reckon you’re playing Paddy Dangerfield in the forward line 80 per cent of the time.
“Even in a do or die clash, he’s that good as a pseudo key forward and launches at it like no one does in their forward line.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-grand-final-2020-team-tips-selection-news-richmond-vs-geelong-grand-final-teams-gabba-squads-ins-and-outs/news-story/51130893fb800aeb57f259e90b3e36a3
