Welcome to The Profits Grand Final analysis with Drew and Euan. We are ready for another Epic Clash of the Titans contest in the last AFL match of the season for 2012. Mighty Hawthorn Hawks will be hosting the Explosive Sydney Swans in this History-making GRAND FINAL showdown! Hawthorn are Short favourites for the moment but that means nothing in a Grand Final….Question still remains who will take home the GLORY? And which Bird will reign supreme? We love to hear your feedback and thoughts so tweet @TheProfitsComAu and we will comment/retweet! Good luck and happy punting!
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You can find an up to date Injury List here – http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/afl-injury-list.php
Hawthorn Hawks ($1.45) vs Sydney Swans ($2.75) – MCG, Saturday September 29, 2.30pm
Recent clashes: Hawthorn 15.12 (102) d Sydney Swans 14.11 (95), round 22, 2012 at the SCG
Game preview: Here we are folks! The grand final. You would have been laughed at by any non-Swans fan if you even suggested the Swans could make it to the Grand Final and stand a very good chance. So much so, that they were $81 to win the premiership at the start of the season. The Hawks struggled over the line last week and even though they should have won by 8-10 goals if they kicked straight, the decisions from the umpires did fall their way all day. They were certainly the better team but will have to step back up to elite level to stand a chance against a Swans outfit that was working as a well rounded team in defeating Collingwood.
Interestingly, Hawthorn and Sydney have actually never met in a Grand Final match, only ever meeting four times in a final series. The Hawks have won 10 of the 15 deciders they’ve contested, including the past four – 1988, 1989, 1991 and 2008. The Swans have played in only one less Grand Final than their opponents, but have only four premiership cups in their trophy cabinet. The location will play a big factor with Hawks winning 12 of its 15 games whilst the Swans have lost 11 of their past 13 games at the MCG. The battle will be won and lost in the Midfield, Mumford and Pykes form in the ruck will definitely test the Hawks. However, both team will have superstars ready to make their mark: Goodes has been in career best form and the Buddy Show can impose serious scoreboard pressure when needed. The two sides X-factors will be Cyril Rioli and Lewis Jetta with each individual possessing the ability to change the tide in the crucial moments.
Hodge will be a very welcome site back in the hawks team. They seem to find an extra 10% with their leader on the ground.. and they will need every bit of that to battle the midfield setup and spread of the Swans. They dominated around the ball last week and the Hawks will have to stop them in this area of the game. Can the Swans keep the Hawks to under 100 points? We think to win the game they will have to. Hawthorn only just beat Sydney back in Round 22 by 7 points and this game will go right to the wire. You do have to give the nod to the Hawks. The surface is a BIG deal. Expect the Swans to put everything they have into the first QTR. Remember what the Cats did to the Hawks, the same could happen. Gents, The Grand Final showdown is finally here… Last time these two teams played Hawthorn narrowly escaped by 7 points. However, Sydney exposed Hawthorn leading by 37 points in the 1st quarter. Hawks will be looking to assert their 11th premiership win! This game will be a tight and close quarter finish!
Hawks by 15
Betting
Hawthorn 1-39 at $2.20
Norm Smith Medal: Sam Mitchell at $9.00
First Goal: Lewis Jetta at $18
Please note
All of the above are the opinions of the author and are not recommendations or advice.
All lines quoted are taken from Centrebet
