AFL Finals 2019, Week 1 My Preview
AFL Finals 2019, week 1 is an extremely difficult one to predict if the season so far is a gauge of how the first part of the final series will pan out. Every game is tough to pick a winner in, which is the way it should be if the competition is a healthy one. It’s extremely open, as far as who the Premier will be in Season 2019.
My choice of a definite winner for this Round: Bulldogs
Thursday Night Game
Eagles v Bombers
The Bombers could cause an upset away from home against the Eagles, at least that’s what I think! They have a few players
coming back and have made a few changes to their line up, which should hold them in good stead. The Eagles have home ground advantage, which doesn’t mean a lot, based on their Round 23 loss to the Hawks and I expect that to be the case against the Bombers.
Key matchup: Jack Darling v Michael Hurley
Eagles Changer: Andrew Gaff
Bombers Game Changer: Zach Merrett
My Prediction: Bombers
Friday Night Game
Cats v Magpies
It should be an entertaining clash with both teams coming into the 1st week of the finals with wins in Round 23. This is a game that is a tough one to pick a winner in, but I expect the Cats to be too good for the Magpies.
Key matchup: Patrick Dangerfield v Scott Pendlebury
Cats Game Changer: Tom Hawkins
Magpies Game Changer: Adam Treloar
My Prediction: Cats
Saturday Afternoon Game
Giants v Bulldogs
The Giants were smashed by the Bulldogs in Round 22, despite the fact that they were playing at home and I expect that to be the case again, with the Bulldogs arguably the form team of the competition the last few weeks of the home and away season.
Key matchup: Shane Mumford v Tim English
Giants Game Changer: Josh Kelly
Bulldogs Game Changer: Jack Macrae
My Prediction: Bulldogs
Saturday Night Game
Lions v Tigers
It’s a repeat of the Round 23 clash, all be it that game was in Melbourne and this game is in Brisbane. I don’t expect it to matter with the Tigers in good form, as they have won the last few games of the season.
Key matchup: Stefan Martin v Toby Nankervis
Lions Game Changer: Lachie Neale
Tigers Game Changer: Dion Prestia
My Prediction: Tigers