The Geelong and Brisbane Lions teams named; Age expert tips locked in; Norm Smith Medal winner predicted for the big game on Saturday afternoon at the MCG
Emma Kearney
Geelong by 13 points
Their game is so sound at the moment, they’re the in-form team in the comp. The Cats’ incredibly dangerous forward line will be hard to stop.
Norm Smith: Oliver Dempsey
Sam McClure
Geelong by seven points
The Cats have so few weaknesses and Brisbane are battered and bruised. Geelong have been the best team since the halfway mark of the year.
Norm Smith: Bailey Smith
Marc McGowan
Geelong by 15 points
There is little between the teams, and Tom Stewart’s absence will hurt, but I’m backing the Cats to win the midfield battle, as they did in the qualifying final.
Norm Smith: Max Holmes
Max Holmes will play in his first AFL grand final on Saturday.Credit: Eddie Jim
Bob Murphy
Geelong by 12 points
They haven’t put a paw wrong for most of the year and look to have plenty of run left in their legs.
Norm Smith: Jeremy Cameron
Jake Niall
Geelong by 34 points
Tom Stewart’s absence aside, Geelong have their best side available and nary a compromised player. Shades of 2022, except that the opposition is stronger.
Norm Smith: Patrick Dangerfield
Brisbane Lions stars Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Levi Ashcroft, Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage and Will Ashcroft early this week at their club’s Brownlow Medal funcion.Credit: AFL Photos
Jon Pierik
Brisbane Lions by two points
The Lions will have learnt from their qualifying final mistakes, coach Chris Fagan already putting the heat on his men to be better. In Harris Andrews, the Lions boast the ultimate defender.
Norm Smith: Hugh McCluggage
Peter Ryan
Geelong by 10 points
Settled, dynamic and hungry, the Cats’ versatility, freshness and scoring power gives them a slight edge.
Norm Smith: Patrick Dangerfield
Mathew Stokes
Geelong by 21 points
The Cats have too many winners across the ground and are healthier than the Lions with more recovery time as well. I am biased, but I also think how unheralded stars in Brad Close, Gryan Miers, Zach Guthrie and Tom Atkins are the reason teams win premierships.
Norm Smith: Bailey Smith
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Caroline Wilson
Brisbane Lions by 10 points
The Lions are match-hardened despite their injury issues and will benefit from their significantly tougher run to the grand final.
Norm Smith: Will Ashcroft
Andrew Wu
Geelong by 12 points
The cards could not have fallen much better for Geelong, who have close to their best team available, are not carrying injured players and play a banged-up interstate rival on the road for the third time this finals series.
Norm Smith: Max Holmes
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