Triple premiership Lion Justin Leppitsch has given his tips and predictions for week two of the AFL finals.
Speaking on SEN's Whateley, the former Brisbane coach and Richmond assistant assessed all four clubs and where the two Semi-Finals will be won and lost.
Geelong v GWS
“The Cats’ advantage is their post-clearance contested possession. When the ball leaves the clearances, Geelong is just better on the outside.
“They win the ball really well on the outside compared to the Giants and once they win that ball on the outside, that’s when they get that time-in-possession game up and going.
“The question is: Is time in possession actually a big factor in finals? And that’s been a massive question I think for all teams.
“It’s just a matter of whether that style works at the pointy end of the field. I don’t think it works against teams that play really good front half pressure.
“If you can’t get time in possession, what have you got next, Geelong? That’s when I think you start to see Geelong slowly unravel, their Plan B isn’t quite there if they don’t get the game on their terms.
“If they (the Giants) get their pressure script up and going, which they’ve done really well at times, that’s their one wood.
“GWS are at their best when Leon Cameron takes the game to the opposition and makes the ball hit the deck a lot to fight and scrap.
“That will be their chance, the Giants. It’s as simple as, ‘Boys, go out there and just pressure, turn it over’ and then their opportunities come off the back of that.
“If the Giants win, I’m giving Leon Cameron a five-year extension.”
VERDICT: Geelong
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs
“The Lions’ advantage is we always speak about their offence … but the problem for me is what are they doing in their forward 50?
“If it’s not Charlie Cameron, I worry about what’s next for the Lions in their forward 50.
“The other Lions’ advantage is the Dogs are last in the competition for winning the contested ball in their defensive 50. The differential against their opposition in their defensive 50, they’re the worst.
“The other Lions’ advantage is being at the Gabba and having a crowd.
“The Dogs’ advantage is their handball game – they’re the No.1 handball differential team in the competition and the Lions are 16th.
“The other advantage for the Dogs is the fact that the Lions have got forward 50 worries.
“Whoever tags first wins. If (Josh) Dunkley goes to (Lachie) Neale, I’m going to pick the Doggies. If (Jarrod) Berry goes to ‘Libba’ (Tom Liberatore), I’m picking the Lions.
“I’ll tip the Lions because it’s the home ground advantage, but those match-ups will be really important for both sides.”
VERDICT: Brisbane