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Richmond Tigers (72%) vs GWS Giants (28%)
MCG, 2:30pm (AEST), Saturday September 28
Team News (RICH): Most supporters tend to know who their grand final changes will be, and when it's the most important game of the season you should avoid take any big risks.
With that in my mind, the Tigers have astonishingly elected to replace Jack Graham (shoulder) with 27-year old Marlion Pickett. Only just getting picked up my Richmond in the mid-season draft, Pickett is set to come in for Graham and make his debut on the biggest stage of them all.
Just like when Graham achieved glory in 2017, Pickett has the chance to become an instant premiership hero for the Tigers, who becomes the first grand final debutant since 1952. He is coming off a best-on-ground performance in last Sunday's VFL grand final win, which may have gone a long way in gaining him selection. Nathan Broad is expected to recover from a concussion scare against Geelong.
Team News (GWS): What a ride it's been, and now everyone's favourite player, Toby Greene is set to shake up the MCG walls. Those backing the Giants can breathe a sigh of relief after witnessing both Phil Davis (back) and Lachie Whitfield (appendicitis) on the track yesterday.
Unfortunately in the these games there's always the unlucky bunch. With Greene returning from suspension and Whitfield prepared to play, it seems as though there will be two players who won't make the cut for the Giants' first ever AFL Grand Final.
Young goalsneak Ian "Bobby" Hill falls out of place being the last player in (for Greene last week). While one of Lachie Keefe and free agent target Adam Tomlinson are both fighting for their spot.
Should Phil Davis fail to get up, then he will be the obvious second omission.
Last Time They Met: Round 17, 2019 - Richmond defeated GWS by 27 points
Key Player for Richmond: Dustin Martin - who else? The 2017 Norm Smith winner is arguably the most dangerous and dynamic player from the past decade. With an ability to shift match momentum in a matter of seconds or with minimal possessions, Martin will have a lot to do with the end result. What is most interesting about his game, is whether Giants' tagger Matt De Boer will follow Martin at the contest, when he goes forward, and will it effect him like we saw earlier in the season.
Key Player for GWS: Toby Greene - people have built their own opinions on Greene this past month, and whether you like it or not, he's a star of the competition. Having a player of Toby's calibre on grand final day will make for outstanding viewing, and Leon Cameron should utilise his star by starting him in the midfield. With still a reasonably young cast of Tim Taranto, Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper, the Giant's clearance work with Greene at the forefront is key to them lifting their maiden premiership cup.
Prediction: Tigers by 8. Norm Smith - Trent Cotchin.
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