For mine the most intruiging part of the lead-up to the GF is the Presti debate. On the one hand, Riewoldt's in fine form, he's a proven match-winner, Presti's played on him before (and done well) and Collingwood's key defenders (Reid and Brown) are young, smaller, probably less able to run with him all day, and inexperienced. On the other hand, Presti hasn't played since Round 20, and bringing him in would both break up a successful backline and mean shattering the dreams of one of Reid, Brown or Goldsack.

If I was Malthouse I'd play Presti. I can't see any other Collingwood player doing a good enough job on him, and he will be the key IMO to St Kilda winning.

FWIW I think Collingwood will win (sickening as it is) with Pendlebury winning the Norm Smith.

I would play Presti for Goldsack. Goldsack was only average and didn't grab his chance with both hands on Friday.

Saints to win by a few goals, Lenny Norm Hayes.

If Kosi can stand up and hold marks like he did in the 2nd half against the Dogs-St.kilda will win.

Alan Didak to do a knee in the First Q. B)

Swan and Didak have nasty headclash in 2nd Q with Filth 5 goals up, and take no further part in game.

With only 2 rotations for Filth, Aints claw back and hit the front early in last Q

Aints then run away with game by 28 points as Filth fans leave early in droves

Riewoldt for Norm Smith, Eddie everywhere not seen anywhere

Edited September 19, 201014 yr by daisycutter

The pies by 36+

Saints by 1 point. Lenny Hayes - Norm Smith.

Collingwood to win, they play with the same pressure & intensity as St Kilda but in a much more exciting fashion, hitting the scoreboard frequently.

St Kilda don't get beaten too easily, very often. But think Collingwood will hold them for most of the day and win by 5 - 6 goals.

Norm Smith Medal, Alan Didak looks to be in decent winning form, sadly.

No Presti, Pies defence good enough to do the job & back themselves with the forward pressure.

Edited September 19, 201014 yr by Demon Hill

HOT PIES... 66 Points

Daisy Thomas Norm Smith! Kicks 5.

If Collingwood come out in the first Q and kick goals like they did on Friday night sadly they will smash the Saints and we want stop hearing about for the next twenty years. Pies by 35pts.

HOT PIES... 66 Points

Daisy Thomas Norm Smith! Kicks 5.

I'd be surprised if he plays.

edit: he is playing. MRP has dismissed most cases, all clear to play.

Edited September 21, 201014 yr by High Tower

If Collingwood come out in the first Q and kick goals like they did on Friday night sadly they will smash the Saints and we want stop hearing about for the next twenty years. Pies by 35pts.

But.. if they come out in the first quarter and kick inaccurately and don't get all the luck running their way like they did against the cats (e.g. that ridiculous goal from Leigh Brown, and many free kicks not paid for the cats in the 1st QTR) then they might start to get nervous and the more experience Saint might be in with a chance. But having said that I still think the Pies will win

Go Sainters but the colliwobbles by 23 points. Hope I am wrong again.

Edited September 20, 201014 yr by jayceebee31

Unfortunately Pies by 5 goals.

They have been the best team by a fair margin all year, only had trouble with one team

and they are not playing the DEES!

Didak for the NS

Unfortunately Pies by 5 goals.

They have been the best team by a fair margin all year, only had trouble with one team

and they are not playing the DEES!

Didak for the NS

Pie will kill them. Seriously, if the saints play like they did last week, no chance.

Collingwood has been the most consistant team this year - best pressure - if saints play their usual defensive effort, they'll probably choke themselves.

Pies.

The Jolly & Ball influence will be too much.

I must take the Dr Turf position here.... have to pick the Sainters... by a point...from a kick after the siren. A beautifully wondrous result !!!

Well the teams are in, and Collingwood has pulled a shock of sorts by naming Presti and Leon Davis. Nathan Brown and Tyson Goldsack are the two unlucky guys who get dropped.

And the Saints have pulled an even bigger shock, dropping McEvoy, a ruckman, for Steve Baker!

COLLINGWOOD v ST KILDA

Collingwood

B: Nick Maxwell, Simon Prestigiacomo, Alan Toovey

HB: Harry O'Brien, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw

C: Sharrod Wellingham, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson

HF: Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Luke Ball

F: Dayne Beams, Chris Dawes, Steele Sidebottom

Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas

I/C: Jarryd Blair, Leigh Brown, Brent Macaffer, Leon Davis

Emg: Tarkyn Lockyer, Tyson Goldsack, Nathan Brown

In: Davis, Prestigiacomo

Out: Tyson Goldsack, Nathan Brown

St Kilda

B: Jason Gram, Zac Dawson, Sam Gilbert

HB: Jason Blake, Sam Fisher, Robert Eddy

C: Brendon Goddard, Nick Dal Santo, Farren Ray

HF: Brett Peake, Justin Koschitzke, Leigh Montagna

F: Adam Schneider, Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne

Foll: Michael Gardiner, Lenny Hayes, Clinton Jones

I/C: Sean Dempster, Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Steven Baker

Emg: Jarryn Geary, Ben McEvoy, Rhys Stanley

In: Baker

Out: Ben McEvoy

Well the teams are in, and Collingwood has pulled a shock of sorts by naming Presti and Leon Davis. Nathan Brown and Tyson Goldsack are the two unlucky guys who get dropped.

And the Saints have pulled an even bigger shock, dropping McEvoy, a ruckman, for Steve Baker!

LEON DAVIS!!! HaHa...Saints must be favorites now....(steven Baker has been recalled to obviously do a specific job).

Edited September 23, 201014 yr by why you little

I must take the Dr Turf position here.... have to pick the Sainters... by a point...from a kick after the siren. A beautifully wondrous result !!!

Hey ! Get your own margin !

Well the teams are in, and Collingwood has pulled a shock of sorts by naming Presti and Leon Davis. Nathan Brown and Tyson Goldsack are the two unlucky guys who get dropped.

And the Saints have pulled an even bigger shock, dropping McEvoy, a ruckman, for Steve Baker!

Baker v Davis.

Kosi will have to pinch hit with McEvoy out. McEvoy would be handy. Warnock for McEvoy anyone ?

I can't believe they brought Baker in for a ruckman. I guess Kosi is going to have to ruck now as the second ruckman, but Brown's been in good form so that's not the easy task it sounds like.

As for Davis, well, he's a big-game hack, so I fully expect him to have a stinker.

I can't believe they brought Baker in for a ruckman. I guess Kosi is going to have to ruck now as the second ruckman, but Brown's been in good form so that's not the easy task it sounds like.

As for Davis, well, he's a big-game hack, so I fully expect him to have a stinker.

Any chance either one is foxing and will pull a change before the game?

What do you think?

I can't believe they brought Baker in for a ruckman. I guess Kosi is going to have to ruck now as the second ruckman, but Brown's been in good form so that's not the easy task it sounds like.

As for Davis, well, he's a big-game hack, so I fully expect him to have a stinker.

Is there an echo in here ?

Interesting changes all the same. I agree regarding Leigh Brown, been in awesome form for his team and with McEvoy out, all of the sudden Kosi must deliver. Must be amongst the goals and do well around the ground when required. Brown has much stamina for a big fella, I'm not so sure Kosi and Gardner will cope with Jolly & Brown around the ground.

edit: Blake may be required to help out occassionally.

Edited September 23, 201014 yr by High Tower

Any chance either one is foxing and will pull a change before the game?

What do you think?

Maybe. I was thinking Geary might come in for Dempster.

Head says Collingwood, Heart say Saints.

I'm tipping the Saints by 19 points in an upset. With Schneider and Milne to respond from last years GF earlier misses with big games.

I'm surprised the pies brought in their big game choker in Neon Leon and think it could backfire. Kosi in a rare BOG kicking 5 goals to win the Norm Smith.

It would be superb to see "neon" pillow again.

The supporters would really froth at the mouth in fury....Bloody big call from Malthouse.