We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.
MELBOURNE v GEELONG
Saturday 4 May @ MCG
Two potential Preliminary Final teams meet in a cracker. The difference is one played back last Wednesday night while the other just last Saturday.
Melbourne was decent without being spectacular against a depleted Richmond side. The positive was that they had the potency to kick 13 goals and yet the game didn't require Petracca and Oliver to be madly dominant.
They found some new blood in Turner and Laurie but reality says in these big games it's Pickett and Fritsch plus those aforementioned mids that have to fire.
Defensively they have the cattle to hold Geelong with Lever and May holding firm.
What they have to avoid is that transition and slingshot from the Cats. They fold back, hold a big defensive presence and then attack.
How often do you see acres of land like the old Pagan's Paddock! You can't imagine May will be sucked into that.
There is no Dangerfield now. His older hammies are twinging with regularity. That will hurt from both his play and his leadership.
An offensive tag on Tuohy or Stewart will be a good move for the Demons.
| Match | Melbourne | Geelong | Ground |
| Last time they met | 8.15 [63] | 11.12 [78] | Kardinia Park |
| Last 10 matches | 4 wins | 6 wins | |
| Notes | 2 of those 4 Melbourne wins come in Finals | ||
| First MCG clash since 2021 | |||
Fancy Melbourne is a good bet here. You have to do everything right to beat Geelong but at their best the Demons are capable of it.
They have to be smart with their forward entries and that extra 3 days could come in handy.
Match Selection: Melbourne by 7 points
Suggested Bets: Melbourne @ 2.10 @ bet365
