Using the ladder predictor, and making the assumption that Sydney is going to beat St Kilda (dangerous I know) I have determined that Sydney's most likely opponent in the first week of the finals will be the winner of the Melbourne vs Brisbane game, with us to play the winner at the SCG (again a bit up in the air).
With the choice of Melbourne or Brisbane I would personally prefer Melbourne for purely practical reasons as Brisbane beat the Swans quite comfortably earlier in the year at the SCG and Sydney beat Melbourne in Melbourne earlier in the year. I also feel like Brisbane's form is getting better while Melbourne is still looking a bit shaky.
I also feel that the way to beat Melbourne is more simple than Brisbane, because if you can minimise Gawn's influence on the game you are much more likely to beat the Demons. Can't think of a specific player for Brisbane like that. That is not to say Melbourne are bad, they certainly are not, but I think they are a bit easier to plan for.
So if I had to choose from the realistic options I would go with Melbourne in the first week of finals.
What about you all, what teams are your teams likely to play in finals and of those teams which one would be your preference to play and why?
With the choice of Melbourne or Brisbane I would personally prefer Melbourne for purely practical reasons as Brisbane beat the Swans quite comfortably earlier in the year at the SCG and Sydney beat Melbourne in Melbourne earlier in the year. I also feel like Brisbane's form is getting better while Melbourne is still looking a bit shaky.
I also feel that the way to beat Melbourne is more simple than Brisbane, because if you can minimise Gawn's influence on the game you are much more likely to beat the Demons. Can't think of a specific player for Brisbane like that. That is not to say Melbourne are bad, they certainly are not, but I think they are a bit easier to plan for.
So if I had to choose from the realistic options I would go with Melbourne in the first week of finals.
What about you all, what teams are your teams likely to play in finals and of those teams which one would be your preference to play and why?