Geelong vs Brisbane prelim final tips, odds & best bets – 16/9/22

Premiership aspirations collide when Geelong clash with Brisbane at the MCG this Friday night for a blockbuster preliminary final in the AFL.

The Cats have ticked all the boxes in the lead-up to this game and will be quietly confident of reaching the 2022 AFL Grand Final. Geelong have mastered the art of rebuilding without dropping down the ladder, a feat that not many AFL teams can accomplish. Canny recruitment and list management is the key to this achievement, and much credit must go to off-field personnel who have stitched together a team that looks to have championship pedigree.

The Cats, however, looked beatable for much of their first final against Collingwood, who kept Geelong pinned in their defensive zone for long periods. We can expect a similar setup here. The pressure should be even higher, and the game may be decided by kicking effectiveness and territory control. Much like a game of rugby league, both teams will be determined to play the game camped in their attacking zone, where opposition mistakes can be converted into instant scoring opportunities.

The Brisbane Lions roared back to their fearsome best with a powerful display of running and pressure to overhaul the reigning premiers in their semi final. Brisbane were able to hang with Melbourne during the early stages when the Demons had momentum running their way. The Lions then dragged themselves into the lead, and then slammed the door shut in a nail-biting final quarter.

Given they scraped past Richmond in the first week of finals, Brisbane are now freerolling and will be looking to add another huge win to their already successful season. Odds mean nothing to a hungry, fearless team with nothing to lose. The Lions have just beaten their bogey side at the MCG, breaking twin hoodoos, and we are expecting another close final here.

Key matchup: Gary Rohan vs Charlie Cameron

Geelong small forward Gary Rohan often gets overlooked among his star-studded colleagues, but he turned up to play in Geelong’s first final with a crucial three-goal haul in a match decided by a mere six points. Rohan is at his most dangerous when he drifts down field, collects the ball, and runs it into the 50-metre arc, causing defenders to break formation and chase. This opens opportunities for both the charging Rohan and his fellow forwards and creates all manner of headaches for defenders.

Brisbane small forward Charlie Cameron limped from the field early in the match against the Dees with an ankle injury, and with Joe Daniher already out with family duties, things were looking grim for the Lions. But Cameron was patched up and returned to kick a match-winning three goals. Cameron has the temperament for the big occasion and will be key to his team’s chances. With Daniher presumably back in the fold and Eric Hipwood in career-best form, the Brisbane forward line is looking ominous.

Geelong vs Brisbane prelim final betting strategy

The Cats are warm favourites, as you might expect, with the line set at around 21.5 points at most AFL bookmakers. The 2022 season has been typified by the relative closeness of the teams. This is even more true in finals, and we are expecting a bold showing by the underdogs. It would take true bravery to back the Lions to win, but we are tipping a tight contest and are happy to take them at the line.

Geelong vs Brisbane PF same game multi tips

For those looking to wring additional value out of this contest, we are linking our main tip into Eric Hipwood anytime goalscorer, into Charlie Cameron 2+ goals, into Gary Rohan anytime goalscorer. This four-pronged attack will return $5.82 courtesy of BetOnline.

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