Hodge: Melbourne should be confident of beating Magpies

September 6, 2023 3:02 pm.by Staff Writer

Max Gawn needs to get his team into a positive mindset for the AFL qualifying final against Collingwood. — Melbourne might be underdogs with Australian bookmakers, but former Hawks skipper Luke Hodge says they should be “the hunters” in their qualifying final against ladder-leader Collingwood. Picture: AFL Media

Former Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge says Melbourne has the edge in their qualifying final against Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday night.

But online bookmakers disagree with the finals specialist, pricing the Magpies at a $1.84 favourite to beat the Demons, who are paying $1.96 to upset the minor premiers.

Hodge, who finished his career at Brisbane, said Melbourne should adopt a “hunter’s mentality” for their match against the Magpies.

With over 90,000 expected to front up to the MCG in wet conditions, this clash will determine who gets the easy route into a preliminary final.

The Magpies for much of 2023, have been the frontrunners, but their last month has been lacklustre with an injury to Brownlow Medal fancy Nick Daicos compounding their issues.

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The Demons appear to be peaking at the right time, having won their last two matches, with their last loss coming against Carlton in round 22.

Hodge, a renowned triple premiership captain, recently said on SEN’s Whately that Demons captain Max Gawn was likely to take a positive mindset into motivating his team.

“It is the hunter’s mentality for Melbourne. They’re seeing this as an opportunity to hunt a seemingly vulnerable opponent; a team that, despite topping the ladder, has shown recent cracks,” he said.

Drawing from recent performance metrics, Hodge points to Melbourne’s Round 13 victory over Collingwood, suggesting it could be a rallying point for added motivation.

“I’d be referring back to the King’s Birthday game, pointing out their form and how we broke through their strategies,” he said.

“There’s a distinct difference in dynamics when you’re the hunter, not the hunted, especially in finals.”

But what about Collingwood’s perspective? According to Hodge, Collingwood’s captain, Darcy Moore, has a distinct challenge: to restore belief in a side that, despite a sterling season, has faltered of late.

“Darcy Moore needs to remind his team of their season’s achievements, rekindling their earlier confidence,” he said.

The Magpies have ruled Nick Daicos out of the clash against the Demons, but they will regain Moore, Beau McReery and Nathan Murphy for the clash.

The Demons will lose Jake Melksham, who injured his ACL in their win over Sydney, with big-man Tom McDonald set to earn a call-up ahead of former Magpies’ big man Brodie Grundy.

The Collingwood v Melbourne AFL contest kicks off at 7:20pm AEST, this Thursday at the MCG.

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