Magpies and Bulldogs Race to the Grand Final

Collingwood supporters could have been forgiven for packing up their bags and walking out of the MCG at quarter time against the Crows last Saturday night. They were ambushed by a team that was playing high on confidence and had a defence that was always going to make a miracle comeback very difficult. 888sport had the Pies as long as $7.00 in, in the run betting, and no one was getting in the queue to back them.

Something happened to the Pies at the half time break that can’t be explained. Even though the score board suggested their season was drawing to a close they came out and played a nearly perfect quarter of football and saved their season in one breathtaking performance. They nearly self destructed again in the last quarter, but somehow found the line and won the unwinnable game. This weekend they find themselves one game away from a Grand Final and their opposition is none other than the Geelong Cats. 888sport has the Pies at $2.50 to beat the Cats but it will take another inspired effort against a team that has everything to play for and is desperate to stamp their authority as the best side of this era.

The Bulldogs were the other winners from last weekend as they easily accounted for a battered and bruised Brisbane Lions outfit. The Dogs were far from impressive but still managed to beat the Lions by 50 points. The Dogs did what they had to do and in some ways finals are there to be won. The margin and the process doesn’t really matter like it does earlier in the season.

The Dogs face St Kilda for the other spot in this year’s Grand Final on Friday night in what looks to be a fantastic game. If both teams play to form then the Saints will win easily but I feel that this is far from certain. The Saints have plenty to lose here and have had two weeks to contemplate the fact that they are one loss away from a season that could have been. The dogs at their best are simply awesome and represent massive value at over $3.00 to win the game.