Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for Saturday night’s Preliminary Final between Sydney and Collingwood:
Papley two or more goals
Tom Papley in a September specialist and an impact player. When he fires, Sydney generally tends to win.
His second half of the 2022 season has been enormous and he has only failed to kick two goals in a game once since Round 17 – and in that game he kicked 1.3.
He kicked 2.1 last time versus Collingwood and you can expect Papley to once again hit the scoreboard in the Preliminary Final.
Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills to combine for 18 tackles
If we know anything about how this game is going to play out, it’s to expect a highly contested and pressure oriented match.
Collingwood will bring the heat as they have all season and Sydney will match them on the tighter confides of the SCG.
Heeney and Mills combined for 20 tackles in their Qualifying Final win over Melbourne and will look to lead from the front once again in this one.
Nic Negrepontis
Jack Crisp 20+ disposals
Crisp has been one of the most important players throughout Collingwood’s incredible season.
The epitome of consistency, Crisp has been doing a bit of everything for the Magpies all season long, averaging 23.6 disposals as he shifts between midfield and half-back.
The Magpies’ reigning best and fairest was excellent in last week’s semi-final win over Fremantle, collecting 24 touches whilst playing some incredible defence on Will Brodie.
Crisp has been strong throughout the entire Finals series, eclipsing the 20-disposal mark in both of Collingwood’s matchups.
Expect no different from him against the Swans.
Jordan De Goey and Jack Ginnivan combine for 3+ goals
The spotlight is often shining on these two Magpies, and they’ll certainly be called upon to perform against Sydney.
De Goey has arguably been the best player throughout the entire AFL Finals so far, dominating against both Geelong and Fremantle, totalling 50 disposals and 3 goals over the two games.
In contrast, Ginnivan struggled in the loss to the Cats, however a three-goal haul against the Dockers was a prime example of the young forward at his very best.
The two Magpies are both amongst the top goalkickers at the club, each averaging over a goal per game.
De Goey and Ginnivan can each swing a game in their own individual ways, and they’re certain to have an impact at the SCG.
Jack Makeham