Three-time premiership player Alastair Lynch is tipping Geelong to win this Saturday’s AFL Grand Final at the MCG.
The Brisbane Lions great, who was a key figure in the 2001, 2002 and 2003 flags, believes the experience, consistency and depth of his former teammate Chris Scott’s side will overpower the Sydney Swans.
The Cats have won 15 games on the trot and if they are successful on the weekend will replicate what the Lions achieved in 2001 when winning 16 games in a row, including the Grand Final.
It would also bring about a 10th VFL/AFL premiership for the hoops.
“Anyone could win,” the Fox Footy commentator said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“I’m hoping for a cracking game and hoping for a high scoring game.
“I suppose the doubt I’ve had of the young players of the Sydney Swans that I’ve had throughout the year at different times, they keep raising the bar and keep meeting expectations.
“But for the experience and consistency and depth, I’d go Geelong.
“I think Geelong will win but it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Sydney do the job as well, but I’d back Geelong.
“What they will be doing if they win is they’ll replicate our run to the finals in 2001 where we won 16 in a row to win the flag.
“They’re on a massive streak, so are the Swans, but Geelong for me.”
Lynch sees a crucial part of the game being in Geelong’s defence and how they handle Swans forward Lance Franklin.
He says the way the Cats constantly find a spare in the backline will be part of the difference.
“'Buddy' in a short period of time can make a massive impact so it will be interesting to see who picks him up,” he said.
“The good thing from Geelong’s point of view is they’ve got so many options. What we’ve noticed now, they generate the spare down back so well.
“We’ve seen this over the last couple of months, whether it’s Rhys Stanley or Mark Blicavs in the ruck and then rolling back and picking up a key forward for the opposition which allows Tom Stewart to be the spare.
“They do this system extremely well. They’re happy to concede a player in the midfield, but what it gives them is an extra down back. So if you’ve got Tom Stewart or Sam De Koning floating around as the spare, it makes it very hard for the (opposition) key forwards.
“It will be interesting to see how the Sydney Swans address that because they (the Cats) saw it work beautifully against the Brisbane Lions.
“But I wouldn’t be giving Buddy Franklin too much space on the MCG on a big occasion.”
And Lynch’s Norm Smith tip?
“I’m thinking Jeremy Cameron,” he added.
“He’s such a dangerous player, whether it’s impacting the scoreboard and we know how good he is as a field kick. So he can up the ground and hit his forwards lace out all day.
“Jeremy Cameron into a Geelong victory.”