AFL tips: Herald Sun experts pick their Grand Final, Norm Smith Medal winners
WE all know who Trent Cotchin is picking for the flag, but what about footy legends like Jonathon Brown, Stephen Kernahan and Michael Roach? NORM SMITH, GF TIPS
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WE all know who Trent Cotchin is picking for the flag, but what about footy legends like Jonathon Brown, Stephen Kernahan and Michael Roach?
As Richmond and Adelaide prepare to go head-to-head for the ultimate Grand Final prize, we spoke to the experts about their picks and who they think will win the Norm Smith Medal.
FINAL CHANCE: 29 REASONS THE TIGERS MADE IT THIS FAR
NOT RETIRED: HAWK LEGEND HODGE SET TO JOIN BRISBANE LIONS
GRAND FINAL JURY
JONATHAN BROWN
ADELAIDE by 18
It will tight but Adelaide have just a little bit more class. At some stage Richmond will put them under enormous pressure and try to close the game down and make it a scrap, but the Crows have got more scoring options and blokes who can kick multiple goals.
Adelaide will want to establish their kicking game early and get Rory Laird into the match. He’s a real key for them. Having said all that, a Richmond premiership would be a great thing to see.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Sloane (Adel)
STEVE JOHNSON
ADELAIDE by 29
While everyone is talking about Richmond’s pressure — and rightly so — the one team that appears capable of absorbing that is Adelaide. They did it earlier this year and I suspect they will do the same again tomorrow.
The Crows have been the best team of the season, their skill, the ability to move the ball well and overall talent has always come to the fore. Richmond has had a great year, but they are limited in terms of their matchwinners.
Their best are outstanding, but as far as matchwinners go, the Crows have more options. That will make a difference when the big moments come.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Sloane (Adel)
STEPHEN KERNAHAN
ADELAIDE by 3
It’s a hard pick — Richmond can win, but I reckon Adelaide is due for one and they’re ready to go. Richmond is in good shape as well and I know Adelaide hasn’t played a lot at the ‘G, but I just think they’ve been set up for this the last couple of years and they’ll just get it done.
It’s so much like last year with the Bulldogs — the number of Melbourne and Richmond people coming out, it looks like the Tigers are irresistible.
It’s a toss of the coin but Adelaide is just doing it so well. They kick goals, they’re going to kick a score no matter how well Richmond defend and that might be the difference.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Laird (Adel)
MICHAEL ROACH
RICHMOND by 16
The Tigers play a brand of footy that I don’t think people have worked out yet, so I hope Adelaide hasn’t either. They kick the ball out in space and keep the ball in the forward line and hopefully they’ll put a lot of pressure on Adelaide’s backline.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Jack Riewoldt (Rich)
JARRYD ROUGHEAD
ADELAIDE by 40
The Crows’ bottom five is better than the Tigers’ bottom five, which is critical in big finals.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Matt Crouch (Adel)
ADAM COONEY
RICHMOND by 8
It will be won and lost in the midfield and with Dusty virtually unstoppable and the tenacity and spirit of Cotchin leading the incredible tidal wave of momentum, I think the Tigers will win. If Richmond get on top around the source, Adelaide’s taller defence could struggle when the ball hits the deck in the forward 50 where the Tiger smalls go to work.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dustin Martin (Rich)
GARY BUCKENARA
ADELAIDE by 18
My heart would love to see the Tigers win but my head says the Crows. I look at the back six and forward six for Adelaide and that is their real strength — they can score just as well as they can defend.
Richmond has a great midfield and the likes of Martin and Cotchin must play well but if the Crows can break even with Sloane and the Crouch brothers then I think they’ll be too strong across the rest of the ground. I’m expecting a good contest.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Sam Jacobs (Adel)
KANE CORNES
ADELAIDE by 44
Richmond’s pressure has been talked up all year but I’d argue that Adelaide’s is better and their ability to score off the turnover is the best in the AFL. This was highlighted by their 18 goals from Geelong’s turnovers in the preliminary final. There is a sense of destiny about the Crows, they have clearly been the best side in 2017 and Richmond don’t have the quality to stand up against them on the biggest stage of all.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Brad Crouch (Adel)
WARREN TREDREA
ADELAIDE by 32
Adelaide wins — they’re clearly the best team in the competition and as a collective they are on a mission. They rely on a team effort rather than a select few and consistently bring relentless pressure to their opposition suffocating their every move. Adelaide is scary efficient forward of centre, ruthless in defence and super efficient and competitive in the midfield.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Matt Crouch (Adel)
MARK BICKLEY
ADELAIDE by 26
The Crows will be too slick. With greater depth through the midfield, they will win their share of the contest around the ball. They have better ball movement patterns and a sounder defensive structure.
Walker, Betts, Jenkins, Lynch and Cameron appear a far greater threat than the Richmond front six, who will need Dustin Martin to kick a handful for them to really threaten.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Tom Lynch (Adel)
GRAHAM CORNES
ADELAIDE by 7
Based on form and the results of their season, Adelaide should win. The Crows score more freely than any other team and they lead the league in that other vital statistic — contested ball. Richmond will be no pushover. The Tigers have a momentum similar to last year’s Cinderella team, the Western Bulldogs. Then there is the MCG. Home of football it might be but it’s Richmond’s home ground. They play it well and the Crows have struggled there this season. I think the Crows will just scramble home.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Sam Jacobs (Adel)
CHRIS McDERMOTT
ADELAIDE by 36
The Crows win after an early arm wrestle. Expect nothing less from a team under Damien Hardwick. Richmond will play this one out until they can’t possibly win it and at some stage that will be obvious. Despite injuries to several key players, the Crows’ depth is far superior, their sense of team is much stronger and their belief is much greater. The Crows have been on a three year journey to this Grand Final stage, a course set by Phil Walsh and completed by Don Pyke and executed by this exceptional team.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Sam Jacobs (Adel)
HERALD SUN EXPERT TIPSTERS
■ Chris Cavanagh 141
Richmond 8
Could be accused of going with the heart instead of the head here but Tigers on the MCG this season have been bloody good.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Trent Cotchin
Last Week 2
■ Trent Cotchin 139
Richmond
Last Week 2
■ Lauren Wood 137
Richmond 11
If the Tigers can maintain the pressure they’ve swarmed opponents with in their two finals so far, the train could well prove unstoppable. Defensively have been strong and will need to be again.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Daniel Rioli
Last Week 2
■ Gerard Whateley 134
Adelaide 25
The best team of the year has the system, skill and firepower to absorb the pressure, impose its rhythm and kick away
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Tom Lynch
Last Week 0
■ Tim Watson 133
Richmond 13
Richmond are playing finals — pressure football. They love the wide expanses of the MCG.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dustin Martin
Last Week 2
■ Michael Warner 132
Richmond 50
As the great Bob Hawke once said: ‘’I’ll tell you what … any boss who sacks anyone this week for not turning up is a bum.’’
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Daniel Rioli
Last Week 2
■ Jon Anderson 131
Adelaide 25
Solid defence, forward line with many scoring options and a midfield that has been lifted a notch by the Crouch brothers.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Brad Crouch
Last Week 0
■ Mark Robinson 130
Richmond 12
If weight can stop Phar Lap then pressure can stop the Crows.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Alex Rance
Last Week 1
■ Matthew Lloyd 129
Adelaide 25
Adelaide win because their ball movement and ability to score heavily will be to much for the brave Tigers to deal with.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Sloane
Last Week 2
■ Sam Landsberger 128
Richmond 1
The Tigers are 11-2 at the G and the No. 2 scoring team since Round 17, averaging more than 100 points. Firepower is just one of the premiership ingredients stirring at Punt Rd.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Paul Seedsman
Last Week 2
■ Bianca Chatfield 126
Richmond 7
They’ve found their belief in each other, and get the huge bonus of playing at the ‘G with all of Victoria behind them! Can’t wait!
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Josh Caddy
Last Week 2
■ Jay Clark 126
Adelaide 25
We admire the Tigers but the Crows offence is a level above. So much talent forward of the ball and now we realise just how good the Crouch brothers are.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Laird
Last Week 0
■ Patrick Dangerfield 126
Adelaide
Even spread will be the difference and big Sauce to dominate the air!
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Sam Jacobs
Last Week 1
■ David King 126
Adelaide 24
The Crows have a superb ball movement system that will challenge the Tigers pressure game and a midfield that is currently on fire. Don Pyke’s attack has proven the slickest in the competition and I expect Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane and Daniel Talia to lead the way with aplomb.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Sam Jacobs
Last Week 2
■ Glenn McFarlane 126
Adelaide 10
Hard to go past the most consistent team all season. Tigers a chance, but Crows deserve to be favourites.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Sloane
Last Week 2
■ Rebecca Williams 126
Adelaide 6
Minor premiers, the highest scoring team in the league and matchwinners across the ground, the Crows are going to take some beating.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Sloane
Last Week 2
■ Sam Edmund 125
Adelaide 18
More talent and more weapons. Admire the Tigers & their journey, but the Crows are different class.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Tom Lynch
Last Week 2
■ Kevin Bartlett 124
Richmond 29
Richmonds backline led by Rance to shut down the Crows celebrated forward line. Tigers small forward set up upsets the balance of the Crows defence.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dustin Martin
Last Week 1
■ Jon Ralph 124
Richmond 15
Have won eight of nine, dominated two finals, have this game’s best 3 players, have the game’s best defence. And are on their home deck.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Daniel Rioli.
Last Week 2
■ Eliza Sewell 124
Adelaide 4
The Crows finished top for a reason. Whatever happens, it’ll be a ripper of a match.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Matt Crouch
Last Week 1
■ Bill Shorten 124
Richmond 9
Home ground, home crowd and the best player in the comp, in the best form of his life. Yellow and Black.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dustin Martin
Last Week 2
■ Malcolm Turnbull 123
Richmond 5
The Tigers face a daunting task. But they are riding a wave of emotion and support and that will be a huge factor in front of the big MCG crowd
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Alex Rance
Last Week 1
■ Scott Gullan 122
Adelaide 8
If the game opens up in the second half the Crows attacking options and precision skills will come to the fore. Love the Tigers but back-to-back fairytales ... unlikely.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Sam Jacobs
Last Week 1
■ Mick Malthouse 122
Richmond 5
In Richmond’s favour is the huge home ground advantage at the MCG. The Tigers are a side that can keep the Crows under 100, plus they don’t need a lot of possessions to dominate the forward line.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Tom Lynch
Last Week 2
■ Dermott Brereton 120
Richmond 15
They all have a role. They all participate. And they will grind for so long, they will eventually outlast Adelaide.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dustin Martin
Last Week 2
■ James Hird 120
Richmond 19
Richmonds pressure and all around defence will starve Adelaide of scoring opportunities and allow Martin, Cotchin and Rance to control the game.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Alex Rance
Last Week 2
■ Gilbert Gardiner 118
Adelaide 18
Crowbots v2.0: They’re bombproof the Crows. Have shown few if any vulnerabilities this season and along with the Tigers among the most consistent. Weapons on every line makes them a formidable opponent on the hallowed turf. We’re in for a beauty.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Matt Crouch
Last Week 1
■ Marcus Bontempelli 116
Adelaide 22
Adelaide’s fire power both in the midfield and forward line will be a difficult challenge to conquer. Too many hot hands rolling around, but the tiger army won’t make it easy.
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Rory Sloane
Last Week 2
■ Scott Pendlebury 115
Adelaide 24
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Matt Crouch
Last Week 1
■ Kiss of Death 77
Richmond 13
It’s Tiger time!
NORM SMITH MEDAL: Dylan Grimes
Last Week 0
Originally published as AFL tips: Herald Sun experts pick their Grand Final, Norm Smith Medal winners
‘Universally loved’: Bombers in mourning
A long-time AFL coach lost his cancer battle on Tuesday and has been universally praised for his impact on the game.
Jones hit with monster blow as Dogs’ injuries mount
The injury news keeps getting worse and worse for the Western Bulldogs, with a massive blow dealt to its defensive stocks after key pillar Liam Jones learned the extent of his hamstring strain.