AFL Grand Final 2018: Expert tips for flag winner, Norm Smith medallist and first goal

ONE of our expert tipsters is convinced we will see Jordan De Goey kick the winner in extra time while Mick Malthouse - torn between his two former clubs - has made his pick. Expert tips, margins and Norm Smith winner predictions.

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September 28, 2018 - 9:11AM

Jeremy Howe (L) and Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies jog a lap during a Collingwood training

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THE AFL Grand Final is upon us and we’ve asked our expert tipsters for more than just a winner and margin this week.

We’re also bringing you their Norm Smith medallist and first goal scorer.

Can Collingwood bring the same pressure they applied to Richmond in last week’s prelim? Matthew Lloyd doesn’t think so.

“Collingwood have hit their best form at the right time of the year and I don’t believe any team would be able to cope with the pressure they applied on Richmond in the Preliminary Final.”

Will we see a golden point Grand Final?

Jon Ralph is confident.

“Collingwood will win in extra time, De Goey kicking the sealer after benefiting from a favourable match-up on Will Schofield. The redemption story will be complete.”

WHO THE EXPERTS ARE TIPPING

Chris Cavanagh's top tips: Score so far: 149

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 1

Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey, First goal: Jaidyn Stephenson; The Eagles are in this up to their eyeballs, but the MCG factor and extra day’s break might give the red-hot Pies the slightest of edges.

Sarah Jones's top tips: Score so far: 147

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 13

Norm Smith: Brodie Grundy; First goal: Jaidyn Stephenson; The MCG - the Pies have won big finals here the past 2 weeks, I think they can make it a 3rd.

Matthew Lloyd's top tips: Score so far: 145

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 20

Norm Smith: Brodie Grundy; First goal: Jordan DeGoey; Collingwood have hit their best form at the right time of the year and I don’t believe any team would be able to cope with the pressure they applied on Richmond in the Preliminary Final.

Jon Ralph's top tips: Score so far: 145

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 20

Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey; First goal: Jordan De Goey; Collingwood will win in extra time, De Goey kicking the sealer after benefiting from a favourable match-up on Will Schofield. The redemption story will be complete.

Gerard Whateley's top tips: Score so far: 144

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 14

Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey; First goal: Josh Thomas; Magpie pressure and intensity will prove irresistible.

Dermott Brereton's top tips: Score so far: 143

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 25

Norm Smith: Brodie Grundy; First goal: Brodie Grundy; By beating Richmond we have irrefutable proof that Collingwood are seriously good. Whereas the Eagles brutalized Melbourne and we can’t be sure whether or not MElbourne had already run their race

Lauren Wood's top tips: Score so far: 143

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 9

Norm Smith: Steele Sidebottom; First goal: Jaidyn Stephenson; These Pies are steeled - pun intended - and it feels like they are ready to maintain the relentless ferocity that saw them topple the Tigers. But it will be close.

Patrick Dangerfield's top tips: Score so far: 142

Eagles

Last Week: 1

Norm Smith: Mark LeCras; First goal: Mark LeCras; West Coast win because of the intercept defensive capabilities of the back 6 they have, and because of the twin towers in attack.

Mick Malthouse's top tips: Score so far: 142

Eagles

Last Week: 1

Margins: 10

Norm Smith: Shannon Hurn; First goal: Jordan De Goey; West Coast has a solid defence that can stand up in a Grand Final.

Mark Robinson's top tips: Score so far: 142

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 20

Norm Smith: Taylor Adams; First goal: Liam Ryan; Taylor Adams is the heart and soul and will revel in the conditions and the occassion.

Jay Clark's top tips: Score so far: 141

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 18

Norm Smith: Jeremy McGovern; First goal: Liam Ryan; Back six versatile enough to combat the Magpies’ smalls, while Eagles hold all the aces inside 50.

Scott Gullan's top tips: Score so far: 140

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 33

Norm Smith: Brodie Grundy; First goal: Mason Cox; Have found the pressure key. Destroyed Richmond with it and they’re a better team than West Coast.

David King's top tips: Score so far: 149

Eagles

Last Week: 1

Margins: 1

Norm Smith: Elliott Yeo; First goal: Jamie Cripps; I’ve an honest desire to see former team mate in Adam Simpson become the 53rd VFL/AFL Premiership coach. Denis Pagan to deliver him the McHale Medal. Perfect.

Tim Watson's top tips: Score so far: 139

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 34

Norm Smith: Adam Trealor; First goal: Jaidyn Stephenson; Collingwood play a strong contested game. They have multiple avenues to goal and a deep talented midfield.

Daniel Andrews's top tips: Score so far: 137

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 11

North Smith: Brodie Grundy; First goal: Travis Varcoe; As an Essendon supporter I can’t quite believe I’m tipping Collingwood, but the reality is Cath and the kids support the Pies and I’d never get back in the house if I didn’t.

Nathan Brown's top tips: Score so far: 137

Pies

Margins: 8

Norm Smith: Brodie Grundy; First goal: Travis Varcoe; Collingwood’s mobile forwards will be too much too contain.

Eliza Sewell's top tips: Score so far: 137

Pies

Last Week: 2

Margins: 5

Norm Smith: Steele Sidebottom; First goal: Josh Thomas; It’s swooping season. Pies couldn’t be sharper, they’ll protect their home turf ferociously and send the interlopers packing.

Shane Warne's top tips: Score so far: 137

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 17

Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey;First goal: Mason Cox;The Pies will win as they play the MCG better and in these big games - you need X factor players, Collingwood has more!

James Hird's top tips: Score so far: 136

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 10

Norm Smith: Scott Pendlebury; First goal: Jordan De Goey

Sam Landsberger's top tips: Score so far: 136

Eagles

Last Week: 0

Margins: 14

Norm Smith: Josh Kennedy; First goal: Josh Kennedy; The Eagles are 15-0 when they take 90 marks and 12-0 when Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling both play. Ignore the greasy conditions, their aerial dominance will break Collingwood as a horror scene sabotages the Tyson Goldsack fairytale.

Glenn Mcfarlane's top tips: Score so far: 136

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 5

Norm Smith: Steele Sidebottom; First Goal: Jordan De Goey; If the Magpies’ midfield stave the Eagles’ twin towers of supply, Nathan Buckley’s team can produce one more fairytale, and win a record-equalling 16th flag.

Mick Warner's top tips: Score so far: 136

Eagles

Last Week: 0

Margins: 33

Norm Smith: Elliot Yeo; First goal: Liam Ryan; Eagles to banish the ghosts of 2015.

Jon Anderson's top tips: Score so far: 134

Eagles

Last Week: 0

Margins: 14

Norm Smith: Luke Shuey; First goal: Jaidyn Stephenson; Defenses win flags and because of Magpie injuries, West Coast are in better shape up back.

Bianca Chatfield's top tips: Score so far: 134

Pies

Last Week: 1

Margins: 5

Norm Smith: Steele Sidebottom; First goal: Mason Cox; There is a powerful feeling around the club. One of calmness and absolute belief. There is no limits to what this team could do. Go pies!

Sam Edmund's top tips: Score so far: 133

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 24

Norm Smith: Adam Treloar; First goal: Travis Varcoe; The Eagles forward line must be respected, but the depth of the Pies’ midfield will take the game away from them. The fact this is a Pies home game can’t be understated either.

Brendon Goddard's top tips: Score so far: 133

Eagles

Last Week: 1

Margins: 25

Norm Smith: Josh Kennedy; First goal: Jaidyn Stephenson; Collingwoods game last week and the build up to the game took to much out of them.

Matthew Guy's top tips: Score so far: 132

Pies

Last Week: 0

Margins: 22

Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey; First goal: Jack Darling; Why Collingwood? It has taken 8 years, but as a Saints member, I am now over the hurt of the 2010 Grand Final Replay.