Dwayne Russell's 2024 AFL Grand Final matchup prediction

09/17/2024 04:35 PM

SEN host Dwayne Russell expects Sydney and Brisbane to win their respective Preliminary Finals this weekend.

The Swans host the Power at the SCG on Friday night in a battle of 1st v 2nd, while the Lions, who finished 5th, travel to the MCG to meet the Cats (3rd) on Saturday evening.

While the Sydney tip is being backed by many given they're at home and have had the week off, Brisbane enters their clash as underdogs having already travelled to play GWS away last week, while Geelong took the week off after thumping Port Adelaide in a Qualifying Final.

Explaining his choice to pick the Lions over the Cats, Russell says his tip simply comes down to the fact that he thinks Brisbane is armed with a better list than Geelong.

"I've tipped Brisbane to beat Geelong," Russell told SEN Afternoons.

"I tipped Brisbane to win the flag at the start of the year and I think it'll be a Brisbane v Swans Grand Final, that's what I'm tipping.

"I think Brisbane have got a better list than the Cats, but the Cats have the home ground advantage of sorts of the MCG.

"The Cats have some pretty good momentum and a rest, whereas Brisbane's going to be travelling for the second week in a row. So, there are a few things against Brisbane.

"But if you line up their lists, if you line up Brisbane's forward line and Geelong's back line, I reckon Brisbane's got enough potent scoring power up there."

Friday's Preliminary Final between Sydney and Port Adelaide at the SCG begins at 7:40pm (AEST).

Saturday's Preliminary Final between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG begins at 5:15pm (AEST).