SPRING FEVER

AFL’s cream of the crop expected to rise in classic preliminary finals

Can Adelaide cover the loss of Mitch McGovern and Brodie Smith?

LM: I think they’ll be fine. Sloane’s return covers the loss of Smith, but McGovern is a bigger loss for me, due to his adaptability.

JL: They can, but they’ll have to be at the top of their game - Geelong comes to Adelaide full of confidence and has a great recent record against the Crows.

CM: They must. This is often the challenge when you have such a good run with injury - you don’t expose enough players to the game at the highest level and can be forced to take a punt come finals. Seedsman is a very similar type to Smith, but finding a like replacement for McGovern is more difficult. That’s why they’re paid the big bucks!

What position will Patrick Dangerfield play and who will get the job on him?

LM: He starts forward again, by the way Brad Scott was talking this week, and probably finds his old housemate Jake Kelly as his opponent, but no doubt he plays midfield as well.

JL: He’ll play forward. He was brilliant last week. He’s one of the best footballers I have ever seen. I know I wouldn’t want the job on him.

CM: It’s not a job for one man. It’s a range of players and options that is needed to reduce Dangerfield’s impact on this game. I like the thought of Greenwood on him if he starts on the ball. Knight has a chance and Sloane might just be better than them all. In attack it’s even more difficult. Kelly can, but I’d be tempted to go to Lever and give him the challenge of his life.

If Adelaide and Richmond play in the grand final which guernsey should they wear?

LM: The Crows should get to wear their home strip - they finished top, and that has to mean something.

JL: I think Richmond, due to the fact they’ve been in the league a lot longer than the Crows.

CM: The Crows wear theirs. They finished top and it should be their right.

I think Richmond should wear white, so there is absolutely no doubt who they are. Not sure they’ll buy it, but I’d like to see it. Kevin Bartlett would have a meltdown.

Crows Brodie Smith and Kyle Hartigan.

Who is the most important player to their team in the two preliminary finals?

LM: Tex holds the key to the Crows - when he’s up and about they are irresistible and Danger’s game will define the Cats’ hopes. No prizes for suggesting Dustin Martin holds the key for the Richmond after 31 touches against the Cats last time, so Stephen Coniglio could be GWS’s key after 35 touches last week.

JL: Sloane will be the key to the Crows while Danger holds the key to the Cat’s chances. I think Stevie J will again be the X-factor the Giants need and Dustin Martin is Richmond’s best player by a long way.

CM: Taylor Walker is the man for the Crows. He is the leader and so much depends on him. His leadership has already been recognised as a major part of the Crows’ success but in finals leaders must lead on field more than off.

Dangerfield first, second and third for Geelong. He inspired his team to one of the best wins I have ever seen. Richmond’s is Alex Rance. Rance is a major player in many ways. He must defend strongly and stand tall physically despite the attention that will come his way. GWS’s key is Toby Greene . The kid’s got rare talent and can win a game off his own boot. It’s been a challenging year for him but he loves the big stage.

Do you think Menari can live up to his $2 quote in the Group 1 Golden Rose?

LM: Looks a star, but the barrier has to be some concern. I think Ciaron Maher’s Merchant Navy looks a horse with huge upside drawn to get the gun run at good odds.

JL: Very nice horse and you have to take short prices about good horses, even in $1m races.

CM: The short answer is yes but there’s always a but. I love trying to defy the odds and find the unexpected winner. History says it’s got to be a colt, a last-start winner and from a barrier outside 10. That says Menari. But I’m not sure its the formality everyone thinks.

Defending Melbourne Cup hero Almandin looked super winning the JRA Trophy last week and Damien Oliver has locked in this year’s Cup ride. Do you think he’s going even better this year?

LM: He probably could have won by 10 lengths last weekend, that’s how easy it was. He’s a serious stayer in much better shape this year and no surprise to see him tumble in Cup betting.

JL: A lot of good judges in Melbourne believe Almandin is the most impressive Cup winner in recent years. Ollie didn’t touch him the other day and he put the race away in 50m. He could even win the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double.

CM: As a man who hasn’t tipped the winner of the Cup since Think Big, pre-race predictions aren’t my strength. There’s still six weeks to go and anything can happen in that time. . . Ask me on the second Tuesday in November .