Even Eade can’t split final teams

GOLD Coast coach Rodney Eade believes Sydney’s experience and depth gives them a slight edge in the Grand Final but calls it a “55-45” game.

Eade coached the Swans and Bulldogs – taking Sydney to the 1996 grand final and the Bulldogs to three preliminary finals between 2008-10.

“The Bulldogs are riding a wave of emotion at the moment and I’m probably on that too, so my heart is saying the Dogs by a goal, but my head says Sydney by a goal,’’ he said.

Eade said the Swans could cover the Bulldogs’ versatile forwards Jake Stringer and Tory Dickson despite the loss of Aliir Aliir to injury.

But he was concerned over the fitness of Callum Mills and Jarrad McVeigh who return after missing the preliminary final win over Geelong.

“That is the worry with Sydney if they take too many who might break down,’ he said.