MOJO News AFL Finals Predictions
Our team takes a crack at tipping what will happen this finals series.
It's the footy finals season and some of our MOJO reporters have forecast who they think will be winning a piece of silverware this September.
We’ve put forward what the Grand Final result will likely be, and who will be voted the Norm Smith Medallist. We’ve also suggested who we think will be awarded the Gary Ayres Medal for best finals player, as well as the highly prestigious Brownlow Medal. The MCG will be electrified by Kylie Minogue, but which song is set to ignite the crowd? See our predictions below.
Rahul Deepak Kumar - Editor
Grand Final Tip: Fremantle defeat Brisbane by 31 points
Norm Smith Medallist: Luke Jackson
Gary Ayres Medallist: Caleb Serong
Brownlow Medallist: Nick Daicos
The Kylie Minogue song that rocks the G the most: Can't Get You Out of My Head
Who wins and why: Fremantle have been the runaway favourite all year and anyone challenging them for the flag will have to beat them sometime in the finals. Their team is so well balanced across the ground with an explosive midfield, a sturdy backline and a potent forward line with terrific three-tall setup.
Individual players such as Murphy Reid, Shai Bolton, Hayden Young and Luke Jackson were built to thrive in September. They've had a great run with injuries so really nothing should stop them apart from the nerves of September.
William O’Brien - Sports Reporter
Grand Final Tip: Brisbane defeat Fremantle by 4 points
Norm Smith Medalist: Charlie Cameron
Gary Ayres Medallist: Marcus Bontempelli
Brownlow Medallist: Nick Daicos
The Kylie Minogue song that rocks the G the most: Can't Get You Out of My Head
Who wins and why: Coming off back-to-back premierships, it’s hard to leave the reigning premiers out of your Grand Final predictions. This experienced squad has shown some signs of weakness on the defensive end in the home and away season, with only Melbourne allowing more points within the top 10. However, this side's finals experience gives them a solid crack at a three-peat this season. On the other hand, Fremantle has been a force of nature all season.
The Dockers are sitting on 76 points at the time of writing, a tally last equalled by the 2013 Premiership Hawks. Boasting a historic percentage and the best defence in the competition, on paper, Fremantle are the premiership favourites. However, by September, this squad will be significantly short on finals experience. Shai Bolton is the most September-tested player on the list, with nine finals games played.
Overall, I have the Lions taking it over the Dockers. Brisbane's finals experience, paired with their young talent, makes it hard not to pick them to three-peat.
Jacob Tibbs - Sports Reporter
Grand Final Tip: Geelong defeat Fremantle by 28 points
Norm Smith Medallist: Max Holmes
Gary Ayres Medallist: Patrick Dangerfield
Brownlow Medallist: Nick Daicos (probably polls about 60)
The Kylie Minogue song that rocks the G the most: Kids (with Robbie Williams)
Who wins and why: The mighty Cats rarely miss the finals and this year is no exception. They were blown away against a champion Brisbane team in the Grand Final last year, but this year I think it'll be different. The Wildcard Round gives me this weird feeling that going all the way from outside the top four is more possible than ever, and I think the Cats will do just that.
I have Geelong facing the Lions in a Preliminary Final where they'll run over the top of them in an act of revenge for last year's Grand Final, ending Brisbane's hope of a three-peat. They'll go on to face minor premiers Fremantle in the Grand Final, where the Cats' finals experience will prove too much for the Dockers. Max Holmes will undoubtedly be hungry on the day, having missed Geelong's 2022 flag and a large chunk of this season through injury, ultimately resulting in him winning the Norm Smith medal.
Pair that with a healthy Jeremy Cameron, Bailey Smith, and Patrick Dangerfield saving his best performance for the last game of the year, and it should be pretty straightforward for the Cats.
Harry Cumming - Sports Editor
Grand Final Tip: Brisbane defeat Hawthorn by 25 points
Norm Smith Medallist: Will Ashcroft
Gary Ayres Medallist: Luke Jackson
Brownlow Medallist: Marcus Bontempelli
The Kylie Minogue song that rocks the G the most: I Should Be So Lucky
Who wins and why: I’m going for a big call here but I just feel like Hawthorn are in with a chance against Fremantle in their Qualifying Final. This would set up a home Preliminary Final and what I think is to be a likely date with back-to-back reigning premiers Brisbane on the last day of the season. Fremantle have dominated all season but have shown a few vulnerabilities in recent weeks. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did end up in the Grand Final.
At the end of the day, Brisbane have shown time and again that they are built for September and a historic three-peat is definitely on the cards for Chris Fagan’s men. Time will tell!
