There may be a new venue and an untraditional time and date for the AFL Grand Final this year, but footie fans across Australia and beyond will stop everything to watch one of the highlights of the sporting calendar this weekend. Below we are going to provide a handy guide to the event, bringing you the match details, latest news and odds, as well as pinpointing some of the big stories:
When and Where is the AFL Grand Final?
As most footie fans are acutely aware, there has been a lot doubt and debate over when the Grand Final would take place, and, indeed, whether it would take place at all. The solution is that it will take place at the Gabba, Brisbane on 24th October. The time is slightly later in the day than usual, 6.30pm AEST, to avoid clashing with some of the big races at the Melbourne Spring Carnival, notably the Cox Plate.
Who Is Contesting the Grand Final?
Well, if you are one of the very few who didn’t know, it’s Geelong Cats vs Richmond Tigers. The latter is going for a third triumph in four years, and it seems coach Damien Hardwick is keen on building something of a dynasty with this excellent Richmond team. The Cats have not been in an AFL Grand Final since defeating Collingwood back in 2011.
Who Is Predicted to Win?
Bookmakers marginally prefer Richmond’s chances, with the Tigers quoted at 5/7 by MansionBet. 21/20 is the price given to Geelong. But it really feels like a toss-up, and nobody should be reading to much into the odds. The teams had relatively similar records across the reduced 2020 AFL season, and these one-off clashes rarely pay regard to the formbook.
What’s the News Ahead of the Grand Final?
Aside from all the upheaval over times and venues, the main narrative has centred around Gary Ablett’s retirement. The footie legend, dubbed “The Little Masterâ€, has had almost two decades at the top of the game, having delivered for both Geelong and Gold Coast. It would be a fitting end to the career of the eight-time All-Australian player to get his third flag with the team where it all started.
Key Men
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
Having won the Norm Smith Medal in 2017 and 2019, most people expect Dustin Martin to have a big say in the outcome of the Grand Final in 2020. The midfielder is well on his way to being considered one of the all-time greats in AFL, and the 2017 Brownlow Medal Winner is arguably Richmond’s greatest ever player.
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
Geelong fans have their own Brownlow Medal-winning player to cheer on. Dangerfield won the award in 2016, and he has remained consistently excellent ever since. Indeed, some pundits reckon that the Dangerfield of 2020 is even better than the one of 2016. Nevertheless, he will have to be at his best if he is to win a first flag with Geelong.
