Game: 2013 AFL Grand Final – Hawthorn Hawks Vs. Fremantle Dockers
When: Saturday, 28th September at 2.30pm AEST – MCG
By the time Saturday night rolls around it will either be Alistair Clarkson as a two-time AFL Grand Final coach with his beloved Hawthorn Hawks or Ross Lyon will have taken Fremantle Dockers to their first-ever Grand Final victory.
Hopefully Saturday night also sees punters having had a good day!
We will first take a look at straight match betting and then of course, the 2013 Norm Smith Medal.
2013 AFL Grand Final - Match Betting
The 2013 AFL Grand Final is an interesting match-up. Just a few weeks ago and the general public weren’t even giving Fremantle a chance. In fact, barely any team was given a chance for much of the year as the Hawks have been heavy premiership favourites for all 23 rounds of the home and away season and through each week of the finals.
The Hawks are still favourites, but after Fremantle defeated the Geelong Cats in the first week of the finals and then put on an epic display of pressure football last week against the Swans, they have been given a chance.
The Hawks and the Dockers have met only once in 2013 and it was a one-sided contest as the Hawks triumphed by 42 points. Take note that this game was played in Tasmania though and that the Dockers had talls Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin all out.
One of the biggest factors here is that it’s the most attacking team in the league Hawthorn versus the most defensive team in the league Fremantle. The Hawks have averaged 113.75 points a game, while the Dockers have restricted teams to just an average of 69.33 points. In the United States there is a saying which goes “defence wins championships!” Will that be true of the 2013 AFL Grand Final?
The unknown factor here is that Freo just don’t know what it’s like to play on the big stage like many of the players at the Hawks do. They will still be hurting after last year and super hungry for this one. In saying that though, the Dockers are primed and have hit their best form at the perfect time. They will have plenty of support from fans and Coach Ross Lyon has been here three times before.
Either way it’s definitely going to be a very tight Grand Final and a very entertaining one. There seems to be great value on the Dockers here and considering it’s highly unlikely they could win by more than seven goals, we will be making a small play on the Dockers in a close one.
Bet On: Fremantle Dockers Under 39.5
As always look around to find the best odds you can get. Also be sure to check out our best AFL Grand Final promotions on the link at the top of this article and check out the banners at the bottom of this article for some great sign-up specials.
2013 Norm Smith Medal
With the thinking that Fremantle could win the 2013 AFL Grand Final in a close one, it is likely that a Fremantle player takes home the Norm Smith Medal for being the best on ground. However, with Norm Smith betting, we have taken a look at players from both teams.
Check out what we think are some of the best Norm Smith betting options below.
Best of the Favourites
Nathan Fyfe
The most obvious Docker and the most well-backed is Nat Fyfe and perhaps for good reason. He is a very good footballer and more importantly, he looks good out there. If this year’s Brownlow Medal taught us anything about perception of the Dockers players it’s that Fyfe stands out far more than the arguably equally as important Michael Barlow. Fyfe also looks so silky when he plays that he is only one of a few players you would think has the ability to win the Norm Smith in a losing team (if it’s a close match obviously).
Odds: $7.50 at Luxbet
$7.00 at Bet365
$10 at Betfair
Sam Mitchell
The media have been suggesting that star tagger Ryan Crowly will go to Sam Mitchell on Saturday. That would be bad for punters with their coin on the star Hawk, but it’s still hard to argue against Mitchell, especially considering he had 38 disposals against Geelon last week.
Odds: $8.50 at Luxbet
$7.50 at Bet365
$12.50 at Betfair
Luke Hodge
Only one of two players out on the field who has won a Norm Smith medal before (along with Brad Sewll). When he directs traffic and plays his best footy off of half back and around centre wing he looks electric and his unstoppable. There is no way Ross Lyon lets this happen, but if he gets going is the sort of player who will get a lot of respect and votes from the panel for the Norm Smith.
Odds: $9.00 at Luxbet
$8.00 at Bet365
$11 at Betfair
Best of the value picks
David Mundy
He’s big, he gets a lot of the ball and he stands out like crazy. Had a huge preliminary final against the Swans last week so will have plenty of confidence and will be primed to have a big impact on the result. Hawks are perhaps more likely to giveNat Fyfe and Michael Barlow their attention too, which helps Mundy too. Definitely one of the best value Norm Smith picks.
Odds: $12 at Luxbet
$12 at Bet365
$16 at Betfair
Grant Birchall
It’s been an up and down year for Grant Birchall, but when he has played his best footy he has absolutely dominated and looked good while doing it. One of those games in 2013 where Birchall did just that happens to have been against Dockers too. Back in round 4 Birchall had 37 disposals and kicked a goal to easily be best on ground. If he has that sort of impact again on Saturday he will likely take home the Norm Smith. Can get big odds at Betfair.
Odds: $19 at Luxbet
$21 at Bet365
$26 at Betfair
Jarryd Roughead
What better roughie to win the Norm Smith then Roughie himself? Look, goal kickers do not have a good record in the Norm Smith Medal and it’s unlikely that the Dockers allow Roughie to kick a big bag on Saturday. However, Roughie is loved by the media who vote on the Norm Smith and he can also have a big impact in the middle of the ground taking marks etc.. Maybe worth a nibble at fairly large odds.
Odds: $24 at Luxbet
$18 at Bet365
$28 at Betfair
