AFL stars overwhelmingly backing Geelong to win grand final; Nine's expert tipsters agree
AFL stars polled by Wide World of Sports are mostly backing Geelong to win the grand final at the MCG on Saturday.
Brisbane enters as the underdogs, despite coming in as reigning premiers.
The Cats and Lions will meet again, three weeks after a one-sided qualifying final affair.
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Brisbane has regained captain Lachie Neale from a calf injury, at the expense of Jarrod Berry, who dislocated his shoulder in the win over Collingwood.
Logan Morris of the Lions and Mark Blicavs of the Cats exchange words. Getty
Geelong, meanwhile, has replaced the concussed Tom Stewart with ruckman Rhys Stanley.
During Brownlow Medal night, WWOS polled many current stars and a pair of Brownlow Medal champions of the past for their grand final predictions.
Seven AFL captains were asked for their tip, with only Adelaide's Jordan Dawson backing the Lions.
Geelong will clearly enter heavy favourites, with the qualifying final result clearly front of mind.
Of Nine's experts, only Tom Morris is backing Brisbane. Eddie McGuire and Nat Yoannidis will complete the season tied first in the tipping, after both backed Geelong.
Newly minted Brownlow Medal winner Matt Rowell is among those tipping the Cats, while Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett is backing the Lions.
They've been in the spotlight for trade reasons, but Carlton's Charlie Curnow and Essendon captain Zach Merrett were aligned in tipping Geelong.
Tipping leaderboard. Nine
Expert grand final tips
Jimmy Bartel: Geelong
Eddie McGuire: Geelong
Rory Sloane: Geelong
Nat Yoannidis: Geelong
Tom Morris: Brisbane
Clint Stanaway: Geelong
Tony Jones: Geelong
Patrick Dangerfield (left) and Lachie Neale hold the premiership cup aloft. AFL Photos via Getty Images
AFL players/greats asked by WWOS on Brownlow Medal night
Jordan Dawson (Adelaide): Brisbane
Ben Keays (Adelaide): Brisbane
Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide): Brisbane
Charlie Curnow (Carlton): Geelong
Darcy Moore (Collingwood): Geelong
Josh Daicos (Collingwood): Geelong
Zach Merrett (Essendon): Geelong
Nic Martin (Essendon): Geelong
Matt Rowell (Gold Coast): Geelong
Toby Greene (GWS): Geelong
Robert Dipierdeminco (Hawthorn great): Geelong
Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne): Brisbane
Toby Nankervis (Richmond): Geelong
Isaac Heeney (Sydney): Geelong
Callum Mills (Sydney): Geelong
Ben Cousins (West Coast great): Geelong
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs): Geelong
