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AFL decider underway at MCG

Posted September 27, 2008 14:32:00
Updated September 27, 2008 14:59:00

The 2008 AFL grand final between minor premiers Geelong and Hawthorn has begun in front of a capacity crowd at the MCG this afternoon.

Keep up-to-date with all the action with our grand final game log.

The Cats are looking to defend their premiership from last year while the Hawks are in search of their first grand final victory since 1991.

Both teams, who finished first and second at the end of the regular season, have fielded the same 22 named on Thursday with no late omissions.

Geelong are clear favourites to take out the decider, shortening into $1.38 before the centre bounce, while Hawthorn have drifted to $3.25 with a rumoured injury scare surrounding All Australian full-forward Lance Franklin.

Despite kicking 102 goals in a sensational 2008 and claiming the Coleman Medal, Franklin has struggled with a thumb injury for much of the season.

Nevertheless, the Cats are worthy favourites after losing only one game this season and winning 42 of their last 44 matches.

The defending premiers also triumphed over the Hawks by 11 points in their blockbuster at the MCG in round 17 this season.

Geelong:

T Harley (c), M Scarlett, J Hunt, D Milburn, H Taylor, A Mackie, J Selwood, C Ling, C Enright, J Bartel, C Mooney, S Johnson, M Stokes, T Lonergan, P Chapman, B Ottens, G Ablett, J Corey. Interchange: M Blake, M Rooke, J Kelly, T Varcoe.

Hawthorn:

S Gilham, T Croad, B Guerra, R Ladson, L Hodge, G Birchall, J Lewis, S Mitchell (c), C Bateman, C Rioli, L Franklin, M Osbourne, M Williams, J Roughead, C Brown, T Campbell, B Sewell, S Crawford. Interchange: S Dew, X Ellis, B Renouf, C Young.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, geelong-3220, hawthorn-3122, melbourne-3000