Richmond faces Geelong in the 2020 AFL Grand Final.
The Tigers are fighting for their third premiership in four years and unofficial dynasty status, while the Cats finally broke their preliminary final hoodoo and are aiming at their first flag since 2011.
See everything you need to know about the Grand Final below.
Stream the full or condensed replay of the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Grand Final
MORE AFL GRAND FINAL COVERAGE
‘HE’S TAKING THE P***’: The most overlooked aspect of Ablett’s ‘immortal’ legacy
PREDICTIONS: AFL experts tip premier, Norm Smith and first goalkicker
ABLETT FEATURE: The kid who would be king — How ‘podgy’ Ablett lived up to being the son of ‘God’
NORM SMITH GUIDE: The unheralded heroes that could ruin Dusty’s historic feat
10 YEARS ON: It was a ‘fanciful pipe dream’ delivered on TV. Now Richmond can realise it
DUSTY v DANGER: The superstar showdown that will define the flag decider
TIGER DISRUPTION: Tigers star’s home suspiciously catches fire on eve of GF
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL FIXTURE
Grand Final: Richmond Tigers vs Geelong Cats, Gabba, Saturday October 24 7:30pm AEDT
It’s the first all-Victorian Grand Final in nine years – which coincidentally was the last time the Cats were in the big dance.
Richmond won the 2017 and 2019 flags, knocking off Geelong on the way both times, and they’ll need to do it a third time to make Damien Hardwick a triple premiership coach.
The Cats lost preliminary finals in 2016, 2017 and 2019, but now Chris Scott’s side is finally back in the promised land.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL START TIME
The 2020 AFL Grand Final will be played on Saturday October 24 at the Gabba.
It will start at 7:30pm EDT.
Friday October 23 is a public holiday in Victoria for the Grand Final, though it is officially called Thank You Day, to celebrate how Victorians have made sacrifices this year through the coronavirus pandemic.
Overseas? Stream the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series from outside Australia on WatchAFL. Every match including the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. Grab your Finals Pass to start streaming >
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL ENTERTAINMENT
An all-Aussie line-up will feature under lights at the Gabba, both before and during the Grand Final.
DMA’S, Sheppard, Cub Sport, Wolfmother lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale and Electric Fields featuring Thelma Plum and Busby Marou will perform.
Mike Brady will perform Up There Cazaly from the MCG, accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra live at the Gabba.
Most acts will perform pre-game but Sheppard will play a halftime show.
6.47pm – Past Players Video Tribute with Mike Brady, QSO Orchestra & Choir
6.52pm – Pre-Game Entertainment Performance: Cub Sport: These Days, DMA‘S, Andrew Stockdale + Band & QSO Orchestra : Joker and The Thief
7.08pm – Pre-Game Entertainment Concludes
7.11pm – Umpires enter arena / Delivery of match footballs to Umpires
7.13pm – Geelong Cats enter arena / Team photo
7.15pm – Richmond enter arena / Team photo
7.25pm – Premiership Cup Arrival – Simon Black delivers Premiership Cup to Presenters Ash Barty and Ian Nankervis (team line up)
7.26pm – National Anthem, Tim McCallum + QSO
7.28pm – Two Sirens – Toss of Coin
7.30pm – 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final Commences
Timings below are approximate
7.55pm – Quarter Time
7.59pm – Colgate Grand Final Sprint
8.03pm – Second Quarter Commences
8.28pm – Half Time
8.33pm – Half Time Entertainment Performance – Sheppard
8.55pm – Third Quarter Commences
9.20pm – Three Quarter Time
9.28pm – Fourth Quarter Commences
9.53pm – Final Siren – 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final Concludes
10.04pm – Post-Match Presentation / Team Photo
Media Conference – Runners Up (This post-match media conference will commence 15 minutes after the winning club exists the field of play).
Media Conference – Premiers (To be conducted following the Runners Up media conference).
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL SPRINT
Eight clubs will be represented in the traditional Grand Final Sprint at quarter-time.
St Kilda – Bradley Hill
Brisbane – Charlie Cameron
Adelaide – Ben Keays
Geelong – Jordan Clark
Gold Coast – Ben Ainsworth
Collingwood – Josh Thomas
Richmond – Bigoa Nyuon
Port Adelaide – Xavier Duursma
Gold Coast’s Ben King won the Grand Final Sprint in 2019.
Geelong has two players who have won it previously – Rhys Stanley in 2009 while at St Kilda, and Patrick Dangerfield who won it three years in a row between 2011 and 2013 while at Adelaide.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL TEAMS
The full teams for Richmond and Geelong were announced on Friday night, with no changes made from the preliminary final line-ups.
TIGERS
Backs: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
Half Backs: Liam Baker, Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli
Centres: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
Half Forwards: Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna, Dustin Martin
Half Backs: Lachie Henderson, Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart
Centres: Mitch Duncan, Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola
Half Forwards: Luke Dahlhaus, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers
Forwards: Mark O’Connor, Tom Hawkins, Gary Ablett
Followers: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie
Interchange: Jack Henry, Brandan Parfitt, Zach Tuohy, Sam Simpson
Emergencies: Tom Atkins, Zach Guthrie, Esava Ratugolea, Brad Close
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL ODDS
Richmond $1.85, Geelong $2
via Pointsbet as of midday Friday
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL WEATHER
The weather on Grand Final Day is tipped to reach 28C in Brisbane, with a 40 per cent showers and a chance of a thunderstorm.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL UMPIRES
The Grand Final will be umpired by Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith and Craig Fleer, with Robert Findlay the emergency.
This will be Stevic’s eighth Grand Final having been involved in the last four, Meredith’s fifth (2012-14, 16-17) and Fleer’s first.
The boundary umpires will be Michael Marantelli, Ian Burrows, Matthew Konetschka and Matthew Tomkins with Christopher Gordon the emergency.
The goal umpires will be Matthew Dervan and Steven Piperno with Steven Axon the emergency.
Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer and Matt Stevic will be the Grand Final umpires. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
AFL GRAND FINAL TIPS AND EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Of the 24 Fox Footy experts surveyed …
14 — Geelong
10 — Richmond
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL NORM SMITH MEDAL ODDS
Dustin Martin (Richmond) $5
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) $6.50
Bachar Houli (Richmond) $13
Dion Prestia (Richmond) $13
Tom Hawkins (Geelong) $13
Trent Cotchin (Richmond) $15
Mitch Duncan (Geelong) $15
Cam Guthrie (Geelong) $17
Tom Lynch (Richmond) $19
Shai Bolton (Richmond) $19
Gary Ablett (Geelong) $19
Joel Selwood (Geelong) $23
Shane Edwards (Richmond) $23
Tom Stewart (Geelong) $23
Others at $26 or longer
via Pointsbet as of midday Friday
AFL 2020 NORM SMITH MEDAL VOTERS
The judges for the Norm Smith Medal, awarded to the best on ground in the 2020 Grand Final, are Leigh Matthews (chairperson), Lauren Arnell, Malcolm Blight, Damian Barrett and Peter Ryan.
All five judges vote on a 3-2-1 basis. If there is a tie, it will be broken by the number of three votes received, then if necessary by the number of two votes received, then if still unbroken the votes cast by the chairperson will break the tie.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL NORM SMITH MEDAL PREDICTIONS
Of the 24 Fox Footy experts surveyed …
7 — Patrick Dangerfield
4 — Dustin Martin
3 — Mitch Duncan
2 — Shai Bolton, Tom Hawkins, Bachar Houli
1 — Shane Edwards, Cam Guthrie, Dion Prestia, Tom Stewart
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AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL DRAW – WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE’S A DRAW IN THE GRAND FINAL?
There has been a draw in an AFL Grand Final on three occasions in VFL/AFL history, with the most recent occasion coming in 2010 when St Kilda and Collingwood played out a thrilling draw.
A week later, the two teams played a ‘replay’ match, with the Magpies running out convincing winners.
But now, there is no Grand Final draw and no Grand Final replay, with the AFL changing its laws in recent years and tweaking them again for 2020.
If scores are level at full-time on Saturday, then:
1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical;
2. There is a six-minute break;
3. Teams change ends;
4. Three minutes of Additional Time shall be played, plus time-on;
5. At the end of the first Additional Time period, the siren will sound and teams will immediately change ends without a break;
6. The ball will be bounced (or thrown up) in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will commence;
7. At the conclusion of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;
8. If scores are still tied, steps 3 – 8 are repeated until a result is determined.
Australia’s premier weight-for-age contest is upon us, with a field of 14 set to face the starter at Saturday’s Cox Plate
The forecast in Melbourne — three to 10mm of rain on Friday and 10 to 20mm on Saturday — suggests we’ll see racing on a rain-affected track. The exact rating is always hard to predict but I’ve worked to a Soft 6.
The main event is Race 9 at Moonee Valley, which is scheduled to be run at 4.15pm AEDT.
ANALYSIS
1. KOLDING
This Waller gelding was an absolute revelation last spring, winning the G1 Epsom (1600m) and the Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney. He was a completely different horse through the autumn though, failing to place in five runs. Many thought his best was behind him coming into this campaign but Waller has him firing again, coming into this race off back-to-back wins in the G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and the G2 Hill Stakes (2000m). The horse he beat in the Hill Stakes, Avilius, was good without luck in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) last week. This will be his first run at The Valley and just his third in Melbourne (unplaced in the other two).
TAB odds — Win: $12, place: $3.50
2. HUMIDOR
The rejuvenated veteran was a controversial omission (or non-selection) from this race last year, following a 0.4L 2nd to Winx in 2017 — his career-best run — and a 4.75L 3rd in 2018. He was getting well-beaten in G3 races in Perth earlier this year and retirement seemingly loomed large but Waller has completely turned his form around. The 8YO was a shock winner of the G2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) here three-back, before splitting Russian Camelot and Arcadia Queen in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) last start. Those two horses held him comfortably last time but doubt the slow tempo helped his cause. Barrier 14 makes things tricky.
Win: $21, place: $5
3. FIERCE IMPACT
This ultra-consistent entire knocked off Russian Camelot to win the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington two-back. He then returned to Sydney and finished 2.2L off Kolding as a $2.30F in the G2 Hill Stakes (2000m). He clocked similar closing sectionals to the winner there but just had too much to do from the back (probably settled further back than expected). The rain won’t hurt his chances given he won the G1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) on a Soft 7 last spring, but the barrier (12) stings a little. Others boast stronger 2000m credentials, but he’s just so genuine.
Win: $34, place: $8
4. MASTER OF WINE
The Hawkes gelding is on the quick back-up here after finishing 10th in last Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), beaten by 4.6L. He was ridden against his usual pattern there, settling outside of the leader, but was still pretty disappointing. He’s yet to place in four runs this spring, with a 0.8L 5th to Verry Elleegant in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) his best effort. A repeat of that would give him an outside hope of placing, but he needs to find lengths on his most recent effort.
Win: $34, place: $8
5. MUGATOO
Saved from the Caulfield Cup for this, Mugatoo was last seen finishing a head off Mirage Dancer in the G1 Metropolitan (2400m) last start. The winner there was a total forgive job in the Caulfield Cup, so it’s not exactly easy to get a read on that form. The likelihood of a rain-affected track helps Mugatoo, who is 4 from 7 on soft tracks, but he’s still yet to prove himself at WFA level. The progressive gelding was beaten 9.1L behind Verry Elleegant in the G1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) last autumn — which was his first big test at this level.
Win: $26, place: $6
6. ASPETAR
Aspetar doesn’t have the gate speed to take advantage of barrier three, with Lane likely to settle him in the last three or four. He was a G2 winner over this distance last start, following a close-up 2nd at Sandown when seemingly every chance. The last time he travelled outside of the UK, he was beaten 14.5L in the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin. He did however win the G1 Preis Von Europa (2400m) in Germany prior to that. His racing style doesn’t exactly look ideal for 2040m around The Valley, even though his record at this trip reads well on paper (4:2-1-1).
Win: $16, place: $4.40
7. SIR DRAGONET
Sir Dragonet looked no hope on a dry track, but the rain definitely increases his chances. The son of Camelot, now with Maher and Eustace, finished 2nd to Magical at G1 level over this trip last start, which obviously reads nicely for this. Prior to that he was rolled by Buckhurst as a $1.90F, but that was on a good-rated track where he is 3:0-1-0. So far in his 9-start career, he’s been beaten at $1.90, $2.90, $1.55, $3.75, $1.45 and $3.75 — so punters have rated him much higher than what he’s actually produced so far (a maiden win and a G3 win beating Norway and Dashing Willoughby).
Win: $13, place: $3.70
8. MAGIC WAND (scratched)
9. ARCADIA QUEEN
The West Australian mare was back to her brilliant best last start, beating Russian Camelot by 1.25L in the G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m). The bar plates came off there and they remain off here, which is obviously a great sign that her feet are in much better condition than they were at the start of the spring. The way the race was run last start suited her, sitting back in a small field before letting rip with a sharp turn-of-foot. You would imagine this event will be run at a more genuine tempo, with the 3YO running along in front, and the threat of rain is a negative. You couldn’t possibly rule her out on what she showed at Caulfield last start though.
Win: $5.50, place: $2.10
10. NETTOYER
The popular pizza-eating mare put in an improved effort last start, finishing 2nd in the G3 Craven Plate (2000m). This is a significant step up from that though and you couldn’t possibly have her based on what she’s done since winning the G1 Doncaster (1600m) at big odds.
Win: $81, place: $17
11. RUSSIAN CAMELOT
The big “Russian” had his colours lowered last start, finishing 1.25L off Arcadia Queen as a $1.40F in the G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m). However, the sit-and-sprint nature of that race didn’t really suit, and you could argue Pike on Arcadia Queen caught Oliver by surprise a little bit in the straight. Hopefully, for Russian Camelot’s sake, they really stretch out in this and he can build through his gears and have a full head of steam rounding the tight final bend. Maybe he needs a bit further than 2040m now, but the likelihood of a wet track is a big plus given what we saw in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) on a Soft 6 two-back. Barrier 15 doesn’t look great, but you’d rather see him outside of runners than searching for runs on the inside.
Win: $4.60, place: $1.90
12. ARMORY
Armory looks the pick of the internationals, coming off a 3rd behind Magical and Ghaiyyath in the G1 Irish Champion over this trip last start. He was $67 there, so maybe it was a spike run, but that effort looks good enough to give this a real shake. A genuinely wet track would have to be some query though given Sir Dragonet beat him quite comfortably with more weight when they clashed over this distance three-back. He’s been a dominant winner over much shorter trips than this, so he certainly possesses a decent turn-of-foot. Melham should put him in the right spot from barrier six.
Win: $6, place: $2.20
13. PROBABEEL
The Kiwi mare is just a model of consistency, finishing in the top two in 14 of her 18 career starts. She was dominant winning the G3 Ritchie Handicap (1400m) two-back, before overcoming a wide run to take out the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) in comfortable fashion. That was a sensational win and although 2000m remains a bit of a query — especially a fast-run 2000m — she does map for a pretty economical run from barrier two. She doesn’t want it really wet, but a soft deck is no issue at all. McEvoy has ridden her seven times and never finished worse than 2nd. Her stablemate Te Akau Shark came off a similar set-up to run 3rd in this event last year.
Win: $8.50, place: $2.80
14. GRANDSLAM
The lone 3YO in the field, carrying just 49.5kg, finished 3rd in the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last start but was well-held. He started $61 in that but is just $21 in this much harder race. Prior to the Guineas, the Maher and Eustace colt was beaten in a BM64 at Flemington after sitting outside of the leader. He’ll likely lead in this, and run along at a decent clip, but it’s hard to see him not getting the staggers in the straight. The early price ($21) looks serious unders.
Win: $19, place: $5
15e. BUCKHURST
The 1st emergency was well-held in the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last Saturday and looks tested if he does gain a run here. A wet track would be a real negative, given Sir Dragonet finished 4.45L in front of him on a soft deck three-back.
Win: $41, place: $9
VERDICT
11. Russian Camelot
13. Probabeel
9. Arcadia Queen
12. Armory
$100 BETTING STRATEGY
$75 on Russian Camelot (11) @ $4.60
$25 on Probabeel (13) @ $8.50
This article first appeared on punters.com.au and was reproduced with permission
Patrick Bamford’s first Premier League hat-trick takes him to six goals for the season
Leeds United ended Aston Villa’s winning start and ruined their chance of going top of the Premier League thanks to a brilliant Patrick Bamford hat-trick.
Villa came into Friday’s game having won their first four games of a league campaign for the first time since 1930-31, but three expert finishes from the Leeds striker prevented the hosts making it a club record five victories on the spin to open their season.
The result lifts Leeds to third – their highest position at the end of a day in the division since September 2002.
It was reward for a relentlessly positive performance from an injury-hit visiting side that should probably have yielded more goals.
In the first-half, Bamford missed with a header and then side-footed wide after being found by Jack Harrison’s low cross at the end of swift counter-attacking move.
Leeds’ record signing Rodrigo was also guilty of spurning good opportunities, slicing one shot wide before seeing an effort blocked by Ezri Konsa.
Dean Smith’s Villa team, who had put seven goals past champions Liverpool in their previous home game, saw a Jack Grealish shot cleared off the line by Luke Ayling after the ball had fallen to the midfielder from Trezeguet’s miscued shot.
Villa’s captain also went close with a saved effort from close range after he had shown great tenacity and skill to carry the ball from within his own half.
But Bamford had the decisive say, finding the corner of the net from just a few yards out after Emiliano Martinez had palmed out Rodrigo’s low shot.
If his first was simple, his second and third were stunning – a rising effort into the top corner from 20 yards after he was found by Mateusz Klich on 67 minutes and a dug out, curling finish following Helder Costa’s low ball seven minutes later.
Leeds are now two points and a place behind Villa, who remain second, a point behind leaders Everton.
Bamford and Leeds make their presence felt
Bielsa happy for ‘noble and generous’ Bamford
Leeds maybe have not been as spectacular as Villa in the early stages of 2020-21, but they are certainly making their mark on a top flight that had been without them for 16 years.
There were plenty of times during that period when little was missing in their absence, but now – with Marcelo Bielsa in charge – the pleasure is all the Premier League’s.
Leeds have already shown they are unwilling to be daunted and compromise their attacking principles, even when facing the elite sides.
And at Villa Park, with influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips and captain Liam Cooper missing through injury and a makeshift defence in place, they took apart the division’s form team on their own patch.
Under Bielsa, Leeds create chances but they have not always had the cutting edge to make them count, with Bamford too often frustratingly profligate.
Premier League life with Leeds clearly suits the English striker, though, and Friday’s hat-trick took him to six goals in six matches this term. His treble is also the sixth in the top flight already in 2020-21 – after 49 games, it is the earliest that has happened.
Leeds themselves have now scored 12 league goals, the most by a newly promoted club after six games of a season in the competition since Middlesbrough also netted 12 in 1992-93.
Villa suffer first setback
Villa got away with a 3-0 defeat – Smith
It is perhaps in-keeping with what has been a chaotic Premier League season so far that Villa, yet to drop points and whose last appearance on their own ground saw them put seven past Liverpool, would be put to the sword by newly promoted Leeds.
But still it defied all expectation. Villa were second best throughout, unable to compete with the visitors’ intensity and energy.
Even Grealish, who has impressed so much, was unable to inspire his side, although he did have moments – not least of all with the solo run that almost brought an opener for the hosts early in the second half.
Bamford’s first goal was a big blow, his second sent Villa to canvas and the third knocked them out.
It was a bad night at the office, but Smith’s side remain a work in progress – and while he is unlikely to be pleased after defeat, one poor showing in five is a percentage he will surely take.
The key now will be whether Villa can respond to such a ruthless ending to one eight-game unbeaten streak by building another.
‘We probably got away with a 3-0’ – what the managers said
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, speaking to Match of the Day: “Very frustrated, especially with the last 40 minutes. I thought the first half was very even. They scored the first goal and we got worse and they were very good. We probably got away with a 3-0 in the end with the chances they had.
“Who knows what would have happened if we had scored? That is the first time we have been behind in a game and we didn’t handle it very well.”
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, speaking to Match of the Day: “It was an important game for us and a deserved triumph. We scored first and were a little bit lucky they didn’t score some of the chances they had. We were playing well even before the goal and had played well enough to go ahead.”
On striker Patrick Bamford, Bielsa added: “Very happy for Patrick because he scored some wonderful goals. Apart from that [he is] a noble player who sacrifices a lot for the team – generous also. I think his development is more to do with him and less to do with me.”
Bamford matches Cantona – the best stats
This was Aston Villa’s first defeat in nine Premier League matches (six wins) and also the first time they had fallen behind at any stage in any of those nine matches.
This was the biggest win by a newly promoted side in an away Premier League match since October 2019, when Aston Villa won 5-1 at Norwich, and the biggest by a promoted club away from home while also keeping a clean sheet since Brighton won 3-0 at West Ham in October 2017.
Since the start of last season, Aston Villa have lost 22 Premier League games and conceded 72 goals in the competition – only Norwich City (27 defeats, 75 goals conceded) have lost and conceded more in the division in that time.
Bamford has scored six goals in Leeds’ first six league matches this season – only Eric Cantona in 1992-93 (also six) has scored as many goals for the club at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
The Englishman is only the second player to score in Leeds United’s first three away games in a top-flight league season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38.
Bamford is the ninth Leeds player to score a Premier League hat-trick and the first since Mark Viduka away at Charlton in April 2003.
21StruijkBooked at 10minsSubstituted forShackletonat 21′minutes
43KlichBooked at 90mins
22Harrison
20RodrigoSubstituted forHernándezat 79′minutes
9Bamford
Substitutes
7Poveda-Ocampo
11Roberts
13Casilla
18Dias Belloli
19Hernández
24Davis
46Shackleton
Live Text
Match ends, Aston Villa 0, Leeds United 3.
Second Half ends, Aston Villa 0, Leeds United 3.
Attempt missed. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Pablo Hernández following a fast break.
Attempt missed. John McGinn (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ross Barkley.
Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Patrick Bamford (Leeds United).
Ezri Konsa Ngoyo (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Luke Ayling (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Bertrand Traoré (Aston Villa).
Mateusz Klich (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Attempt missed. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ross Barkley.
Raphinha (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Matt Targett (Aston Villa).
Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Matthew Cash (Aston Villa).
Attempt saved. Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jamie Shackleton with a cross.
Attempt missed. Raphinha (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Patrick Bamford.
From 16 hopefuls in March to just two possibles in October the race to the 2020 Telstra Premiership trophy is down to the Panthers and Storm.
In a remarkable season that was shut down due to a worldwide pandemic, the champion to one of the toughest NRL titles ever will be crowned on October 25.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s NRL decider.
Catch Fox League’s Grand Final Week coverage on Kayo. Stream all the latest news and insight right up until kick off plus half-time and full-time analysis from the Fox League commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Grand Final
‘Biggest fear’ for Smith
1:47
LOCATION & KICK OFF TIME
Sunday, October 25 at ANZ Stadium, 7:30pm AEST kick-off
Crowd capacity: 40,000 fans will be permitted to attend.
6.30pm — Retiring and departing players tribute on-field
6.50pm — Presentation of Ken Stephen Medal
7.00pm — Entertainment (Amy Shark)
7.27pm — National anthem
7.30pm — NRL Grand Final, Panthers vs Storm
Don’t take GF for granted
1:24
HOW TO WATCH
Live coverage of grand final day starts on Fox League at 3:30pm.
The NRLW grand final (Broncos vs Roosters) starts at 4:05pm broadcast live on Fox League.
The NRL grand final (7:30pm) will be broadcast live on Channel 9, who will also show the NRL grand final.
You can watch a replay of the grand final on Fox League at 10pm.
If you can’t watch the game, foxsports.com.au will have you covered with rolling coverage throughout the day.
Nathan Cleary will lead the Panthers charge in the Grand Final.Source: Getty Images
Sunday, October 25 NRLW – Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos – ANZ Stadium 4:05pm AEDT
– Nine (Sydney/Brisbane), GEM (Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth)
– Foxtel – Fox League (nationally)
– Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
– 9Now
– Kayo Sports
– NRL app: Live Pass or Telstra customers
– Radio: ABC Radio, Nine Radio (2GB/4BC), 1170 SEN Sydney
International Coverage:
– WatchNRL
– Fox Soccer Plus (USA)
– Sky Sports (UK and Ireland)
Weird build up helps Panthers
1:43
Sunday, October 25 Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm – ANZ Stadium 7:30pm EDT
– Nine (Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth)
– Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
– 9Now
– Radio: ABC, Triple M Sydney/Brisbane, 2GB/4BC, NRL Nation
– (or via the Match Centre in NRL App or NRL.COM)
International Coverage:
-WatchNRL
– Fox Sports 2 (USA)
– Sky Sports (UK and Ireland)
– BeIN Sports (France)
– ESPN (Africa)
– Fox Sports (Netherlands)
– Rogers SportsNet (Canada)
– Sport 24 (In Flight/In Cruise)
– Fox Sports Asia/Disney (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei)
– Digicel (Tonga)
– TVWAN (Papua New Guinea – Free TV)
– TVWAN Action (Papua New Guinea – PayTV)
– Elijah TV (Cook Islands)
– Fiji Broadcasting Corporation
Overseas? Stream the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series from outside Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands on WatchNRL. Every match including the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. Grab your Finals Pass to start streaming >
Smith hints he’ll play on?
2:04
TEAMS
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Brent Naden 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 15. Kurt Capewell 16. Moses Leota 17. Zane Tetevano 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Dean Whare 20. Matt Burton 21. Spencer Leniu
Predicted Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Brenko Lee 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 16. Dale Finucane 17. Nicholas Hynes 18. Tom Eisenhuth 19. Paul Momirovski 20. Tui Kamikamica 21. Ryley Jacks
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REFEREES
Gerard Sutton – referee, Chris Butler, Todd Smith – touch judges, Steve Chiddy – Bunker official
Olam making PNG proud
2:37
TICKETS
To purchase tickets and find out more about ticket pricing, on-sale dates, and stadium information, visit Ticketek.com.au or nrl.com/tickets.
ENTERTAINMENT
Aussie indie pop star Amy Shark will headline the grand final entertainment. The Gold Coast-born singer-songwriter, who is a massive Titans fan, had earlier headlined the NRL’s Festival of Footy at Bega in February. “I can’t wait to celebrate the finalists on the field and bring some live music to homes across Australia,” Shark said.
HEAD-TO-HEAD FORM GUIDE (Past five games — most recent first)
Panthers 21-14 Storm, 19 June 2020, Campbelltown Stadium
Panthers 2-32 Storm, 29 March 2019, Panthers Stadium
Storm 16-22 Panthers, 30 Aug 2018, AAMI Park
Storm 28-6 Panthers, 31 March 2017, AAMI Park
Storm 24-6 Panthers, 3 June 2016, AAMI Park
Roberts looking for new club
0:29
BETTING ODDS (Courtesy of Ladbrokes*)
Panthers $2.20, Storm $1.72
* Odds as of October 20
CLIVE CHURCHILL MEDAL FAVOURITES (Courtesy of Ladbrokes*)
The AFL Grand Final is almost upon us and we have arranged an incredible line-up to take you through the day.
At 3pm join Jon Ralph to talk all things trade related before a pre-Grand Final live video chat with Robbo and Robbo – Mark and Mitch Robinson – at 5pm. They will take your questions ahead of the bounce.
At 6pm Mick McGuane sits down with us to answer all your burning questions and he will stick around to blog the AFL Grand Final right through to the siren.
Finally, Mitch re-joins us at the half-time break to analyse both Richmond and Geelong and take your questions.
You can get in early and submit your questions for the whole panel in the blog below.
Get in fast!
Catch Fox Footy’s Grand Final Week coverage on Kayo. Stream all the latest news and insight right up until first bounce plus half-time and full-time analysis from the Fox Footy commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
AFL GRAND FINAL STARTS AT 7:30PM AEDT
ENTERTAINMENT
Here is the full schedule for the 20202 AFL Grand Final at the Gabba. All times are QLD* for VIC add one hour.
CATS KNOW TIGERS WELL – BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH?
Chris Scott says plotting Richmond’s Grand Final downfall has been “pretty easy” as Geelong shoots to farewell retiring legend Gary Ablett with a fairy tale third premiership.
Ablett’s last flag came 11 years ago, when a 21-year-old Joel Selwood huddled his seasoned teammates in the MCG rooms and revved them up after a sluggish first half against St Kilda.
Commentators Robert Walls and Malcolm Blight tore shreds off Steve Johnson (zero disposals) at halftime while Paul Chapman, who ended up winning the Norm Smith, as well as Travis Varcoe, Cam Mooney and even Ablett were also in their sights.
MORE GRAND FINAL PREVIEWS:
Selwood’s speech foreshadowed the leader he would become and he will captain the Cats for the 200th time in his fifth Grand Final.
The Cats have a 1-5 record against Richmond since the 2017 finals, and that sole win came largely against the Tigers’ VFL team last year.
But Scott said they knew exactly how to beat coach Damien Hardwick’s team – it was just a matter of executing.
“We’re aware our system has to stand up against them, and we’ve got a degree of confidence that’s the case,” Scott said.
“But the execution piece is so much harder than the planning.
“Working out what to do is pretty easy, actually being able to execute it against the best in a pressurised situation is much, much harder.”
Scott said “great teams in history” were always transparent, but that didn’t make them any easier to stop.
The Tigers have zeroed in on Geelong’s contested ball dominance after Scott’s team monstered Collingwood and Brisbane in finals victories.
The Cats are ranked No.1 in differentials for contested possession (+10.8), post-clearance contested possession (+6.8), groundball (+12.2), looseball (+8.4) and No.2 for clearances (+4.5).
But Richmond’s onball numbers have jumped through the roof in October.
“I didn’t want to talk about it at all then (salary sacrifice), and I don’t really want to now,” Scott said.
“(But) what I’m proud of is the fact that our club has been able to keep together the bulk of our coaching group, both inside the hub and into next year as well.
“That’s taken great commitment and investment in the team and the club by a whole range of people. I’m really proud of that.
“Back in March the challenge was there for everyone to see and I think even Gill (McLachlan) said that the teams that were the most agile and the ones that embrace the situation were probably going to be the ones that played the longest.”
Selwood underwent finger surgery just three weeks ago however has not missed a final.
“We got lucky to be honest. We came back from Adelaide and were lucky enough that there was a surgeon available to do the surgery,” he said.
“It was an easy tidy-up job.”
BLOCKBUSTER BATTLE AWAITS
– Reece Homfray
Richmond and Geelong have met in a preliminary and qualifying final in the past three years and now rival coaches Damien Hardwick and Chris Scott say the footy world is getting the grand final it had to have.
The Tigers and the Cats will meet in their first grand final since 1967 when they clash at the Gabba on Saturday, with Richmond closing in on an official dynasty and Geelong eyeing a fairytale finish to Gary Ablett Jr’s career.
Hardwick said he had allowed himself a moment to dream of a third flag in four years, but not at the expense of taking his eye off the ball.
“You can sit there and dream as much as you like, but the fact of the matter is you have to do a hell of a lot of work to get there, we give ourselves an opportunity and we’re excited,” he said.
“Whoever’s system stands up the longest will come away with the thing (premiership cup) in front of us, but I think from an overall perspective it’s going to be a great game of footy.
“Two pretty good sides that have been playing a great brand of footy for a long period of time, they’ve (Geelong) been a yardstick along with our football club for a number of years and I think it’s about time we played off in a grand final.”
Scott declared Richmond had been the benchmark of the competition, but clarified questions regarding his previous comments that the gap between them and the rest wasn’t as great as other top teams in recent memory.
“The competition is getting more even year on year, by design, the AFL has set it up that way. I think it’s very clear we’re coming into an era where the gap between the very best team and very worst team is smaller than it’s ever been,” he said.
“I’ve said over and over again, they’ve clearly been the best side of the past three or four years … but the idea that only three or four teams could win it, which was where the competition used to be, is just crazy and I think that’s good for the game.
“We haven’t been arrogant enough to think we have everyone else covered bar Richmond, it’s really difficult to get to this stage in the first place, but I guess in the back of our mind it’s been really clear that Richmond have been the best team and to win a premiership you’re more than likely going to have to beat them.”
Asked whether Ablett’s swansong was a motivating factor for the Cats, captain Joel Selwood said “very small”.
“And that’s no disrespect to him, but Gaz came out at the start of the year and allowed everyone in the football world to know this is (his last season) and hopefully I speak for everyone that we’ve celebrated him the right way,” Selwood said.
“It would be lovely to see him up there receiving a medal at the end of the day, but I’m sure Trent’s (Cotchin) going to say different.”
To which Cotchin replied: “I like Gaz, but not that much though”.
Both teams all but confirmed they would go into the grand final unchanged from their preliminary final wins.
Ultimate glory will be awarded to the champion of the AFL’s most unpredictable and difficult season in decades as Richmond faces Geelong in the 2020 Grand Final.
Richmond (14-5-1, third on the ladder) is trying to win its third premiership in four seasons, something only eight teams in VFL-AFL history have ever done, and become a dynasty.
Geelong (14-6, fourth on the ladder) is back in the flag decider for the first time since 2011, when coach Chris Scott – in his first year in charge – led this team to its third flag in five years.
Catch Fox Footy’s Grand Final coverage on Kayo. Stream all the latest news and insight right up until first bounce plus half-time and full-time analysis from the Fox Footy commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Grand Final
MORE AFL GRAND FINAL PRE-GAME COVERAGE
ULTIMATE GUIDE: The entertainment, weather and everything else you need to know
PREDICTIONS: AFL experts tip premier, Norm Smith and first goalkicker
ABLETT FEATURE: The kid who would be king — How ‘podgy’ Ablett lived up to being the son of ‘God’
NORM SMITH GUIDE: The unheralded heroes that could ruin Dusty’s historic feat
10 YEARS ON: It was a ‘fanciful pipe dream’ delivered on TV. Now Richmond can realise it
DUSTY v DANGER: The superstar showdown that will define the flag decider
This is the first night Grand Final in VFL-AFL history (starting at 7:30pm AEDT), and is being played at the Gabba in Brisbane.
It’s the first time since 1991 the game is not being played at the MCG, and just the second time since World War II.
Richmond’s Trent Cotchin can tonight become just the eighth man in VFL-AFL history to be a triple premiership captain, joining Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Michael Voss (Brisbane), John Nicholls (Carlton), Allan La Fontaine (Melbourne), Dick Reynolds (Essendon, four-time), Michael Tuck (Hawthorn, four-time) and Syd Coventry (Collingwood, four-time).
A Geelong win would send Gary Ablett out on the ultimate high note, as tonight will be his 357th and final AFL match before retiring.
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All AFL matches this season are being played with shortened quarters of 16 minutes (plus time on), down from 20 minutes (plus time on).
The Grand Final starts at 7:30pm EDT from the Gabba.
Follow Richmond v Geelong in the 2020 AFL Grand Final in our live blog below!
Richmond will face Geelong in the 2020 AFL Grand Final.
The Tigers are fighting for their third premiership in four years and unofficial dynasty status, while the Cats finally broke their preliminary final hoodoo and are aiming at their first flag since 2011.
See everything you need to know about the Grand Final below.
Stream the full or condensed replay of the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Grand Final
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL FIXTURE
Grand Final: Richmond vs Geelong Cats, Gabba, Saturday October 24 7:30pm AEDT
It’s the first all-Victorian Grand Final in nine years – which coincidentally was the last time the Cats were in the big dance.
Richmond won the 2017 and 2019 flags, knocking off Geelong on the way both times, and they’ll need to do it a third time to make Damien Hardwick a triple premiership coach.
The Cats lost preliminary finals in 2016, 2017 and 2019, but now Chris Scott’s side is finally back in the promised land.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL START TIME
The 2020 AFL Grand Final will be played on Saturday October 24 at the Gabba.
It will start at 7:30pm EDT.
Friday October 23 will be a public holiday in Victoria for the Grand Final, though it will be officially called Thank You Day, to celebrate how Victorians have made sacrifices this year through the coronavirus pandemic.
Overseas? Stream the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series from outside Australia on WatchAFL. Every match including the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. Grab your Finals Pass to start streaming >
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL ENTERTAINMENT
An all-Aussie line-up will feature under lights at the Gabba, both before and during the Grand Final.
DMA’S, Sheppard, Cub Sport, Wolfmother lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale and Electric Fields featuring Thelma Plum and Busby Marou will perform.
Mike Brady will perform Up There Cazaly from the MCG, accompanied by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra live at the Gabba.
Most acts will perform pre-game but Sheppard will play a halftime show.
The national anthem will be sung by Tim McCallum.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL TEAMS
The full teams for Richmond and Geelong will be announced on Friday night.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL ODDS
Richmond $1.85, Geelong $2
via Pointsbet as of midday Friday
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL WEATHER
The weather on Grand Final Day is tipped to reach 28C in Brisbane, with a 40 per cent showers and a chance of a thunderstorm.
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL UMPIRES
The Grand Final will be umpired by Matt Stevic, Simon Meredith and Craig Fleer, with Robert Findlay the emergency.
This will be Stevic’s eighth Grand Final having been involved in the the last four, Meredith’s fifth (2012-14, 16-17) and Fleer’s first.
The boundary umpires will be Michael Marantelli, Ian Burrows, Matthew Konetschka and Matthew Tomkins with Christopher Gordon the emergency.
The goal umpires will be Matthew Dervan and Steven Piperno with Steven Axon the emergency.
Simon Meredith, Craig Fleer and Matt Stevic will be the Grand Final umpires. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
AFL GRAND FINAL TIPS AND EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Of the 23 Fox Footy experts surveyed …
13 — Geelong
10 — Richmond
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL NORM SMITH MEDAL ODDS
Dustin Martin (Richmond) $5
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) $6.50
Bachar Houli (Richmond) $13
Dion Prestia (Richmond) $13
Tom Hawkins (Geelong) $13
Trent Cotchin (Richmond) $15
Mitch Duncan (Geelong) $15
Cam Guthrie (Geelong) $17
Tom Lynch (Richmond) $19
Shai Bolton (Richmond) $19
Gary Ablett (Geelong) $19
Joel Selwood (Geelong) $23
Shane Edwards (Richmond) $23
Tom Stewart (Geelong) $23
Others at $26 or longer
via Pointsbet as of midday Friday
AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL NORM SMITH MEDAL PREDICTIONS
Of the 23 Fox Footy experts surveyed …
6 — Patrick Dangerfield
4 — Dustin Martin
3 — Mitch Duncan
2 — Shai Bolton, Tom Hawkins, Bachar Houli
1 — Shane Edwards, Cam Guthrie, Dion Prestia, Tom Stewart
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AFL 2020 GRAND FINAL DRAW – WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE’S A DRAW IN THE GRAND FINAL?
There has been a draw in an AFL Grand Final on three occasions in VFL/AFL history, with the most recent occasion coming in 2010 when St Kilda and Collingwood played out a thrilling draw.
A week later, the two teams played a ‘replay’ match, with the Magpies running out convincing winners.
But now, there is no Grand Final draw and no Grand Final replay, with the AFL changing its laws in recent years and tweaking them again for 2020.
If scores are level at full-time on Saturday, then:
1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical;
2. There is a six-minute break;
3. Teams change ends;
4. Three minutes of Additional Time shall be played, plus time-on;
5. At the end of the first Additional Time period, the siren will sound and teams will immediately change ends without a break;
6. The ball will be bounced (or thrown up) in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will commence;
7. At the conclusion of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;
8. If scores are still tied, steps 3 – 8 are repeated until a result is determined.
This season has been the most unique in footy history and that trend continues right up until Grand Final day.
Richmond plays Geelong in the decider on Saturday October 24 in the first ever AFL Grand Final held at night.
It’s also the first time the last match of the season has been taken away from Melbourne, and will instead be played at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The opening bounce is scheduled for 6.30pm local time. The start time for everyone around Australia is as follows: WA (4.30pm), NT (6pm), QLD (6.30pm), SA (7pm), VIC, NSW, TAS, ACT (7.30pm)
FULL AFL GRAND FINAL RUNNING SHEET (all times in EDT)
It’s what we in Australia call the best two minutes in sport.
It’s the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, one of the best quality races in the world, and one of the annual highlights of this nation’s sporting calendar.
It’s been won by some of the most exalted names in racing, like Winx, Phar Lap, and Kingston Town, and this time it’s the very special 100th running of the thing.
And there’ll be no bastard there.
Well, there’ll be a couple of hundred there – trainers, strappers, jockeys, media types, officials, barrier attendants and the man with the brush and shovel to pick up the poop. But that’s about it.
Welcome to the 2020 W.S. Cox Plate, or as it will be remembered, the Covid Plate.
FOX SPORTS’ SPRING CARNIVAL HOME PAGE
$5M NIGHTMARE FOR FAVOURITE IN BARRIER DRAW
‘IT WAS A MISTAKE’: BACKFLIP AFTER COX PLATE CROWD OUTRAGE
Classique Legend flies home
0:28
Usually at the beautiful little amphitheatre that is Moonee Valley, the roar as the Plate field turns for home is deafening. This year, you’ll be able to hear the jockeys yelling at their horses and each other. Or you would, if you were allowed in.
Trouble is, the best racing happens in Melbourne. But so does the worst Covid, apparently. So, after an outcry from the public, an initial plan to allow 500 horse owners in, which would have at least provided a modicum of atmosphere – albeit of the Sheffield Shield variety – was promptly quashed by the Victorian government, which of course leads the people, while at the same time being led by the people.
But forget all that. The beauty of racing is that it’s been still able to go ahead through the pandemic, with just the bare minimum of face-masked people required to get horses to run around a track, while punters keep the industry going by generously making donations to the industry from their couch on their phone, and sometimes even getting something back in return.
And, seriously now, within these constraints, the Plate has still attracted a world-class field.
There’s a capacity list of 14 horses, with star locals favoured in the betting – particular Arcadia Queen and Russian Camelot. But there’s also an intriguing dash of European blood, with the Irish wizard Aidan O’Brien starting two runners, one of them the equal second-favourite in Armory.
Whether you can hear a packed crowd roaring, or whether you can hear an empty drink can tinking down the grandstand steps, the Cox Plate can always be relied upon to provide an enthralling contest, and a great story.
WHAT IS IT?
Class-wise, it’s the best race Australia has, and regularly one of the top dozen or so races in the world, according to the international ratings people, who ranked it ninth on the planet in 2019. Little wonder the 2040-metre event is called the best couple of minutes in sport.
The Melbourne Cup is of course a phenomenon, but the Cox Plate can lay claim to being this racing-mad country’s highest-quality race, since it’s a weight-for-age event. That’s the scale devised to eradicate the hiccups of handicaps, so that horses carry weights according to their age, not their form, or the judgement of handicappers, so that the best horse may win.
A Group 1 for three-year-olds and up, the race is named after W.S. (William Samuel) Cox, an entrepreneurial man who in 1883 founded the club and track where the event is run, Moonee Valley. Cox had bought the land from a man who’d bought it from “Long” John Moonee.
Affectionately known as “The Valley”, it’s a quirky little rectangular course in Melbourne’s inner north, only 1800m in circumference. Flemington, by contrast, is a big spacious place, 2400m around and with a long straight of 420m, as opposed to the Valley’s ultra-short 180m. Hence, a lot of horses who might like Flemington don’t fancy the Valley. Conversely, you can get much-loved “Valley specialists”, who excel here.
Different to most international tracks where big racing is done, the Valley is often a challenge for horses, especially at their first try. But it does have a friendly, spongy surface and cambered turns to help horses get around its tight corners.
And it’s over probably the best, most testing, distance in racing – a mile and a quarter – in which horses need both those ingredients of speed and stamina more than any other.
The field starts from the top of the straight, and it’s a jostle for positions, often at high speed, before the first tight turn after 200m. Things usually stay fairly calm up the Dean Street side and over the back, but then heat up down the School Side. From the 800m to the 600m, passing the country’s most famous education institution (to racing fans anyway) – Moonee Ponds Central School – the runs start to come, bearing down to the home corner, before the dash to the line and a place for one horse among the very best in this country’s history.
WHAT’S IT WORTH?
$5 million. The winner will take home $3 million, and there’s strong incentive just to make it into the race, with second prize $750,000, and even 10th bags $75,000.
WHEN’S IT ON?
Stop everything this Saturday at 4.15pm AEDT.
WHERE CAN YOU WATCH IT?
Anywhere really, unless some clowns have scheduled their wedding (12 years later and I still can’t move on). You can also watch on Racing.com, Sky Racing or Channel 7, tune into the radio or follow live on foxsports.com.au.
BEST BARRIERS: 6 and 11, with five winners in the past 30 years; 7, with four winners in that period. Worst barriers: 8, 12 and 14 have had no winners in that time frame. Bear in mind if the four emergencies are scratched, horses who have drawn wider gates than them come down in barrier order accordingly.
Verry Elleegant wins Caufield
0:23
MAIN PLOTLINES:
Again it’s the locals versus the foreigners. Japan’s super mare Lys Graxiuex won it last year, but Japanese horses haven’t made the trip in this Covid year. But there are four Europeans, headed in the betting by Aidan O’Brien’s Armory, who has the top international rating in the field. Stablemate Magic Wand, a mare who ran fourth last year before winning the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington over the same trip, is also back for another tilt. O’Brien was the first northern hemisphere trainer to claim this race, ironically with a horse called Adelaide in 2014.
In the Aussie corner it’s Russian Camelot, a British-bred four-year-old who has caused a sensation with his four wins from eight starts for Melbourne trainer Danny O’Brien, but who last start was convincingly beaten by the star West Australian mare he’ll meet again here at the same weights, Arcadia Queen.
The other major plotline will of course be the bizarre nature of the race this year. If a Cox Plate takes place and noone’s there to hear it, will the winner still go down in history?
Of course they will.
FAMOUS WINNERS: Just about all of them. But let’s keep it to Phar Lap (twice), Ajax, Hydrogen (twice), Rising Fast, Redcraze, Tulloch, Gunsynd, Dulcify, Kingston Town (thrice), Bonecrusher, Might And Power, Sunline (twice), Northerly (twice), Makybe Diva, So You Think (twice) and of course, the one and only four-time winner, Winx (2015-2018).
OTHER MAJOR RACES ON THE DAY
LEXUS FILLIES CLASSIC – Group 2, 1600m, Race 4, 3.10pm. A race for some quality three-year-old females.
DRUMMOND GOLF VASE – Group 2, 2040m, Race 6, 4.15pm. Some smart three-year-olds going around mostly with the hope of progressing to the VRC Derby, over 500m longer, such as highly-rated favourite Young Werther, and Khoekhoe. For North Melbourne fans it also features $21 short Johnny Get Angry, who’s trained by Roos premiership coach Denis Pagan, in his second coming. (And if you think this one’s got a strange name, Pagan’s first city winner was called Frankie Two Angels).
SCHWEPPES CRYSTAL MILE — G2, 1600m, Race 7, 4.50pm. Some good types going around in this, headed by previous Cox Plate competitors Kings Will Dream and Homesman.
MOONEE VALLEY GOLD CUP — G2, 2500m, Race 8, 5.30pm. It’s not the most fashionable way, but it’s one of the last chances Melbourne Cup contenders have to secure their ticket into that big race. Some Big Cup winners have come through this event, like Michelle Payne’s mount Prince Of Penzance in 2015. (This “undercard” section is not meant for tipping, but it’s noteworthy that former European stayer Sound was scratched from the Geelong Cup on Wednesday to run in this race instead. Former English stayer Selino will also be having his first Australian start in it, since transferring to the stables of Winx’s trainer, Chris Waller).
REASONS FOR: This Chris Waller-trained 5yo gelding was a start last spring, went quiet in the autumn, but has come good again in Sydney this spring. Three starts back, they decided to put him near the front of the field, rather than settle back, and he seems to love it, having gone second-first-first in top quality since. Last start beat Avilius, which ran well for fourth in last week’s Caulfield Cup, and Fierce Impact (see below) over this distance. Kolding’s dad won this race in 2012, and he’s got a superb jockey aboard in James McDonald. REASONS AGAINST: Will start from barrier 10, which means to hold that prominent position he seems to love, he’ll have to burn some petrol early on to get there. Has also gone Melbourne’s anti-clockwise way of going twice, for two duds last autumn. Place chance.
2. HUMIDOR (14) $21/$5
FOR: Got within a half length of spoiling Winx’s three-peat in 2017, and even though he’s now eight, seems to be running as well as ever. He’s with his fifth trainer now, which is highly unusual, but the trainer now is C. Waller, and he seems to have him firing: three starts for a shock win at this track first up over 1600m, and a second and third in top company over 1800m and 2000m. AGAINST: Barrier gods have not been kind, but he often settles back in the field anyway, so won’t have to spend energy getting across early. Also has a master jockey aboard in Craig Williams. He’s the kind of horse that keeps racing, err, interesting. It’s really hard to rule him out but it’s hard to catch him on his day also. He’s one for those who love the brilliantly mercurial, if not the consistent. But maybe Waller has found the key.
3. FIERCE IMPACT (12) $34/$8
FOR: Another who has load of ability but it can be hard to strike him at his best. Won brilliantly second-up from a spell over 1600m at Flemington two starts back, beating Russian Camelot, but then turned in a middling run when third of eight over 2000m at Randwick, behind Kolding. AGAINST:This distance is probably as far as he wants it, if not further. He also has a rotten gate to exacerbate that issue.
4. MASTER OF WINE (1) $41/$10
FOR: Has a top jockey in Michael Rodd and the inside barrier. Chances will be boosted with a lot of rain and a soft or heavy track, and there’s a bit of moisture in the forecast. Stable has been going pretty well. AGAINST: He just hasn’t lived up to the big wraps placed on him by that stable recently. Ran OK for a fourth and a fifth at Group 1 level at Flemington but then ran poorly when 10th in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. Might like the drop of 400m for this race, but still, has a messy formline which demands excuses to be made, rather than something that’s surging into this very difficult race.
5. MUGATOO (9) $27/$5
FOR: Import from Europe who won three in a row in Sydney/Newcastle (Cup) before a last start second over 2600m in a G1 at Randwick. Drops 400m for this. AGAINST: Those NSW wins were in distinctly lower quality events than this. Also has an awkward draw and hasn’t excelled at weight-for-age conditions in the past and thus, would probably be more a handicap type horse, perhaps for a Melbourne Cup.
6. ASPETAR (3) $19/$4
FOR: The first of the foreign raiders. He’s a consistent type over these sorts of distances, who won over 2063m at York, UK, at G2 level last start, and in a 2400m G1 in Germany four starts back. Is well travelled at least, so he probably knows the drill, and he’s got a perfect barrier and last year’s winning jockey, Damian “Big Race” Lane, aboard. Has the equal second-highest international rating (118) in the race. AGAINST: First look at the tight Valley track is an obvious concern, as he’s used to bigger, with longer stretches, in Europe. Has only one win at top level, and that was in Germany, which isn’t that strong. And whilst he’s well travelled, he’s only gone a really long way once, for a 13th of 14 in Hong Kong last December.
7. SIR DRAGONET (7) $15/$4
FOR: European who’s transferred to Victoria to the strong Maher-Eustace stable and is said to have impressed in his training. Was beaten only by the very good mare Magical last start in a 2012m G1 in Ireland. Drops from 62.5kg in that handicap to 59kg here. Has an ideal barrier and a big race maven in the saddle in Glen Boss. AGAINST: Whilst he was a narrow 5th in Anthony Van Dyck’s English Derby, and that horse nearly won last week’s Caulfield Cup, he’s still yet to nail the big G1 win you generally need in your CV to take this race. In fact he won his first two races and hasn’t won in seven starts, over 76 weeks, since. European stayers are generally superior to Australian ones, but this bloke’s very much a tricky one to line up with confidence.
8. MAGIC WAND (4) $27/$5
FOR: Master trainer in Aidan O’Brien, and an in-form jockey in Mark Zahra who won the Caulfield Cup last week. Is a very widely travelled 6yo mare, having run in England, Ireland, Dubai, America, France, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and of course Australia. She was a solid fourth in this race last year, plugged on gamely for a not-too-distant 10th in the Melbourne Cup, then showed her versatility by dropping back 1200m to win a 2000m G1 at Flemington only four days later. AGAINST: The recent past hasn’t looked too good, with a fourth of seven and a fifth of seven before her last-start eighth of 11 in an Irish G2 over 2012m. It can be tricky switching mares between hemispheres, due to hormones mostly, so you’d need to be putting a lot of trust in her.
9. ARCADIA QUEEN (8) $5.50/$2
FOR: This mare, by contrast, comes from Western Australia, and is right in this. Won six of her first seven starts, then battled a form dip and health issues starting last spring, but appears to have boomed again. Three starts back was second over 1400m, then third over 1800m, then looked superb in stepping up for the first time to 2000m in the Caulfield Stakes last start, beating Russian Camelot (see below) comfortably by a length and a quarter at the same weights as she meets him here. Has Willy Pike, the Wizard of the West, in the saddle and he’s riding well. Has a nice barrier, and while a lot of people are expecting Russian Camelot to be better than last start, there’s precious little reason to doubt that this mare can’t do again what she did last start. AGAINST: About the only thing is she’s never raced at the Valley before. But she’s brilliant, versatile, and has a burst of speed to throw herself into a race. Very hard to knock.
Arcadia Queen ridden by William Pike gallops during Breakfast With The Best trackwork at Moonee Valley Racecourse.Source: Getty Images
10. NETTOYER (13) $101/$25
FOR: Won the big Doncaster Mile over 1600m at Randwick last autumn, and after three poor runs showed a return to form when second last Saturday in a 2000m race at Randwick. AGAINST: That last start was in a very moderate Group 3. This is a very bold shot at the stumps from her connections. Plus she’s got gate 13.
11. RUSSIAN CAMELOT (15) $5/$2
FOR: This 4yo stallion was going to sweep all before him this spring, after his awesome South Australian Derby (2500m) win last May, and his Underwood Stakes (1800m) win two starts ago at Caulfield, over Humidor and Arcadia Queen. However, had his colours lowered fair and square by Arcadia Queen last start. Does have a 118 rating, and has Damien Oliver in the saddle, and a trainer in Danny O’Brien who’s had a great winning habit lately. AGAINST: Has abundant potential, but as a northern hemisphere-bred horse (who’s six months younger than Australian contemporaries biologically), is he quite the finished article yet? Or has he been trained more with the longer Melbourne Cup in mind, for which he’s second-favourite? He’s meeting Arcadia Queen on the same weight terms here, and he’s got a poor barrier. Still, perhaps Oliver will take him back from there and it might allow the horse to settle down and race smoothly, whereas he’s been inclined once or twice to burn energy getting too fired up when on the pace. He still ran well last start, it’s just Arcadia Queen went appreciably better.
12. ARMORY (6) $5.50/$2
FOR: If it’s not to be the Arcadia Queen-Russian Camelot show, perhaps it’s this four-year-old stallion who’ll steal the thunder? Comes in with the top rating in the race (120), has a sweet barrier, has been ultra-consistent with four wins and five placings from 11 starts in Ireland and France, and has been brought here by Aidan O’Brien specifically for this race (rather than dabble in a Melbourne Cup as well). AGAINST: Despite his consistency and four G1 placings, he hasn’t won one yet. Last start was third in an Irish G1 behind outstanding mare Magical, but she ran unplaced in England last weekend. He won a G3 over this trip in Ireland the start before, but only by a neck and in a five-horse field. Again, you’d need to put your trust in him, and rider Ben Melham, who’s perhaps not in the D. Oliver/C. Williams/J. McDonald echelon.
13. PROBABEEL (2) $8.50/$3
FOR: Good class New Zealand 4yo mare who’s won eight of 18, two G1s, her last two starts, and winning form’s good form, especially if you’re a mare. Finished brilliantly to take the G1 Epsom (1600m) at Randwick last start. That’s what another then 4yo mare – Winx – did before winning the Cox Plate five years ago. She’s got a good barrier and a gun jockey in Kerrin McEvoy, buoyed by last week’s Everest win. AGAINST: Hard to knock her, but there’s a class factor to consider. The Epsom wasn’t up to this standard, and it’s a handicap in which she only had 52.5kg. She came a narrow second in her only attempt at this trip, but again that was in lower class and with less pressure on than this. Place best.
14. GRANDSLAM (5) $26/$5
FOR: As a three-year-old colt he gets thrown in with a light weight of just 49.5kg. From a good stable in the Maher-Eustace yard, and fortunately the accomplished Jye McNeil can make his weight, and he’s helped by the barrier. AGAINST: Race organisers like having a 3yo in the Cox Plate to make things interesting, but this one’s a curious choice indeed. Has had one win – over 1250m in Adelaide – from six starts. Led and weakened over 1600m against 3yos in the Caulfield Guineas last start, and needs to run an extra 440m against older horses here. Not for us.
EMERGENCY
15. BUCKHURST (11) $51/$12
FOR: Is the only one in line to pick up a start if one of the top 14 is scratched, and has the wonderfully in-form Jamie Kah – the only female jockey possibly in the field – on top. Won four starts back over this tip in a G3 in Ireland, and his form at this distance reads three wins and a place from just six attempts. AGAINST: Awkward gate, and he didn’t really set worlds on first with his seventh in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. Might appreciate a little rain though, but a minor place chance only.
TIPS:
1. Arcadia Queen
2. Humidor
3. Russian Camelot
4. Kolding
Trevor Marshallsea is the best-selling author of Makybe Diva and Winx – Biography of a Champion. Click on the links to purchase yours.
BERLIN (Reuters) – Sales of toilet paper and disinfectants are on the rise again in Germany, the country’s statistics office said on Thursday, as Europe’s largest economy struggles with a second coronavirus wave.
“Hamster purchases are starting again,” the office said on Twitter, using a German phrase for panic-buying or hoarding.
Sales of toilet paper surged by 89.9% last week when compared to pre-crisis levels, while disinfectants (up 72.5%) and soap (up 62.3%) were also in high demand, it said in a separate statement.
Germany has had more success in containing the pandemic than other large European countries such as Britain and France, but case numbers have increased steadily over the past weeks.
On Thursday Germany for the first time reported more than 10,000 new daily COVID-19 infections.
Data released in April showed that stocking up on daily essentials ahead of anticipated lockdown and quarantine measures caused German retail sales to surge far beyond expectations in February.
