The Australian Football League grand final on Saturday between the Sydney
Swans and the West Coast Eagles should be a close affair. You could almost bet
on it, and thousands of Australians will.
In a rematch of the 2005 Australian Rules football final, the Swans meet the
Eagles in Saturday's championship match before an expected crowd of 100,000 at
the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
League officials say up to 45 million people are expected to watch on
television around the world, while betting agencies say the Eagles are slight
favorites after some late splurges on the Western Australian team.
Preparations for the match continued as Prime Minister John Howard said he
had concerns that the AFL final and the National Rugby League championship match
on Sunday could be targets of terrorist attacks, although there was no evidence
to suggest that any were planned.
"Like everybody else I worry about the potential, and I hope and pray nothing
happens," Howard told Southern Cross Radio in Melbourne on Friday.
"I don't believe it will. I know all precautions are taken, but you ask me
the question. Of course (I am concerned)."
Howard said there was no hint a terrorist attack could occur.
"There is absolutely no advice, no suggestion, no intelligence warnings
indicating that this won't be anything other than a fantastic weekend," said
Howard.
Sydney leads the West Coast 3-1 in playoff matches, but three of them were
decided by four points or less. That's a small margin considering Australian
Rules teams _ where kicked goals are worth six points _ often exceed the
100-point mark.
The last time the teams met _ three weeks ago in Perth _ Sydney beat West
Coast by one point _ 13.7 (85) to 12.12 (84).
The Swans have picked the identical squad throughout the three-week playoff
period, playing with the same 22 players. West Coast defender Jaymie Graham was
the only player dropped from either team ahead of Saturday's match.
Graham, who had played 24 of the Eagles' 25 previous games this season, was
omitted to make room for returning defender David Wirrpanda.
Eagles coach John Worsfold said the team had to go with its best players.
"That is just what has got to happen _ you can't play 23," said Worsfold. "We
just get on with the job."
Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley and Ashley Hansen have returned from injury for
the Eagles, while backup ruckman Mark Seaby has also come back into the side.
Sydney flew to Melbourne on Thursday without ruckman Darren Jolly, who stayed
behind to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, a daughter born
early Friday.
Jolly flew to Melbourne in time for Friday's grand final parade through the
streets of downtown Melbourne.