West Coast vs. Western Bulldogs (Domain Stadium, 8:10pm Thursday 8 September)
The big guns are back for the Bulldogs with Jack Macrae, Jake Stringer, Tom Liberatore, Jordan Roughead and Easton Wood welcomed additions to the line-up. But will this be enough to overcome the in-form West Coast side on their home deck? The Eagles are hot favourites and boast a strong record against a Bulldogs side that struggled to adapt their game plan to the bigger ground. You certainly couldn’t put a line through the Dogs. Time and time again this season the club has stood up against the odds. But I think the Eagles will emerge victorious in this one.
Geelong vs. Hawthorn (MCG, 7:50pm Friday 9 September)
How great is it that we get to see these two magnificent clubs face off in yet another final. It has been arguably the competition’s greatest rivalry of the past decade and Friday night it should be another close fought battle in potentially wet conditions. Joel Selwood and Paddy Dangerfield will relish a heavy track but there is certainly no question marks about the toughness and contested ball winning ability of the Hawks. The ‘Kennett Curse’ has long been lifted, but I still feel the Cats have the mental advantage after a commanding win in the very first round of the season.
Sydney vs. Greater Western Sydney (ANZ Stadium, 3:20pm Saturday 10 September)
The big question here will be how the young guns at Greater Western Sydney adapt to the added pressure and intensity that is finals football. Certainly if you’re judging on talent alone, the Giants are a huge chance to win this game. Dylan Shiel and Josh Kelly are genuine stars and add in the experience of finals hardened players like Steve Johnson and Heath Shaw and the Giants are building to be a formidable force. But for me, the Swans are the premiership favourites with an unbelievably solid midfield boasting contested ball winning kings like Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and the best forward in the competition, Buddy Franklin.
Adelaide vs. North Melbourne (Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm Saturday 10 September)
If the previous year’s finals series have taught us anything it is that you cannot write off North Melbourne. But there is a different feel about the Kangaroos of late and you cannot help but think the club is starting to look towards the future. The Crows were unlucky to slip out of the top four and will be too hard a task to overcome, especially at Adelaide Oval.
