- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Geelong Cats celebrate win over the Hawks - Slattery Images
The first week of the AFL finals confirmed what many already suspected – Collingwood and Geelong are still the teams to beat in season 2011. After winning their respective qualifying finals, both the Magpies and the Cats secured the week off and can now focus on preliminary final matches in a fortnight’s time.
Since 2006, no team has won its qualifying final and not progressed to the grand final. If history is any guide, the Mapgies and Cats will face off in the AFL grand final this season.
The Mapgies showed grit and determination in overcoming a gallant Eagles team in what proved the best match of the opening week of the finals.
The Eagles pressed hard in the final term and threatened to overrun the faltering Mapgies, but a late goal to Luke Ball sealed victory for the Pies before a further goal to substitute Alex Fasolo after the final siren provided the icing on the cake for Mapgie fans.
The Eagles now head back to Perth, and will face a Carlton side still breathing a sigh of relief after yesterday securing its first finals win in ten years.
The Blues conceded the first three goals of the match against Essendon before piling on the next ten goals, ultimately winning by 62 points.
The Blues are unbeaten in their four interstate trips this year, and will feel confident of upsetting the Eagles.
It is still unclear whether star Eagles ruckman Dean Cox will be right to play after suffering back spasms against the Magpies on Saturday.
If Cox is unable to take to the field, young Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui will likely have to shoulder much of the ruck duties for the second week in succession.
On Friday night Geelong secured its fifth consecutive preliminary final berth, with the Cats turning around an eleven point quarter time deficit to defeat the Hawks by 31 points at the MCG.
The Cats have proved the doubters wrong all season, and continued their run of wins against the Hawks since the 2008 grand final.
The Hawks will be sweating on the fitness of key forward Lance Franklin, who injured his right knee when he landed awkwardly following a marking contest late in the match.
There were some fears that Franklin would face a year on the sidelines following the injury, however scans on his injured knee ruled out any major damage, and the Hawks must now wait and see whether Franklin heals in time to play this weekend.
The Hawks are already missing key forward Jarryd Roughead from an injury sustained earlier in the season, and the added loss of Franklin has the potential to derail Hawthorn’s premiership hopes.
The Hawks face the Swans on Friday night, after Sydney produced the only upset of the opening week of the finals by defeating St Kilda.
The Swans have flown under the radar this year as attention has focused on the key Victorian sides, but the tag of quiet achiever will not bother the Sydney side.
The Swans put St Kilda’s miserable 2011 season to an end with a stirring victory, but will face stiffer opposition against the Hawks, with or without Franklin.
Follow Michael on Twitter @MichaelFilosi
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.