Collingwood and Geelong, a great way to end the season

James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey of the Cats celebrate their win in the AFL 2nd Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

So the match-up we were all anticipating has eventuated. Collingwood and Geelong will play off in the 2011 AFL grand final. The two teams played contrasting preliminary finals, but by each getting over the line they’ve set up a huge week in football.

Already, there’s plenty to get stuck in to.

Injury talk, for one, will be massive over the next few days. At the Pies, two of the tall timber have genuine concerns surrounding their fitness – Leigh Brown and Darren Jolly – with the latter having had concerns for several weeks now.

At the Cats, it’s the master Steve Johnson who will be the centre of a media circus after going down with a wrenched knee yesterday.

The issue of who deserves favouritism will be another talking point. Bookies have chosen to slightly favour Collingwood, but their recent form has left a bit to be desired whereas Geelong on paper have had one impressive past month.

A lot of focus will centre on the two coaches as well. On the one hand we’ve got a rookie coach (Chris Scott) attempting to become only the third first-year premiership coach since 1938.

On the other, an experienced three-time premiership coach (Mick Malthouse) in what could very well be his final game in the coaches box.

There’s a storyline and a half there no matter which end of the highway the cup ends up on next Saturday night.

Also to be pondered is the contrast between the two prelims and whether it’ll have an impact next week. Collingwood played a taxing down-to-the-wire game, while Geelong – in comparison at least – played in more of a walk-in-the-park affair.

As I explored in my Friday column, it can often be the case that the former type of game be more beneficial than the latter as it serves as a good preparation for what’s to come.

But I also figured Collingwood needed to put their poor form to bed this weekend, so maybe you can just throw that one out the window…

At any rate, the results of this weekend have set up a massive week and an even bigger grand final next Saturday at the MCG.

Hawthorn were unlucky to have their season end in the fashion it did. Alastair Clarkson wasn’t overly happy with his players post-game, lamenting the fourth quarter drop-off, but the Hawks really did have a fantastic season.

Since round 1, they never once lost to a team not named Collingwood or Geelong. It was a superb effort.

West Coast, meanwhile, can equally reflect positively on the season they’ve had. Going from wooden spooners to top four is a monumental climb to make in one season and to be completely honest, the fairytale had to end at some point.

They’ll be disappointed about the hot start they allowed the Cats yesterday. But the bigger picture looks very bright for them.

Right now, though, it’s season over for the Hawks and Eagles. They’ll have to enjoy this week as spectators rather than participants.

The focus, rightly, now turns to two teams who should produce a blockbuster game next Saturday afternoon.