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Snapshot of the first week in the AFL finals.
THEY SAID IT: “We’ve finished seventh, we’ve come and won one final, there’s no coming of age. This is about one week, one final, that’s all it means.” As always, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is all business after the elimination final win over Geelong.
STATS THAT MATTER: Adelaide won the inside 50s by 59-37, but Sydney restricted them to just five goals.
MEN OF THE ROUND: Impossible to split Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes and Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich. Goodes tore the Crows apart in their qualifying final and Pavlich also starred with six goals in the elimination final win over Geelong.
KEY MOMENT: At the start of the third term, Collingwood trail Hawthorn by 18 points when Magpies forward Travis Cloke takes a mark only a few metres from goal. But teammate Chris Tarrant, who has been so strong on Lance Franklin, gives away a free up the ground. The Hawks eventually kick a goal in a crucial 12-point play.
TALKING POINT: Two nightmare words for twin brothers and senior coaches Brad and Chris Scott – “first quarter”. Brad’s North Melbourne and Chris’ Geelong went goal-less in the first term on the way to season-ending elimination final losses.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: Plenty to keep the match review panel occupied. Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell is already on report for rough conduct, while Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead and Magpies key defender Chris Tarrant will also face scrutiny. West Coast forward Quinten Lynch made a crude late spoil that could cost him. Geelong midfielder James Kelly is facing a rough conduct charge and North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey might also have a delayed start to next season.
KEY INJURIES: B Whitecross (Haw, knee), C Young (Haw, calf), J Lewis (Haw, hamstring), D Talia (Adel, arm), B McGlynn (Syd, hamstring), B Waters (WC, foot).
UNDER PRESSURE: No team has gone out of the finals in straight sets since West Coast in 2007. Adelaide simply choked in the qualifying final loss to Sydney and they now come up against in-form Fremantle.
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