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Hawthorn are heading into the finals as premiership favourites, desperate to go one better than 2012.
They have two of the best power forwards in AFL in Franklin and Roughead who combined for 126 goals this season and their star-studded midfield of Mitchell, Sewell and Hodge can all turn a game on its head within minutes.
So with all this quality, who can halt the Hawks run to the flag?
Geelong
“What they don’t have, I think, is the quality of some of our players, they don’t have the psychological drive we have. We’ve beaten Geelong when it matters”. The words of then Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett before the 2009 season after the Hawks took the 2008 grand final over the Cats.
Words which galvanised Geelong vowing never to lose to Hawthorn again. Since those infamous words the Cats have beaten the Hawks eleven games running. Led by inspirational skipper, Joel Selwood, Geelong are a real chance to secure their fourth premiership in seven seasons.
Fremantle
Goals have been added to Freo’s stingy defence allowing them to blow teams away at times in 2013.
Ballantine’s performance could be key in deciding the Dockers destiny, the pest needs to keep his head if Freo are to impact the finals. To be serious contenders they would need to win in week one and get a week off, a realistic possibility given they had the luxury of resting 12 players last weekend.
If they can do it they’re a real shot at winning their first ever premiership.
Sydney
The reigning premiers are around come finals time despite Kurt Tippett missing the first 12 weeks through suspension and key players Goodes, Jetta and Reid being injured for large parts of the season.
This test of their depth has however allowed the Swans to unearth talented youngsters Mitchell, Parker, Rampe and Brandon Jack.
Like Fremantle, the Swans would need to win in week one to have a chance. Exciting times ahead though for the Swans with Kieren Jack and Dan Hannebery leading the new brigade forward.
Richmond
After coming so close over the past few seasons Richmond finally get a taste of finals footy. If they can get past Carlton in week one they face an interstate trip to Sydney or an MCG blockbuster against Hawthorn.
A task that will prove too great for an inexperienced playing group in their first finals series. The Tigers have a lot of young talent and there is a flag in their future if they can stick together, but it won’t be this season.
Collingwood
On their day Collingwood can be one of the most punishing teams in the league but if they don’t turn up against Port they could be out before you can say Eddie McGuire gaffe.
Their finals hopes could rely on the left foot of Travis Cloke, he was inaccurate this year and still nearly took out the Coleman. Their midfield stars including Swan, Pendlebury, Beams and Sidebottom will provide opportunities for Cloke so it could come down to his conversion rate.
If Collingwood were in the top four they’d be a chance but they won’t challenge the Hawks this year.
Port Adelaide
After a poor showing in 2012 culminating in the sacking of Matthew Primus and the tragic loss of John McCarthy in the off season Port weren’t expected to do much this year other than rebuild. They set up their season winning their first five games but were only able to beat two top eight teams in 2013.
Port thumped Collingwood, their week one opponents, by six goals in Round 14 but despite the career best form of Cornes, Monfries and Westhoff, Port will inevitably fall short this season.
Carlton
Only in the finals after Essendon were kicked out, Carlton’s form has been subpar this season. When they’re good they’re great and when their bad it’s cringe worthy. Betts, Yarran, Garland and Arnfield are electric but have gone missing this year.
Judd is a legend, but is having his worst season and captain Murphy has failed to fill that void. One positive is Tuohy who has taken to AFL like an Irishman to Guinness. Carlton will be out in week one, expect a cleanout.
Will the Kennett curse continue? Can Sydney pull off another September miracle? Can the Dockers win their first ever flag? These are all questions that will be answered in the coming weeks. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be fun finding out.
Enjoy your finals footy!
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