There are four possible grand final match-ups from this week’s preliminary finals. As supporters of the 14 teams not in action this week look to get on-board with the sides remaining, it is worth looking ahead to grand final day for guidance.
Analysing the potential matches and the stories they will bring can help shed light on the best possible grand final outcome, and which teams to throw your support behind this weekend.
Fremantle versus North Melbourne
The most unlikely of the grand final match-ups, this contest would see the first-placed Dockers take on the eighth-placed Kangaroos. While the ruck contest between Todd Goldstein and Aaron Sandilands will be worth the price admission, the hardball inside midfield battle (Nat Fyfe and David Mundy taking on Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell) will also be of high quality.
The coaches would gain attention as Ross Lyon seeks to end his flag heartbreak against Brad Scott who is looking emulate his brother and become a premiership coach. With both teams possessing older players crucial to their sides fate (think Matthew Pavlich, Sandilands, Luke McPharlin, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Brent Harvey) this contest could potentially be the last chance for both sides to salute on the biggest stage and give many of their veterans the premiership they deserve.
Hawthorn versus North Melbourne
The expectation that at least one Western Australian team will make the grand final makes this potential match-up one very much outside the box. However these teams are no strangers to meeting on grand final day and the nostalgic value of this game would be high.
Having met in the 1975, 1976 and 1978 grand finals expect plenty of media attention to be given to the players from that era during the week. Adding extra spice to the mix is the physicality of the match the last time these two sides met when both Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis received suspensions.
The lack of response from the Kangaroos both physically and on the scoreboard means that they will be critiqued heavily in this area. Hawthorn’s chance to win a third consecutive grand final will also garner much attention.
Hawthorn versus West Coast
A repeat of the 1991 grand final and the game that most people expect will be this year’s grand final. One does not have to look back far to analyse how these teams will match up, having played in Round 19 this year and then just two weeks ago in the qualifying final.
The question marks over the Hawks after that performance will gain the media’s attention and question will be raised about Hawthorn’s ability to handle the Eagles pressure and conversely whether the Eagles can bring that intensity to the MCG.
Again the Hawks’ three-peat will be a focus as will the ability of West Coast to cope with the external hype of grand final week. The relationship of Alastair Clarkson and Adam Simpson is sure to also be in the spotlight given their work together, particularly in the 2013 premiership.
Fremantle versus West Coast
This match-up would be an unprecedented and history making grand final. The two Western Australian teams would face off in a match much larger than any derby, which says something in itself. The movement of fans from one side of the country to the other would be unlike anything ever seen for a sporting event in Australia, and even on a world stage given the distance involved.
Potentially some 40,000 fans could make their way across the Nullarbor for the game. The teams that finished first and second on the ladder are the ideal grand finalists and this game would be a match befitting the occasion.
How each team handles playing their biggest rival but also playing them on the biggest stage will create unseen levels of hype in Perth, but will also result in an unprecedented complete focus from Victoria’s media on Western Australian football.
For what it is worth a Fremantle versus West Coast game would be my choice of grand final but as touched upon there are still many factors that would make any of the potential match-ups worthy of being the 2015 grand final.
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