AFL Finals Week 1 – The Week That Was
Brisbane v Richmond
September 2nd
The Lions had been looking a little wobbly for a few weeks leading into a clash with the best team of the last six years. Brisbane put aside their recent finals woes with an epic performance from Lachie Neale in the midfield. But while Brownlows are for midfielders, finals are for forwards. It came down to the spearheads of the game, with Tiger Tom Lynch narrowly missing a shot that was subject to a video review that was critiqued and analysed to within an inch of its life for days on end before it didn’t matter anyway, as Joe Daniher sealed the win at the other end.
The Tigers now enter the most talked about time of the year – the trade period and have already been making a splash with a big offer to GWS midfielder Tim Taranto. Keep an eye on them in 2023.
Melbourne v Sydney
September 3rd
A strong start from the hometown team wasn’t enough to hold out the most trustworthy team in the league as the Swans came away with a 22-point win. An injury to star Christian Petracca didn’t help the Demons, who are still in it but have their work cut out for them. Clayton Oliver was his usual dependable self in the midfield with 29 touches while the Swans spread the scoring around on a quiet night for Lance Franklin. Will Hayward continued to press his case as one of the Swans’ most important players.
Both teams remain strong premiership contenders, and the Demons now sit at an eye-catching $5 to go back-to-back, with all their remaining games at the MCG.
Collingwood v Geelong
September 4th
Collingwood has had more close encounters than an unmasked nurse lately but found themselves in the unusual position of actually falling short. Nick and Josh Daicos kept up their status as a dynamic duo for the Magpies who are still in the hunt following a gallant loss, though Taylor Adams will be a big loss with a groin injury.
In a team of superstars, the unheralded Tom Atkins was an unlikely hero for Geelong, while Gary Rohan hushed his critics with a finals performance for the ages, finishing with three goals, as did teammate Jeremy Cameron. The Cats have plenty of depth and selection headaches.
Can they take the next step that they haven’t taken in the past few years?
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs
September 4th
After three cracking games to kick off the finals, we were indeed due for a blowout. That seemed to be well on the cards when Bulldogs got as far as 41 points in front in the second quarter, only for the rampant Dockers to run out 13-point winners in one of the great comeback performances. Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw led the way for the home team while the Bulldogs were left to ponder their third elimination finals defeat in three years to finish a disappointing season.
Fremantle has been one of the competition’s most consistent teams for the year, and while they fell just short of a double chance, an inspiring win such as this makes the $21 on offer for the premiership look very tasty.
