After 18 unconventional rounds of football in this extraordinary 2020 season, the competition structure now assumes more of a typical format with four highly anticipated clashes to kick off this year’s finals.
Port Adelaide vs Geelong
This year’s finals series begins with a truly mouth-watering clash between minor premier Port Adelaide and perennial finalist Geelong. The two teams met back in round 12 at Carrara with the Cats dismantling the Power by 10 goals.
Brisbane vs Richmond
For the second year in a row, the Brisbane Lions completed the home-and-away season in second spot on the ladder and face the daunting prospect of playing an in-form Richmond in a qualifying final at the Gabba. Dustin Martin’s six-goal haul was pivotal in Richmond’s commanding 47-point win last year, while inaccurate kicking at goal — an ongoing problem for the Lions — proved costly for the home side, who bowed out of the finals the following week with a narrow lost to the Giants. Inaccuracy also cruelled Brisbane when the two sides met in round 10 this season, with Chris Fagan’s side posting a woeful four goals and 17 behinds to be beaten by 41 points.n Ling said the Tigers were peaking at just the right time again this season.
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
St Kilda’s return to finals for the first time since 2011 has been one of the most joyful stories of the season. The Saints, with the exuberant Brett Ratten in his first year as coach of the club, have played some captivating and high-energy football. Equally, the Western Bulldogs at their best are one of the competition’s most compelling sides to watch and our experts found splitting the two extremely difficult.All agreed the midfield battle would be crucial to determining who progressed to week two of the finals.
West Coast vs Collingwood
Of this week’s four finals, Saturday night’s sudden-death clash between West Coast and Collingwood looks the most predictable. After seven rounds, the Magpies were third on the ladder, had just beaten Geelong and looked a serious premiership chance. But injury, off-field turbulence and inconsistent form have jeopardised their prospects. The Eagles only missed the top four on percentage and have proven formidable on their home ground at Perth Stadium, where they thrashed the Magpies by 11 goals in round eight.
