Melbourne
Second qualifying last: MCG, Friday, September 2 v Sydney, 7.50pm.
Final time they met: Spherical 12, Sydney 10.13 (73) d Melbourne 9.7 (61) on the MCG.
Max Gawn and Bayley Fritsch had three objectives every for the Demons.
Final finals look: The 2021 grand last, defeating the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
Type: The Demons have been scratchy however completed second, rediscovering their finest kind with a 58-point win over the Lions on Friday night time. Gawn stays the league’s pre-eminent ruckman, Clayton Oliver is a midfield machine and in line for the Brownlow Medal, whereas Kysaiah Pickett is in good contact.
Accidents: Luke Jackson (knee) was subbed off on Friday night time and is a detailed watch. Christian Salem (groin) might be monitored however is more likely to be match. Tom McDonald (foot) is lifting his coaching hundreds and is pushing for a recall.
Choice desk: The Demons seem settled. If half-back Salem returns, Jake Bowey, a premiership participant final 12 months in solely his seventh recreation, is probably going an out, having changed Salem on Friday.
Sydney
Second qualifying last: MCG, Friday, September 2 v Melbourne, 7.50pm
Final time they met: Spherical 12, Sydney 10.13 (73) d Melbourne 9.7 (61) on the MCG.
Sam Reid and Logan McDonald booted three objectives apiece for the Swans.
Final finals look: Overwhelmed by a degree by Higher Western Sydney in an elimination last in Launceston final 12 months.
Lance Franklin is among the greats of the sport however continues to be chasing his first flag with the Swans.Credit score:Getty Photos
Type: The Swans head into September on a seven-game profitable streak, having crushed three fellow finalists on the way in which. Nonetheless, after ending third on the ladder, coach John Longmire says his crew must carry its strain ranking.
Accidents: Small ahead Tom Papley was concussed on Sunday and is in a 12-day concussion protocol. The Swans are assured he’ll play, however he might be monitored. Josh Kennedy (hamstring) is because of begin working this week, and can hope for a fairytale return late in September – ought to the Swans advance.
Choice desk: The Swans seem settled however are sweating on Papley, who has booted 26 objectives.
Collingwood
Qualifying last: MCG, Saturday, September 3 v Geelong, 4.35pm
Final time they met: Spherical 3, Geelong 16.8 (104) d Collingwood 13.13 (91) on the MCG. Darcy Cameron, Brodie Mihocek and Jamie Elliott booted two objectives every for the Magpies.
Final finals look: The Magpies had been thumped by 68 factors by the Cats in a 2020 semi-final on the Gabba.
Type: The Magpies have loved as massive a leap year-on-year as they’ve ever had, vaulting from seventeenth to fourth. They’ve turn out to be the nice escape artists, profitable 12 of their previous 13 matches. 9 of those have been by seven factors or much less, together with a one-point thriller towards Carlton on Sunday to safe the double likelihood.
Accidents: Taylor Adams has been battling a groin challenge, with coach Craig McRae saying he’s no assure to return to face the Cats. Nathan Kreuger (shoulder) is anticipated to be match for week one or two of the finals.
Choice desk: Adams is an automated recall ought to he be match, presumably rather than Finlay Macrae.
Fremantle
First elimination last: Optus Stadium, Saturday, September 3 v Western Bulldogs, 8.10pm (AEST)
Final time they met: Spherical 21, Fremantle 14.11 (95) d Western Bulldogs 11.12 (78) at Marvel Stadium. Rory Lobb booted 4 objectives and Michael Frederick three for the Dockers.
Final finals look: The Dockers are again within the finals for the primary time since shedding to Hawthorn by 27 factors in a 2015 preliminary last.
Type: Fremantle received seven of their first eight matches however have been inconsistent since. Nonetheless, they’ve completed with three straight wins, regaining momentum at simply the best time.
Accidents: Lobb (shoulder) is a detailed monitor, as is Griffin Logue (leg). Each missed the Giants conflict. Nat Fyfe left Canberra with a sore hip however is anticipated to be match for the elimination last. Coach Justin Longmuir mentioned the pre-finals bye had come at time. “The derby final week was a extremely bodily recreation and we’ve acquired some sore boys, so the week off will do them plenty of profit,” Longmuir mentioned.
Choice desk: Matt Taberner is anticipated to return for the finals, whereas Lobb and Logue are additionally wanted if the Dockers are to advance.
Brisbane
Second elimination last: Gabba, Thursday, September 1 v Richmond, 7.20pm
Final time they met: Spherical 20, Richmond 15.14 (104) d Brisbane 14.13 (97) on the MCG. Eric Hipwood kicked 4 and Joe Daniher three for the Lions.
Final finals look: The Lions had been crushed by a degree in a semi-final at house to the Western Bulldogs final 12 months.
Type: The Lions have received solely two of their previous 5 matches, slipping from a top-four spot. Defeats to fellow flag hopefuls the Demons and Tigers are a rising concern, with membership nice Jonathan Brown labelling the loss on Friday night time “insipid”. Defensively they’ve been poor, conceding too many objectives in a rush, including to the strain coach Chris Fagan is underneath with a 1-5 finals report over the previous three seasons.
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Accidents: Jarrod Berry (ankle) might be monitored, whereas Callum Ah Chee and Marcus Adams, who each missed final weekend with concussion, are anticipated to be obtainable.
Choice desk: Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth had been every given one-match bans by the match evaluate officer for incidents on Friday night time. Rayner is interesting, however ought to the suspension stay, he might be a serious loss, for the medium-sized ahead is a match-winner up ahead.
Richmond
Second elimination last: Gabba, Thursday, September 1 v Brisbane, 7.20pm
Final time they met: Spherical 20, Richmond 15.14 (104) d Brisbane 14.13 (97) on the MCG. Noah Cumberland booted 5 objectives and Tom Lynch 4 for the Tigers.
Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch, the latter nursing a groin challenge, hope to ship the Tigers one other premiership cup.Credit score:Getty Photos
Final finals look: The Tigers claimed their third flag in 4 years after toppling Geelong within the 2020 grand last on the Gabba.
Type: The Tigers had been “killing themselves” via the season, coach Damien Hardwick lamented, via their errors, however 4 straight wins to finish the season have eased these worries. Dion Prestia has been very good within the midfield, whereas Cumberland – too fast for tall defenders, and too massive for small defenders – has been a revelation. They want Shai Bolton to dazzle via September.
Accidents: All eyes are on Dustin Martin (hamstring), who, in response to coach Damien Hardwick, turned a nook on Saturday and is lifting his hundreds. Star ahead Lynch strained a groin towards Essendon on Saturday and might be eased via the following fortnight. The Tigers say his scans are good and have mentioned he might be obtainable to play. Co-captain Dylan Grimes (hamstring surgical procedure) will make a late play for September – ought to the Tigers launch a deep run. Jack Graham (foot) is anticipated again.
Choice desk: Martin and Graham are automated remembers ought to they be match, forcing a squeeze at choice.
Western Bulldogs
First elimination last: Optus Stadium, Saturday September 3 v Fremantle, 8.10pm (AEST)
Final time they met: Spherical 21, Fremantle 14.11 (95) d Western Bulldogs 11.12 (78) at Marvel Stadium. Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman delivered three objectives every for the Bulldogs.
Final finals look: The Bulldogs had been the street warriors via September final 12 months, having fun with a surprising run till they had been bulldozed by the Demons from halfway via the third time period of the grand last at Optus Stadium.
Type: Patchy. There have been scenes of pleasure amongst gamers and supporters after the Blues misplaced on Sunday, gifting the Bulldogs eighth spot by 0.6 per cent. They beat the Giants and Hawks over the ultimate fortnight. They want their vaunted midfield, led by Marcus Bontempelli, to drive their September marketing campaign, and hope an undersized defence can stand tall.
Accidents: Laitham Vandermeer (knee) was subbed off on Sunday and might be monitored.
Choice desk: Josh Bruce returned to face the Hawks however does he retain his spot after a goalless, five-disposal afternoon, significantly after Sam Darcy thrived up ahead? Rhylee West will look to drive his means again after a powerful season. Jason Johannisen can also be on the lookout for one other likelihood.
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