And then there were four!
We’re set for an epic Preliminary Final weekend with the team that doesn’t stop stop stop until they’re top top top – Port Adelaide hosting the bad-boys of the AFL – Richmond at Adelaide Oval this Friday night.
Then on Saturday night, the mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) simply needs to follow what has been the norm come the prelim final weekend – beat Geelong to book themselves a spot in a home Gabba Grand Final.
You can just about make the case for every single team participating this weekend, however, given that this is a tips and preview blog we can only pick two.
After hours upon hours of research consisting of algorithms, spreadsheets, replays, market trends and a bit of gut-feel – we’ve come up with our tips for who we think will book themselves a place at the Gabba for that one night in October.
If this game lives up to the hype then we are in for one of the all-time great Preliminary Finals.
The kind of prelim that would have Name-A-Game VHS orders skyrocketing back in the day, the type of match that FOX Footy repeats on high-rotation – a game that one day someone will write a book about.
No pressure on both Port Adelaide and Richmond, but I’m expecting an absolute all-time classic this Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
I mean, the two sides did play in one of the games of the year (there’s only been a handful) back in Round 11 when Port ran away with a 21 point win after the Tigers led by a point at three-quarter time.
The stats sheet suggests that Port dominated all over the ground in that game, but Richmond simply would not go away, until the Power dominated with three quick goals in the last quarter to take control.
Heading into this game, Port Adelaide have enjoyed the benefits of a week off after getting the job done over the Cats back in the Qualifying Final.
Richmond won by 31 points over the Saints last week but will probably need to step it up a gear for this game, given their form over the past couple of years one can trust they will do just that.
What do the Power need to do to win this?
The Tiges might want to keep an eye on Stephen Motlop who kicked three in the qualifying final.
Charlie Dixon will also need to handle the likes of Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta or David Astbury who will bring the heat.
Port Adelaide will also hope that their defenders can handle Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch up forward.
However, Richmond can and will bring their A-game when it comes to these sorts of matchups.
They’ve been a little undisciplined on the field, giving away unnecessary 50’s and free kicks resulting in goals.
You would also think Ken Hinkley and his team have watched the Tigers loss in the qualifying final to Brisbane as a template in how to tame them.
The Power have had as good of a season that you can have.
They’ve been top of the ladder, ticked every single box you can yet still feel the need to prove a point that they are a force to be reckoned with.
One major thing in Port Adelaide’s favour will be the parochial and loud home crowd at Adelaide Oval, something that has been known to fall the Tigers way before 2020 kicked in.
This is a really hard game to tip, perhaps my personal bias is showing here, but I think Richmond can and will spoil Port Adelaide’s party.
The Tigers haven’t lost to a team twice in a season since 2016, they learn their lessons, they are at 99% full-strength and know big-time football back-to-find.
They are also living up to being the bad-boy villains of the AFL and I think they’ll just get over the line. Just.
The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) is only one more win away from playing for a premiership at the home of Australian Rules Football – The Gabba on that one night in October.
You may remember, they got the job done in week one – getting that pesky Richmond monkey off their backs and proved that they aren’t just some flash in the pan.
Brisbane have been sleeping in their own beds, playing at home and all the creature comforts that most AFL teams wish they had this season.
There has never been a better time for the Lions to win their first flag since 2003.
However, they’ll need to take care of Geelong first – who did everything right in their demolition over Collingwood last Saturday night.
Geelong are frequent flyers when it comes to Preliminary Finals, but haven’t been able to cash in on a Grand Final appearance since 2011.
They will be determined to rectify it this Saturday night.
When these two teams last met, it was way back in June and the game was played at the SCG.
Brisbane found themselves 22 points up against the Cats 12 minutes into the second quarter, but Geelong piled on nine unanswered goals blowing the Lions out of the water – it was one of the Cats best performances this season – not to mention they did it with only two fit players on the bench!
For Geelong, the pressure will be on Patrick Dangerfield.
The man is a superstar and history will look at him as an all-time great, but for a man that’s won just about every single award that’s on offer – he’s still yet to feature in a Grand Final.
Another loss in a Prelim (along with his time as a Crow) would be heartbreaking.
The man just wants one tilt at a flag, help a brother out! He will do everything he can for that elusive Grand Final.
This could also be Gary Ablett Jnr’s last game, we all know what the little master can deliver – especially in finals.
The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) go into this game rightful favourites.
With a 10-0 record at the Gabba (although the Cats are also 4-0), their ability to kick goals in a hurry and coming off a stunning performance against the Tigers a couple of weeks back along with the adoring home crowd right behind them, they’ll be bloody hard for the Cats to spoil the party.
Expect yet another thrilling contest this Saturday night.
A serious arm-wrestle and a nail biter.
I wouldn’t rule out the Cats finding themselves in front at half-time before the Lions come home like a steam train and book an appearance to be a the G…abba on Grand Final day.
There’s never been a better time.