It’s that time of year folks, finals footy is upon us. The NRL is currently in its last round of the traditional home and away season as the AFL heads into its first week of finals footy. Last night saw some clashes between top of the table teams in two incredible games that are just a taste of what is to come in September.
AFL
In the first qualifying final, Collingwood flew back to Adelaide to play against the minor premiers Crows. Just weeks earlier the dominant Adelaide Crows defeated the Magpies in Adelaide for the first time in ten years and they set out to do it again and secure a semi final. At the end of the first half things looked tight and it felt like finals footy was definitely upon us. However, as the third quarter began the Pies found the form they displayed in the first half of the season, fast, tight, and dominant ball movement secured them a 19 point lead going into the last quarter. In what became a scrappy dog fight in the last quarter. The last quarter remained goalless until the last five minutes where Jamies Elliot sank a goal that all but secured the Pies victory. Collingwood will now have a week off and move straight to the preliminary finals, whilst the Crows will play against the victors of this week’s elimination final between the GWS Giants and Hawthorn.
THE WEEKEND AHEAD!
Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions – Qualifying Final – Friday, 05 September 7:40pm AEST
The Cats play at home (at the MCG) against the Brisbane Lions. The Cats have been one of the toughest sides all year, and with a home game advantage over the Lions will be a hard side to defeat. However, the Cats haven’t played against a top-8 side since July 12th when they went up against the GWS Giants and were defeated. The last time they saw victory over a top-8 side was back on the June 7th when they defeated the Suns. Will the suns have the strength and stamina to defeat the reigning champions?
GWS Giants vs Hawthorn – Elimination Final – Saturday, 06 September 3:15pm AEST
The Giants will host Hawthorn in the first elimination final of the year at ENGIE Stadium. The last time these teams mate was on the 29th of March down in Tassie, where the Hawks secured a 12 point victory over the (at the time) undefeated Giants. Though this was round 3 and we’ve now had a full 21-rounds of footy since they last clashed. The Giants, who finished 5th on the ladder compared to the Hawks 8th, have announced both Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer will be returning this week. Will their side be strong enough to fend off the Hawks and secure an elimination final against the Adelaide Crows?
Fremantle vs Gold Coast Suns – Elimination Final – Saturday, 06 September 7:35pm AEST
The Suns will play their first ever game in the finals this Saturday against Freo at Optus Stadium in Perth. Freo. The last time these teams met was back in round 12 in the Gold Coast where Freo defeated the Suns by 11. Fremantle will be leading tough charge for the finals in the hopes to secure the retiring legend Nat Fyfe a premiership in his final game, whilst the Suns will be set on having their first time in the finals being one to remember.
NRL
Last nights first game of the last week of the regular season saw the Brisbane Broncos (4th) play off against a dominant Melbourne Storm (2nd) at Suncorp Stadium. Reece Walsh secured an early lead for the Bronco’s after a penalty goal at the 8-minute mark followed shortly by a try a few minutes later. The storm responded in kind ten minutes later and it looked to be a tight back and forth game by the end of the first half with the Bronco’s having an 8-point lead. When play resumed in the second half the Bronco’s came out swinging with and grew their lead. After three more penalty goals and a couple more tries the Bronco’s claimed a 30-14 victory over the Storm.
THE WEEKEND AHEAD!
Sea Eagles vs Warriors – Friday, 05 September 6:00pm
The Warriors have secured their place in the NRL finals and play off against Manly in their last game in the home and away season. Manly however will be set to go out swinging against some serious finals competitors.
Roosters vs Rabbitohs – Friday, 05 September 8:00pm
The Rabbitohs this week have the chance to end the Roosters finals hopes. Whilst the Roosters are fairly safe in their 8th place finals dreams, there is still a way for them to be knocked out. If the Roosters are defeated by the Rabbitohs and the Dolphins can secure a large enough victory over the Raiders then they’ll drop to 9th. Essentially, to be 100%, Roosters will want to humiliate the Rabbitohs.
Dragons vs Panthers – Saturday, 06 September 3:00pm
In Wollongong this weekend the Dragons will host the reigning champion Panthers for their final round of the year. At this point nothing can knock Penrith out of the finals, but if they lose to the Dragons they could potentially finish in 8th. Whilst still a finals position, the Panthers will want to keep some momentum going into the first week of finals.
Titans vs West Tigers – Saturday, 06 September 5:30pm
The Titans are currently sat at the bottom of the table this year, and sadly it does look like this won’t change and the Titans will conclude the season with a wooden spoon. If they win, and the Knights lose against the Eels then they might just finish 16th and completing the season with a spark of hope for the next year with a last round victory could be what the side needs as they go into the off season. The Tigers currently placed 12th, could finish as high as 11th or as low as 14th.
Bulldogs vs Sharks – Saturday, 06, September 7:35pm
In a glimpse into what the finals hold, the Bulldogs (3rd) will face off against the Sharks (5th) this weekend. As of the ladder right now, unless the Bulldogs absolutely pulverise the Sharks by a near impossibly large margin, regardless of the result they will finish 3rd on the ladder. The Sharks though, whilst in zero danger of missing out on the finals, will be keen on keeping their 5th place position on the ladder. Securing a victory over the Bulldogs will ensure that.
Dolphins vs Raiders – Sunday, 07 September 2:00pm
The dream is still alive for the Dolphins. But their finals odds rely on two things happening. For starters they need the Roosters to lose their clash tonight agains the Rabbitohs (by as much points as possible to bring that difference margin down) and they need to win their final home and way round by as much as possible for a chance to secure 8th place. How hard can it be?! Well. Turns out they have the unfortunate luck of their final game being against this year’s minor premiers the Canberra Raiders.
Eels vs Knights – Sunday, 07 September 4:05pm
The final game of the home and away season concludes with the Eels hosting the Knights at CommBank Stadium. If the Knights lose and the Titans get up they will drop to the bottom of the table and secure the wooden spoon. The Eels can currently finish as low as 15th or as high as 11th. At this point though, honestly, I hope both teams just have fun.
The Cowboys have a final round bye sorry gang. The Cowboys are currently placed 11th but will undoubtedly fall on the ladder as the West Tigers, Eels, and the Rabbitohs can overtake them a with a victory this weekend.
