A South Australian team, a Victorian club, a New South Wales side and a Queensland squad walk into preliminary final week.
Just two of them will walk out.
Let’s take a look at who they may be.
Sydney vs. Port Adelaide — Friday night, SCG
Sydney
The Swans come into this one well rested, after being rewarded with a week off following their incredible comeback win over GWS in an elimination final.
Sydney went into the fourth quarter of that game four goals behind, before a last-term surge saw them snatch the lead with just a couple of minutes left to play.
The scenes were epic, and so was the heart the side showed to maintain belief.
Coach John Longmire would be concerned with the poor start though, which has been an ongoing issue for the Swans this year.
He’d also be worried about the recent record against their upcoming opponent.
Sydney has lost the last eight games they’ve played against Port Adelaide and, despite finishing first on the ladder at end of the season, were smashed by 112 points the last time the two clubs met.
The Swans were almost certain favourites to win the flag heading into the last part of the season, but a sudden drop in form and shaky performances means there is still a fair bit of doubt lingering over the side.
Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide produced more than just a few headlines last weekend.
After being belted by Geelong by 84 points at home in the first week of finals, the Power defeated Hawthorn by three points in an epic knockout semi-final. Although it wasn’t just the result that got people talking.
Coach Ken Hinkley’s post-game heckling of Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, who had put up a cheeky Instagram comment suggesting his side would make light work of Port Adelaide, resulted in a $20,000 fine from the AFL.
It was revealed soon after that Hinkley used the comment as motivation for his players all week, which showed in the intent and pressure they displayed from the opening bounce.
Port Adelaide were harder, tougher and more desperate for most of the night, and should have won by more, had they converted gettable chances earlier in the contest.
Contested possessions, clearances, inside 50s and shots on goal all fell in favour of the Power, and the performance would give them a lot of confidence coming into yet another preliminary final.
The fact their most recent loss to Sydney was in 2016 would only strengthen their belief.
Prediction
Sydney go into the game as favourites, and deservedly so. They’ve been the best team for the majority of the season, and their strong list full of top-class players has resulted in them being the No.1 scoring team this year. If they can get a good start, which may be tough considering only Richmond, West Coast and North Melbourne recorded worse first quarters this season, they should be able to get it done.
Port Adelaide’s record against the Swans is incredible, however. And there’s a chance it could get inside the heads of their opponents. The Power is a passionate team, and could use the record as motivation. Hinkley and his men did use up a lot of emotional battery last week though, and they’ve been inconsistent in terms of backing up high pressure in consecutive weeks.
There’s certainly a lot that could play out. But if things go the way we think they should, Sydney will win.
Swans by 10 points.
Geelong vs. Brisbane — Saturday twilight, MCG
Geelong
The Cats are another side with the benefit of the week off.
After their 14-goal thumping of Port Adelaide a couple of weeks ago, Geelong had time to rest some stars, regroup and welcome back key players.
Due to their most recent brilliant performance, despite being inaccurate in front of the big sticks, the Cats go in as slight favourites. They finished third and have been fairly reliable throughout the season.
With so much experience in the side and coach, they’d be confident of getting the job done once again.
The fans aren’t too happy the game is being played at the MCG, rather than GMHBA Stadium, although Geelong have won four of six at the ‘home of footy’ in 2024.
Brisbane
In one of best comebacks of all time, Brisbane overturned a 44-point deficit to defeat GWS by five points in the dying stages of last week’s semi final.
The Lions were still five goals down in the early stages of the final term, before Joe Daniher and Co pulled off a great escape.
Brisbane have had to do it the hard way this finals series, starting from fifth on the ladder, before defeating Carlton and then the Giants to stay alive.
They’d be bruised and fatigued after two cutthroat games, but full of belief.
Chris Fagan’s team were hurt after losing last year’s grand final, and are surely using that as motivation to get to the final Saturday in September once again.
They might also be using the 2022 preliminary final loss to Geelong as extra incentive for payback.
They are the slight ‘underdog’ but you can’t count them out.
Prediction
The last couple of weeks would have taken a lot out of the Lions, so the Cats should come in with a lot more energy and pressure.
Key inclusions for Geelong, including Tom Stewart and Sam De Koning, will make it tough for Brisbane, as well as the Lions’ record at the ‘G.
They’ve won just two of their past 17 matches at the MCG, and would still be having nightmares about the 2023 grand final.
Geelong beat Brisbane by 26 points the last time they met, and a similar result wouldn’t be surprising.
Cats by 15 points.
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