Adelaide’s grandstand finish to overcome Collingwood has given AFL fans the chance to dream of a blockbuster finals line-up.
As the ladder stands after 18 rounds, the projected finals are mouth-watering.
The most heated modern rivalry in the competition would gain another chapter when Hawthorn and Geelong play for a week off.
The two clubs haven’t been short of motivation against each other for 30 years, but the 2008 grand final ushered in a stunning head-to-head.
Since the Hawks’ upset flag, the Kennett curse kept the Cats on top for 11 matches, all played in front of huge MCG crowds.
Hawthorn broke that drought last year in the preliminary final but Geelong have since reclaimed ascendancy.
The dream finals line-up also pairs flag fancies Sydney and Fremantle.
Clashes between the two are rarely blow-outs, with a memorable draw last season still fresh in the memory.
The Swans were denied a chance to defend their 2012 flag by the Dockers last season and would be out for revenge.
The two elimination finals wouldn’t need the AFL to dip into their large marketing bucket.
The Crows’ first appearance in the eight this season at eighth would normally send them on the road – but not when fifth place is occupied by the Power.
The match would be only the second Showdown final since Port Adelaide’s introduction, and would guarantee another Adelaide Oval sell-out.
They might even need to build another tier on the league’s most exciting venue.
Finalising the heavenly match-ups would be a reboot of of a fierce suburban rivalry between North Melbourne and Essendon.
The Etihad Stadium tenants share a fierce rivalry, with one match remembered as one of the greatest of all-time.
Their 2001 clash is the stuff of legend, with Essendon overcoming the biggest quarter-time deficit ever in their 27.9 (171) to 25.9 (159) win.
While they’ve stopped awarding the Archer-Hird medal to the best afield, the match would be the hardest to predict of all four finals with North Melbourne’s stunning inconsistency.
SEPTEMBER DREAMING: WEEK ONE FINALS BASED ON CURRENT LEAGUE POSITIONS
* Qualifying final – Sydney (1) v Fremantle (4)
* Qualifying final – Hawthorn (2) v Geelong (3)
* Elimination final – Port Adelaide (5) v Adelaide (8)
* Elimination final – North Melbourne (6) v Essendon (7)
