HOW THE TEAMS MATCH UP IN THE AFL PRELIMINARY FINALS (TIMES AEST):-
Friday, September 21
SYDNEY v COLLINGWOOD at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 7.50pm
Last time: Collingwood bt Sydney by 8 points at ANZ Stadium, R20.
Last final: Collingwood bt Sydney by 38 points at MCG, 2007 elimination final
Finals head-to-head: Sydney 6, Collingwood 8
Sydney start slight favourites, but Collingwood will fancy their chances. The Magpies have won their past 11 games against the Swans and those include seven clashes at ANZ Stadium. The week off obviously plays to Sydney’s advantage – Collingwood will come off a six-day break, plus a tight and bruising semi-final win over West Coast. It has also been a very emotional few days for Collingwood players in the wake of John McCarthy’s tragic death.
Saturday, September 22
HAWTHORN v ADELAIDE at the MCG, Melbourne, 5.15pm
Last time: Hawthorn bt Adelaide by 56 points at MCG, R3
Last final: Hawthorn bt Adelaide by 3 points at Etihad Stadium, 2007 elimination final
Finals head-to-head: Hawthorn 1, Adelaide 1
Hawthorn will deservedly start this game as overwhelming favourites. They have enjoyed the week off and a strong run of late-season form. They should regain key players Jordan Lewis and Clinton Young from injury and boast a squad with strong depth of talent. The Crows made an outstanding comeback to beat Fremantle and will have plenty of time to recover with an eight-day break. But Sam Shaw and Jared Petrenko are in doubt because of injuries and overall, the Hawks look too good.