inal
Hawthorn v Adelaide at MCG, 7.50pm
Head to head: Hawthorn 18, Adelaide 18, no draws
Finals head to head: Hawthorn 2, Adelaide 1
Last clash: R12, Hawthorn 17.12 (114) bt Adelaide 12.13 (85) at Adelaide Oval
Last final: 2012 preliminary final: Hawthorn 13.19 (97) bt Adelaide 14.8 (92) at MCG
TAB Sportsbet: Hawthorn $1.34 Adelaide $3.20
William Hill: Hawthorn $1.30 Adelaide $3.50
In the past few weeks, Richmond, Port Adelaide and now West Coast have unlocked the Hawthorn puzzle, giving the Crows plenty of pointers. Hawthorn were unusually sloppy with their ball use in the qualifying final loss to the Eagles and forward Jack Gunston is in big doubt with an ankle injury. But these are the two-time defending premiers and they will rebound. Adelaide are riding an emotional wave, holding their nerve brilliantly in a tight elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs
Key: Adelaide captain Taylor Walker’s game on Saturday night was compared to Wayne Carey and it is not a bad call. It seemed that whenever the Crows needed a lift, Big Tex was there to provide it
SATURDAY, September 19
First semi-final
Sydney v North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium, 7.20pm
Head to head: Sydney 83, North Melbourne 72, 1 draw
Finals head to head: Sydney 2, North Melbourne 1
Last clash: R11, Sydney 14.7 (91) bt North Melbourne 10.15 (75) at Etihad Stadium
Last final: 2015 preliminary final: Sydney 19.22 (136) bt North Melbourne 9.11 (65) at ANZ Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.46 North Melbourne $2.70
William Hill: Sydney $1.48 North Melbourne $2.60
Nearly a year after Sydney belted the Kangaroos in their preliminary final, the circumstances are much different. The Swans are riddled with injuries and also will be without Lance Franklin again. North are coming off a pulsating elimination final win over Richmond and will fly north hunting Swans. Sydney were mighty in their qualifying final loss to Fremantle, but there are so many holes to plug. Anything less than that effort and the ‘Roos are a big chance
Key: Well done Ben Jacobs, shutting down Richmond captain Trent Cotchin. Now you’ll probably go onto Josh Kennedy or Dan Hannebery, who lit up the third term on Saturday at Subiaco. Kennedy’s game in particular was awesome
