WHAT HAPPENED IN WEEK TWO OF THE AFL FINALS
RESULTS
* Semi-final: Melbourne 16.8 (104) bt Hawthorn 10.11 (71)
* Semi-final: Collingwood 9.15 (69) bt GWS 9.5 (59)
THEY SAID IT: “It’s a long way to go, Perth, it’s clearly very expensive. So the more flights on, the better for us. I would certainly encourage that – I certainly don’t run an airline though.” – Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is keen for as many Demons fans as possible to make the trek west.
MAN OF WEEK TWO: Jordan De Goey tormented GWS defenders, kicking three goals and having a hand in others in the Pies’ semi-final win.
KEY MOMENT: The Hawks had their tails up when Jarryd Roughead made it a 12-point game with plenty of time left in the final term on Friday night. But Jake Melksham stroked home a brilliant reply from outside 50 soon after to spark a three-goal run that sent the Demons into a preliminary final.
TALKING POINT: Is Dusty ok? Tigers superstar Dustin Martin was filmed leaving a training session early on Friday, sparking injury fears. Richmond officials quickly dismissed any such concerns but all eyes will be on Martin this week.
STATS THAT MATTER: All-Australian Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn set a new benchmark for hitouts in a season with his 41 against Hawthorn taking his tally to 1083, surpassing Todd Goldstein’s previous record of 1058 set in 2015.
TRIBUNAL WATCH: AFL match review officer Michael Christian gave the Hawthorn-Melbourne semi the all-clear. A spirited melee at halftime of the Collingwood-GWS clash will result in plenty of fines.
KEY INJURIES: Tom Mitchell (Haw, shoulder), Paul Puopolo (Haw, hamstring), Phil Davis (GWS, shoulder), Brayden Sier (Coll, corked thigh), Jordan De Goey (Coll, ankle).
WHAT’S NEXT: Melbourne will come to a standstill on Friday night when powerhouse clubs Richmond and Collingwood go head to head at the MCG for the first place in the AFL grand final. The Demons will attempt to overcome West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon to make it an all-Victorian affair.