![Isaac Smith of the Hawks reacts after missing a shot on goal after the siren to win the match during the 2016 AFL Second ...](/web/20160911093341im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/d/a/0/0/image.related.landscape.460x307.grdr5y.png/1473583383524.jpg)
No such thing as September surprises this year
No result this September should be any great surprise. That's simply a reflection of the season we've had.
Rohan Connolly, a senior football writer for The Age and radio broadcaster with sports radio station 1116 SEN, has been covering the game since 1983. A multi-AFL Media Association award-winner known for his passion and love of the game, he analyses the AFL for the newspaper and contributes a blog and weekly video, "Footy Fix", for The Age's football website, Real Footy.
No result this September should be any great surprise. That's simply a reflection of the season we've had.
A team only five seasons old is now just two wins away from a first AFL premiership.
Join us for live coverage of the first final of the weekend, as the Eagles and the Doggies go head-to-head in an elimination battle.
The five key questions surrounding Thursday night's elimination final between West Coast and Western Bulldogs.
West Coast will take plenty of advantages into Thursday night's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium. But perhaps none as pronounced as that of the venue itself.
Don’t underestimate us, is veteran Western Bulldog Matthew Boyd’s warning to those viewing Thursday night’s elimination final against West Coast in Perth as a fait accompli.
Who are the greatest finals heroes of the past 50 years of September action? The players whose names instantly come to mind when thoughts turn to fantastic finals performances?
After a wretched season, Richmond's senior list may require too much of an overhaul for even the top eight to look an achievable target next year.
Young midfield star Zach Merrett has won Essendon's best and fairest award for 2016 in a canter.
No Bontempelli, no Cripps and just one Hawk. But I couldn't go past five guns from one team in choosing my year's best line-up.
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