SYDNEY
The Swans have emerged as the team to beat but a tricky finals draw is the price to pay for a terrible start to the season.
First up is Essendon, who pushed them to the final kick of the game when they last met at the SCG. Although they were lucky to win, in the end they should have had the game iced in the third quarter had they showed more poise in front of goal.
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AFL plays of round 23
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Howe shows Melbourne how it's done, Big Ben Brown sinks Lions with seven, Buddy wins Coleman Medal with 10 against Carlton, Essendon wins but Nat Fyfe rules and the Eagles steal into eighth spot.
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AFL plays of round 23
Howe shows Melbourne how it's done, Big Ben Brown sinks Lions with seven, Buddy wins Coleman Medal with 10 against Carlton, Essendon wins but Nat Fyfe rules and the Eagles steal into eighth spot.
After that is a date with the loser of the Richmond-Geelong qualifying final at the MCG. They comfortably beat the Cats a few weeks ago at Simonds Stadium and trounced them last year in a preliminary final. The Tigers might be a trickier proposition after their close shave in round 13, when they came back from 35 points down.
Awaiting them in the preliminary final would be either Adelaide or Greater Western Sydney. The Swans will not be daunted by a trip to Adelaide, having won there two weeks ago, but the Crows were wasteful. A Sydney derby for the right to play in a grand final would take the Swans/Giants rivalry to another level.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
As costly as the weekend loss in Geelong was, it could have been much worse for the Giants, who are still favoured to reach the preliminary final. It just depends which route they take.
An upset win over Adelaide in week one will send them straight to the final four with a play-off at home for a grand final berth, possibly against the Swans.
A loss sets up a home semi-final with either Port Adelaide or West Coast, two of the less fancied sides in the eight. They have beaten both teams this season and would start warm favourites.
They would then face Richmond or Geelong at the MCG. They have lost to both this season but the bye proved a curse 12 months ago.
