THERE have been some fantastic semi-finals over the last 20 years.

From dramatic fightbacks, to extra-time finishes, to games that were close from wire to wire, footy fans can only hope this weekend's contests produce such drama.

Geelong meets West Coast at the MCG this Friday night, hopeful of avoiding a straight-sets exit and looking to knock out the reigning premiers, while a youthful Brisbane side meets a Greater Western Sydney team finding its best form at the Gabba on Saturday evening.

In the lead-up to those games, we count down the seven greatest semi-finals this century.

7 - 2014: North Melbourne 14.14 (98) d. Geelong 13.14 (92) 

North Melbourne was forced to withstand a brave late fightback from Geelong to secure victory at the MCG in 2014. Having held a steady advantage for much of the match, the Kangaroos led by 32 points at the 17-minute mark of the final quarter. But then came Tom Hawkins' heroics. The Cats forward kicked three goals in six minutes, while another for Jimmy Bartel cut the deficit to just a kick with minutes remaining. Ultimately, North Melbourne did enough to hold on, with Drew Petrie's four earlier goals proving crucial.

Roos celebrate as Tom Hawkins looks on after the final siren. 

6 - 2011: West Coast 15.11 (101) d. Carlton 15.8 (98)

Carlton shot out of the blocks on enemy soil, kicking the first four goals of the game to silence a vocal Subiaco crowd back in 2011. However, West Coast responded with an eight-goal second term to quickly reclaim the lead. The hosts controlled the match from there and led by 21 points in the 24th minute of the final quarter, before the Blues sparked a late comeback. They kicked three goals in eight minutes to reduce the margin to within a kick, but spurned a late foray forward and couldn't complete what would have been a remarkable fightback. Andrew Embley was the Eagles' best with 28 disposals. 

Embley gives the thumbs up to the crowd after the thrilling win. 

5 - 2001: Hawthorn 10.12 (72) d. Port Adelaide 10.9 (69) 

John Barker was the hero as Hawthorn fought back to claim a gritty semi-final victory on the road to Port Adelaide back in 2001. Having kicked just five goals for the game until three-quarter time, the Hawks kicked five in the final term alone to storm from 17 points down to secure a three-point victory. Barker was the saviour, with his calm set-shot in the 25th minute of the final quarter putting Hawthorn back in front. Shane Crawford also produced a starring performance for the Hawks, winning 22 disposals and kicking a goal.

Hawks sing the song after advancing to the prelim. 

4 - 2007: Collingwood 13.15 (93) d. West Coast 10.14 (74) 

The margin barely extended beyond a kick either way throughout this thriller at Subiaco in 2007. So, it was fitting that when the final siren sounded to eventually end the game, the scores were level. It was off to extra-time they went, where Collingwood got the jump and West Coast was unable to respond. Playing two additional periods of five minutes each, the Pies held the Eagles goalless throughout the entirety of extra-time, kicking three themselves to storm to a 19-point win. Dane Swan starred in the Collingwood midfield, racking up 38 disposals, 11 clearances and kicking two goals. 

A tattoo-less Dane Swan was best on ground. 

3 - 2009: Collingwood 12.11 (83) d. Adelaide 11.12 (78)

Adelaide was cruising at half-time of this contest at the MCG, leading by 26 points at the main break, before Collingwood blew the visitors away with a rapid third term. The Pies kicked six unanswered goals in the 'premiership quarter', reclaiming the lead and ensuring a tense finish. However, still trailing in the 31st minute of the final quarter, Collingwood's John Anthony won a late free kick and converted a clutch set-shot to secure a thrilling five-point win for the Pies. The decision left the Crows fans seething, believing they were robbed … right in front of them. 

2 - 2002: Adelaide 20.10 (130) d. Melbourne 17.16 (118) 

This will be remembered as perhaps the most topsy-turvy game of the last 20 years. Adelaide shot out of the blocks at the MCG and led by 40 points at quarter-time, only for Melbourne to respond with seven goals in the second quarter and eight more in the third term to claim a 22-point advantage going into the final change. However, with all of the momentum against them, the Crows rallied and kicked six goals to one in the decisive quarter to run out 12-point winners. Tyson Edwards and Simon Goodwin were Adelaide's best, while Travis Johnstone racked up 25 disposals and kicked four goals for Melbourne.

All smiles for Adelaide after its win at the 'G.

1 - 2005: Sydney 7.14 (56) d. Geelong 7.11 (53)

"I see it, but I don't believe it." Who could forget this one? Sydney had kicked just three goals for the game midway through the final quarter and trailed by 23 points when Davis' heroics inspired the most incredible of fightbacks. The Swans forward kicked four successive goals himself to single-handedly drag his side back from the brink of a finals exit at the SCG. His last goal, a miraculous snap around the body, came with literally seconds on the clock and ensured a remarkable three-point win for Sydney. The rest, as they say, is history, as the Swans went on to claim a drought-breaking flag later that year.