• Four burning questions ahead of the preliminary finals
• Make your September forecast with the 2014 finals predictor
IN 20 years of the final eight, we have never seen an opening weekend as monumental as the very first one in 1994, with its extra-time game, the Bill Brownless match-winner after the siren, the Mick McGuane fumble and the Melbourne upset of Carlton.
But when it comes to the best weekend of semi-final football in the last two decades, we might have a new clubhouse leader - I'm not sure we have had as good a 24 hours of football as that just completed.
Third-placed Geelong? Gone. Fourth-placed Fremantle? See you later. After just two straight-sets exists from the finals in 14 years, we got two more on the same weekend, setting up two unlikely – but refreshing - preliminary finals and if the upsets were to continue, a Grand Final featuring fifth versus sixth.
Port Adelaide's win over Fremantle was just magnificent. Down by 31 points just before half-time to the Dockers, which had lost just once at home in two years, the super-fit Power stormed home with 12 goals to five after half-time to win by 22 points.
Once again, Port fitness coach Darren Burgess made fools of us all. It looked late in the season as though the Power had hit the wall, but the evidence grows that it was simply a heavy training load that brought the side undone with six losses in eight matches. Port's run was too much for Fremantle in the second half on Saturday night.
But credit to Ken Hinkley too. He might just be the coach of the year. The Port game plan is pretty simple – run, run and then run some more – but it is his work in two years to repair the battered psyche of the Power that gets him the plaudits here.
But when it comes to the best weekend of semi-final football in the last two decades, we might have a new clubhouse leader - I'm not sure we have had as good a 24 hours of football as that just completed.
Third-placed Geelong? Gone. Fourth-placed Fremantle? See you later. After just two straight-sets exists from the finals in 14 years, we got two more on the same weekend, setting up two unlikely – but refreshing - preliminary finals and if the upsets were to continue, a Grand Final featuring fifth versus sixth.
Port Adelaide's win over Fremantle was just magnificent. Down by 31 points just before half-time to the Dockers, which had lost just once at home in two years, the super-fit Power stormed home with 12 goals to five after half-time to win by 22 points.
Once again, Port fitness coach Darren Burgess made fools of us all. It looked late in the season as though the Power had hit the wall, but the evidence grows that it was simply a heavy training load that brought the side undone with six losses in eight matches. Port's run was too much for Fremantle in the second half on Saturday night.
But credit to Ken Hinkley too. He might just be the coach of the year. The Port game plan is pretty simple – run, run and then run some more – but it is his work in two years to repair the battered psyche of the Power that gets him the plaudits here.
WATCH: Port Adelaide runs Fremantle off its feet
And he dares his team to dream. Ollie Wines in his second year, and Chad Wingard in his third, broke the game in the second half. Wingard's searching run in the final quarter down the TV commentary wing (excuse my poor knowledge of the local geography), kick to the contest, then goal a few moments later was the best individual act I have seen this year, and it is quite telling that a Port teammate produced the next best – Matt White's goal on the run against Richmond earlier in the year.
And he dares his team to dream. Ollie Wines in his second year, and Chad Wingard in his third, broke the game in the second half. Wingard's searching run in the final quarter down the TV commentary wing (excuse my poor knowledge of the local geography), kick to the contest, then goal a few moments later was the best individual act I have seen this year, and it is quite telling that a Port teammate produced the next best – Matt White's goal on the run against Richmond earlier in the year.
Player focus: Gray's genius shocks Dockers
Port Adelaide is one of the mentally strongest teams going around, thanks to Hinkley, and is in every game from the first kick to the last. It is a trait that marks Hawthorn as well, which makes the twilight preliminary final at the MCG next Saturday so intriguing.
Bouncing back with a vengeance
It was around this time last year that North Melbourne started to raise eyebrows around football circles.
The club whose name was usually preceded in unflattering terms such as "cash-strapped" and "battling" started to throw cash around like a lottery winner.
And it almost all went into football operations. Coming off a disappointing 10th place finish last year, the Kangaroos significantly beefed up their football operations, bringing former player Leigh Tudor back to the club after successful stints at St Kilda and the Sydney Swans as defensive coach, Gavin Brown from Carlton as a development coach and former Geelong premiership skipper Cameron Ling as a part-time mentor to the player leadership group.
Football lifer Geoff Walsh, a former North Melbourne chief executive, but most recently the head of football at Collingwood, returned to Arden Street as football director, but with an implied brief to clear much of Brad Scott's desk so that he could be left to do just the coaching.
"We were probably a bit lightweight with resources, so it was good to have a different perspective," chief executive Carl Dilena said after Friday night's win over Geelong in the pulsating North rooms.
"Brad’s a very strong character and I think 'Walshy' is great with him because they trust and respect each other. It’s a very strong working relationship. The other coaches bring different views to the table, which is great."
There was no getting away from the disappointment of 2013, coming off a finals appearance the year before, but equally there was a resolve to back in a coach who had done the hard yards until then and deserved the opportunity to see his work through.
"You have to give him the opportunity and stick fat with him," Dilena explained. "There have been ups and downs and criticisms along the way, but Brad and his group are now showing to people what they’re all about."
So there was a justified feeling of vindication in the North rooms on Friday night. Not that the job has now been done, but that internal expectations of a top-four berth at the start of the year had been proven right.
"We’ve just done it the hard way," laughed Dilena.
WATCH: Nick Dal Santo delivers for North
And then there is Nick Dal Santo. The Kangaroos relentlessly pursued the St Kilda playmaker at the end of last season, their first foray into free agency. North quite openly stated their belief that they regarded him as that missing piece of silk in their midfield. And they remained resolute despite what became a complicated and drawn-out negotiating process with the Saints.
"We identified him and went after him," Dilena said. "We hadn't been in a position to explore it before and there was good work around the club to make sure we were able to do it."
Port Adelaide is one of the mentally strongest teams going around, thanks to Hinkley, and is in every game from the first kick to the last. It is a trait that marks Hawthorn as well, which makes the twilight preliminary final at the MCG next Saturday so intriguing.
Bouncing back with a vengeance
It was around this time last year that North Melbourne started to raise eyebrows around football circles.
The club whose name was usually preceded in unflattering terms such as "cash-strapped" and "battling" started to throw cash around like a lottery winner.
And it almost all went into football operations. Coming off a disappointing 10th place finish last year, the Kangaroos significantly beefed up their football operations, bringing former player Leigh Tudor back to the club after successful stints at St Kilda and the Sydney Swans as defensive coach, Gavin Brown from Carlton as a development coach and former Geelong premiership skipper Cameron Ling as a part-time mentor to the player leadership group.
Football lifer Geoff Walsh, a former North Melbourne chief executive, but most recently the head of football at Collingwood, returned to Arden Street as football director, but with an implied brief to clear much of Brad Scott's desk so that he could be left to do just the coaching.
"We were probably a bit lightweight with resources, so it was good to have a different perspective," chief executive Carl Dilena said after Friday night's win over Geelong in the pulsating North rooms.
"Brad’s a very strong character and I think 'Walshy' is great with him because they trust and respect each other. It’s a very strong working relationship. The other coaches bring different views to the table, which is great."
There was no getting away from the disappointment of 2013, coming off a finals appearance the year before, but equally there was a resolve to back in a coach who had done the hard yards until then and deserved the opportunity to see his work through.
"You have to give him the opportunity and stick fat with him," Dilena explained. "There have been ups and downs and criticisms along the way, but Brad and his group are now showing to people what they’re all about."
So there was a justified feeling of vindication in the North rooms on Friday night. Not that the job has now been done, but that internal expectations of a top-four berth at the start of the year had been proven right.
"We’ve just done it the hard way," laughed Dilena.
WATCH: Nick Dal Santo delivers for North
And then there is Nick Dal Santo. The Kangaroos relentlessly pursued the St Kilda playmaker at the end of last season, their first foray into free agency. North quite openly stated their belief that they regarded him as that missing piece of silk in their midfield. And they remained resolute despite what became a complicated and drawn-out negotiating process with the Saints.
"We identified him and went after him," Dilena said. "We hadn't been in a position to explore it before and there was good work around the club to make sure we were able to do it."
Player focus: Nick Dal Santo delivers on the big stage
The selling point to Dal Santo was that the Kangas were a club on the rise, while the Saints were into their rebuilding phase. More finals awaited him if they could bring him to Arden Street.
Added Dilena: "I’m pleased we were able to back up that we’re a club on the rise heading towards the finals and that the future was bright if he came over to us."
The selling point to Dal Santo was that the Kangas were a club on the rise, while the Saints were into their rebuilding phase. More finals awaited him if they could bring him to Arden Street.
Added Dilena: "I’m pleased we were able to back up that we’re a club on the rise heading towards the finals and that the future was bright if he came over to us."
Nick Dal Santo added the silk to North's on ball division. Picture: AFL Media
So irrespective of the outcome against the Sydney Swans in Friday night's preliminary final, North Melbourne is now a top-four club, and that is good for business.
"It sets us up for the future," Dilena concluded. "We have been on an amazing ride this year and it sets us up next year with members, sponsors and a whole range of things.
"The success we’ve been building towards just grows on itself," he said, contemplating some more flattering adjectives about his club in the years to come.
QUESTION TIME
Is the Geelong era really over?
Ashley Browne: I thought both Scott boys handled themselves well on Friday night. Straight answers, a couple of headlines ("supreme confidence" was a good one) and no adversarial mood between coach and media. Chris Scott has taken some heat over his "mission accomplished" line after the round 22 loss to Hawthorn, which as about as colourful as it gets from the Cats coach, but once he said this on Friday night, "I'm not going to go into detailed post-mortems of our season tonight, because I am a bit emotional. I'm extremely disappointed …" we knew not to expect anything outlandish. As for Malthouse, he won't change a thing after 30 years, but I wonder whether new Blues chief executive, Steven Trigg, whose background is in the media, will counsel Malthouse on his "fifth quarters" in 2015.
AB: No, that's his schtick now. Not that the Swans would care. They would look at how the Pies are going, compare that to where they're headed in the next fortnight and the next few years, and would feel pretty good about themselves.
AB: Ross Lyon wasted no time in his post-match presser on Saturday night, touting the list demographics at Fremantle and stating that the Dockers are in good shape. The 2015 season starts for everyone at Fremantle on Monday and that includes the membership department, so why not use the opportunity to talk up the potential of the side. But that said, the Dockers have some gaps, which Lyon has already promised to address through free agency, the trade period and the draft. Top of the list would be a second key forward to assist Matthew Pavlich next year and perhaps to become the go-to guy in 2016 if Pavlich is retired by then. Matt Taberner shows some promise, but Mitch Clark shapes as the guy if a) he is prepared to return home to Western Australia and b) if Lyon would have him. The coach's "Mitch, what's his name?" quip when asked about Clark the other day suggests he is only lukewarm on the prospect of bringing the former Lion and Demon to the club, after Clark reportedly spurned the club a few years back. By the same token, Carlton's Jarrad Waite is another who might help the Dockers next year. And with Luke McPharlin doubtful to continue next year, another position Fremantle might look to fill with readymade talent is full-back. Elsewhere, they look pretty set, which justifies Lyon's optimism going forward.
Twitter: @afl_hashbrowne
So irrespective of the outcome against the Sydney Swans in Friday night's preliminary final, North Melbourne is now a top-four club, and that is good for business."It sets us up for the future," Dilena concluded. "We have been on an amazing ride this year and it sets us up next year with members, sponsors and a whole range of things.
"The success we’ve been building towards just grows on itself," he said, contemplating some more flattering adjectives about his club in the years to come.
QUESTION TIME
Is the Geelong era really over?
The vanquished Geelong now becomes a major story and even in the hours following Friday night's loss to North
Melbourne, football punditry is sharply divided about what comes next.
One argument is that to lose by a goal while missing Steve Johnson, Allen Christensen, Nathan Vardy and two
first-choice ruckmen, and with a team containing 10 players aged under 23, was a reasonable effort under the
circumstances and provides a sound basis with which to contend for the premiership next year.
Others are pointing to a 1-6 record in finals since winning the 2011 premiership and are questioning whether the
Cats need to keep moving on premiership players as they did last year with Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly and
Joel Corey.
In the gun right now is defender James Kelly, absolutely obliterated early by Lindsay Thomas, but who to his credit
lifted later on. Does a great servant of Geelong have enough left to give?
Speaking on SEN 1116 on Saturday morning, Geelong football manager Neil Balme said Kelly would likely choose
to continue, but on the basis that he works like hell over the summer, commits to improve and offer more to the
football club than he did this year.
It backs up a similar call to arms by skipper Joel Selwood shortly after the end
of Friday night's game.
They're the sorts of honest, grown-up conversations that have helped make the Cats such a great club over the
journey. Doubtless, the same conversations will take place with Corey Enright and perhaps even Jimmy Bartel,
also triple premiership players who were also down on Friday night.
Watch Tom Hawkins take the game apart in one quarter as he did, Selwood stake further claims to being the best
finals performer of recent times and the likes of Josh Caddy elevate his game and it would be foolish to entirely
dismiss Geelong from flag contention anytime soon.
This is a club that was bundled out in an elimination final two years ago and then came within a kick of making the
Grand Final 12 months later. Geelong's shadow doesn't hover over the competition as it once did, but resolve and a
longstanding commitment to excellence are hallmarks of the club.
Add likely free agency addition James Frawley as well as a healthy Johnson, Christensen and Vardy and they'll be
back.
What would Cyril Rioli offer the Hawks first up after a long spell?
Sadly for Rioli and the Hawks, he has come back from a few hamstring strains the last two years, so let's see how
he has fared in his first game back each time.
2013 round 15 v Geelong: After missing eight games, he came on as the sub in the third quarter and had nine
possessions. He looked rusty.
2013 preliminary final v Geelong: 16 possessions in a famous win. Wasn't among the best, but lifted in the final
quarter. Ran the game out well.
2014 round 12 v West Coast: 16 touches and a goal in a routine win over West Coast in Tasmania. Was subbed
out in the final quarter.
So what this suggests is that if Rioli plays this week after a 10-week absence, he won't be starting as the sub. If he
gets through the training week – and Hawthorn will push him hard early on – he will be in among it from the start
against Port Adelaide. And the Hawks might need him.
Maybe Malthouse could study both Scott press conferences tonight #AFLCatsRoos #afterthesiren #berespectful
— darren bosley (@bosley_darren) September 12, 2014
Ashley Browne: I thought both Scott boys handled themselves well on Friday night. Straight answers, a couple of headlines ("supreme confidence" was a good one) and no adversarial mood between coach and media. Chris Scott has taken some heat over his "mission accomplished" line after the round 22 loss to Hawthorn, which as about as colourful as it gets from the Cats coach, but once he said this on Friday night, "I'm not going to go into detailed post-mortems of our season tonight, because I am a bit emotional. I'm extremely disappointed …" we knew not to expect anything outlandish. As for Malthouse, he won't change a thing after 30 years, but I wonder whether new Blues chief executive, Steven Trigg, whose background is in the media, will counsel Malthouse on his "fifth quarters" in 2015.
@afl_hashbrowne @AFL Will Eddie ever shut up about the swans? #afterthesiren
— Nathaniel (@Nato44fannels) September 13, 2014
AB: No, that's his schtick now. Not that the Swans would care. They would look at how the Pies are going, compare that to where they're headed in the next fortnight and the next few years, and would feel pretty good about themselves.
@afl_hashbrowne Hypothetically, if Freo could add one elite talent, what position would most assist them in your opinion? #afterthesiren
— Glenn McComb (@lenymo) September 13, 2014
AB: Ross Lyon wasted no time in his post-match presser on Saturday night, touting the list demographics at Fremantle and stating that the Dockers are in good shape. The 2015 season starts for everyone at Fremantle on Monday and that includes the membership department, so why not use the opportunity to talk up the potential of the side. But that said, the Dockers have some gaps, which Lyon has already promised to address through free agency, the trade period and the draft. Top of the list would be a second key forward to assist Matthew Pavlich next year and perhaps to become the go-to guy in 2016 if Pavlich is retired by then. Matt Taberner shows some promise, but Mitch Clark shapes as the guy if a) he is prepared to return home to Western Australia and b) if Lyon would have him. The coach's "Mitch, what's his name?" quip when asked about Clark the other day suggests he is only lukewarm on the prospect of bringing the former Lion and Demon to the club, after Clark reportedly spurned the club a few years back. By the same token, Carlton's Jarrad Waite is another who might help the Dockers next year. And with Luke McPharlin doubtful to continue next year, another position Fremantle might look to fill with readymade talent is full-back. Elsewhere, they look pretty set, which justifies Lyon's optimism going forward.
Twitter: @afl_hashbrowne
