HAWTHORN and the Western Bulldogs have known for several weeks that their first-week finals' fate was to meet each other. Friday night's match is the first finals' clash between the two teams since 1985, and it promises to be a corker.

The Hawks come in with the better form, having thrashed Carlton in round 22, while the Bulldogs suffered a narrow loss to Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. Much will depend on how the Dogs combat the threat of 100-goal full-forward Buddy Franklin, not to mention the rest of the potent Hawthorn forward line. The Bulldogs are statistically even more powerful up-forward – second only to Geelong in points-for this season – so a shoot-out looms.

Adelaide had the double chance snatched away by St Kilda at the last gasp in round 22, and now the Crows face a sudden-death final against Collingwood. Adelaide has the home advantage and the Magpies are struggling with injuries and the loss of Alan Didak and Heath Shaw to club suspension. They also have to travel for the second consecutive week, having lost to Fremantle in the final home and away round.  The Crows will be warm favourites.

The Sydney Swans will host North Melbourne on Saturday. The Kangaroos threw away fourth spot on the ladder with an insipid performance against Port Adelaide last weekend, while the Swans comprehensively disposed of the Brisbane Lions. The two efforts overturned their previous form lines, so this is a difficult match to call. The Swans home advantage may prove crucial, with North never having played at ANZ Stadium.

St Kilda faces the thankless task of trying to overcome the peerless Geelong outfit on Sunday, but does now have the double chance thanks to its thrashing of Essendon last weekend. If Geelong has a minor weakness it may be its ability to combat a very tall, mobile forward line, and the Saints can stretch the Cats defence through such players as Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. But it would be a brave person who suggested that the 21-1 Cats will stumble at this first finals' hurdle.