There is no tomorrow for the loser of this week's Smithy's VFL semi finals, but in a quirk, it is the lower-ranked side who has won the most recent outing heading into this weekend's matches.
BRISBANE LIONS (2nd) vs. CARLTON (7th)
Second Semi Final: Moreton Bay Sports Complex 12:05pm AEST
Last time they met: Round 2, Carlton 11.18 (84) def Brisbane Lions 5.12 (42) at IKON Park
You have to rewind back to the second match of the 2022 Smithy's VFL season for the last time Carlton and the Brisbane Lions met.
Plenty of water has gone under the bridge since that outing, but Blues fans will still take plenty of confidence into this week’s second semi final if the last result was anything to go by.
Carlton cruised to a comfortable 42-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park in the opening round twilight clash.
The Blues were never seriously troubled after holding the Lions to just 1.7 in the first half, extending their lead at every change to run away with an 11.18 (84) to 5.12 (42) triumph.
The home side recorded 81 more disposals and laid 26 more tackles as they trumped the Lions in most areas on the ground.
Carlton won the midfield battle with Will Hayes, Paddy Dow and Jack Newnes all racking up more than 30 possessions, while the goals were shared between nine players.
Ryan Lester was Brisbane’s best player in defeat with 28 disposals and eight marks at centre half back, He was one of only three Lions to register more than 20 disposals, alongside Rhys Mathieson (24) and Deven Robertson (22).
SYDNEY SWANS (4th) vs. GOLD COAST SUNS (5th)
First Semi Final: Blacktown International Sports Park 1:05pm AEST
Last time they met: Round 2, Sydney Swans 15.11 (101) def by Gold Coast Suns 15.13 (103) at Blacktown International Sports Park
The Gold Coast Suns have had a penchant for winning close games throughout the 2022 season and the run started back in Round 2 when they came from behind to upset the Swans in a Friday night thriller.
Last year the Suns came back from 41 points down in the second quarter to beat the Swans by 14 points in Sydney. In 2022, it was 17 points at the 12-minute mark of the last.
Two goals each to James Tsitas and Malcolm Rosas handed the Suns a famous win, with the last major coming from Rosas with less than a minute to play after a terrific tackle and ice-cold set shot from near the boundary for his fourth major.
Rosas polled nine votes from the coaches in a best afield display, while Tsitas was equally instrumental with 25 disposals, laying nine tackles and kicking those two clutch goals.
Others who had a significant impact were Charlie Constable (20 disposals, 14 tackles, six clearances, seven inside-50s), Ned Moyle (19 disposals, five marks, 32 hitouts, six clearances and six inside-50s) and Sam Day, who took five marks and kicked four goals.
Ryan Clarke and Matt Roberts both collected more than 30 disposals and were the Swans best in the fadeout defeat, while Logan McDonald responded to his AFL omission with eight marks and four goals in an imposing display up forward.
