THE FINAL countdown is on!
Another thrilling weekend of finals football looms as the last four teams standing battle it out for a spot in the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
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Footy Feed: Bud's strut, McRae's flag dream, Cat's huge record
The Footy Feed team with the latest footy news
Ahead of the preliminary finals, join us right here for all the latest news as we get one step closer to crowning this year's premier and find out all the teams right here from 6.20pm AEST.
The action kicks off on Friday night when minor premier Geelong hosts an in-form Brisbane at the MCG.
Then on Saturday afternoon, the Collingwood juggernaut travels to the SCG to take on Sydney.
We'll bring you all the breaking news FIRST from 3pm AEST.
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That's all from us tonight. Thanks for following our coverage on another big day of news. Stay tuned to AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App for all the breaking footy news.
If you've missed any of the day's biggest news, here's our 3-2-1.
3-2-1: Jones' Dogs return, prelim build-up, Crow retires
Missed today's footy news? Get everything you need to know every day at 7pm AEST with 3-2-1
Brisbane triple premiership player Darryl White has praised the impact of current Lions forward Charlie Cameron and urged him to lift his tackle count in Friday night's preliminary final against Geelong.
'He can turn the game on its head': Lions legend backs Cameron
The Yokayi Footy panel take a closer look at the impact Charlie Cameron has had on the 2022 finals
This year’s Brownlow Medal count is just around the corner. Gold Coast co-captain Touk Miller is the favourite to claim this year's medal, according to AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor, though we could be set for a mega six-horse race during Sunday night's count.
Brownlow Predictor: Early leader, most games polling, first-year stars, more
All the key data from the Brownlow Predictor ahead of this year's count
The teams are in for this weekend's preliminary finals. check out who's in, and who's out.
PRELIM TEAMS: Big Lions return, sore Cat named, Swans keep the faith
Check out the line-ups for the preliminary finals of the Toyota AFL Finals Series
Swans hit the training track...
Final session before the Prelim ??#Bloods pic.twitter.com/nfs7wIRw6W
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) September 15, 2022
Chris Fagan and Dayne Zorko say Brisbane has a totally different mindset heading into Friday night's preliminary final against Geelong than it did at the same juncture two years ago, where Geelong humbled the Lions by 40 points in a largely one-sided contest.
Lions approaching prelim with different mindset, says Fagan
The Lions have learned plenty from their 2020 preliminary final loss to Geelong
Chris Scott believes it would be like playing "Russian roulette" to not send a tagger to Lions star Lachie Neale.
Lock down Lachie: Cats' plan to put brakes on Lions bull
Chris Scott believes it would be like playing "Russian roulette" to not send a tagger to Lions star Lachie Neale
Billy Frampton wants out
Adelaide’s Billy Frampton has expressed his desire to be traded to Collingwood, where he is being sought as a versatile tall.
AFL.com.au’s Inside Trading revealed last month the Magpies were circling Frampton and he has formalised his wish to join a third AFL club, having started his career at Port Adelaide.
The 25-year-old is uncontracted at the Crows, where he played six games this season but didn’t feature at senior level since round eight.
He has been used in a combination of roles in the ruck, forward line and backline, with his time playing as a key defender in the SANFL this year as part of Adelaide’s SANFL side showing his ability in the position.
Frampton, who is originally from Western Australia, has played 24 games through his AFL career. - Cal Twomey
There was plenty of support at the Pies' open training session today...
Spot yourself from this morning's Open Training session!
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 15, 2022
Our best selection of pics:
Liam Jones will land at the Western Bulldogs as a free agent after officially nominating his former club as his new home. You can catch up on all the latest trade news with Inside Trading.
Dogs land key defender, clubs eye Tigers youngster, Swan to re-sign
Check out all the latest trade news from around the League
Dockers brace for trade exits
Fremantle defender Luke Ryan says he will feel flat if Rory Lobb and a host of other teammates leave during the upcoming AFL trade period.
Lobb, who is contracted for next season, has already formally requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs, while Griffin Logue, Blake Acres, Darcy Tucker, Liam Henry, and Joel Hamling are others who could also leave.
"It's going to be pretty flat if we lose a fair few of those players," Ryan told Perth radio station 6PR.
"It (the trade period) is a part of footy. The good players are wanted everywhere, and good players are hard to keep.
"It just depends who you are I guess and how much you want to be at the club."
Swans co-captain Dane Rampe says it will take a collective effort to stop in-form Pies midfielder Jordan De Goey.
Operation Stop De Goey: Swans ready for in-form Magpie
Swans co-captain Dane Rampe says it will take a collective effort to stop Collingwood's midfielder, while he's backed Lance Franklin to respond on Saturday night
Fresh faces at Geelong
Geelong has seemingly decreased its reliance on stars Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield as fresh faces emerge, with fellow veteran Mitch Duncan saying it's been rejuvenating.
In the Cats' qualifying final win over Collingwood, Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield were sitting on the pine for the first bounce.
"It did (surprise) but we want them playing at their best and sometimes that's whether they're starting on the bench at the start of the game or (start of) quarters," Duncan said.
"I'm not sure if we'll see it again or not, we may, and I think it's great because it gives so much opportunity for other people as well and we're not just relying on several individuals.
"... Those guys aren't going to be around here forever so we do have to start giving people opportunities."
North re-sign young duo
As revealed in Inside Trading last week, North Melbourne has re-signed Lachie Young and Flynn Perez for the 2023 season.
Young arrived at North Melbourne ahead of the 2021 season after two seasons with the Western Bulldogs. He’s played 35 games over two years with the Roos and averaged 15 disposals across his 20 appearances down back in 2022.
Perez arrived at the Roos after being taken at pick No.35 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft. He overcame a second ACL injury in 2021 and made his return in round four this year. The 21-year-old played 16 games in 2022 and recorded a career-high 24 disposals in the final game of the season.
Matthew Lloyd is counting down his top 20 players of the season. Today, he’s taken us through the players he’s ranked 20-16.
20-16 revealed: Matthew Lloyd's top 20 players of season 2022
Lloydy counts down his top 20 players of the season, starting with 20-16
Bertie got a more welcome reception when he trotted onto the training track today...
Bertie's Back ? pic.twitter.com/b0emj1GeBP
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) September 15, 2022
The Pies are daring to dream as they continue their fairytale finals run, but coach Craig McRae has urged his troops to stay focussed.
What if? Pies staying focused amid 'natural' distractions
Craig McRae spoke to his Collingwood players about retaining their focus ahead of Saturday's clash against Sydney
Sadly, Sydney star Josh Kennedy has officially played his last game for the Swans after tweaking his hamstring again.
Retiring Swan's career officially over after ANOTHER hamstring tweak
Josh Kennedy suffered another cruel blow after injuring his hamstring again
