- No Crowley, club champ dumped
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- North's Kennedy curse
Nick Bowen
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 23 points
At their best, the Hawks remain the top team in the competition and they returned to their fearsome best against the Crows last week after a lacklustre qualifying final loss to West Coast. Queries also remain about Fremantle's form and its ability to kick a winning. Even though the Dockers may be fresher and have the home-ground advantage, the Hawks should be too strong.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 17 points
West Coast was formidable in its qualifying final win over Hawthorn and, with Matt Priddis and Chris Masten set to return from injury, should be too strong for North. However, this won't be a repeat of the 2012 elimination final at Domain Stadium, which the Eagles won by 96 points. The Roos are a more seasoned group in 2015 and should put a much better fight.
Match preview: Fremantle v Hawthorn
Ashley Browne
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 8 points
You can crunch all the numbers you like around this preliminary final, but these are the ones that matter – 16 and 10. The former is Hawthorn's average goals per game against Freo in the six games between them since Ross Lyon took over the Dockers, while the latter is Freo's average. The Hawks simply have too much scoring power for Fremantle and this gets them the win, although the rest and the home ground advantage enjoyed by Freo will keep this one much, much tighter.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 32 points
We usually get one close preliminary final and one that's more of a blow-out. This will be the blow-out. The Eagles appear too slick for North here, deeper through the midfield and with a multi-pronged forward set-up that will test the Kangaroos defence. It is hard to tip against West Coast given their dominance over Hawthorn a fortnight ago.
Ben Collins
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 19 points
Freo's best chance is not to increase their scoring but to put the clamps on Hawthorn – just as West Coast did a fortnight ago – and make it a dour struggle in which 12 goals wins. Too tough an ask against a Hawks line-up that boasts so many players capable of kicking a bag.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 29 points
For the second year running the Kangas have exceeded expectations in the finals, but they might already have played their 'grand final' against the Swans in Sydney last week. It's hard to tip anyone to upset the Eagles in Perth at the moment, particularly after their qualifying final victory over Hawthorn, which earned them a week's rest.
Match preview: West Coast v North Melbourne
Adam Curley
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Fremantle by eight points
The Dockers might not have 20 goals in them but they do have the ability to keep the Hawks to less then they need for a winning score. A fresh midfield and a dominant ruckman could not be more valuable for the home side at the most crucial time of the season.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 48 points
The Eagles showed their might when they smashed the Hawks a fortnight ago and they will this week add Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis to that firepower this week. North picked off the hapless Tigers and injury-hit Swans but won't get near West Coast in front of a raucous home crowd.
Ryan Davidson
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 24 points
It's a hard game to tip as both teams' form has been up and down over the past six weeks. The Hawks should progress to a fourth straight Grand Final on the back of a superior forward line, but you can never discount a Ross Lyon-coached team containing the competition's best player in Nat Fyfe.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 42 points
The red-hot Eagles are nearly unbeatable at home, with their run and spread deadly on the wide expanses of Domain Stadium. The midfield battle will be pivotal because teams possess an attack capable of doing plenty of damage. The Eagles' midfield class should see them earn a Grand Final berth many thought was unthinkable going into 2015.
Nat Edwards
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 15 points
There's generally always one close prelim, and I expect it to be this one. Fremantle is a good side but the question remains whether they can match Hawthorn's firepower. Even without leading goalscorer Jack Gunston, the Hawks scored well over 100 points against Adelaide and had 10 goalkickers. Fremantle might be fresh after the week's break, but almost half their side will have only played one game in a month of football, which could be a concern.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 42 points
The Eagles deserve to be premiership favourites. They were superb against the reigning premiers in the qualifying final and I expect them to emulate that form again on Saturday night. The week's rest has worked in their favour, allowing star midfielder Matt Priddis, the "plasticine man" Jeremy McGovern and Will Schofield to overcome niggles. West Coast will be fit and firing, and on their home turf should be too classy for North Melbourne.
Luke Hodge and the Hawks put Freo to the sword last time the faced off in Launceston. Picture: AFL Media
Ben Guthrie
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Fremantle by seven points
The Dockers did not finish on the top of the ladder for no reason and should get the job done against the Hawks. Hawthorn's team is full of experienced finals performers, but having to fly back to Perth for the second time in three weeks is a tough ask. Fremantle is well rested and hungry to finally taste the ultimate success.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 27 points
The Eagles are flying and the returns of Matt Priddis and Chris Masten only add to the strength of the squad. West Coast's high-powered forward line should prove too difficult to contain, particularly with Robbie Tarrant under an injury cloud. If Nic Naitanui can get rolling, not even All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein can stop him.
Alex Malcolm
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by five points
Fremantle has the home advantage and the benefit of a week off but the Dockers have only beaten the Hawks once under Ross Lyon. The Hawks just have too many weapons. The Dockers will lock the game down but the Hawks are the most powerful offence in the competition and will find a way.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 10 points
North Melbourne has a good recent record against the Eagles but this is a different West Coast side. They will be full of confidence after downing the Hawks and enjoying a week off. The Eagles have too much firepower to contain, with Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Mark LeCras, Jamie Cripps and Josh Hill all in great form.
Travis King
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 13 points
It's tough to see the Hawks serving up another off-the-boil performance in Perth and their record of five wins from six matches against the Ross Lyon-coached Dockers is imposing. Freo's struggle to put sides away is a concern and one standout quarter might be enough for Hawthorn to get the job done
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 10 points
The Kangaroos' strong-bodied midfield is built for finals football and, if they get enough supply to their tall forward line, this contest should be much closer than many people seem to think. However, West Coast's pace could worry the Roos on the longer ground and that might give the Eagles the edge at home.
Jennifer Phelan
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Fremantle by 13 points
The Dockers will turn it into a physical, low-scoring grind and try and shut down the run the Hawks deployed against the Crows last week. The Dockers' week off, combined with the Hawks' double Perth bolt this month, will make it a big ask for Alastair Clarkson's men to win if things get tough and stoppage-heavy.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 34 points
The Eagles will force a hard-running game after putting their feet up while the Roos travelled to Sydney to overcome the Swans. Intriguing match-ups loom – Ben Jacobs will get another tagging role and it's the battle of the competition's best two ruckmen – but the Eagles' web-like defence, star-studded midfield and host of goal-kicking options will get the job done.
Peter Ryan
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Fremantle by eight points
The Dockers have been readying themselves for this moment since they won their first nine games and kicked eight points clear on the ladder. Despite less scoring power they have a brilliant midfield, are fresh and it's more certain that they will defend well than the Hawks will score heavily.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 22 points
History is one reason why West Coast will win but it's the Eagles' ascendancy in the middle that gives them the upper hand. Their team has better balance on the inside and outside of the contest, and an efficient forward line with multiple scoring options. Lose the midfield battle however and North Melbourne will threaten.
Nathan Schmook
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 18 points
The Hawks have momentum after working back to their best against Adelaide and the Dockers don't. Being well rested could be seen as an advantage for Fremantle, but many of its best players have played one competitive match in four weeks. Is that enough going into a cutthroat final?
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 24 points
The Eagles' rest has come when in form and can be used to advantage. North Melbourne has thrown its all into two finals and is playing the best football of its season, but they won't cope with the depth of fresh Eagles' runners through the midfield on their home deck.
Harry Thring
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Hawthorn by 22 points
The Dockers will enter Friday night's game as fresh as they could ever hope to be and they'll need to be full of energy if the Hawks' kicking game hits its straps. Adelaide wasn't able to apply enough pressure to Hawthorn and paid a massive price; the reigning premiers have too much attacking drive and the skill to cut through even the best defence.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 36 points
It's been a terrific effort from the Kangaroos to progress through to a second preliminary final in as many years, but the Eagles are flying. They've had a week off to rest and will field one of their strongest sides of the season on Saturday night. The club's midfield has performed so well in 2015 and with Matt Priddis set to return, it should stretch North Melbourne.
The 2013 Grand Final was a tight affair but the Hawks prevailed. Picture: AFL Media
Callum Twomey
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Fremantle by 12 points
The Dockers are in a great position to have another crack for the premiership after enjoying a two-week rest since their qualifying final win over the Sydney Swans. If their midfield fires and Aaron Sandilands gets on top, Fremantle will be able to score enough and then close down the Hawks to win through to the Grand Final.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 26 points
With a forward line so dangerous and imposing, the Roos will need to win the battle in the midfield by a fair way to stand a chance against the Eagles on their home deck. It's hard to see happening, given West Coast were too good for Hawthorn two weeks ago and welcome back Brownlow medallist Matthew Priddis.
Michael Whiting
Fremantle v Hawthorn: Fremantle by nine points
The Hawks are all the rage and rightfully so, but after a week with their feet up, expect Ross Lyon's men to recapture the manic pressure that won them the minor premiership. Their big midfielders can match the Hawks and with Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters back in form, there's enough class to kick a winning score.
West Coast v North Melbourne: West Coast by 22 points
The Eagles just have too many weapons for the Kangaroos. They have a great mix of inside and outside midfielders and a diverse forward line led by Josh Kennedy that is very difficult to cover. The Kangaroos have done well to get here and have shown they will fight hard, but might have to be content with a repeat of last year's preliminary final exit.
