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Juicy finals series looms in open AFL premiership race

Hawthorn’s quest for a fourth consecutive AFL premiership will begin against arch-rival Geelong in what is shaping as a tantalising finals series.

The Hawks snatched third spot on the ladder and the all-important double chance thanks to Sunday’s thrilling one-point win over Collingwood.

But there are plenty of challengers for the crown, with the Swans, Crows and Eagles all shaping as genuine premiership contenders.

The Hawks needed to win or draw their final game of the regular season to secure a coveted double chance in the finals – a task they ticked off in dramatic fashion with a 17.10 (112) to 17.9 (111) victory over the Magpies.

The win bumped Adelaide, which lost to West Coast on Friday night, down to fifth place and out of the top four, while GWS hung on to a double chance in fourth place.

Sydney’s 113-point thumping of Richmond on Saturday confirmed it as minor premier, while the Cats sealed second spot with a 111-point drubbing of Melbourne.

West Coast dropped to sixth, with the Bulldogs and North Melbourne rounding out the top eight.

Click here for a guide to the first week of the AFL finals

Six clubs, including triple reigning premiers Hawthorn, started the final round with a chance of snatching the minor premiership or missing out on the top four entirely.

The Hawks’ last-gasp win over Collingwood at the MCG will see them renew hostilities with the Cats in a mouthwatering qualifying final at the same venue on Friday September 9.

Cheers to that. Steve Johnson will lead the Giants' charge into the finals.

Cheers to that. Steve Johnson will lead the Giants’ charge into the finals. Photo: Getty

A Sydney derby between the Swans and Giants will feature on Saturday afternoon from 3.20pm at ANZ Stadium.

The in-form Eagles will host the Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval in a match on Thursday September 8, while the Crows will host the Roos in an elimination final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

History dictates only the top-four sides can win the flag – it has been that way since the introduction of the current system.

But the introduction of a pre-finals bye and final-round ladder logjam suggests it could be different this year.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson suggested it would be foolish to dismiss any of the top-eight sides, pointing to how eighth-placed North won through to an elimination final in 2015.

Eddie-Betts

Eddie Betts is a big-game performer.

“Ladder positions (being up for grabs in the final round) indicate it’s pretty close,” Clarkson said.

“We’re of the view that every side in the top eight is a dangerous opposition.

“On any given day they can play some outstanding footy.

“It’s going to be harder (to win the premiership) from fifth to eighth but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Particularly this year when there’s a little bit of a curveball in terms of the (post-season bye).”

AFL finals: Week one

  • West Coast v Western Bulldogs – Thursday, September 8, 6:10pm at Domain Stadium
  • Geelong v Hawthorn – Friday, September 9, 7:50pm at MCG
  • Sydney v GWS – Saturday, September 10, 3:20pm at ANZ Stadium
  • Adelaide v North Melbourne – Saturday, September 10, 7:10pm at Adelaide Oval

(all times local)

-with AAP, ABC

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