Week one of the finals has finally arrived.
The pre-finals bye saw the football world wait for these four much-anticipated games, but with three of the four games already sold out and Melbourne versus Sydney tipped to nudge a crowd of 80,000, anticipation is at fever-pitch for the weekend ahead.
See our previews and tips for every game of the first week of the finals below:
All times AEST
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Brisbane v Richmond - Elimination Final
Thursday – 7:20pm – Gabba
Brisbane and Richmond will kick off the 2022 finals on Thursday night at the Gabba.
The Tigers boast an unbelievable record over the Lions, winning 17 of the past 19 matches, making them the justified favourites.
Despite Richmond's record, the last four games between the two have been even, sharing a 2-2 record with the Lions, claiming both those wins at the Gabba.
Brisbane’s forward line poses a legitimate threat to the Tigers.
Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay will stretch the defence of Robbie Tarrant, Noah Balta and Nathan Broad. If the Lions trio can get on top, Damien Hardwick will start worrying.
As for the Tigers, they head into the finals in good form, winning their last four games by an average of 43 points.
They also welcome back the best finals player to ever play the game in Dustin Martin. If Dusty gets rolling, we know what happens.
Adding more spice to this clash, we can’t wait to see Zac Bailey and Shai Bolton light it up on the big stage. These two are made for finals and will be instrumental if their sides are to get the job done.
These two teams know each other inside out, they have met in two Qualifying Finals since 2019, both at the Gabba, with each side winning one.
This one takes place at the Gabba, which you think would give Brisbane an edge.
Tip: Brisbane by 24 points.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Melbourne v Sydney - Qualifying Final
Friday – 7:50pm – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Finals football returns to the MCG for the first time since 2019 after two COVID-affected seasons.
Friday night sees Melbourne host Sydney in a final for the first time since 1987 – where the Dees smashed the Swans by 76 points.
This match represents a clash of styles – the more dynamic yet youthful Swans, up against the finals-hardened Demons outfit.
Their only match up this season came in Round 11, where the Swans pulled off an upset win by 12 points.
Melbourne has to be favourites for this one, even considering their less than impressive recent form at the MCG.
But considering how good the Swans have been lately, they’re a genuine chance to knock off last year’s premiers and lock in a home Preliminary Final.
Tip: Melbourne by 8 points.
Laurence Rosen
Geelong v Collingwood - Qualifying Final
Saturday – 4:35pm – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Talk about a psychological battle. A Geelong team that basically cruised to a minor premiership, but with a record of stumbling in finals, versus a Collingwood team on a miracle ride from 17th to 4th and almost nothing to lose.
In a vacuum, you would think the Cats win and book their home Preliminary Final, but could their finals demons haunt them against a hungry Pies side that has proven they hold no fears in close games?
Funnily enough, the opposite proved true in Round 3, when Geelong overran Collingwood, who gave up a 37-point.
Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins combined for nine goals and their avalanche of offence proved too much for the Magpies in the end.
On the flip side, Collingwood showed that they can control the Cats and attack their game style, even if it didn’t hold in the fourth quarter.
The Magpies had a finals tune-up in Round 23 in front of 90,000 people against Carlton, while Geelong have had a quieter fortnight, beating up on West Coast and Gold Coast.
Geelong’s forward line once again looms as the obstacle the Pies must overcome, while the Magpies’ slingshot attacking style will surely be met with a wall of Cats defenders.
Predicting the mature Geelong side to put a dampener in Collingwood’s wild ride.
Tip: Geelong by 19 points.
Nic Negrepontis
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs - Elimination Final
Saturday – 8:10pm – Optus Stadium
Fremantle hosts the Western Bulldogs in a crunch Elimination Final in Week 1 of the 2022 AFL finals.
The Dockers are back in September for the first time since 2015 and will be determined to make amends for dropping out of the top four where they spent a lot of the campaign.
The Bulldogs return to the scene of last year’s Grand Final loss to Melbourne and have some demons to exorcise, although they did have a hefty win over West Coast at the venue back in Round 11.
The last time the Dogs played the Dockers at Optus Stadium in Round 12, 2021, they got the job done by 28 points before Freo exacted revenge at Marvel by 17 points just recently in Round 21.
It is that particular result that Justin Longmuir will be looking closely at as he goes about replicating the accomplished defensive performance of that occasion.
Freo held the Dogs to 78 points that evening and defence, which Longmuir has hung his hat on in 2022, might just be the order of the day once again.
Luke Beveridge’s Dogs somewhat unlocked their scoring power against Hawthorn last week, returning 12.15.(87), but had struggled for three weeks prior.
He has lost grunt midfielder Tom Liberatore (hamstring) for the meeting while Freo will be without captain Nat Fyfe, who is also hamstrung.
It will be an intriguing contest and although you shouldn’t rule the Bulldogs out in this situation, the Dockers might just have their game in better order right now.
Tip: Fremantle by 11 points.
Andrew Slevison