WHAT HAPPENED IN WEEK ONE OF THE AFL FINALS.
THEY SAID IT: “It hurts, but that’s on us. Two years in a row we missed out on top four through percentage.” – West Coast coach Adam Simpson after his team’s dramatic one-point elimination final loss to Collingwood.
* STATS THAT MATTER: 0-4. That was the return from the premiership coaches in week one of the finals. West Coast’s Adam Simpson (2018 flag) saw his side lose to Collingwood, Richmond’s Damien Hardwick (2017, 2019) couldn’t get his team over the line against Brisbane. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge (2016) suffered heartbreak at the hands of St Kilda. Geelong’s Chris Scott (2011) could only watch on as his team lost to Port Adelaide.
* MAN OF THE ROUND: There were plenty of big performers in week one of the finals, but the most important was the display of Collingwood’s Mason Cox. In just three minutes of actual game time Cox clunked three contested marks and booted three goals to give Collingwood the early momentum against West Coast. It rattled the home side and the Eagles were never truly able to get into their groove from that point on.
* KEY MOMENT: With just 30 seconds to go West Coast launched one final bid for victory. Tim Kelly’s handball in the midfield found Tom Cole, who was set to bang a long kick into attack. But Collingwood’s Taylor Adams sensed the danger and charged forward to smother Cole in a play that helped the Magpies hold onto the one-point win.
* TALKING POINT: Geelong are now 4-12 in finals since winning the flag in 2011. It begs the question – does Chris Scott’s possession-heavy style stand up in finals footy? Geelong get the chance to prove the doubters wrong against Collingwood in a blockbuster semi-final.
* TRIBUNAL WATCH: Geelong’s Tom Hawkins was offered a $1500 fine for striking Port’s Tom Rockliff. Richmond’s Noah Balta and Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson copped $500 fines for their part in a melee. St Kilda’s Ben Long could be in strife for his high bump on Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae in Saturday’s elimination final at the Gabba.
* KEY INJURIES: Joel Selwood (Geel, finger), Paddy Ryder (Port, hamstring), Brayden Maynard (Collingwood, finger), Xavier Duursma (Port, concussion), Todd Marshall (Port, shoulder), Zaine Cordy (WB, ankle), Jack Steven (Geelong, hamstring)
*WHAT’S NEXT: Richmond will ‘host’ St Kilda in a semi-final clash at Metricon Stadium on Friday night. Collingwood will take on Geelong in a blockbuster semi-final at the Gabba on Saturday night. Port Adelaide and Brisbane earn the week off before fronting up for a home preliminary final, but the season is over for both West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.