And then there were six.   Finals generally throw up some interesting results, lots of subplots, and its where the champions step up to the plate.  It was no different this weekend, where a record weekend finals crowd witnessed four games - one I would call a very good game, two decent games, and one a blow-out.   No need for Hornsy to tell me which game that was this weekend.

So now - onto the reviews for each team.   We start with the drama unfolding on Friday night...

<!--more-->

Geelong 14.14.98 defeated Hawthorn 9.13.67

GEELONG
Geelong turned what looked like an epic struggle early in the third quarter (after Hodges goals) into their typical routine win.  Centre square dominance from Ottens, the support acts from Steve Johnson, and the tall forwards played each into the Cats hands, and unfortunately for the Hawks, played into their pre-game weaknesses.   Lots can be made out of injuries to key players, but the game was done and dusted by then.   Geelong franked its premiership credentials with a performance befitting their rating as one of the greatest teams of all time.   They have earned the rest, and emerged almost unscathed from the game.   Sadly, Daniel Menzels ACL injury will hurt them in both this years finals series and into next season.  His loss will not be covered from outside the team; that said Joel Corey is a more than fair "in".

Best Player: Brad Ottens
Surprise Packets: Allen Christensen &amp; Trent West
Struggler: No one.  To a man the Cats were strong across the park
This Week: Rest up and then play either West Coast or Carlton in the Saturday Night Preliminary Final

HAWTHORN

Some would say that everything that could go wrong, did go wrong for Hawthorn, and they would be incorrect.  As Leigh Matthews would say, things are never as good as they appear, and they are never as bad as they appear.   The truth lies in the middle.   Put simply, performances at the level of Friday night would not give Hawthorn another premiership this season.  They were gallant under fire, they had some amazing moments of strength and skill at the packs, but were found to be not at the standard of their opponents.   Lady luck may not have seemed kind late on Friday night where Bailey and Franklin appeared to suffer serious enough injuries to end their season, but she certainly smiled on Saturday.   Both could play this weekend against the Swans.   Regardless given the Hawks recent record against them, and the Magpies, there is reason for the Hawk fans to suggest another Grand Final could be on the cards.   This time, however, the Cats they have mercilessly tormented for so long, could be waiting with claws bared.   "Here kitty kitty"?   Maybe not.

Best Player: It was hard to find for Hawthorn.  Id suggest Lance Franklins 4 goals when up against a cohesive Cats defence were a great performance.
Surprise Packet: Isaac Smith
Struggler: Ryan Schoenmakers
This week:  Now into knockout mode against the Swans.   The winner plays Collingwood.

Collingwood 12.10.82 defeated West Coast 9.8.62

COLLINGWOOD
This was a game where a team which looked untouchable (to some) throughout a long season looked thoroughly vulnerable.   More than once.   However, good teams win games that they need to, and beating an opponent that had not been defeated for 7 matches is not always easy.   Collingwood did so.   There were the usual mournful sighs from West Coast personnel and the media about missed opportunities for the Eagles in the final quarter, but this would not be fair on Collingwood, who also produced their share of chances, cue Dayne Beams and his three missed chances to seal the result from 45m.   In the end, it fell down to Alex Fasolo and Luke Ball to team together to produce the final nail in the Eagles coffin.   So - where to now for the Magpies?   Are they premiership favourites?  Probably not if you were to frame a market from scratch now.   But will this week rest make a huge difference, both to morale and energy levels?   Time will tell, but evidence suggests so.   Wellingham might have a small issue with the MRP (I think he should get a reprimand, but its MRP Lotto, who knows?), but this could merely put a difficult decision of who to leave out off for yet another match.    Having to decide who to leave out from Goldsack (team balance suggests he might be safe), Fasolo (the super-sub), Didak (aging hero) and Sidebottom (finals specialist) - appears a more than difficult task.   Collingwood team hierarchy wouldnt want it any other way.

Best Player: Harry OBrien
Surprise Packet: Sharrod Wellingham
Strugglers: Alan Didak and Chris Dawes
This week: Refresh and reload for the first weekend off since round 13.   They play the winner of the Hawks v Swans in a Friday night prelim.

WEST COAST
I must say, everyone would have come away from the MCG with an increased level of respect for this great WA footy institution.   "The Eagles have come home" might be a by-line in a song but when watching their onslaughts both in the first and final quarters, one could readily suggest that they are bred for finals football.   Their on-ballers were given a great run early by a dominant ruck duo, however, when Cox became injured and Naitanui tired, the Magpies were able to turn a weakness into a strength, and smash out consistent clearances.   That said, rarely do you lose a game of football when you have 100 tackles.   Priddis was tireless at the stoppages with 13, and this resilience under fire was admirable.   Much might be said about Cox injury this week, but watching the game, it was this injury that sparked West Coast,  by giving them fresh legs from the bench, and Lynch released into the midfield, where he gained confidence he used to jam home two crucial last term goals.   Darlings last mark showed he was born for the big stage, and though Shuey did at times show some indecision, he and Gaff were brilliant in their first final.    West Coast are here to play this finals series, and I dont count them out of the GF just yet.

Best Player: Darren Glass
Surprise Packet: Eric Mackenzie
Struggler: Mark Nicoski, though it was difficult to choose
This week: Take on a resurgent Carlton, but have the advantage of inflicting a 6 day break and interstate trip on their rivals.  Should be an epic match.  Judd v Kennedy and Masten.

Sydney 12.10.82 defeated St Kilda 8.9.57

SYDNEY
A tremendous team performance gave the Swans another against the odds win.   This coming after breaking a streak at Geelong in recent weeks makes Sydney this years giant killers.   The win was brought about by better efficiency, and for want of a better term, playing "Saintsfooty" better than the Saints.   In the end, star power won out with sensational performances by OKeefe, Goodes and skipper McVeigh, where their opponents stars were quelled.   The lesser light performances of Ted Richards on Riewoldt, and young Nick Smith on Milne, were first-class and any team that plays Sydney should not underestimate them.   The Bloods have the sniff at the moment, and sensing Hawthorns weakness this week, are going to be hellbent on producing an upset that a victory from team 7 over 3 would certainly be.

Best Player: Ryan OKeefe
Surprise Packet: Nick Smith
Struggler: Jude Bolton
This week: Be ready for action in a cut-throat game against Hawthorn.  Do Kennedy and McGlynn have something to prove?  You betcha!

ST KILDA
Theres never a good time to lose a final.   Not even a qualifying final loss is readily accepted, but losing any elimination final is a bad feeling, particularly when it is on your own dunghill.   When its by an opponent who plays your game better than you do, then its even more galling.   No wonder Ross Lyon has called the game an "end of an era".  Lyon, if he indeed remains at St Kilda, would be advised to flush the kids through the team while the older players still have life in them, rather than squeezing the lemon dry like Port Adelaide and being left with a carcass of list management neglect.   Chris Pelchen has been brought in to do some work in this regard, and his track record of list refreshment at Hawthorn was a key part of the 2008 Premiership triumph.   On the game itself, St Kilda played much as it did through the year - in fits and bursts.   Generally in the H&amp;A a team can cover a few bad quarters with a few good ones, but in finals your weaknesses can be most cruelly exposed.   In the end, 7th is about where St Kilda deserved to finish this season, and its about 8 places higher than the team was earlier in the year, so one could still say that significant progress was made.

Best Player: Jason Gram
Surprise Packet: Jack Steven held up well in the heat of finals action
Struggler: Nick Riewoldt struggled to impose himself on the contest, but Raphael Clarke tends to bear the blame for bad performances, so I will blame him too.
Next week: Try to hold onto Ross Lyon.

Carlton 21.23.149 defeated Essendon 13.9.87

CARLTON
It was not a surprise to see the Blues win - lets face it this battle between 5 and 8 was one that was separated by many wins during the season, and by personnel on the park.  Carlton were fresh, but hardened by the game against St Kilda, and were stoic in their resolve to win, and win well.   Marc Murphy called the tune, and even though Judd was well held, he even came to the party late in the event.   In the end, Carlton can consider this win as equally good a tune-up for the semi final as the Eagles loss to Collingwood a day earlier at the same venue.  Carlton needed confidence; the Eagles needed experience, and both got what they were looking for.

Best Player: Marc Murphy
Surprise Packet: Bret Thornton - 11 marks in probably his best game in Navy Blue
Struggler: It would be unfair to peg anyone here.  Carlton didnt really have one.
This week: A challenging cross-country match against a fired up opponent.  The odds are against the Blues, but the big ground should suit their game style.

ESSENDON
Ignominious is not a word that crosses Essendon much, but thats the extent of their loss yesterday.  It was embarrassing.   Even the fig leaf cover of a few cheap goals cannot disguise the fact that they were given a football lesson by their biggest enemy.  Hird will say that it was to be expected as Essendon completes a rebuild, but as Paul Roos said earlier in the week, rebuilding is often used too liberally as a cover for poor performance.    Hird gets a bit of grace, having come in and improved the team performance from missing the 8 to making it, despite an often difficult draw.  The Dons have copped injuries as well that have hindered the teams development, but from what has been noticed through the year, the consistent reliance on the old stagers needs to be looked at.   Old guns can produce vintage performances, but not always, and rarely on the big stage against young and hungry rivals.   McVeigh and Fletcher experienced a tough day at the office, and I dare say players like Welsh would have as well had he been on the park.

Best Player: Heath Hocking
Surprise Packet: Jake Carlisle looks a player, with a bit of TLC
Strugglers:  Most of the team.  Ill say Mark McVeigh.  Looked too slow for his role
This week: Have a good time today, reflect on a good season, but then cull the list of most older players, leaving room in the 22 for vibrant Heppell-esque youth.

Your comments as always will be appreciated...