Key events
We’ll be in for an absolute treat of a finals weekend if this semi-final between Brisbane and Adelaide can match what we saw last night at Optus Stadium. Jonathan Horn reported on Fremantle’s victory against Geelong in an all-time classic.
There’s been some pandemonic nights at Optus Stadium, but nothing that could match this. Fremantle is through to a preliminary final after a semi of the highest quality and the utmost tension.
It was simultaneously free-wheeling and nerve-jangling – both high scoring and high pressure. It activated Wharfie Time for just the second time this year, but it wasn’t really needed. The noise was cacophonous, the tension excruciating and the result ultimately just.
Preamble
Martin Pegan
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the AFL semi-final between Brisbane and Adelaide. The winner of this clash will face the Hawks at the MCG in a preliminary final where either the battle-hardened Lions will be hoping to reach a fourth consecutive grand final, or the Crows will be out to claim a spot in a first decider since 2017.
The Lions are still on the path toward a premiership three-peat though now taking a longer route after their shock loss to the Swans in a qualifying final last week. A home semi-final at the Gabba is not the worst of scenarios though Chris Fagan’s side would have been hoping – and, the coach suspects, some players were expecting – to host a preliminary final instead. But Brisbane have shown even during their current era of success that they can blow hot and cold at times – and they were almost exhaling ice last week at the SCG.
The Crows have momentum behind them after breaking through for a first finals victory since 2017 in a tense win against the Bulldogs. That triumph relieved some of the pressure after their straight-sets finals exit as minor premiers last season, as well as pushing away the clouds that were hovering over coach Matthew Nicks following reports that his reign was on a knife’s edge heading into the elimination final in front of home fans. Adelaide will of course want their season to continue beyond their trip to the Gabba, but the sense is that the pressure is now all on the two-time reigning premiers.
First ball-up will be at 7.35pm in Brisbane or 7.05pm ACST for those following from the Crows’ heartland. I’ll drop in the team news shortly. Meanwhile, shoot me an email with your thoughts and predictions. Let’s get into it!
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