A WEEKEND of cutthroat semi-finals will kick off with a huge clash between Hawthorn and the resurgent Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night.
The other knockout final will be contested by the Sydney Swans and Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday night.
With just six teams remaining in the premiership race, the winner of the Hawks-Bulldogs encounter will face Greater Western Sydney in a preliminary final at Spotless Stadium in Sydney, while either the Swans or the Crows will meet Geelong in the other preliminary final at the MCG.
The Dogs have so far been the September surprise after producing an astonishing 47-point obliteration of West Coast in their elimination final at Domain Stadium on Thursday night, and will again have nothing to lose against a heavily favoured opponent.
In fact, the Bulldogs will be buoyed by enormous sentimental support as they tackle the triple reigning premiers.
The Hawks, pipped by the Cats in a qualifying final thriller, will be desperate to keep alive their quest for a record-equalling four successive premierships and avoid an inglorious straight-sets exit.
History favours Hawthorn, which has won its past eight games against the Bulldogs by an average of 50 points, and has also triumphed in their four finals encounters by an average of 49 points.
However, the Bulldogs got within three points of the Hawks in a round three classic at Etihad Stadium after leading by 19 points at three-quarter-time.
It will be the Dogs' first Friday night game at the MCG since round 14, 2010, when Hawthorn beat them by three points.
Meanwhile, the Swans will be hell-bent on putting their flag campaign back on track after becoming cross-town rival GWS' first finals scalp in their historic qualifying final stoush.
The last time a minor premier was eliminated in straight sets was back in 1983 when, under a top-five system, North Melbourne was belted in both the second semi-final (by 40 points) and the preliminary final (86 points).
After a comprehensive 62-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday night, the Crows will fancy their chances to continue their charge, which has earned the admiration of the football world after last year losing their former coach Phil Walsh in tragic circumstances and their best player Patrick Dangerfield to Geelong.
Adelaide won its only encounter with the Swans this year – by 10 points in a high-scoring affair at Adelaide Oval back in round four – and has tasted victory in six of the sides' past eight clashes at the SCG.
Week two finals fixture (all times local)
Friday September 16, MCG, 7.50pm
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (second semi final)
Saturday September 17, SCG, 7.25pm
Sydney Swans v Adelaide (first semi final)
Week three finals fixture (all times local)
Friday, September 23, MCG, 7.50pm
Geelong v winner of first semi final
Saturday, September 24, Spotless Stadium, time TBC
Greater Western Sydney v winner of second semi final
