AFL Finals - Week Three Preview

Preliminary Finals

We're down to the last four and surprise, surprise, it's the top four teams which have made it through to the penultimate week.

Again, non-Victorian teams dominate proceedings after Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs were dumped out last week, and for the third straight year, we'll see an all-interstate Grand Final.

And for the sixth consecutive year, we'll have a non-Victorian premier.

The stats make gruesome reading for the proud Vics, who have fallen a long way behind the other states.

Indeed, the two teams who didn't make the finals, Brisbane and Port Adelaide, were playing off for the flag just two years ago, and have already started to show strong signs of rebuilding for a another tilt in future years.

It's the first time we've had two teams from Western Australia in the final four, but with both of them on the road this week, it could well be an Adelaide-Sydney Grand Final.

Only time will tell, but I'm tipping we'll see a Grand Final repeat, with the Eagles taking on the Swans next week.

Make sure to catch every history-making and breaking moment right here @ SportsAustralia.com

Bet of the week: West Coast to defeat Adelaide by under 39.5 points: $2.35
Big guns aplenty look set to return to the Adelaide line up, but it's hard to see how the Crows' midfield will shut down Judd, Cousins, Kerr, Fletcher, Braun, Butler, Waters, Chick, Selwood, Rosa, Armstrong, Embley, plus Brett and Rowan Jones boys. Their depth is simply amazing, and they're all in super touch.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Sydney vs Fremantle
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
6:00pm (WA), 7:30pm (SA), 8:00pm (EST)

The Swans recent home record in finals is not exactly one to be exceedingly proud of, and in their only finals match at Telstra Stadium, they choked to the all-conquering Brisbane Lions in 2003.

And so what to make of this battle with Fremantle? Undoubtedly, Sydney are better prepared this time around, and while the Dockers are sure to carry a 'nothing to lose' attitude into the game, the battled-hardened efficiency of Paul Roos' unit will prove tough to beat.

Sydney by 25 points.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Adelaide vs West Coast
AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
1:30pm (WA), 3:00pm (SA), 3:30pm (EST)

For many people, this should have been the Grand Final, but one of these two teams will have their hopes dashed on Saturday.

Despite the home ground advantage, most pundits will go with West Coast, and rightly so. While the Crows were impressive in overcoming Fremantle a fortnight ago, the Eagles were downright irresistable in smashing the Bulldogs last week. They don't look like a team who needed the week off; they look fresh and ready to win, and probably fresh enough for the week after, too.

West Coast by 18 points.

Until next week, happy punting!

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