Results

No Results

Trending topics

{{state}}
Listen Live

Select your station

We'll remember your choice for next time

AFL

Round 23 Talking Points: Dogs sound finals warning, Cats lament "bizarre" format, Eagles must defy history in flag defence

2019-08-25T19:30+10:00

Here are the big talking points from what was an action-packed Round 23.

Tigers and Lions set for September rematch

Richmond were unable to oust Brisbane from second spot despite beating the Lions by 27 points.

Needing to win by 63 points to secure a home final, the Tigers were unable to make up the required percentage, meaning they will be on the road in Week 1 of the finals.

Brisbane were far from disgraced in the defeat and will look ahead to hosting their first final at the Gabba since 2009.

A home preliminary final awaits the winner.

Red-hot Dogs book September berth

The Western Bulldogs will play finals football for the first time since their 2016 premiership triumph.

The Dogs easily accounted for Adelaide by 34 points to head into the finals as one of the competition's in-form teams.

Three consecutive victories over the Crows, GWS and Essendon by a collective margin of 199 points has sent an ominous warning to their September rivals.

Luke Beveridge’s side locked up seventh spot – the same position they finished in 2016 – to set up an elimination final clash with the Giants in Sydney.

"We're not limping into this finals series, we're going in with a head of steam and I think we're going to be hard to beat," Beveridge said.

Scott fumes at “bizarre” finals fixture

Geelong coach Chris Scott has voiced his disapproval over the fixturing of the AFL finals.

The minor premiers will play Collingwood at the MCG in a blockbuster qualifying final rather than hosting the game at GMHBA Stadium.

Chris Scott’s side have a 50 per cent record at the ‘G over the last three seasons and have won just two of their last eight finals at the venue.

“I’m going to take it away from the Geelong thing, because anyone that’s not a Geelong supporter just considers it whingeing,” Scott said.

“The one thing I will say is that most normal people know the system is wrong. The system’s bizarre."

Geelong finished the home-and-away season at the top of the ladder with 16 wins.

Eagles must defy history to go back-to-back

West Coast’s must do it the hard way if they’re to go back-to-back.

Saturday night’s shock 38-point loss to Hawthorn saw the Eagles slide to fifth spot having needed a win to clinch a top four finish.

The reigning premiers will have to become the first non-Victorian club to make the Grand Final and win the flag under the current finals format.

Adam Simpson’s side will look to regroup ahead of their elimination final meeting with Essendon at Optus Stadium.

Giants have their first Coleman Medallist

GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron claimed the 2019 Coleman Medal thanks a nine-goal performance against Gold Coast.

In his 150th game, Cameron’s career-best haul took his final tally to 67, three ahead of North Melbourne’s Ben Brown.

It’s the most goals the 26-year-old has kicked in a season to become the first Giant to win the prestigious accolade.

The 72-point win over the Suns locked the Giants into a home elimination final against the Bulldogs.

Swans farewell champions in Buddy’s 300th

Sydney sent off four champion retirees and celebrated Lance Franklin’s 300th in style with 45-point win over St Kilda.

In an emotional afternoon, premiership stalwarts Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith and Heath Grundy were all chaired off alongside Franklin, who bagged four goals in his milestone match.

Jack and McVeigh both kicked memorable goals in the final quarter to the delight of the 33,000-strong crowd at the SCG.

The Swans will lose 1048 games worth of experience as they look to regenerate their list heading into 2020.

SEN

More in AFL

Featured