Ken's 10: The greatest Preliminary Finals of the last 20 years

Ken Hinkley has named the 10 greatest Preliminary Finals over the last 20 years.

As the 2026 prelims fast approach, Hinkley rattled off the 10 prelims that he believes were the best spectacles within the last two decades.

The Tasmania head coach constructed the list as a part of his weekly segment ‘Ken’s 10’ on SEN’s Sportsday.

See the list below:

10. Melbourne (125-42) Geelong | Optus Stadium, 2021

“Number 10 was a smashing. It was a smashing in 2021 by the Demons against the Cats,” Hinkley said.

“I remember it for one real clear reason – the Max Gawn game, where he went BANG.

“Max kicked five goals, he kicked four in the third quarter, and they were ridiculous goals.

“It was a free-for-all that night. Pickett kicked three, Petracca had 32 and a goal, and they absolutely belted the Cats.

“More importantly, Max just went nuts. Number 10 was the ‘Max Smashing’, I’ll call it.”

9. Hawthorn (97-92) Adelaide | MCG, 2012

“2012, it’s a fair while back, isn’t it.

“It was sort of the start of the Hawthorn run. The Hawthorn prelim final against the Crows, that was a 97-92 performance by the Hawks to get into the big dance.

“It was tight, but the Hawks’ inaccurate kicking keeps (Adelaide) in the game. Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker kicking four goals each. Buddy kicks three and the Hawks hold on.

“Adelaide took the lead in the fourth quarter, but there was a little man for the Hawks who used to play pretty good in September. Cyril Rioli.

“Cyril got them back in the lead. Patrick Dangerfield had a big game as well, so it was a pretty big night for the Crows’ good players.”

8. Collingwood (58-57) GWS Giants | MCG, 2023

“2023, 58-57. The clutch kings.

“Do you remember that year of Collingwood? The clutch kings! They could come from behind and they could win by a point. That’s just what they could do, and they had to get it done.

“97,000 people were at the ‘G. The Collingwood chant was going crazy. Do you know what happened? Toby Greene nearly steals the game late.

“But Collingwood go on, winning a prelim by one point and win a famous flag the next week.

“The Giants, ever so close. They’ve been there a few times.”

7. Collingwood (52-56) GWS Giants | MCG, 2019

“The Giants again feature, and guess who they feature against? Collingwood again!

“No Toby, but the reality was, 56-52, no Toby, no worries for the Giants in that year.

“The Giants take on the Pies at their home track without Toby – Toby was suspended for unnecessary contact with Lachie Neale.

“Collingwood held the slight edge for the first half, but the Giants kicked five in the third quarter to take a 26-point lead with one quarter to go.

“They held on by four points. Is this the best ever GWS win? It’s got to be thereabouts.”

6. Hawthorn (97-94) Port Adelaide | MCG, 2014

“You know what happened. Quarter one… how many times do we talk about kicking goals in this game?

“3.9 in the first quarter. Guess what Jarryd Roughead kicked at the other end? 6.2.

“We came charging home late, we were coming from nowhere. Five goals to two in the last quarter, all over them… Hawks go on and win three Grand Finals in a row, and we lose by three points.

“The game can be tough. Angus Monfries kicked four goals. Robbie Gray, the greatest of greats, kicked three.”

5. Richmond (58-97) Collingwood | MCG, 2018

“Collingwood were involved with Richmond. There was a special few moments that happened in that game from an unusual character…

“We will refer to him as USA! I think we are all waiting for him to do it again!

“When I look back, it was 2018, it was only eight years ago… come on Coxy, you need to do it again this weekend!

“Jack Riewoldt kicked five, but they didn’t get the job done. Steele Sidebottom managed a lazy 41.”

4. Sydney (95-94) Collingwood | SCG, 2022

“Clutch kings. Sydney dominated the game early, six goal lead.

“Collingwood won so many close games that year… but aren’t able to complete the comeback in this one.

“Tom Papley kicked three, Buddy Franklin kicked two.”

3. Collingwood (68-65) Hawthorn | MCG, 2011

“Oh dear. Buddy’s dribble goal with under four minutes left, poor Chris Tarrant!

“But they still managed to get up, the Pies. Luke Ball responds with an incredible snap to take the lead back. Under three minutes remaining.

“Chris Dawes kicked three and Travis Cloke kicked three, some great key forwards from the past.

“It was a great game. Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Sam Mitchell dominated.”

2. Hawthorn (102-97) Geelong | MCG, 2013

“I had to have one of these in. Hawks and the Cats.

“Do you remember the Kennett curse being broken? The curse was broken in a prelim final in 2013.

“Hawks come back from 20 points down at three quarter time, the Kennett curse is broken after Geelong had beaten the Hawks 11 times in a row.

“There’s a bloke by the name of Silk, Shaun Burgoyne with a clutch goal late to put the Hawks in front.

“Travis Varcoe missed a shot late – it was an easy shot for Trav, too.

“Stevie J kicked four and Jack Gunston kicked four! Only 13 years later and he’s still going to kick four in the next one!”

1. GWS Giants (83-89) Western Bulldogs | Engie Stadium, 2016

“The Bulldogs are through to a Grand Final!

“One of the best games you will ever see. Marcus Bontempelli kicked the famous goal to hit the front in the final quarter.

“What about Clay Smith – 20 disposals and four goals at half time! Tough, tough. He was really in and under. The left footer.

“The goalscorers – Tory Dickson kicked four, Clay kicked four. Jonathan Patton, the General kicked four, and Rory Lobb kicked three but for a different team!

“Toby Greene kicked three. Back and forth all night. Number one of the last 20 years. The best prelim.”

Listen to the full discussion below: