AFL Elimination Finals Review

What an intriguing, exciting, first week of finals we have seen for 2021. While there were some dominant performances, there was one amazing thriller, with six teams still remaining in the fight for the 2021 premiership.

Sydney vs GWS

Greater Western Sydney (GWS) held off cross rival the Sydney Swans by a solitary point, to take a giant stride into week two of the finals. GWS despite being goalless in the last quarter, held off the late charge from a wasteful Sydney side to claim yet another finals win (third) over their cross town rival

After a first quarter where the game was all levelled at 20 each, it was the Giants who took charge in the second quarter, kicking four goals to two, getting out to a 23-point half time lead. Sydney would cut the deficit back to 13 by the final change, with two a goal to three third quarter.

Isaac Heeney would go back to back, getting the margin back to seven points. But Sydney waisted chances, with late misses to Tom Hickey, Sam Wicks, James Bell and Lance Franklin. As Harry Perryman saved the day with a late rushed behind, as after a holding the ball decision was payed to Toby Green, the siren sounded in his hands, with a huge showing of passion from the star Giants forward. As the Giants booked their place in week two against Geelong, by the smallest of margins.

Green had an excellent game himself, kicking four goals. Getting great help from Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg kicking two goals each.

GWS 11.8.74 defeated

Sydney 10.13.73

Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

The Bulldogs have inflicted more pain on suffering Essendon. Extending their finals winless drought to what will now be 18 years, in an emphatic second half display to blow it out to a 49-point victory.

It was neck and neck in the first quarter, with the Bombers kicking the opening goal of the game, before the Bulldogs kicked the next two. With three goals each kicked in the second quarter, it was the Dogs by a slender three-points at the half.

It would be the Dogs third quarter where they would step up their game, in an absolutely dominant second half, where they would keep the Bombers goalless. In the third quarter, the Dogs kicked the only three goals to get out to a 19-point lead, leaving the Bombers with a mountain to climb in the last quarter. It was the last quarter, where the Dogs would completely blow the game away, kicking the only five goals of the last quarter to blow the Bombers out of the water.

Cody Weightman led the way for the Dogs with four goals. Along with the help of Aaron Naughton down forward, kicking three. The Dogs march onto face the Lions in the semi finals, while the Bombers finals curse continues.

Western Bulldogs 13.7.85 defeated

Essendon 4.12.36

What a first week of finals we saw. Bring on the final three weeks of enthralling action, in what will be an incredible battle for the 2021 premiership.

Semi Finals Draw

Geelong vs GWS (Optus Stadium) 3/9/21 7:50pm AEST

Brisbane vs Western Bulldogs (GABBA) 4/9/21 TBA