With the 2020 home-and-away season over, it is time to cast our eyes towards finals for an unprecedented October series.
Now the home and away season is over, here is how the teams have finished.
1. Port Adelaide (56pts)
2. Brisbane (56pts)
3. Richmond (50pts)
4. Geelong (48pts)
5. West Coast (48pts)
6. St. Kilda (40pts)
7.ย Western Bulldogsย (40pts)
8. Collingwood (38pts)
Based off of these standings, these are our predictions on how the 2020 finals will play out.
3. Week Three
Preliminary Final 1: Port Adelaide vs Brisbane
The top two teams will battle it out at the home of South Australian footy for a chance to go to the big dance.
Coming off a week's rest and playing at home, Port Adelaide will be fit and raring to go for this one.
The Lions will be a bit less prepared considering they would've played two weeks in a row prior to this, but will ideally be mentally sharper.
Straight down the middle! pic.twitter.com/FbpjnXhDCH
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) September 4, 2020
If Port garner the crowd's intensity and play as they have done for most of the season, then they will probably be unbeatable.
But the Lions will be confident with the knowledge they got the better of Ken Hinkley's boys earlier in the year, with a 37-point win in Queensland evidence that the Lions can run with and outplay the Power.
This one is sure to be electric.
Predicted winner: Port Adelaide
Preliminary Final 2: Richmond vs Geelong
Another year, another 'cat-fight' in the finals.
Two weeks ago, the Tigers comfortably dispatched the Cats on the Gold Coast by 27-points to all but secure their top four spot.
Happy Sunday, Tiger Army ๐ค
Enjoy the top five @Jeep match moments from our win over Geelong. pic.twitter.com/9aYIlbV3Jc
— Richmond FC ๐ฏ๐ (@Richmond_FC) September 12, 2020
Back to full-strength, the Tigers wouldn't have any qualms in their mind that they couldn't make it back-to-back Grand Final appearances.
Meanwhile, this would be the ultimate test for the Cats as they would be keen to avenge last year's exit in this same fixture.
Chris Scott for sure would hark back to the feeling of disappointment and failure in an effort to motivate his players to perform in the manner in which they did for most of the season.
Damien Hardwick on the other hand will remind his players that if they play their natural game - hard-hitting, high-pressure, strong and bold footy - the result will look after itself.
Expect this to be the game of the finals.
Predicted winner: Richmond