Welcome to the best weekend in footy!
Sure, everyone wants to be in the 'big dance', but it's often the preliminary finals that seem better than the main event. It's not hard to see why, as the desperation to get to that last Saturday in September can be felt around the country.
Each season's pair of prelim's seem to appeal a larger portion of real fans and are contrasted by the far more corporate feel of Grand Final Day.
As this penultimate weekend so often produces contests that live long in the memory, we have decided to look at some that still live in the memories of fans everywhere.
4. St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs (2009)
Having only lost two-games during the home and away season, the Saints were the powerhouse in 2009.
In low scoring affair in wet conditions, the Doggies took it right up to them, even leading in the final term.
The stage was set for Saints icon Nick Riewoldt to be the only difference between the two sides. Booting four goals in a tight contest, including the final pair, 'Roo' led his Saints to a victory by 7 points.
As good as Riewoldt's toe poke goal to seal it was, it was the huge park mark he took and then goaled 30 metres out that indicated this contest would be remembered as a classic.
