Finals footy never disappoints. Week one gave us Collingwood’s composure, Geelong’s power, Hawthorn’s resilience, and Gold Coast’s historic first finals win. Now the heat turns up again with two massive semifinals – Adelaide v Hawthorn on Friday, and the first-ever finals Q-clash between Brisbane and Gold Coast on Saturday. Two clubs will march into prelims, two will be gone by Sunday morning.
Adelaide Crows v Hawthorn Hawks
Friday, Sept 12 – Adelaide Oval, 7:40 pm AEST
Adelaide is still licking wounds from their loss to Collingwood, but their nine-game winning streak before that proved their credentials. Without the suspended Izak Rankine, they’ll need scoreboard impact from midfielders and small forwards to carry the load. Their strength remains territory and repeat inside-50s – if they trap the ball forward, they’re hard to stop.
Hawthorn arrives with momentum after holding their nerve against GWS. From 42 points up, to briefly falling behind, to then steady and win – that’s September steel. Their defensive structure can frustrate Adelaide’s ball movement, and if their pressure chains hold, the Hawks could flip this semi on its head. The winner books a prelim against Geelong.
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns
Saturday, Sept 13 – The Gabba, 7:35 pm AEST
History beckons. For the first time, Queensland’s fiercest rivals square off in a final. Brisbane, battered by injury – with Lachie Neale (calf) and Eric Hipwood (ACL) ruled out – lean heavily on their depth and home ground advantage. The Gabba crowd will roar, but their clearance game must stand up without Neale.
Gold Coast, buoyed by their first-ever finals win, ride into the Gabba with nothing to lose. Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell give them contested punch, and under Damien Hardwick they’ve developed belief and resilience. Their 66-point thrashing of Brisbane in Round 20 lingers as proof they can take down their big brother.
Final Word
This weekend is everything September is about – pressure, pride, and legacy. Adelaide and Brisbane carry expectation; Hawthorn and Gold Coast carry momentum. By Saturday night, we’ll know whether tradition holds or history gets rewritten – because in finals, only the toughest survive.
