Forget the acclaimed Sydney Swans academy – the Warner family back garden in Perth is poised to become one of the biggest producers of AFL talent in the game.
The ghosts of grand finals past will occupy the minds of several Lions and Swans this week desperate for a do-over. Certain players will have more pressure on them than most.
Isaac Heeney had no preference as to who his side would face in the AFL grand final,taking confidence from the Swans’ strong body of work this season.
This year has been the most challenging in Luke Parker’s stellar AFL career - but after his worst injury,his longest suspension and some big existential questions,the former Swans captain is back on the biggest stage.
A Brisbane-Sydney AFL grand final might be a tough pill for Victorian fans to swallow,but could prove a TV ratings hit for host broadcaster Channel Seven.
Charlie Cameron said the Lions had taken pleasure in silencing those who wrote them off after their slow start.
Sydney and Brisbane Lions will play on the biggest day of the AFL calendar,a fitting culmination to what has been a season of drama.
John Longmire has had major decisions to make on injured players in three of his previous four grand finals as coach. The time he made the brutal call,he won.
John Longmire wants his players to lose themselves in the work ahead of them,rather than mine the horrific memories of their last grand final appearance for motivation.
Sydney have broken their Port Adelaide hoodoo by 36 points in a lopsided AFL preliminary final to book a spot in the grand final,their second time there in three seasons.
The Sydney Swans will face either Geelong or Brisbane in the grand final next Saturday.