The Cairns Post

WEEK TWO FINALS SNAPSHOT

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THEY SAID IT: “We’re going over there on a mission.” A bullish Brad Scott (pictured) talks up North Melbourne’s chances of triumphing in their preliminar­y final against West Coast next Saturday.

STATS THAT MATTER: Just 31,182 poor souls at ANZ Stadium watched the Swans exit the finals with a 26-point defeat to North Melbourne. Hopefully the message is received at league headquarte­rs and it’s the last AFL match at the Olympic venue.

MAN OF THE ROUND: Adam Goodes watched his fellow flag-winner Rhyce Shaw get carried off ANZ Stadium before quietly confiding in his teammates in the rooms he was also retiring after the Swans’ 26-point loss. The two-time Brownlow Medallist and premiershi­p star will leave a huge hole in his club and the league.

TALKING POINT: Is Hawthorn’s premiershi­p assault back on track? The Hawks were brutal in their 74-point demolition of Adelaide, but their next assignment – Fremantle in Perth – is a different propositio­n. Whether Ross Lyon will consider Ryan Crowley after his 12-month doping ban expires mid-week is an intriguing prospect.

KEY INJURIES: Drew Petrie (North Melbourne, pictured) will have scans on his knee but played on after landing heavily from a marking contest on Saturday night, while Daniel Wells will also be considered to play West Coast. Jack Gunston’s (Hawthorn) ankle trouble makes him no certainty to play the Eagles – who have Luke Shuey under an injury cloud but should be able to call on Matt Priddis, Jeremy McGovern and Chris Masten.

UNDER PRESSURE: Ross Lyon (pictured) took Fremantle to the club’s first minor premiershi­p but since round 20 the Dockers have only beaten lowly Melbourne and an injury-hit Sydney. Is this player management or an alarming form dip? Against the Hawks on Friday night, we’ll find out.

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