Finals Week 1 – There is only now: Everybody needs somebody to love (Go Dogs)

E Regnans expresses his feelings for Footy and the emotional contests that he witnessed in Week 1 of the Finals.

Finals Week 1 – Sydney v GWS: Very, very scary, even in bright sunlight

Ian Latham visualised the Giants as bad guys wearing gaberdine coats from a Films Policier classic while the Swans were the prey, a glimpse of the very near future and it looked pretty scary.

Finals Preview: Here come the Giants

Young Paddy Grindlay considers what he’s seen this weekend and runs through the possibilities for the coming weeks. Lots of observations and questions, but have you got a prediction Paddy? Or should we be reading between the lines?

Finals Week 1 – Sydney v GWS: The Giants are the new Collingwood

The Joker. The Riddler. Professor Fate. GWS are the new villains. Dastardly is thy name.

Finals Week 1 – Sydney v GWS: Preview

Craig Dodson resurrects his old woolly Swans jumper and reflects on the journey as they prepare for the qualifying final.

Finals Week 1 – Geelong v Hawthorn: D. Menzel, J. Cowan and the faith of a footy club

J. Dunne is impressed with Geelong’s willingness to stick by Daniel Menzel and Josh Cowan.

Finals Week 1 – Finals Preview: It’s Finally Here!

Sal Ciardulli has looked at the form for the first week of Finals and for value you couldn’t do better with his tips.

The 2016 Ted Baker Cup – Finals Week One

Earl O’Neill thinks there’s stories aplenty in the first week of the finals. Can the Dogskick enough goals? Who wins the Jeff Kennett Cup? And how happy is Gill with the Sydney finals?

Finals Week 1 – West Coast v Western Bulldogs: Preview – Bontempelli and the Bulldogs

Paddy Grindlay reckons there is something about these Dogs. Amid catastrophic injuries, 2016 has seen a “Bontempelli-lead renaissance (had to be said).” [How old is the Bont, Paddy?]

Almanac Finals Preview – The Teams Of The Mighty West: They do bring out the worst in each other

Ahead of Thursday’s elimination final, Phil Gleeson (on debut) shares a terrific story of Bulldogs, Eagles, rivalry and relationships. Of Danny Southern and 1997. And of western identity [Where is she now? – Ed].

Almanac Finals Preview – Geelong’s Snapcats

Marcus Holt has provided a snapcat review of Geelong’s playing list leading into the Qualifying Final against Hawthorn. Which of these is the weak link and who will have the greatest impact?

Almanac Finals Preview – Cats’ home ground DISadvantage

Daylight robbery. Ahead of Geelong’s “home” final, see Gary Caulfield’s unbiased analysis into home ground scheduling.