Week 1 of the 2021 AFL Finals Series saw nail-biters, controversy and a 17-year finals drought continue for at least another 12 months.
Here’s how it looked for punters:
Power surge
Kicking off the Finals Series on Friday night, Port Adelaide continued their recent surge and a secured a huge 43-point win over Geelong after starting marginal $1.70 favourites with Palmerbet. Defeat for the Cats marked their sixth qualifying final loss in their last seven — a groundhog day result for coach Chris Scott. To win by 40+, Ken Hinkley’s men were $6.00 pre-game. And they delivered, in a victory that sees them into $3.60 AFL Premiership hopes.
Sub Powell-Pepper with the icing on the cake for Port 👏
📝 BLOG: https://t.co/mPCkGPG0wk
🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/q27lD0Nur4
📺 WATCH #AFLPowerCats #AFLFinals: https://t.co/gdcak8QtIH pic.twitter.com/CkHPzEU9jP— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 27, 2021
The barest of margins
On Saturday afternoon, it was GWS Giants who provided the only upset of the weekend. Leon Cameron’s men were $2.27 outsiders against crosstown rivals the Swans, and prevailed by a solitary point. After leading for most of the game, the Bloods came home hard. And if not for a hair-pulling final term for fans — who saw their side kick 2.7 — would and arguably should have been through to the semi-finals. But they aren’t, and they lick their wounds after a better-than-expected year. But ultimately, one that got away.
It was human headline Toby Greene who led the way for the Giants. His three goals ($2.50 pre-game with Palmerbet) proved match-winning. However he faces a nervous wait this week for an act that could see him rubbed out of the AFL Finals altogether.
Toby Greene is set to dominate the headlines ahead of the semi-finals, referred directly to the Tribunal for making contact with an umpire. @bradeningram #AFL #9News pic.twitter.com/ZbNCbAkjVv
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) August 29, 2021
Dees domination
The most-defining performance of the weekend was undoubtedly from Melbourne. On a quest to break a flag drought dating back to 1964, the Dees were challenged early by Brisbane but would eventually control the contest and prevail by 33 points ($1.71 pre-game with Palmerbet). Bayley Fritsch was $5.50 pre-game to kick 4+ goals. And he did exactly that, proving that he’ll play a huge role in Melbourne’s upcoming AFL Premiership bid. Speaking of, the Dees have shortened into $2.63 flag favourites with Palmerbet on the back of the win.
"it's pretty unreal what those guys are doing."
Ben Brown has high praise for the small forward brigade at Melbourne, in particular Bayley Fritsch#9AFLSFS | Watch @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/eth8nbp8X1
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 29, 2021
Weightman magic
Another four-goal hero led the Dogs to elimination final victory in the wet on Sunday. Youngster Cody Weightman, a $12 chance to kick 4+ with Palmerbet, did exactly that against the Bombers. A clash in which huge pressure was heaped on the Dogs after a disastrous finish to the home-and-away season saw them miss out on a (seemingly secured) Top 4 spot, Luke Beveridge’s men delivered. They now face the defeated Lions in a semi-final this weekend.
Enter stage left, Cody Weightman 🐶
Bulldog small forward kicked four goals to help his side advance to week two of the #AFLFinals | #FootyOhWhatAFeeling pic.twitter.com/HhcPsHlEfD
— AFL (@AFL) August 29, 2021
For Essendon, who started as $2.47 outsiders, the result was disappointing without being disastrous. The 2021 AFL season has seen them exceed all expectations and develop a young core which will serve them well for the next five years. However there’s no getting away from the fact their finals drought will continue for at least another 365 days…
6,203 #MightyBombers #GoDons
— Days Since Essendon Have Won A Final (@FinalsEssendon) August 29, 2021
