Luke Shuey has ice in his veins
At the end of extra time, the ball was in the hands of West Coast Eagle Luke Shuey, and it was up to him to help his side avoid elimination.
As calmly as you could, Shuey went back and slotted the match-winner, which saw Port Adelaide bundled out of the finals, despite leading by 13 points midway through the first extra time period.
ICYMI #AFLPowerEagles #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/beqc36FnPx
— AFL (@AFL) September 9, 2017
Saw what you want about the incident leading to Shuey's match-winner (for what it's worth, we think it's there), there's no doubting the nerve of the midfielder, who was able to block out 45,000 screaming Power fans, 10 players on the mark, and the general importance of the kick to win the match for his side.
Brilliant effort, Luke.
The bye didn't halt Sydney's momentum
With the Swans storming into the finals on the back of 14 wins from their final 16 games (their only two losses coming to Hawthorn), the pre-finals bye worried some, given it could halt their strong run of form.
Essendon were given more than a fighting chance against Sydney by a lot of experts, with some even predicting a massive upset.
Despite conceding the first goal to the Bombers, the Swans kicked the next 10 goals and led the visitors by 61 points at half time, with the match as good as over by the main break.
They'll have to travel to the MCG on Friday night to face Geelong, but given their recent form against the Cats, it's a match-up they could relish.
Richmond's game plan does stand up for finals
Three finals losses in three years combined with the fact the Tigers had not won a single final since 2001, and there was certainly pressure on Richmond to perform on Friday night.
And luckily for them (and their success-starved fans), they did just that against the Cats.
The main reason for Richmond's win was their maniac pressure, something they had been synonymous will all year long, and an important part of their game plan that stood up during finals.
It's a high-intensity game plan that is made for September football, and given the Tigers handled Geelong in the way they did on Friday, they'd be confident they could do the same to their preliminary final opponents next Saturday afternoon.
The Crouch brothers are the league's best family
They are only young, but the Crouch's are already the league's best brothers.
Brad, 23, and Matt, 22, were both instrumental against the Giants on Thursday night, as the pair combined for 56 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 15 tackles, 15 inside 50s and one goal.
After a season in which they collected the most disposals as a pair, they've comfortably moved past the Selwood's, McGovern's and Jones' and have become the league's best brothers.
Not only are they the best, but their importance to the Crows is crucial. If both of them are firing - which is generally the case - they normally lead their side to a won.
Football can be a cruel game
Sport can be so cruel sometimes.
With six sides still in the running for a premiership, this season could be some players' best chance at a flag, although it looks likely that three important players from three different sides won't be given that opportunity to play on the biggest stage.
Adelaide defender Brodie Smith (ACL) and GWS forward Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) have both been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Geelong midfielder Cameron Guthrie will miss his side's semi-final against Sydney this weekend with a calf problem, and is no certainty to return during the finals if the Cats progress.
While September is the biggest month on the footy calendar, spare a thought for those who have their premiership hopes cruelly taken from them.
