Win or go home.
It's as simple as that from now on as we have a pair of intriguing match-ups this weekend. Geelong and Sydney have been perennial contenders for over a decade now, however, only one can advance this weekend. The two sides come into the game in contrasting form and the Swans will head to the MCG as clear favourites.
Meanwhile on Saturday, the pre-season premiership favourites in GWS, will take on a side who many believe barely deserved to squeeze their way into the top eight.
The injury-riddled Giants will start as favourites but the Eagles will fancy their chances to advance to a preliminary final after overcoming the odds last Saturday night.
Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans
Chris Scott made a bold call last week by dropping Daniel Menzel and inevitably it was a call that backfired spectacularly. He is a near certainty to return this week with Cameron Guthrie unavailable after a suffering a calf strain last Friday night.
Zach Guthrie's spot in the side is in danger after a poor qualifying final while Jackson Thurlow could be a chance to be recalled into the side. The Cats will require some added midfield depth to combat the strong-bodied Sydney on-ballers and that's something that Thurlow can provide.
From a structural point of view, Sydney's tall forward line could force Scott to send Harry Taylor back into defence, prompting the thought of including Wylie Buzza into the side for reinforcements up forward.
Lance Franklin's four-goal haul last week impressed the football world after he suffered a corked thigh in the first quarter. He played out the game with some heavy strapping and the Swans have said he is a certain starter come Friday night.
“We have training on Wednesday and he’ll train, and play on Friday night,” Swans football manager Tom Harley said.
“Lance has recovered really well."
Young defender Lewis Melican could be in the mix to return for the clash against the Cats after being a late out in the Swans' win over Essendon. Melican was withdrawn before the game with a tight squad, however, Coach John Longmire said that “Melican has pulled up well and will also train, we will make a call after training.”
Greater Western Sydney Giants v West Coast Eagles
The Giants face a number of selection headaches on Saturday night with several key stars suffering injuries in last week's loss in Adelaide. Shane Mumford and Jeremy Cameron's seasons are over with Mumford suffering a fractured foot while Cameron's hamstring will also keep him out of the remainder of their finals campaign.
Stephen Coniglio suffered a knee injury in the match but coach Leon Cameron expects the midfielder to take his place in the side.
Steve Johnson, who was dropped for last week's clash, could be in line for a reprieve after performing well in the reserves' scratch match last Saturday, while veteran Ryan Griffen made a successful return from an ankle injury and could be a finals bolter.
Dawson Simpson is expected to take Mumford's place in the side after a strong showing in the reserves and rookies Tim Taranto and Harry Perryman, both of whom were emergencies last weekend, are also a chance to come into the side.
The make-up of Leon Cameron's forward line is yet to be decided and it is something that could go a long way to deciding the outcome of the match.
The Eagles will head east full of confidence after beating the Power in dramatic fashion last weekend and suffered no noticeable injuries from the game.
However, the name on everyone's lips is Nic Naitanui.
Last week, coach Adam Simpson categorically said no early in the week to the star ruckman taking the field against Port Adelaide, however, this week he remains more coy on his chances.
Naitanui hasn't played all season after tearing his ACL in 2016 and it would be a massive risk to take him into the game. His match-winning ability would tempt Simpson into playing him though.
Recovery is the name of the game this week at the Eagles and it appears likely they will run out with the same 22 as last weekend.
