. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching st

What a breathtaking weekend weve all just witnessed. The week off proved costly for both Geelong and GWS as Sydney and the Western Bulldogs booked their spot in the Grand Final.Sydney flew out of the blocks against the Cats and after quarter time the game was effectively over.The second preliminary final was the polar opposite. The Giants and Dogs were locked in a heavyweight fight from the very first bounce.Sydney will be looking for their second premiership in five seasons whilst the Bulldogs will be hoping to claim their first in more than 50 years.Its the time of year weve all been waiting for and come Saturday, well have one team left standing atop the rest.HeroesClay Smith (WB)After a horror run with knee injuries, Smith could now be the X-Factor that delivers the Bulldogs their drought-breaking premiership. He was instrumental in the preliminary final with 26 disposals and four goals to fire the Dogs home for their second and most important away win this finals series.Smith dedicated his stellar performance?to a close friend who had died in the week leading up to the final. The entire Bulldogs outfit have proved theyre made of the right stuff as theyve defied all odds on their journey this season.They will be looking to ride this emotional high for 4 more quarters, coupled with the majority of neutral support in their corner, it could elevate Luke Beveridge and his men into footy folklore..Jobe WatsonIt was wonderful to see the smiling Essendon champion in such a good space announcing his return to the game.Whether the Brownlow medal remains his to keep or not, the coveted award doesnt define Watson. Having had to endure the last 4 years as the face of a playing group under fire from the supplements scandal, Watson deserves some joy in this game we all love.Sporting a cap branding Feminist in support of workplace equality, Watson gave Essendon supporters their final piece of the puzzle and the club now goes in with confidence to the 2017 season.Sydneys electric small forwardsTom Papley, Ben McGlynn and Gary Rohan provided the spark and applied incredible amounts of pressure inside forward 50 against the Cats.Much of the talk in the lead up to the AFL Grand Final will centre around Buddy Franklin and what he can do on the big stage, in what will be his fifth Grand final appearance, but the efforts of these three may just define the result.Papley has been an inspired rookie elevation, having proven he is capable of kicking important goals or laying a team lifting tackle in the big moments.McGlynn has returned to his best after an indifferent season while Rohan was influential in the prelim just 6 days after being carted off the SCG on a stretcher.VillainsCats PassengersThe midfield maestros in Patrick Dangerfield (39 disposals), Joel Selwood (39 disposals) and Jimmy Bartel (26 disposals, 1 goal) were all terrific and led from the front but in big games you need your 22 all contributing and playing their role.Unfortunately for Geelong, Friday nights clash against Sydney highlighted a lack of midfield depth and a reliance on the stars to drag them across the line.The Cats were outhunted and outmuscled by the Swans from the opening bounce as they slammed on 7 goals in the first term that took the game away from their opponents.It was a big return to finals football this season for Geelong, however, with too much left to too few the Cats need to find a more even spread and that may start by making some tough list-management decisions in the coming off season.Jeremy CameronAfter running the Swans ragged in the semifinal, Jeremy Cameron was expected to make a big impact against the Dogs. Fletcher Roberts had his measure all night and held Cameron to just 5 disposals and no marks inside 50.Cameron failed to kick a major or make any impact in the clash at Spotless stadium that ended the Giants golden opportunity to make the big one in just their 5th year.Jonathan Patton (4 goals) and Rory Lobb (3 goals) took further steps forward and provided the Giants with a target, but Cameron needs to find a way to get involved whether thats through pressure at ground level or a better contest in the air.Statistical AnomalyWhen a side has 32 more inside 50s than their opponent, it would normally translate to scoreboard pressure and a winning result.But for Geelong the inefficiency of those entries played a major part in Sydney advancing to the Grand Final.The Cats were forced into rushed shots on goal and failed to have any meaningful, deep entries.Dane Rampe and Heath Grundy defended brilliantly and set in motion the Swans rebound out of the back half through players such as Zac Jones, thanks to their intercepts and spoils. T.J. Hockenson Lions Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Custom Detroit Lions Jerseys . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com/Youth-Jarrad-Davis-Elite-Jersey/ . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Kerryon Johnson Lions Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Kenny Golladay Youth Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. South Sydney are set to field a new-look side in 2017 NRL season, but Burgess brothers Sam, George and Tom will all continue to be a part of it.Premiership winning five-eighth Luke Keary has committed to Sydney Roosters for next season and it appears increasingly likely Robbie Farah will be signed from West Tigers, casting doubt on the futures of hookers Cameron MMcInnes and Damien Cook.ddddddddddddSpeculation has been rife that Tom Burgess could leave Redfern at seasons end, parting him from Sam and George.However George said on Wednesday all three would continue to wear Souths colours in 2017. ' ' '