Gamble that stopped juggernaut… and could rock Swans; key to unlikely flag push: Blowtorch

We’re down to the final four, but there remains a plethora of storylines across the landscape ahead of preliminary final weekend.

There are always selection struggles in September, with some clubs finding it harder than others this week – while a bunch of secret weapons could further ignite the flag tilt of two sides.

Each of the four playing clubs’ burning question ahead of the Preliminary Finals, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch!

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SYDNEY SWANS vs. PORT ADELAIDE

Friday September 20, 7:40pm at the SCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:50pm on Channel 504 with Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Dermott Brereton & Jon Ralph

Swans’ burning question: Who comes in for Callum Mills?

It’s the main question dominating the agenda in Sydney this week as the Swans prepare to host Port Adelaide in Friday night’s preliminary final. After succumbing to a hamstring strain, skipper Mills is now racing against the clock to play on Grand Final day if the Swans progress — despite the typical three-week recovery time of hamstring injuries. It reminds of a similar situation at the end of 2022, when Geelong’s Brandan Parfitt was the late beneficiary — and eventual premiership player — after Max Holmes’ hamstring gave up on him prior to the big dance. Now, Sydney coach John Longmire and his selection committee have a key decision to make ahead of Thursday, and the options appear to have narrowed to two — Taylor Adams and Robbie Fox. Adams, who played 19 home-and-away games in his maiden Sydney season, will be desperate to avenge last year’s heartbreak when he, too, fell victim to a dastardly hammy injury to miss Collingwood’s ‘23 flag. The 30-year-old requested a trade from the Pies to the Swans last off-season in hopes of being a mainstay in Longmire’s side, but he — along with Fox — was axed on the eve of the club’s qualifying final against GWS. And while the flexible Fox seems better-suited as a replacement on paper, the door to redemption is tantalisingly ajar for hard-nosed ball-winner Adams, who arguably has more to prove in the twilight of his career. However, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph believes Fox is in the box seat, and Collingwood icon Nathan Buckley called the 31-year-old utility the more ‘adaptable’ player. “(Longmire) says he’s considering a like-for-like with Mills out … I just think it means that Robbie Fox is much more likely than maybe Taylor Adams — more heartbreak for Taylor — it’s a tough call,” Ralph told On the Couch. Buckley added: “I think Fox is probably the closest like-for-like unless you want to move (Justin) McInerney or (Ollie) Florent back, and I think they’ve made their call that they want them either on the wing or forward — so Fox would be the most likely and most adaptable player, I would have thought.” After again acting as a key contributor to a flag-calibre side, Adams could well be slated for back-to-back heartbreak.

Power’s burning question: Is youthful defence the reason for their lift in performance?

Despite defensive structure concerns lingering over Port Adelaide for most of the home-and-away season, its considerable improvement in the back half of the ground can be drawn back to its injection of youth. Logan Evans (18 years of age), Jase Burgoyne (21), Josh Sinn (21), Miles Bergman (22) and Lachie Jones (22) culminated in one of the most inexperienced backlines the Power have trotted out in recent times — let alone in a cut-throat final — and they delivered last Friday against Hawthorn in a time of desperate need for the coach and club. “This is why you win close games of football,” Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday. “I thought the young defenders were absolutely magnificent. Burgoyne went back in (an) unfamiliar role, and then just some of the defensive actions there (from multiple players).” Port Adelaide held Hawthorn to its second-lowest score since Round 9, disallowing controlled possession. Since Round 19, Port has allowed just 70.3 points per game, ranking third-best in the league during that period. It allowed the Hawks just 42 inside-50s in last week’s semi-final — their second-lowest total for the entire year. “I just loved the way they went about it — the personnel were young, they were inexperienced, they’d had their heads kicked in that first week,” Melbourne icon Garry Lyon said. Brown added: “A bit of belief from Ken Hinkley, and the show of faith to his young defenders.” The Power restricted Hawthorn’s highly-touted uncontested marking game, allowing the Hawks just 60 last Friday night after they racked up 102 against the Western Bulldogs the week previous. Sydney is another that feeds off controlling possession — ranking sixth in the competition this year for marks per game — thus a similar challenge presents at the SCG on Friday, but if this vibrant Port defensive unit showed anything, it demonstrated its aptitude under the bright lights against a formidable offensive opponent.

GEELONG CATS vs. BRISBANE LIONS

Cats’ burning question: Is ‘mosquito fleet’ key to an unlikely flag?

Saturday September 21, 5:15pm at the MCG

How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:50pm on Channel 504 with

After finishing 12th last season, an improbable premiership run continues on Saturday against the Brisbane Lions — and it has been powered by its fleet of damaging small forwards. In Geelong’s qualifying final against Port Adelaide, the diminutive contingent comprising Shaun Mannagh, Brad Close, Gryan Miers and Tyson Stengle. Mannagh was in particular outstanding against the Power — not only was he the number-one-rated player on the ground according to Champion Data, but he was the first player since 2022 Norm Smith Medallist Isaac Smith to record 20+ disposals, 500+ metres gained, 3+ goals and 12+ score involvements in a final. Meanwhile, Close had 11 score involvements, Miers had 21 disposals and three goals, and Stengle kicked a game-high four goals. While talk has centred on whether or not retiring forward Tom Hawkins will return for the preliminary final, it’s Geelong’s mosquito fleet that is currently doing the damage, and it might turn out the catalyst for the club’s second premiership in three seasons. Chris Scott has confirmed that Hawkins won’t play this weekend against the Lions, leaving Shannon Neale with another chance to hold down his spot in the side before another grand final. As we’ve seen many a time – but most recently Hawthorn this year – small ball in finals is king, which could well leave the Cats mosquito fleet as Chris Scott’s golden goose this September.

Lions’ burning question: Is player-coach ‘trust’ what has bound them amid flag run?

Chris Fagan’s tenure at the Lions has been about as successful as you could hope for, without claiming the holy grail that is a premiership cup. But what is it that has given the Lions such stability across a time period stretching half a dozen years? “Everyone talks about method and tactics and how important they are, but also belief and trust, and Chris Fagan, I think, has done it the best out of anyone in the competition,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy earlier this week.

“That’s his one-wood, and it goes all the way back— it was quite ironic I think — this win on Saturday night was built on the back of trust that he gave to his group after the bad Round 7 loss against GWS in Canberra.”

Fagan – who is widely regarded for his strong relationship with players – has previously touched on the nature of his trust and closeness with those at the club.

“I’m a coach who trusts my players. I’ve done that since the day I arrived; I think that can take you far. And the times to trust them sometimes are the times when they’re not going all that well — that’s probably the time to do it,” he said.

Having kept a strong core of players at Brisbane under Fagan, this Saturday evening’s final looms as – quite possibly – their last crack at a first premiership since 2003. Geelong’s camaraderie has been hard to match by many teams in the last 15 years, but the Lions will go a long way in challenging Chris Scott’s side.