2005 AFL finals series

The Australian Football League's 2005 Finals Series began on the weekend of 2 September 2005 and ended with the 109th AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 September 2005, won by the Sydney Swans.

Eight teams qualified for the finals by finishing in the top eight of the premiership ladder.After a home-and-away season that saw a myriad of triumphs and collapses (plus a number of near misses by the likes of Fremantle, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane, all of which were a mere stone's throw from making the finals), the matchups for the first round were only set after all matches of the final round had been played.

Final ladder

ummary of Results

AFL finals system
QF1-details=Sep 3, AAMI Stadium
QF1-team1=AFL Ade
QF1-score1=8.9 (57)
QF1-team2=AFL StK
QF1-score2=10.5 (65)
EF1-details=Sep 4, Telstra Dome
EF1-team1=AFL Kan
EF1-score1=11.11 (77)
EF1-team2=AFL PA
EF1-score2=26.8 (164)
QF2-details=Sep 2, Subiaco Oval
QF2-team1=AFL WC
QF2-score1=10.9 (69)
QF2-team2=AFL Syd
QF2-score2=10.5 (65)
EF2-details=Sep 3, MCG
EF2-team1=AFL Gee
EF2-score1=18.6 (116)
EF2-team2=AFL Mel
EF2-score2=9.7 (61)
SF1-details=Sep 10, AAMI Stadium
SF1-team1=AFL Ade
SF1-score1=18.15 (123)
SF1-team2=AFL PA
SF1-score2=5.10 (40)
SF2-details=Sep 9, SCG
SF2-team1=AFL Syd
SF2-score1=7.14 (56)
SF2-team2=AFL Gee
SF2-score2=7.11 (53)
PF1-details=Sep 16, MCG
PF1-team1=AFL Syd
PF1-score1=15.6 (96)
PF1-team2=AFL StK
PF1-score2=9.11 (65)
PF2-details=Sep 17, Subiaco Oval
PF2-team1=AFL WC
PF2-score1=14.9 (93)
PF2-team2=AFL Ade
PF2-score2=11.11 (77)
GF-details=Sep 24, MCG
GF-team1=AFL WC
GF-score1=7.12 (54)
GF-team2=AFL Syd
GF-score2=8.10 (58)

The finals system

The system is a final eight system. This system is different to the McIntyre Final Eight System, which was previously used by the AFL, and is currently used by the National Rugby League.

The top four teams in the eight receive what is popularly known as the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals; this means that if a top-four team loses in the first week, it still has a chance to redeem itself by getting a chance to play in a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight are forced to play what are called elimination finals, in which only the winners survive and move on to week two to play the losers of the qualifying finals.

In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week, while the losers of those qualifying finals must play the winners of the elimination finals for a chance to play the qualifying finals winners. Home-ground advantage goes to the team with the higher seed.

In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week, with the latter receiving home-ground advantage. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, where the new premier will be crowned.

Favourites for the 2005 Grand Final were: Adelaide, St Kilda, Sydney and West Coast.

[http://afl.com.au/?pg=final8explained&spg=default AFL Finals System Explained (AFL.com.au)]

Week One

First Qualifying Final (1 vs 4)

corecard

econd Qualifying Final (2 vs 3)

corecard

Sydney entered the game as the in form team of the competition. West Coast topped the ladder most of the season, and were only denied the minor premiership on percentage. The Eagles led the game most of the first half, but the Swans appeared to be marching onward to victory by taking control of the third quarter. In a foreshadowing of things to come, West Coast responded by taking control of the fourth quarter. Two controversial fourth quarter umpiring decisions against Sydney hurt their cause. Even more damaging were two late marks in defense by Eagle Dean Cox snubbing Swan attempts to kick a game winner.

First Elimination Final (5 vs 8)

corecard

Second Elimination Final (6 vs 7)

corecard

Week Two

First Semi Final

Scorecard

Second Semi Final

Scorecard

A thrilling victory for Sydney, and a heartbreaking loss for Geelong. The game seemed decided, with Geelong clearly in the driver's seat. In the final quarter Nick Davis kicked all four Sydney goals, including the game winner with less than ten seconds remaining. Cats supporters were left to spend a summer wondering what might have been, while Swans fans were thinking the "Miracle Kick of St. Nick" had branded them a team of destiny (which is what Mr. Calc said at the start of the season). The reaction of commentator Anthony Hudson (a Geelong supporter) is now famous in its own right: "Nick Davis, NICK DAVIS! I see it; but I don't believe it!" [ [http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=454779&page=2 BigFooty website forum] ]

Week Three

First Preliminary Final

Scorecard

Sydney opened the game strongly, but once St. Kilda righted their effort they took the lead and steadily built upon it. With the Saints on the verge of putting the game out of reach they were unable to match Sydney's endurance. In the final quarter the Swans blew the game out of reach by kicking seven un-answered goals.

Second Preliminary Final

Scorecard

Grand Final

References

External links

*
* [http://www.afl.com.au AFL official website]
* [http://sport.yahoo.com.au Yahoo! Sport Australia/New Zealand (news)]
* [http://realfooty.theage.com.au RealFooty by The Age (Melbourne) Online]
* [http://www.sportsaustralia.com SportsAustralia (news and views)]