Week one of the final series set a standard the AFL hopes will carry through to grand final night.
The four matches were decided by a combined 35 points but it was the style of play which pleased fans the most.
Nothing separated the elimination finalists - St Kilda held on for a thrilling three-point win against Western Bulldogs and Collingwood stunned West Coast, winning a one-point classic on the Eagles' home deck in Perth.
Port Adelaide and Brisbane put their home crowd advantages to good use against Geelong and Richmond respectively in the qualifying finals.
Can the Cats and Tigers make the most of their double chances or will momentum help carry the Saints and Magpies through to the preliminary final stage?
St Kilda knows it goes in as underdog against Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
Its inspiring win against the Dogs came at a cost.
Influential ruckman Paddy Ryder tore a hamstring tendon in the dying stages of the game and finished on the bench in tears.
Key defender Jake Carlisle left the Saints' Queensland hub to be with his pregnant wife and half-back flanker Ben Long was suspended.
The Saints will come up against a fired up Richmond; the reigning premier hoping to regain key forward Tom Lynch from injury.
The Saints' preparation entering a cut-throat semi-final has been less than ideal.
But, given the impact Brett Ratten has had in his first season as coach, they will carry an inner belief into the match.
Don Marshall, whose son Rowan will carry the ruck duties in Ryder's absence, said St Kilda was embracing the challenge.
"We spoke to Rowan before the game on Saturday and (my wife) Jan said 'I bet you're a bit nervous about the big game'," Don said.
"He said 'we're not really nervous, we're just excited' and I thought that was a good thing because you can waste a lot of energy being nervous."
Can the Saints maintain that momentum?
This week's edition of Best On Ground was written by Warrnambool Standard journalist Justine McCullagh-Beasy
THE FOOTY NEWS YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS:
- JUSTINE McCULLAGH-BEASY: Marshalls hope Saints moove forward in final series
- TIM AULD: 'This season has been like no other', says Kenny from Camperdown
- JUSTINE McCULLAGH-BEASY: AFLW dream comes true for new Saint
- LUKE WEST: Part one: Eagle's time a the top
- LUKE WEST: Heartbreak to flag in 12 months
- HOWARD KOTTON: Saints' big man delivers a masterclass, but then misery
- NICK ANSELL: Belief coursing through Hugh and the Lions
- ROHAN CONNOLLY: Numbers tell the story of pre-finals bye
- NICK ANSELL: Player exodus to hurt Bombers but how much?
- OLIVER CAFFREY: Daniher wants a Bombers review
SEMI-FINALS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
- Richmond v St Kilda, Metricon Stadium, 7.50pm
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
- Geelong v Collingwood, Gabba, 7.40pm
PRELIMINARY FINALS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
- Port Adelaide v Richmond/St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 7.50pm
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
- Brisbane v Geelong/Collingwood, Gabba, 7.40pm
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
