IF
 
THEN
 
Adelaide
 
someone said to you after last year¹s prelim final that in 2014 the Crows would miss and Port Adelaide would make the final eight… you would have locked him or her up.
Brisbane Lions
 
as is now expected, Brisbane has decided to retain Michael Voss as coach …… make it public.
Carlton
 
there haven't been questions asked about Nick Duigan from rival clubs …… there will be. 38 games in 2011-12, one in 2013.
Collingwood
 
Nathan Buckley had his time over again ...… would he have introduced the Leading Teams way of life? Hmmm
Essendon
 
Essendon continues to plead with media to cease making sweeping public comment on the drugs investigation …… add hypocrisy to the words to describe the Bombers. The club captain and the president feel it's OK to do so.
Fremantle
 
Pav and Sandi are, indeed, able to return to 80 per cent capacity by September …… everyone else, look out!!
Geelong
 
the Cats really want to wheel and deal in the trade period …… they have options. They've got a heap of quality and emerging big men, including a ruckman who hasn't played a game this year.
Gold Coast
 
there was more of the type of exchange between media and Guy McKenna post-match last weekend… we're all the better for it. Well done to both parties, both stood their ground.
GWS

 
the Giants didn't have the first pick in the draft and the potential to lure Buddy ...
... we wouldn't be talking about them at all.
Hawthorn
 
the Hawks lose again to the Cats …… all is not lost. Just makes the Cats more nervous in a big final.
Melbourne
 
Jack Watts' good form of the past two matches is because Neil Craig is coach and not Mark Neeld …… make sure you ask as many questions of Watts as you do of Neeld. Works both ways.
North MelbourneLindsay Thomas hasn't committed the dumbest act on a footy field this year …Jarrad Waite has. Real tough guy stuff, the headbutt.
Port Adelaide
 
Chad Wingard's re-signing isn't one of the most important of the season …… it's right up there. The kid can seriously, seriously play.
Richmond
 
Aaron Edwards can retain his form …
 
… he'll be a valuable asset to the Tigers in the finals this year. Still reckon he took the best mark EVER in the '07 semi-final.
St Kilda
 
Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes aren't, in those moments when one's head hits the pillow and the mind gets all reflective, lamenting what could have been ...… one would think they will be soon.
Sydney Swans
 
Kurt Tippett can continue to play as well as he did last week …… we're going to have to admit  we were wrong. Kurt 1, Sliding Doors 0.
West Coast
 
there's a more disappointing side this season than the Eagles …… it is the Giants.
Western Bulldogsthere is a game which simply has to be won by a club this year …… it is the Bulldogs over the Giants. You've managed to escape the heat all year, Doggies. No escaping it this week.

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Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian