THREE of this week's finals are set to be played in cold and damp weather, with only the Sydney-Essendon clash likely to enjoy fine conditions.
Week-one finalists in both Melbourne and Adelaide can expect to be met with overcast weather, with showers predicted to hit.
The 2017 final series kicks off on Thursday night with Adelaide hosting Greater Western Sydney, and there is a chance that a shower or two may impact the game.
Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, Thursday, 7.20pm ACST
Thursday night's clash between Adelaide and GWS is likely to see cloudy and cold conditions, with the minimum temperature expected to reach 9C. There is a medium chance of rain, so it is possible that a few showers may hit, but they are unlikely to have significant impact. Light winds are predicted.
Who it might help: Adelaide's midfield
Adelaide is the No.1 ranked team in the AFL for contested ball, and even without Rory Sloane a tough battle in the trenches suits Don Pyke's team. Stephen Coniglio is likely to sit on Matt Crouch, who will still rack up possessions, but the Crows will become reliant on Brad Crouch, Hugh Greenwood and Richard Douglas to step up in this area. If they can, and the Crows are able to limit their midfield opponents from getting the ball out into open space, Adelaide will be tough to beat.
Geelong v Richmond, MCG, Friday, 7.50pm AEST
There is a very high chance of showers throughout the day, but skies are expected to clear just in time for this Friday night's blockbuster at the 'G. Despite rain clearing, conditions will still be wintry and overcast. It will also be quite cold, with the lowest temperature predicted to be 7C.
Who it might help: Richmond's small forward line. With just one ruckman, Toby Nankervis, and one primary tall forward target, Jack Riewoldt, the wet conditions are likely to benefit the Tigers' unconventional small forward setup of Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler, Jason Castagna and Jacob Townsend. If Geelong's backline has had one weakness over the past couple of years, it has been defending against small forwards.
Sydney v Essendon, SCG, Saturday, 4.20pm AEST
Saturday afternoon's game between the Swans and Bombers is set to have the best conditions of the four finals this weekend. The forecast is for a mostly sunny afternoon with winds decreasing as the day goes on. The clash is expected to play out under clear skies, and being an afternoon game, temperatures will be slightly warmer than the other finals. A high of 20C is expected.
Who it might help: Essendon. The Bombers are a quick team which likes to move the ball with precision and pace. When Sydney is able to organise its defence, opposition teams generally find it difficult to score. But the Swans have been susceptible when teams have been able to break the lines and shift their defenders out of position, and the Bombers will try to exploit that.
Port Adelaide v West Coast, Adelaide Oval, Saturday, 7.20pm ACST
Rain is expected to clear over the weekend in Adelaide just in time for Saturday night's clash between Port Adelaide and West Coast. The forecast is for a cloudy evening but very minimal chance of rain. Similar to Thursday, it will be quite cold, with a low of 7C predicted overnight.
Who it might help: Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray and co. West Coast's game-style depends on its defenders' ability to intercept the footy across half-back, with Jeremy McGovern and Elliot Yeo both brilliant at chopping off kicks going inside forward 50. If the Power's inside midfielders can get on top in the middle and deliver 'clean' footy to their forwards and bypass the Eagles' interceptors it will go a long way to them winning the game.
