A WEEKEND of cutthroat semi-finals will kick off with a huge clash between Hawthorn and the resurgent Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night.
The other knockout final will be contested by the Sydney Swans and Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday night.
With just six teams remaining in the premiership race, the winner of the Hawks-Bulldogs encounter will face Greater Western Sydney in a preliminary final at Spotless Stadium in Sydney, while either the Swans or the Crows will meet Geelong in the other preliminary final at the MCG.
The Dogs have so far been the September surprise after producing an astonishing 47-point obliteration of West Coast in their elimination final at Domain Stadium on Thursday night.
History favours Hawthorn, which has won its past eight games against the Bulldogs by an average of 50 points, and has also triumphed in their four finals encounters by an average of 49 points.
However, the Bulldogs got within three points of the Hawks in a round three classic at Etihad Stadium after leading by 19 points at three-quarter-time.
It will be the Dogs' first Friday night game at the MCG since round 14, 2010, when Hawthorn beat them by three points.
Week two finals fixture (all times local)
Friday September 16, MCG, 7.50pm
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (second semi final)
Saturday September 17, SCG, 7.25pm
Sydney Swans v Adelaide (first semi final)
Week three finals fixture (all times local)
Friday, September 23, MCG, 7.50pm
Geelong v winner of first semi final
Saturday, September 24, Spotless Stadium, time TBC
Greater Western Sydney v winner of second semi final
