Sporting shorts no 25

Well we've almost got there - the AFL 'home and away' season finished today - the NRL have one more round next weekend while the AFL use next weekend for their pre-finals bye and has the weekend off.

Onto the football

AFL

• Haven't really be surprised by much this weekend. Yes, I certainly wanted to see the Swans win this weekend, but now they're hosting the Giants in Sydney for a final. I can't help but wonder if playing every week might suit the Swans. That said, I don't think we're good enough to do much damage in the finals. 
• Have to take my hat off to Alistair Clarkson and the work he has done with Hawthorn to get them into top four - and a serious challenger for the title. 
• The first week of the finals sees some mouthwatering matchups - Richmond v Hawthorn; Collingwood v West Coast, Sydney v Giants and Melbourne v Geelong. I'm expecting Richmond, Collingwood, Sydney and Geelong to win. 

NRL

• The Warriors make the final for the first time in seven years. A win next weekend with some fortunate results and they will host a game otherwise they play in Sydney. To be honest I can see them doing much damage in a final, but I that sport is full of surprises
• Was a little stunned to see the Bulldogs big win over the Dragons, and with the Rabbits and Roosters both losing, Melbourne are now in the drivers seat for the minor premiership plate. 
• There's a lot of movement still possible within the eight before we have our finals match-ups
• I agree with Craig Bellamy that more needs to be done to reward clubs who develop and nurture their young players - salary cap concessions seems like a great way to do this. 

Rugby

• Great win by Argentina this morning. Both the BlackFerns and All Blacks had good solid wins against Australia. Barrett really showed his class with a four try performance. There's a week off next weekend before the next tests.
• Hoping that we now see the Women's World Cup awarded to New Zealand and another sell-out final played at Eden Park - but we'll see. 

General

• I'm really looking forward to the final series - and some great football, where I'm not overly invested in the results. I'm looking forward to seeing the Women's Rugby League competition start too. It will be well worth following.