I don’t know about you, but this post-Round 23 bye has made me feel like I’ve been in a footy coma for two weeks…and I’ve just woken up. Love the break or loathe it, the ball bounces again on Thursday night. Let’s take a look at the four big games for Week 1 of the 2016 AFL Finals Series.

West Coast Eagles vs. Western Bulldogs

Domain Stadium – Thursday 8:10PM

No safety net with this one. The loser is out, and being that it’s played on the Eagles’ home turf, it’s no surprise that the flat-track-bullies are short-priced favourites to win. The Bulldogs have been hit with so many long-term injuries, it’s a miracle they’ve come this far. Jake Stringer has flown to Perth with the rest of the team, so his timeout is over and Bevo will be putting the hard word on him to stand up and kick a bag for the team. Even if Stringer fires up forward, the Eagles have too many weapons, across all areas of the ground, to be troubled by the bashed and bruised Bulldogs. West Coast – 25+

Geelong vs. Hawthorn

MCG – Friday 7:50PM

This one should be an epic arm wrestle.  It’s the only final played in Melbourne. Should be a packed house! The current weather forecast for Friday looks very dodgy; cold, windy and wet. It’ll take more than a bit of rain to keep a footy-starved public away from this epic battle though. So many people have written the Hawks off already, but if any team knows how to play (and win) finals, it’s Hawthorn. Geelong has been inconsistent all year. They seem to have hit their sweet spot recently, but they’re still a relatively new outfit, and when it comes to the finals, a well-oiled machine and team cohesion is what’s needed.  The Hawks have a few youngsters on board, but they seem to be able to slot them in without so much as a hiccup. Put simply, the Hawks could run the ball from end to end of the MCG with their eyes closed. They’ll win. Hawthorn – 1-39.

Sydney vs. GWS Giants

ANZ Stadium – Saturday 3:20PM

The two NSW teams go at it, and the Giants make club history by playing their first ever final. Let’s not forget that GWS have already had a massive win over their big brother this season. Don’t think that won’t be brought up going in to this game. The venue, ANZ Stadium may be the only negative for Sydney. It’s a ground that will favour the playing style of the Giants. The Swans are firm favourites, and they’re the far more experienced side, but never, ever underestimate the power of youth and enthusiasm…oh, and Stevie J! Sydney – 1-39

Adelaide vs. North Melbourne

Adelaide Oval – Saturday 7:40PM

The home team are short-priced favourites to beat the Roos’ and knock them out in week one. The Roos’ have struggled in the second half of the season. They were lucky to hang on to eighth spot. Their pre-Round 23 announcement that four veterans weren’t being offered contracts for 2017 was downright bizarre and the best attempt at self-sabotage that I’ve ever seen from a professional sports team. A final at Adelaide Oval, with that crowd, well, safe to say, it would have teams better than North Melbourne shaking in their boots. For the Crows, Rory Sloane is back from a week’s suspension and Brodie Smith will more than likely return following a head clash with Aaron Young. Say goodbye, North! Adelaide – 25+

Best Bets

First of all, did you get on Callum Mills (Sydney) for The Rising Star when he was 18-1? We predicted him to be the winner, and he got it! Hope you got on at those big odds because he was as short as $1.15 going in to the count on Tuesday afternoon.

Week 1 – Finals Multi-Bet – West Coast over 15.5/Geelong vs. Hawthorn, either under 39.5/Sydney H2H/Adelaide over 15.5 – $3.17

Lowest Scoring Team – Western Bulldogs – $3

Lowest Scoring Match – Geelong vs. Hawthorn – $2.15

Closest Margin of the Week – Geelong vs. Hawthorn – $2.25

*Sportsbet odds quoted on September 7th @ 9:30AM (EST).