Finals Week 1 began Saturday with a bang, and the action took no time to produce a twist. Sydney forward Tom Papley kicked five goals against Brisbane with a dominant one-man performance, taking control early. The injured Swans captain looked on from the sidelines as his team charged. Brisbane lost in a stunning upset, and eight premiership players failed to fire.
Adelaide opens its finals campaign on a confident note, with coach Matthew Nicks entering his September test. Assistant Burns said the team is primed for finals football. The Crows are no longer hiding last September's disappointment, yet those memories remain a theme ahead of their finals fixture.