Chad Wingard

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting from Adelaide Oval for AFANA

On a warm, blustery Adelaide Sunday afternoon, footy fans descended on Adelaide Oval hoping to witness a tantalising contest. The visitors, Richmond, were on a roll, having won nine games in a row to somehow steal a spot in the Final Eight. An incredible number of Richmond fans had made the journey from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and even as far as Europe. There must have been 10,000 rabid Tiger fans in full voice prior to the game. They would be quickly silenced once the game was underway. Port Adelaide, having stumbled somewhat after an incredible start to the season that saw them top of the table, had regained their mojo. More importantly, they had regained their two key back men in Alipate Carlisle and Jackson Trengove.

 Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Nine unanswered goals in the third quarter gave the Fremantle Dockers the breathing space to overcome a determined Port Adelaide Power in Round 23 at Patersons Stadium. It proved to be the difference in the end but the Power switched on and stormed back with five in a row of their own to give the Dockers a fright. The tendency of the Dockers to take their foot off the gas when they think they have the win was exposed.

The following is the time line for the the Grand Final day events including key times for match and TV related activities. All times are listed first in Australian AEST and then in US EDT. This is based on information from the AFL, AFANA, press reports and past history. This story will be periodically updated with late information. (Revised 9/25/14)

Start Time AEST	Start Time US EDT	End Time AEST	End Time US EDT	Event	US / Can Network Coverage
7:00 AM	5:00 PM	11:00 AM	9:00 PM	AFL Game Day from the MCG (Ch. Seven Australia) Not available in US or Canada.	None
10:00 AM	8:00 PM			3AW radio pregame begins. NAB Academy All-Stars match (Australia Under 17s v Allies Under 18s) at the MCG (streamed online). At half-time of curtain raiser, TAC Cup presentation.	None

Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Melbourne, Australia

After a disappointing loss against Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final last week, Geelong coach Chris Scott was not about to take an over-optimistic approach to the Semi Final against Port Adelaide. However during the week he did say that he was confident “our best footy will still be good enough” to progress the Geelong’s Finals’ campaign.

Port Adelaide was coming fresh off one of the upsets of the season, after bundling huge Melbourne club Collingwood out of the Finals series with their “never say die, run all day” brand of football. Given the basket case that was Port Adelaide just over twelve months ago, coach Ken Hinkley and the Port players could have been excused for resting on their laurels and satisfying themselves with their gains so far but that is not the Power way and so a great contest got underway in front of over 52,000 fans on a glorious evening at the MCG.

Jamie Kloeden reporting for AFANA from the MCG, Australia

After a terrific game earlier in the day between Fremantle and Geelong, expectations of such a formidable contest in the nightcap were not quite so high in some quarters. Collingwood went in as strong favorites against the young Ken Hinkley led Port Adelaide outfit. During the week, comments from President Eddie McGuire about where the Magpies would be playing in the Semi Final (inferring they would have no problem overcoming Port in the Elimination Final) did not go unnoticed by the Power players who started the game with intent and certainly looked like they had something to prove.

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting from AAMI Stadium in Adelaide

Coming off three losses in a row, Richmond was desperate to arrest the slide with a win on the road against the surprisingly 5-1 Port Adelaide Power. Despite losing for the first time this season in Round 6, the Power had gained plenty of admirers after a narrow loss in Tasmania to a dogged North Melbourne outfit. If the Tigers were to cause an upset, it would be without 2012 Brownlow Medal runner-up and Captain Trent Cotchin who succumbed to knee soreness and was declared unfit for the game. Ty Vickery and Ricky Petterd were also added to an increasing Tiger injury list, while Dom Cassisi was a late out for the Power. The bookies had Port backed into firm favorites early in the week, no doubt on the back of the withdrawal of Cotchin.

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA from AAMI stadium

The West Coast Eagles, fancied by many pre-season pundits for a Top Four finish, headed to AAMI stadium for their Round Five clash with Port Adelaide in a precarious position. A spate of injuries combined with poor form had the Eagles sitting with a 1-3 win-loss record while Port had surprised most with their stellar form over the first month, cruising to 4-0 and making even the most fervent doubters take notice of a vastly improved Power outfit.

Jamie Kloeden reporting for AFANA from AAMI Stadium, Adelaide

With Port Adelaide off to a winning start this season and Adelaide Crows' fans expecting a return to form, this Showdown promised to be one of the hardest fought of recent times.