Finals Week 1 began Saturday with a bang, and the action did not wait to produce a twist. Sydney forward Tom Papley kicked five goals against Brisbane with a dominant one-man performance, shaping the contest by himself. The injured Swans captain watched from the sidelines while the forwards took over. Brisbane lost in a stunning upset, and eight premiership players were rated poorly.
Adelaide opens its finals campaign on a confident note, with coach Matthew Nicks set to face his September test. Assistant Burns said the team is primed for finals football. The Crows are no longer hiding last September's disappointment, yet that pain remain a theme ahead of their finals fixture.