2006 AFL finals series

The Australian Football League's 2006 finals series took place between the teams that finished in the top eight in the 2006 AFL season. It began on the weekend of 8 September 2006 and ended with the 110th AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 30 September 2006. The winner, West Coast Eagles, was crowned champion of the AFL after defeating Sydney by one point.

2006 AFL premiership season
Date8–30 September 2006
Teams8
PremiersWest Coast
3rd premiership
Runners-upSydney (14th grand final)
Minor premiersWest Coast
3rd minor premiership
Attendance
Matches played9
Total attendance532,178 (59,131 per match)
Highest97,431 (Grand Final, Sydney vs. West Coast)
← 2005
2007 →

Eight teams qualified for the finals by finishing in the top eight of the premiership ladder.

With the top eight race effectively ending several rounds before the end of the season, the push for the final two positions in the top four heated up as all six teams below West Coast and Adelaide were vying for the crucial "double chance" with only a few rounds left. With wins in the final round, Fremantle and Sydney secured the "double chance" making it the first time in the game's history where the top four positions did not consist of a single Victorian team.

Ladder

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2006 AFL ladder
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts
1 West Coast (P) 22 17 5 0 2257 1874 120.4 68 Finals series
2 Adelaide 22 16 6 0 2331 1640 142.1 64
3 Fremantle 22 15 7 0 2079 1893 109.8 60
4 Sydney 22 14 8 0 2098 1630 128.7 56
5 Collingwood 22 14 8 0 2345 1965 119.3 56
6 St Kilda 22 14 8 0 2074 1752 118.4 56
7 Melbourne 22 13 8 1 2146 1957 109.7 54
8 Western Bulldogs 22 13 9 0 2311 2173 106.4 52
9 Richmond 22 11 11 0 1934 2245 86.1 44
10 Geelong 22 10 11 1 1982 2002 99.0 42
11 Hawthorn 22 9 13 0 1834 2140 85.7 36
12 Port Adelaide 22 8 14 0 1911 2151 88.8 32
13 Brisbane Lions 22 7 15 0 1844 2239 82.4 28
14 Kangaroos 22 7 15 0 1754 2167 80.9 28
15 Essendon 22 3 18 1 2021 2469 81.9 14
16 Carlton 22 3 18 1 1791 2415 74.2 14
Source: AFL ladder
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Summary of results

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Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
Sep 9, Subiaco Oval
1West Coast12.12 (84)
4Sydney13.7 (85)Sep 16, Subiaco Oval
West Coast16.17 (113)
Sep 10, MCGWestern Bulldogs5.9 (39)Sep 22, Telstra Stadium
5Collingwood11.14 (80)Sydney19.13 (127)
8Western Bulldogs18.13 (121)Fremantle14.8 (92)Sep 30, MCG
Sydney12.12 (84)
Sep 8, MCGSep 23, AAMI StadiumWest Coast12.13 (85)
6St Kilda10.12 (72)Adelaide11.9 (75)
7Melbourne13.12 (90)Sep 15, Subiaco OvalWest Coast11.19 (85)
Fremantle14.18 (102)
Sep 9, AAMI StadiumMelbourne11.8 (74)
2Adelaide10.16 (76)
3Fremantle7.4 (46)

The finals system

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The system is a final eight system. This system is different from the McIntyre final eight system, which was previously used by the AFL.

The top four teams in the eight receive what is popularly known as the "double chance", meaning that they cannot be eliminated from the finals in the first week match, the qualifying final. In contrast the bottom four of the eight play elimination finals in the first week, where only the winners move on to week two.

In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye (rest), while qualifying finals losers play the winners of the elimination finals. Home ground advantage goes to the team with the higher final 8 position.

In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week, with the latter receiving home-ground advantage. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[1]

Week One

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The first week of the finals series would have significantly been different had Fremantle not been successful in its appeal regarding the result of their controversially drawn match against St Kilda in round five of the premiership season. Had the draw stood, St Kilda would have finished third, Fremantle fourth, defending premiers Sydney fifth and Collingwood sixth. Thus, instead of the below fixture, the week one finals fixture would have been:

Qualifying finals
  • West Coast vs Fremantle at Subiaco Oval
  • Adelaide vs St Kilda at AAMI Stadium
Elimination finals
  • Sydney vs Western Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium
  • Collingwood vs Melbourne at MCG

Source

First Qualifying Final (West Coast vs. Sydney)

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West Coast vs Sydney
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
West Coast 2.3 (15) 4.6 (30) 9.9 (63) 12.12 (84)
Sydney 3.2 (20) 7.3 (45) 10.6 (66) 13.7 (85)
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Date and time: 9 September 2006 – 5:30PM AWST
Attendance: 43,116
Umpires: Vozzo, McBurney, Ryan
Goal scorers: West Coast 2: Lynch, Hunter, Waters, Judd
1: Staker, Stenglein, Cousins, Armstrong
Sydney 5: Hall
4: O'Loughlin
2: Schneider
1: Kirk, Goodes
Best: West Coast Judd, R. Jones, Selwood, Wirrpanda, Hunter, B. Jones, Cox
Sydney Hall, Kirk, McVeigh, O'Loughlin, O'Keefe, Richards, Goodes
Reports: West Coast: Chick (rough conduct, charge withdrawn by match review)
Injuries: West Coast: Chick (shin)

Second Qualifying Final (Adelaide vs. Fremantle)

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Adelaide vs Fremantle
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
Adelaide 1.3 (9) 3.8 (26) 5.12 (42) 10.16 (76)
Fremantle 4.2 (26) 5.2 (32) 7.4 (46) 7.4 (46)
Venue: AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
Date and time: 9 September 2006 – 2:30PM ACST
Attendance: 42,208
Umpires: Chamberlain, Ellis, McInery
Goal scorers: Adelaide 2: Bock, Torney, Biglands
1: Clarke, Reilly, Welsh, Perrie
Fremantle 2: Pavlich, Farmer
1: Crowley, Black, Cook
Best: Adelaide Doughty, Reilly, Torney, Thompson, Edwards, Bassett, Stevens, Bock, Johncock, Bode
Fremantle Black, Bell, Johnson, J. Carr, McPharlin
Reports:
Injuries: Fremantle: Grover (back)

First Elimination Final (Collingwood vs. Western Bulldogs)

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Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
Collingwood 5.6 (36) 6.9 (45) 6.13 (49) 11.14 (80)
Western Bulldogs 4.2 (26) 8.7 (55) 14.10 (94) 18.13 (121)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Date and time: 10 September 2006 – 2:30PM AEST
Attendance: 84,284
Umpires: Kennedy, Allen, Jeffery
Goal scorers: Collingwood 3: Tarrant
2: Holland
1: Fraser, Egan, Rusling, Lockyer, Rocca, Licuria
W. Bulldogs 4: Montgomery
3: Cooney, Robbins
2: Gilbee, Ray
1: Johnson, Giansiracusa, Minson, Smith
Best: Collingwood R. Shaw, Johnson, Clement, Fraser, H. Shaw, Buckley
W. Bulldogs West, Cross, Ray, Cooney, Morris, Montgomery, Johnson, Giansiracusa, Grant
Reports: Collingwood: Holland (charging, received six-week suspension)
Injuries: W. Bulldogs: Gilbee (ankle)

Second Elimination Final (St Kilda vs. Melbourne)

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St Kilda vs Melbourne
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
St Kilda 5.4 (34) 6.6 (42) 9.8 (62) 10.12 (72)
Melbourne 2.2 (14) 3.4 (22) 8.5 (53) 13.12 (90)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Date and time: 8 September 2006 – 7:30PM AEST
Attendance: 67,528
Umpires: Rosebury, Schmitt, Goldspink
Goal scorers: St Kilda 3: Gehrig
2: Milne, Riewoldt
1: Koschitzke, Peckett, Baker
Melbourne 4: Neitz
2: McLean
1: Miller, McDonald, Bruce, Robertson, Pickett, Bate, Yze
Best: St Kilda Riewoldt, Harvey, Baker, S. Fisher, Milne, Ball, Gehrig
Melbourne McLean, Neitz, Bruce, Green, McDonald, White, Carroll
Reports: St Kilda: A. Thompson (rough conduct, received reprimand)
Injuries: St Kilda: R. Clarke (hamstring), Gehrig (ankle), X. Clarke (back), Harvey (hamstring)
Melbourne: Whelan (shoulder)

Week Two

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First Semi-final (West Coast vs. Western Bulldogs)

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West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
West Coast Eagles 4.3 (27) 8.7 (55) 9.12 (66) 16.17 (113)
Western Bulldogs 3.4 (22) 4.6 (30) 4.9 (33) 5.9 (39)
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Date and time: 16 September 2006 – 5:30PM AWST
Attendance: 43,219
Umpires: Kennedy, Allen, Schmitt
Goal scorers: West Coast 6: Lynch
4: Hunter
1: Waters, Hansen, Judd, Embley, Cousins, Cox
W. Bulldogs 3: Johnson
1: Grant, Robbins
Best: West Coast Hunter, Judd, Lynch, Hansen, Kerr, Chick, Cousins, Selwood, Butler
W. Bulldogs West, Johnson, Morris, Smith
Reports: W. Bulldogs: Harris (striking, received two-week suspension)
Injuries: West Coast: Wirrpanda (hamstring)

Second Semi-final (Fremantle vs. Melbourne)

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Fremantle vs Melbourne
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
Fremantle 3.3 (21) 7.9 (51) 11.15 (81) 14.18 (102)
Melbourne 3.0 (18) 7.3 (45) 10.4 (64) 11.8 (74)
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Date and time: 15 September 2006 – 6:30PM AWST
Attendance: 42,505
Umpires: Vozzo, McInerney, Goldspink
Goal scorers: Fremantle 2: Murphy, Farmer, M. Carr, Pavlich
1: Cook, Webster, Schammer, Mundy, Longmuir, Headland
Melbourne 3: Neitz, Robertson
2: Davey
1: McLean, Yze, Miller
Best: Fremantle Black, J. Carr, Schammer, Bell, Parker, M. Carr, Sandilands
Melbourne Miller, Carroll, Brown, Green, McLean, Ward, Johnstone
Reports:
Injuries: Fremantle: McPharlin (ankle)

Week Three

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First Preliminary Final (Sydney vs. Fremantle)

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Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
Sydney Swans 3.6 (24) 8.7 (55) 14.8 (92) 19.13 (127)
Fremantle Dockers 3.2 (20) 6.2 (38) 11.6 (72) 14.8 (92)
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Date and time: 22 September 2006 – 8:00PM AEST
Attendance: 61,373
Umpires: Vozzo, McBurney, Allen
Goal scorers: Sydney 6: Hall
4: O'Keefe, O'Loughlin
2: Bolton
1: Davis, Dempster, Goodes
Fremantle 4: Pavlich 4
3: Bell
2: Cook, Crowley
1: Farmer, Murphy, Peake
Best: Sydney Hall, Kirk, O'Keefe, O'Loughlin, C. Bolton, J. Bolton, Goodes
Fremantle Pavlich, Bell, J. Carr, Crowley, Hayden, Sandilands
Reports: Fremantle: Jeff Farmer (Fre) for striking Craig Bolton (Syd), reprimand with 95.85 carryover points; Justin Longmuir (Fre) for striking Barry Hall (Syd), reprimand with 42.18 carryover points.
Injuries: Fremantle: Farmer (leg), M.Carr (knee)

Second Preliminary Final (Adelaide vs. West Coast)

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Adelaide vs West Coast
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
Adelaide 3.3 (21) 6.5 (41) 8.8 (56) 11.9 (75)
West Coast 0.4 (4) 2.7 (19) 6.12 (48) 11.19 (85)
Venue: AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
Date and time: 23 September 2006 – 3:00PM ACST
Attendance: 50,514
Umpires: Ellis, Ryan, Goldspink
Goal scorers: Adelaide 3: Bock
2: Bode, Burton
1: Edwards, Welsh, Clarke, McLeod
West Coast 4: Hunter
2: Embley
1: Lynch, Kerr, Cousins, Butler, Hansen
Best: Adelaide Johncock, Goodwin, McLeod, Edwards, Reilly, Burton, Thompson
West Coast Cox, Judd, Cousins, Embley, Hunter, Butler, Kerr
Reports:
Injuries: Adelaide: Biglands (knee)

Week Four

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Grand Final (Sydney vs. West Coast)

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Sydney vs West Coast
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Final
Sydney 1.4 (10) 4.6 (30) 8.11 (59) 12.12 (84)
West Coast 4.2 (26) 8.7 (55) 10.10 (70) 12.13 (85)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Date: 30 September 2006 – 2:30PM AEST
Attendance: 97,431
Umpires: Vozzo, Allen, Goldspink
Goal scorers: Sydney 3: O'Loughlin, Davis
1: Mathews, Roberts-Thomson, Goodes, Schneider, O'Keefe, Malceski
West Coast 3: Lynch
2: Embley, Hansen, Cousins
1: Judd, Armstrong, Hunter
Best: Sydney Fosdike, Richards, Kennelly, O'Loughlin, McVeigh, Kirk, Goodes
West Coast Embley, Chick, Judd, Glass, Lynch, Selwood, Braun, Cox, Cousins, Kerr
Reports:
Injuries: Sydney: Ablett (shoulder)
Coin toss winner: West Coast Eagles
Norm Smith Medal: Andrew Embley
Australian television broadcaster: Network Ten
National Anthem: Brian Mannix, John Paul Young, Daryl Braithwaite and Shane Howard

Notes

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  1. ^ "8TeamBracket-PagePlayoff Explained (AFL.com.au)". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2006.

References

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Week One

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Week Two

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Week Three

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