Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli's late magic the difference in the end in preliminary final win over Adelaide
A DAZZLING final five minutes from Cyril Rioli propelled Hawthorn into the Grand Final after the Hawks escaped with a five-point win.
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IT WILL be Buddy Franklin's Hawks versus Adam Goodes' Swans as the countdown begins to the one day in September.
In another epic preliminary final weekend, the combatants for the 2012 Grand Final were decided in differing fashions.
One was relatively comprehensive, the other was decidedly nerve-wracking.
Sydney eclipsed a lethargic Collingwood on Friday night and a lethargic Hawthorn eventually sent Adelaide packing after the sun set over a majestic MCG.
We laud Franklin, but it was the little maestro, Cyril Rioli, who was central to propelling Hawthorn into the Grand Final.
A dazzling final five minutes from Rioli, which included a goal and dish-off goal to Franklin, allowed the Hawks to escape with a frantic five-point victory.
A loss would have been torturous for the Hawks.
The "choke" tag, which has haunted the club in the recent past, would have hung around their necks like a burning tyre.
In the end, it's not about woulda, coulda, shoulda because next Saturday will pit the best team of the season, Hawthorn, against perhaps everyone's second favourite team, Sydney.
Very few people would argue the two teams don't deserve their opportunities.
The Hawks will be short favourites despite their so-so form.
Of course, that doesn't mean they will be the popular pick.
In parochial and crazy Victoria, we'll have fans from Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, et al, jumping on the Swans bandwagon.
Cyril Rioli and Lance Franklin celebrate a Hawks goal. Picture: Michael Klein
That's what happens in footy: you barrack against the enemy and, in this case, for the interstate raider.
The Swans, who won their first premiership in 2005 by four points, breaking their 72-year drought as South Melbourne/Sydney, will start as the underdog.
But being underdog will mean nothing when the ball is bounced next Saturday and when you have to pick a team as a neutral, the under-dog is an Australian sport obsession.
So the Swans will not be short of fans, even though they're so far from home.
The betting money might be for the Hawks - they are $1.55 and the Swans $2.85 - but seasoned watchers have found plenty to like about the Swans.
Controversially, they will have had an extra day's rest in the lead-up to the Grand Final.
The Hawks won't whinge, having finished on top of the ladder in the home and away season and yet being denied the Friday night preliminary - and if they happen to lose, the debate might really heat up.
Hawthorn officials weren't thinking about that last night. At three-quarter time, and leading by just 16 points, they were nervous.
"We aren't playing well," a shaky executive said.
At the siren, his arms were thrust skyward as the MCG erupted.
If the night was for the players, then the week ahead is for the fans.
Grand Final week might not be as wallet-shrinking or hangover-ish as Melbourne Cup week, but it culminates with one of the special days on the national sporting calendar.
The scramble for a set at the MCG will start tomorrow when fans begin the time-honoured and weary tradition of lining up for tickets.
Never is a Grand Final complete without the snaking line through the MCG carpark.
Those prepared to sleep over will be rewarded with the hottest tickets in town.
Sadly, thousands will miss out.
In a week of desperation, favors will be called in from friends, family members and Uncle Vin's best mate who know someone who knows someone, just to get their hands on the precious ticket.
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said jokingly: "It will be shameless."
The last time the Swans played in a Grand Final there were almost 92,000 fans in attendance.
In 2008, when the Hawks beat Geelong in one of the great upsets, more than 100,000 were there. The AFL will expect upwards of 90,000 on Saturday.
Those who don't go will be dusting off the BBQ.
Whatever your choice, it will be a wonderful day.