We look at the top semi-final moments from the past 20 years

VOTE: From Nick Davis’s “I see it but I don’t believe it” matchwinner to Leigh Colbert’s controversial non-mark, we look at footy’s most brilliant and bizarre semi-final moments.

Nick Davis snaps his third goal in Sydney’s semi-final win over Geelong. Picture: Colleen Petch

THEY say second is never remembered, but what about fifth and sixth?

The AFL semi-finals are often overlooked as the drama of elimination finals and preliminary finals — not to mention Grand Finals — hog the spotlight.

But the semis have produced some of the most incredible moments in finals history.

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No one can forget Nick Davis’s career-defining final quarter against Geelong in 2005, but what about Fremantle finally breaking through for it’s first finals win a year later?

As the Bulldogs surged to the 2016 premiership, Marcus Bontempelli’s performance against Hawthorn will long be remembered but what about Andrew Hooper becoming the first player to make his debut in a final in a quarter of a century?

Week two of the AFL finals has produced a host of great memories, vote for your favourite and share yours in the comments below.

Nick Davis celebrates kicking the matchwinning goal. Picture: Colleen Petch

Nick Davis snaps his third goal against Geelong. Picture: Colleen Petch

TOP SEMI-FINAL MOMENTS

NICK DAVIS’S FINAL-QUARTER HEROICS

Sydney 7.14 (56) defeat Geelong 7.11 (53), 2005

It’s perhaps one of the greatest finals moments of all time — a performance that inspired the Swans’ drought-breaking premiership — but how many remember it being in a semi-final?

Sydney trailed by three goals at three-quarter time at the SCG before Davis sparked into action.

The former Magpie kicked all four of his goals in a pulsating final quarter, including the matchwinner with just seconds left on the clock.

The final goal will forever be immortalised by commentator Anthony Hudson’s: “I see it but I don’t believe it!”

LEIGH COLBERT’S NON-MARK

Adelaide 11.10 (76) defeat Geelong 9.14 (68), 1997

A result that sticks in the craw of Cats supporters (not to mention Bulldogs and Saints) as Adelaide went on to win its maiden premiership.

In the third quarter, Geelong led by eight points and Colbert soared above the pack to take a courageous mark just 35m out for goal, directly in front.

However, inexplicitly, the umpire called for a ball-up. The decision was later confirmed as a mistake by the AFL.

The Cats led at the final change but were ultimately overwhelmed.

ALASTAIR LYNCH’S CHOKE SLEDGE

Brisbane 19.12 (126) defeat Western Bulldogs 10.13 (73), 1999

After falling desperately short in 1997 and 1998, the Bulldogs’ slide from contenders began in 1999 with a semi-final exit at the hands of the rising Lions.

Brisbane spearhead Alastair Lynch certainly wasn’t going to let them forget it with his choking gesture aimed at Scott West during the semi-final at the Gabba.

Lynch kicked three goals in the Lions’ comfortable win.

The Bulldogs lost to the Lions again in the 2000 elimination final and failed to make the finals in 2001.

Alastair Lynch’s “choking” gesture against the Bulldogs in 1999.

ANDREW HOOPER SPARKS DOGS ON DEBUT

Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) defeat Sydney 10.12 (72), 2010

Hooper played only seven AFL games but will forever hold a slice of history as one of the few to make his debut in a final.

The diminutive forward was the first in 25 years (Paul Spargo the last in 1985) and made a significant impact, goaling on the halftime siren to help spark a second-half comeback.

The Herald Sun reported Hooper had had a “giant influence” and would “no doubt be back” in the preliminary final, but it wasn’t to be as he was dropped and the Bulldogs lost to St Kilda, the club’s third consecutive preliminary final defeat.

FREMANTLE’S FIRST FINALS WIN

Fremantle 14.18 (102) defeat Melbourne 11.8 (74), 2006

Few clubs have struggled on field in the way Fremantle has. After debuting in 1995, it took the club nine years just to play a final and 12 to finally win one.

After finishing third — at the time, the club’s best finishing position — and losing the qualifying final to Adelaide, the Dockers couldn’t afford a straight-sets exit.

After a tight first half, the Dockers edged away from Melbourne as Heath Black, Josh Carr and Matthew Pavlich stepped up.

Ironically, it was Melbourne’s last finals appearance.

AARON EDWARDS’ HANGER

North Melbourne 14.9 (93) defeat Hawthorn 8.12 (60), 2007

Was Aaron Edwards robbed of a car?

While the AFL Mark of the Year has never been open to nominations during the finals, the former Kangaroo could make a pretty good case his was better than Michael Newton’s winner.

Coming off a 105-point hiding to Geelong in the qualifying final, North Melbourne bounced back by beating Hawthorn in the semi-final.

Edwards led the way upfront (and in the air) with four majors.

Aaron Edwards takes a screamer in the 2007 semi-final between North Melbourne and Hawthorn.

THE BONT ARRIVES

Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) defeat Hawthorn 12.12 (84), 2016

It was seen as a “passing of the torch” moment as Marcus Bontempelli won two key one-on-ones against Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge.

First, Bontempelli out-bodied Hodge in marking contest inside 50m in the second quarter, converting to reduce an early Hawks’ lead by to five points.

He stepped up again to intercept a Hodge handball in the first minute of the final term to help set up a Tory Dickson goal and a 32-point lead.

“The Bont” finished with 27 disposals, two goals and seven hitouts.

PIES, EAGLES TO GO EXTRA-TIME

Collingwood 13.15 (93) defeat West Coast 10.14 (74), 2007

It was the Magpies and Eagles that forced the AFL to introduce extra-time in finals after their draw in 1990.

The two teams would again finish deadlocked at the final siren in 2007, but for just the second time in history an AFL match would go into extra-time.

Sadly for the Eagles, they claimed their own slice of history as the second team since the current finals system was adopted in 2000 to finish in the top four and bow out in straight sets.

Collingwood would go on to feature in one of the all-time preliminary final classics but ultimately lose to eventual premiers Geelong by five points.

GRAY, WINGARD SPARK POWER COMEBACK

Port Adelaide 15.15 (105) defeat Fremantle 11.17 (83), 2014

Fremantle’s finals failures continued in 2014 as it crashed out in straight sets on its home deck.

The Dockers led by 31 points in the second quarter and 24 at halftime but were no match for a Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard-inspired Port Adelaide in the second half.

Gray booted four in a stunning solo third-quarter performance while Wingard kicked four of his own as the Power swept to a 22-point win.

Ollie Wines wasn’t far behind with three goals, 26 disposals and five tackles.