Blues, Dons have problems before AFL final
Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer and Essendon's Dean Wallis have provided significant headaches for the rival AFL clubs ahead of their blockbuster elimination final.
The Blues-Bombers clash at the MCG next Sunday is a dream matchup for the league and it will be Carlton's first home final in Melbourne for a decade.
It will also be the first time since 1995 that all four games in week one of the finals are Melbourne clashes.
But Kreuzer's mystery foot injury and the ongoing AFL investigation into Wallis's alleged betting could cost the two teams.
Kreuzer, Carlton's most important tall player, was taken to hospital after his left foot went numb early in the Saturday night loss to Carlton.
The Blues had hoped to learn more about the injury on Sunday, but they now must wait until Monday for the results of further medical tests.
Wallis is under investigation after allegedly placing a bet on an AFL game, understood not to involve Essendon.
Given the AFL's strict betting regulations, Wallis can expect a suspension if the league find him guilty.
He is a popular figure at Essendon and it would be a blow to the Bombers if their former premiership defender is forced off the coaching staff ahead of the elimination final.
St Kilda secured a home elimination final next Saturday night against Sydney after beating Carlton by 20 points.
The 13.8 (86) to 9.12 (66) win means the Saints will host the Swans at Etihad Stadium.
Sydney had little trouble beating Brisbane on Saturday 18.11 (119) to 9.13 (67).
West Coast and Collingwood had far different warmups for their qualifying final next Saturday at the MCG.
While the Eagles smashed Adelaide by 95 points, 22.13 (145) to 7.8 (50), Collingwood folded to Geelong by 96 points.
The 22.17 (149) to 8.5 (53) belting on Friday was Geelong's greatest winning margin over Collingwood and the Magpies' biggest losing margin since 2005.
But the `Pies will still start favourites against the Eagles, given their otherwise-outstanding premiership defence so far.
Geelong and fierce rivals Hawthorn will open the finals series on Friday night with their qualifying final.
The Hawks rested eight star players for Saturday's away game against Gold Coast, which they narrowly won 16.10 (106) to 14.13 (97).
Also on Saturday, the Western Bulldogs farewelled Barry Hall and Ben Hudson by beating Fremantle by 46 points.
The 15.17 (107) to 8.13 (61) win also looms as the last game for Bulldogs youngster Callan Ward, who is likely to join Greater Western Sydney on a massive contract.
Another player linked to the Giants, Melbourne's Tom Scully, was rested on Sunday for their Adelaide Oval game against Port Adelaide.
The Power handed the wooden spoon to Gold Coast with an upset eight-point win over the Demons, 17.10 (112) to 15.14 (104).
North Melbourne secured ninth spot and farewelled Brady Rawlings with a 13-point win over Richmond in a tight Sunday twilight game.
Drew Petrie kicked four goals as the Kangaroos won 15.14 (104) to 13.13 (91).
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