2ND SEMI-FINAL

WESTERN BULLDOGS v SYDNEY 7.50PM FRIDAY, MCG

BETTING Bulldogs $1.80, Swans, $1.90

HEAD-TO-HEAD PLAYED 143 BULLDOGS 73 SWANS 69 DRAWS 1

LAST TIME Round 18: Bulldogs 17.11 (113) d Sydney 14.13 (97) at Manuka Oval

IN FINALS: PLAYED 2 BULLDOGS 1 SWANS 1

MOST RECENT FINAL 1997 qualifying final: Bulldogs 18.11 (119) d Sydney 12.12 (84) at the MCG.

FORM

BULLDOGS FORM? What form? The Dogs have shown nothing like their impressive start to the season in recent weeks, having won only two of their past eight games. But a side doesn't win 15 games during the home-and-away season without having something going for it and if the Bulldogs can conjure something resembling form, they will be tough to beat.

SWANS SIMILAR story to the Bulldogs, a poor end of season form cost the Swans a top four spot. But one should never write off Paul Roos and the Swans. The elimination final victory over the Kangaroos last Saturday night will also boost their confidence.

LIKELY KEY MATCH-UPS

BARRY HALL v BRIAN LAKE

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade will most likely look to Lake to quell Hall, who despite the lows of this season seems to have found some form and presence in the last three weeks.

BRETT KIRK v MATTHEW BOYD

Brett Kirk almost single-handedly beat the Kangaroos in Saturday's final in an uncompromising performance after halftime. Boyd, despite playing a shocker against Hawthorn, is the Bulldogs' best stopper and has proven he can also get the ball himself.

ROBERT MURPHY v TADHG KENNELLY

Kennelly is the Swans' best running defender who could exploit Murphy, who is sometimes questioned about his accountability, on the rebound.

THE UPSHOT

This will probably be the game simply to decide who loses to Geelong in the preliminary final. For the Bulldogs, anything less than a preliminary final appearance would be regarded as a failure. The Swans will be a tough opponent due to their experience and battle-hardened game plan. But in Melbourne and with more to play for, the Bulldogs should have the edge.

1ST SEMI-FINAL

ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD 7.30PM SATURDAY, MCG

BETTING St Kilda $2.10, Collingwood $1.65

HEAD-TO-HEAD PLAYED 203 ST KILDA 53 COLLINGWOOD 149 DRAW 1

LAST TIME Round 19: Collingwood 14.13 (97) d St Kilda 12.11 (83) at MCG

IN FINALS PLAYED 7 ST KILDA 4 COLLINGWOOD 3

MOST RECENT FINAL 1992 elimination final: St Kilda 13.13 (91) d Collingwood 12.11 (83).

FORM

ST KILDA Slipped into the top four without really setting the world on fire all year. A late-season win against Hawthorn proves it can match it with anyone, but still has plenty of doubters in the football world, especially after being unable to raise a whimper against the Cats yesterday.

COLLINGWOOD The surprise elimination final victory against the Crows in Adelaide caps off a great month for the Pies, except for the one blip against Fremantle in round 22.

LIKELY KEY MATCH-UPS

NICK RIEWOLDT v NATHAN BROWN

Magpie coach Mick Malthouse has shown remarkable faith in young full-back Brown.

STEVEN KING v JOSH FRASER

With both sides boasting strong midfields, first hands on the ball will be crucial. Neither King nor Fraser have strong back-up ruckmen and they will have to impose themselves during their ground time.

PAUL MEDHURST v JASON GRAM

Medhurst has been a revelation this year for Collingwood. The Medhurst job could go to Gram, who likes to dash off half-back and set up play with his long kicking.

THE UPSHOT

Whether the Saints can mentally recover from yesterday's result is yet to be seen. The Pies are proven September performers and have been running hot at the right time. Collingwood is shaping to be the classic September spoiler again and may yet have one or two big scalps to collect in the final series.