After two dominant preliminary final performances, the stage is set for a thrilling grand final clash between Adelaide and Richmond.

The Crows asserted their flag favouritism on Friday night, crushing the Cats by 61 points at Adelaide Oval.

Richmond look every bit a worthy opponent, following their commanding 36-point win over GWS in front of 94,258 screaming fans at the MCG.

Adelaide returns to the big dance for the first time since their back-to-back premiership triumphs in 1997 and 1998, while Richmond will play in their first grand final since 1982.

Here is a wrap from the third week of finals, as we enter the last week of a memorable AFL season.
 

THE GOOD

CHARLIE SKYROCKETS

Crows dynamo Charlie Cameron put on an emphatic display against the Cats, booting five goals in a best on ground performance.

He was kicking goals from everywhere, including tight angles, around his body and outside 50.

His highlight of the night came in the third quarter when he took a huge pack mark inside 50, leading to his fourth goal. Even Eddie Betts rose to his feet from the bench and was celebrating his teammate’s inspiring play.
 

A LONG-LASTING LEGACY

Richmond youngster Daniel Rioli is carrying on the brilliance of his family name and legendary number 17 at Punt Road.

He played the best game of his short career against GWS, and what a time to when the stakes were at their highest. Everything Rioli touched turned to gold, he could do no wrong with the ball and put on enormous pressure without it.

His career-best four goals were a highlight, however his fierce tackling display embodied the tenacious Tigers, even catching Giants captain Callan Ward holding the ball in the second quarter.
 

DUSTY’S DAGGER

Dustin Martin will be crowned the 2017 Brownlow Medallist on Monday night, and his match-winning performance against the Giants summarised why.

One particular moment lit up the MCG when he kicked a game-sealing goal only Dusty is capable of producing. Martin turned his opponent inside out as he kicked a cutting banana goal that sent the 90,000 plus Tiger army into a frenzy.

It was at that moment you knew the Tigers were marching onto the grand final, and they will press a strong case with their tattooed champion leading them.

 

THE BAD

DANGER DOWN

It was a great contest, but ugly result for two of the game’s premier players. Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane banged into each other in a horrific clash during the second quarter.

Sloane willed himself on, while the motionless Dangerfield played dead fish and had to come off the ground after he eventually got up. It takes a lot to keep the Cats champ horizontal for that long.

It was a tough night for Dangerfield, who played well but ultimately watched his former teammates advance to a grand final. Similarly, Brett Deledio bared the same result against his ex-side.
 

CURTAIN CALL

Geelong have built a dynasty over the past decade, including a trio of flags, and three of their champions played their last games on the weekend.

Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan defended the Cats goals for a final time on Friday night after great careers, including 280 and 209 games respectively. Lonergan is one of the most courageous players ever, playing with just one kidney since 2006, when he tragically lost the other one in a game.

Steve Johnson played his last game against Richmond after an electrifying 293-game career, spending his last two seasons at GWS.

 

GIANTS BEATEN BY THE BELL

It was a horror moment for GWS just when they were starting to steady at the end of the first quarter. Giants forward Jonathon Patton marked inside 50 with four seconds remaining, and looked to line up for a game-tying goal.

Teammate Toby Greene burst further forward and Patton chipped it to him as the quarter time siren sounded while the ball was in flight, ending the term before the Giants had a chance to equal the scores.

 

THE UGLY

SKIPPER TO FACE AN ORCHESTRA

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin may tragically miss out on playing in the grand final, following a possible suspension for bumping GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel.

The proximity of the ball in the contest favours Cotchin, however the fact that Shiel was concussed and subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game does not.

Cotchin has been fined for two other incidents earlier this year and a third fine would result in automatic suspension.

Teammate Brandon Ellis faces his own Match Review Panel adjudication after a similar incident where he bumped GWS midfielder Lachie Whitfield. Whitfield suffered no injuries from the act, which is what has defined most MRP rulings this season.