Massive tribunal hearings and potential selection bolters will dominate AFL preliminary final week.
GWS are the only team standing in the way of a first all-Victorian grand final since 2011, with Richmond and Collingwood rated the favourites to win this weekend.
But the tribunal will have a major say in the hopes of the Giants and Geelong.
GWS are certain to challenge Toby Greene's one-match ban for for what the AFL terms "making unnecessary or unreasonable contact to the eye region" of Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale.
Only last week, Greene was fined $7500 for serious misconduct against Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli in a case that also involved contact to the face.
Likewise, the Cats will challenge Tom Hawkins' one-match striking ban.
The value of Greene and Hawkins to their teams was highlighted in the weekend's semi-final wins.
Greene shone with 30 disposals and two goals as the Giants beat Brisbane by three points in an epic clash on Saturday night at the Gabba.
The 12.11 (83) to 11.14 (80) win, sealed with a Brent Daniels running goal inside the last three minutes, put the Giants into their third prelim in four years.
Hawkins also played a huge role in Geelong's 13.10 (88) to 10.8 (68) rebound win on Friday night over reigning premiers West Coast.
Put simply, Hawkins kicked 0.4 in the qualifying final and Geelong lost to Collingwood by 10 points.
The key forward kicked 4.1 on Friday night and they won.
The Cats are likely to front the tribunal on Monday night, with GWS up the following evening.
Brisbane's season-ending loss also marked the end of the line for their star veteran Luke Hodge.
The four-time Hawthorn premiership player, one of the AFL's all-time stars, confirmed his retirement soon after the final siren.
Despite the loss, he ended his career on a high, featuring in the Lions' best players for their two finals.
All eyes will be on Collingwood key forward Ben Reid and GWS midfield act Stephen Coniglio at training to see if they can force their way into Saturday's twilight prelim at the MCG.
Soft tissue injuries have sidelined Reid since round 15, although he has trained well in the past few weeks.
Likewise, Coniglio has not played since needing knee surgery after round 17.
Coach Leon Cameron rates Coniglio an outside chance, but he also has impressed at training.
Richmond will host Geelong on Friday night at the MCG in the other preliminary final.
This is the Giants' third prelim in four years, but they are yet to make the grand final.
The last all-Victorian grand final was Geelong's 2011 win over Collingwood - the most-recent premiership for the Cats.
The last all-Melbourne grand final was the year before, when Collingwood drew with St Kilda before winning the replay.
That also was the last time the Magpies won the flag.
Australian Associated Press
