AFL Semi Final weekend will be one that Western Australian football fans will savour, as both the clubs from that state, West Coast and Fremantle, won their way through to the Preliminary Finals in two Semi Finals played at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

While it was a great weekend for Western Australian football it was a sad weekend for Victorian football, where the state’s last two challengers, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs, were eliminated.

It is the first time since AFL competition began in 1897 (as the Victorian Football League) that there is no Victoria-based club in the final four series. For readers unfamiliar with the AFL's structure, 10 of the 16 clubs that compete in the league are based within the state of Victoria, where the game was founded.

It also ensures that the premiership will be won by a non-Victorian club for the sixth year in a row (previous winners: Brisbane [Queensland], 2001-03, Port Adelaide [South Australia], 2004, and Sydney [New South Wales], 2005).

First Semi Final

West Coast Eagles 16.17.113 beat Western Bulldogs 5.9.39

Saturday night’s First Semi Final began as a night of celebration for the Bulldogs, with two of the greatest players in club history, Rohan Smith and Scott West, each reaching the 300-game milestone. For Smith it was to be his last game before retirement as the Bulldogs were eliminated from the finals race, thumped by 74 points by minor premier West Coast.

West Coast now make the trip to Adelaide and on Saturday afternoon will try to earn a place in their second consecutive Grand Final.

Western Bulldogs' running game, which had thrilled fans and served the them so well this year, crumbled under the home side's relentless and fearsome pressure. The Bulldogs players were overawed by the situation and made costly, and in many cases, unacceptable skill errors which were compounded by questionable tactical decisions.

The Eagles placed so much pressure on their opponents with the football that the Bulldogs would regularly chip the ball short to team-mates surrounded by Eagles players. It was ugly to watch and the Bulldogs continually dug themselves further into trouble, especially when they turned the ball over and the Eagles would move the ball towards goal with ease.

The Bulldogs did work hard early in the second half after their first-half nerves subsided, but they lacked cohesion among their forwards. Brad Johnson, with three goals, was the only Bulldogs forward to look dangerous at any stage.

West Coast, on the other, had a number of dangerous forwards to kick to; the Eagles forwards' extra height and bulk proved too much for the undersized Dogs to handle.

Full Forward Quentin Lynch kicked six goals and utility Adam Hunter kicked four, and the Eagles would be pleased with the return of Ashley Hansen. Centre Half Forward Hansen is a key member of the Eagles structure. Although he doesn’t kick a huge number of goals himself, he does play the link-up role between the midfield and forward line well, and the Eagles look better with him on the team.

Second Semi Final

Fremantle Dockers 14.18.102 beat Melbourne Demons 11.8.74

After 11 years in the Australian Football League, Fremantle have finally won their first-ever final, grinding out a 28-point victory over Melbourne, who bowed out of the 2006 season on a disappointing note.

Fremantle were made to fight for their victory, even though they were the better side in general play. The Dockers just couldn’t completely shake off the persistent Demons.

Melbourne grabbed the match's first break with the first goals, but had surrendered the lead to the Dockers by quarter time. Melbourne had their most constructive period in the first 10 minutes of the second quarter, when they took a 15-point lead that left the Dockers rattled.

Dockers sides of the past may have wilted in this type of scenario, but Fremantle dug in and took control, showing that the 2006 model is a tougher beast. The Dockers midfield had too much pace for the Demons, with Heath Black, Byron Schammer and the Carr brothers, Josh and Matthew, all winning plenty of quality possessions.

Docker captain Peter Bell was also starting to dominate his battle with Melbourne star Cameron Bruce, as was ruckman Aaron Sandilands over Jeff White. Although beaten on the night, White’s endeavour could not be questioned, as he was nearly sapped of energy by game’s end in the balmy conditions.

Fremantle continued to dominate in the third quarter but could not bury the Demons because of their inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking 4.6 to 3.1 for the quarter.

Leading by only 17 points at the final change, Brad Miller gave the Dockers a scare with the first goal of the last quarter, but that was the end of the Demons's challenge, as the Dockers stormed home with the game's last three goals.

Melbourne struggled for winners across the ground from beginning to end. Brock McLean and Travis Johnstone were solid in the midfield but lacked support. Brad Miller took a career high 14 marks from centre half forward, and Nathan Carroll kept key Dockers forward Matthew Pavlich well held.

Fremantle now travel to Sydney on Friday night for a spot in their first-ever AFL Grand Final.

Next Week

Second Preliminary Final
Friday, September 22
Sydney Swans v Fremantle Dockers
Telstra Stadium, Sydney

First Preliminary Final
Saturday, September 23
Adelaide Crows v West Coast Eagles
AAMI Stadium, Adelaide