A few thoughts about week one of the finals.

GEELONG-HAWTHORN

No real surprises among the eight inclusions for Hawthorn - Rioli, Franklin, Hodge, Burgoyne, Bailey, Birchall, Sewell and Lewis. Eight of the most important Hawks. of the omissions, Cameron Bruce is a surprise to some because he appeared to play his best game for the club. He's listed as general soreness and isn't even an emergency - perhaps the Hawks wanted to spare him from being listed as omitted.

Chance Bateman keeps his place, meaning Shane Savage, who run and carry has been a feature all year misses out. You just think Alastair Clarkson wanted harder, bigger bodies for what will be a brutal contest. In any event, Bateman shapes as the likely sub - come on late in the third quarter then run, run and run some more.

Darren Milburn misses for the Cats. He's been a trooper has 'Dasher' but you have to think me might have played his last game for the club. The same with Cameron Mooney. And Chris Scott has decided he can carry 'peas in a pod' Allen Christensen and Mathew Stokes in the side, but not Shannon Byrnes as well. But the key out for the cats is the consistent Joel Corey. At this stage the Hawks would appear to have the deeper midfield.

Tip: Hawks by 10

COLLINGWOOD-WEST COAST

Don't the Pies look so much better with these names featured among the 'ins': Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw and Leon Davis. A bit of risk involved in the first two, with Maxwell not far removed from having a pin removed from a busted thumb and Shaw back after an eight-week club suspension. Davis missed last week with a sore hammy. But Cam Wood, Alex Fasolo and Ben Sinclair miss. Suddenly the Pies look imposing on paper once more.

Daniel Kerr strengthens West Coast's midfield, while Will Schofield is another defensive option.

Tip: Magpies by 25

ST KILDA-SYDNEY

Shane Mumford spent the week talking up what a challenge it would be against both Ben McEvoy and Michael Gardiner, only for the Saints to then drop Gardiner. David Armitage comes into the side for what will be his 50th game.

The Swans have gone taller. Lewis Roberts-Thomson and the potentially brilliant Sam Reid come in for Nick Malceski and Lewis Jetta. Good ins, with LRT a chance for Koschitzke or Riewoldt, while Reid needs to kick goals. Given the way these two sides like to play, there likely won't be that many.

Tip: Saints by 14

CARLTON-ESSENDON

Only squads at this stage, but the absence of Matthew Kreuzer for the Blues tips the scales back towards the Bombers. Now big Setanta will really need to kick some goals. Lonergan and Hocking back into the midfield also helps Essendon enormously, up against the classy Carlton midfield.

Michael Hurley is playing for the Bombers with a 'hot-spot' in his foot. That's the precursor to a stress fracture and we can't help but think of Trent Croad doing the same in the 2008 Grand Final. His foot opened right up and he never played again. Super player, and if he gets hold of the Blues, then things could get really interesting.

Ryan Houlihan won't be there for the Blues; he announced his retirement after 201 games in 11 seasons on Thursday night.

Tip: Blues by 7