For Brisbane, another shocking finals exit begins to mount after 3 bites at a flag apple have lead to 1 win out of 6 finals. Further heartache ensued shortly after their loss with an unexpected departure seemingly imminent.
GWS while gallant, were ultimately too beat up to continue the fight, as they bow out with an optimistic view to 2022, but with some obvious changes needing to occur, their path is not as clearly defined as they’d hoped.
The Bulldogs have sparked a fire which looks to burn in similar flame to that of their '16 finals series, but they'll need to get over some damaging injury issues before coming up against a raging power team on their own streets.
And Geelong continue their pattern of finals discrepancies, looking to enter a 2nd grand final in 2 years, but needing to face their own demons to get there first and a chance at redemption.