Jake Niall

Essendon’s reticence to chase players this trade period wasn’t a sudden decision the club made in late September or October – it was the beginning of a three-year strategy.

Carlton have sounded out Collingwood’s premiership-winning ex-football boss Graham Wright about a handover from Brian Cook.

There will be more than 30 players at the MCG on Saturday who have played in grand final losses – a scenario that is almost without parallel in a heavily equalised competition.

The Brisbane Lions turned the decider into a rout through a second-quarter blitz, condemning the Swans to a fourth grand final defeat in 11 years, despite their minor premiership.

If eschewing punitive measures is not unique for current or ex-AFL coaches, Chris Scott does differ from the coaching herd on several fronts.

The most lenient view of the Ken Hinkley invective towards Jack Ginnivan is of an old-school coach unable to abide the look-at-me antics of modern footballers.

The Port Adelaide coach had heated words with Hawk forward Jack Ginnivan and skipper James Sicily on the field in the aftermath of a thrilling semi-final match.

Compare the mindset of the young Hawks to that of the team they meet next weekend, the hapless Port Adelaide, who exhibited all the signs of a team that played fearful football against the Cats – scared to make mistakes.

The Blues coach will meet his old club, the Brisbane Lions, for the second time in a final, on Saturday night.

Collingwood have joined Carlton and St Kilda in attempting to convince Dan Houston to move to Victoria, despite the deal remaining a long shot.