By Sam Gleeson

HAWTHORN have made one late change for this afternoon's elimination final against Fremantle at Subiaco, with Carl Peterson replaced by Rick Ladson.

Fremantle have named an unchanged line-up, as they look to book a place in the semi-final against Geelong.

By Sam Gleeson

INJURED Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney believes the Bulldogs have the confidence to overcome the Magpies in tonight's qualifying final at the MCG.

After an inconsistent season, Cooney says the players have built momentum and the belief to challenge for the flag.

 “We finished top 4 for a reason, obviously Collingwood have been the team to beat this season, but we go into the game with a huge belief that we can win,” Cooney said on Triple M.

Cooney also admitted the club did everything in it's power to escape opposition spies by scheduling training sessions in different locations at late notice.

“I think this time of year you try and get every edge you can, so we went to a different spot to try some different things out without anyone knowing.”

By Sam Gleeson

FORMER Sydney forward Michael O'Loughlin believes the decision to hold the elimination final against Carlton at ANZ Stadium will not favour the Blues.

"I would say yes (the SCG would be the prefered ground), either way they play pretty well at both grounds," O'Loughlin told AFL Live.

The premiership player labelled the Swans the form side of the competition and is confident can move into the next stage of the finals.

"I think it’s going to be a great game, Swans are the form team, the last four weeks have been fantastic and Carlton will have their work cut out for them."

O'Loughlin also paid tribute to coach Paul Roos, as he prepares for his last game as coach of the Swans in Sydney.

"You can look at all the players who have come through the club, who have gone onto become All Australians premiership players. He gets the best out of all the guys that come through the system. He’s been an unbelievable player and do to what he has done as a coach is a credit to himself."

By Sam Gleeson

COLLINGWOD assistant coach Nathan Buckley says the player's consistent performances all year must continue in the finals series, starting with this evening's qualifying final against the Bulldogs.

Having finished on top of the table and beaten the Bulldogs twice this season, the Magpies go into the MCG clash as firm favourites.

"We understand that during the course of the year we have been able to perform consistently, we have to be involved in the game, subdue your opponent then to get the game won. The players have had to reach that level themselves and it starts from scratch every week. That’s the task to match and surpass their intensity if we want to get the result," Buckley told Triple M.

"I think there are some things in footy that don’t change; win contested footy and get the ball in the forward line more than your opposition."

Buckley also debated Collingwood's poor converting in front of goal, explaining many of the shots come from wide positions.

"It has been well focused on; we missed a few set shots, we kick a lot of points, we go inside 50 a lot and we are not afraid to play contested footy in there. We convert pretty well in front of the goal, but we do go a little wide at times and when you take shots out there you won’t convert as well."

By Sam Gleeson

MAL Brown, father of Hawthorn defender Campbell Brown admits he has not spoken to his son about his future.

The 27-year-old has been linked to the Gold Coast Suns all season and this afternoon's elimination final against Fremantle at Subiaco could mark his final game for the Hawks

"You never know in footy; you can’t say yes, you can’t say know, because I don’t know," Brown confessed on AFL Live.

"I don’t think it's money, he’s never been about money, He is 27 years old, he’s got a lovely girlfriend and he has to look at himself."

By Sam Gleeson

ESSENDON great Scott Lucas has not ruled out James Hird as the next coach of the Essendon Football Club.

Lucas was yesterday named on a three man panel, along with chief executive Ian Robson and football operations manager Paul Hamilton, who will decide the man to replace Matthew Knights, with Hird being linked.

“I don’t know that he’s out of the race. If you take it from face value, then it’s most unlikely. I haven’t spoken to him recently, almost deliberately its not something that i want," Lucas said on AFL Live.

Lucas is a former teammate and good friend of Hird, but admits he must respect the process and put friendships to the side.

"Now that I am involved in the process, their can’t be a lot of mate speak about this; this sits above that and I need to respect the process and take a step back.”

By Sam Gleeson

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon admits the Saints will need to produce a better performance in the remaining finals if they are to challenge for the premiership.

Lyon was critical of the Saints last quarter and believed pressure contributed to the Cats fight back.

“I thought a lot of it was pressure, they only took eight marks inside their forward fifty. It was more general play and I thought they got a couple of high free kicks. It’s going to ebb and flow, three quarters doesn’t get it done against high quality teams, so you are looking for a four quarter performance,” Lyon told 3AW.

Lyon pointed out forward Stephen Milne as one of the best contributors for the club, particularly after receiving criticism over his poor record in finals.

“I thought he worked really hard, I thought he helped us function, he sacrificed space and he moves around a lot and I know his goals were obvious, but I thought he was a spark.”

By Sam Gleeson

ST KILDA midfielder Nick Dal Santo says the over-riding feeling was relief, following last night's four-point win over Geelong in the qualifying final at the MCG.

After a strong first half, the Saints went back into their shell and played a more conservative brand of football, allowing the Cats back in the contest.

"I thought we had a really good first half in particular against really good opposition. Obviously (I also felt) excitement realising that we get the weekend off and move through to the next stage," Dal Santo told SEN.

“I think when the rain came, we got a little bit conservative, particularly in that last quarter.We kicked it down the line and it didn’t give us a chance to score and attack and it gave Geelong every opportunity to rebound against us.”