The NRL have set themselves the near-impossible task of fighting with the AFL grand final for viewers and ratings in Melbourne, with the Storm to play on the same night.
As Melbourne shrugged off a nervous start to seize control of their AFL preliminary final against Geelong, you could almost hear the collective exhale from the Demons faithful.
Lachie Neale is yet to officially request move away from Brisbane but his potential blockbuster return to Fremantle looms over the upcoming AFL trade period.
GWS coach Leon Cameron has revealed that Toby Greene made an emotional apology to the player group in the lead-up to Friday night's semi-final loss to Geelong.