1. Why do we tend to write off the qualifying final losers?Sydney and Hawthorn confront the ignominious straight sets exit from the finals this weekend after finishing top-four, making for a tense week for the warrior teams. But since the current finals system was introduced in 2000, only five of 64 top-four teams have been booted out in that manner.The rider to all this is that it has happened three times in the past two years -- to Geelong and Fremantle in 2014 and Sydney in 2015. There is also a strong argument to suggest the AFLs pre-finals bye may have helped the teams in the bottom half of the eight, and an even stronger argument that the teams who finished fifth to seventh were much stronger this year.But Hawthorn and Sydney, both playing at home and stung by last weekends results, should make strong cases to continue this weekend.2. Is Eddie Betts the best-ever small forward?This one cropped up the other day and to be honest, there is some hyperbole in it. What is more accurate is that Betts, with 77 goals, has produced one of the best-ever seasons by a small forward.This century only two -- Brad Johnson (74 in 2006) and Jeff Farmer (76 in 2000) -- have come close to that level of output. And needless to say, Betts has become close to the best player to watch in the land. Nick Smith, his likely opponent this week at the SCG, has an enormous task ahead of him.But the best-ever? A couple of blokes named Matthews and Bartlett (and Daicos, if you consider him small) would have something to say.3. In defence vs. offence, who wins? Sydney vs. Adelaide represents the No. 1 ranked defensive team against the No. 1 attacking side. Hence, it is the duel of philosophies, in a sense.It is common for people to say in sport that defence wins championships, but it is scarcely that simple, and in any case, Sydney were fourth in the competition for scoring this season, hence have both genres covered. The problem for the Swans last weekend was they were shut down, and Lance Franklin went goalless, which they cannot afford to allow again.Don Pyke has changed the game in his first season by encouraging his players to run at the forward presses that have become the norm in recent years, and to scythe through the webs to score easy goals. All power to him for making ball movement king. But in short, both teams need to address each phase of the game to win.4. Could Luke Beveridge be a great coach? Tim Watson raised this notion during the week and it is worth pondering. On the small sample that Beveridge has offered up at this level, it is quite possible the next Alastair Clarkson has arrived.The Bulldogs will be everyones second team this weekend on the back of what they achieved at Domain Stadium last weekend and on the way they have worked through their terrible injury toll in 2016. Two factors tell you that Beveridge is really good: first, his players want to play for him, manically so as we saw in Perth. Second, players improve under his watch.He also knows Hawthorns method inside out, having spent a couple of years as an assistant to Clarkson, being one of five coaches in the competition who came through that particular school. This week, he said Hawthorn have changed so much that it would not help him. But he would say that, wouldnt he?5. Are the Hawks gone?We now know that Hawthorn have to go the long road if they are to win a fourth consecutive premiership, but it is not impossible by any stretch. As recently as last year the Hawks had backs to the wall after losing to West Coast in the first week of finals, only to hit their best in the run home. Sydney (in 2005) and West Coast (in 2006) are among other teams to take that route to a flag.It is true that Clarksons team has not played as well as in 2016, dipping to sixth in scoring in the absence of Jarryd Roughead. But aside from a crooked kick from Isaac Smith last weekend they would be premiership favorites right now. Watch this space on that one. Jordan 11 Ireland .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Jordan 11 Online Store Ireland . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. http://www.cheapairjordan11ireland.com/ . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Jordan Retro 11 Clearance . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Jordan 11 Sale Ireland . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is bullish on Australias prospects of opening their World Cup qualifying group with a win.The Socceroos face Iraq in Perth on Thursday night confident in their abilities but also wary that falling short of a maximum three points will make it harder to reach the 2018 tournament.With an arduous 10-match qualifying path ahead, anything less than a win would be a major setback.But Postecoglou, ever the perfectionist, wont be satisfied simply to win.We have to win your home games as it will be tough to pick up points on the road, he said.With a scrappy victory, you get three points but it doesnt show the road ahead is going to be where you want it to be.I still want us to perform strongly. I want to win but also play well so we have confidence in what were doing.Australia have beaten Iraq, ranked by FIFA as the worlds 113th best side, in their past four meetings dating back to 2008.Postecoglou believes that figure and formline betray the challenge theyll pose at nib Stadium.If you think what qualifying would mean to a nation like Iraq ... think about what it meant to us in 2006, and in 1974, then you know its going to be a tough game, he said.ddddddddddddWeve been following Iraq since the draw. We know everything we need to know about them.Our players do as well and well be prepared.Postecoglou has a wealth of attacking riches open to him, with Tomi Juric, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Jackson Irvine and Massimo Luongo all playing well and regularly for their European clubs.Tim Cahill and Nathan Burns have enjoyed less recent game time but have plenty of class.Centre-back Bailey Wrights withdrawal leaves Postecoglou dependant on Asian Cup-winning pairing Trent Sainsbury and Matthew Spiranovic to lead the defence.With all 23 players in camp fit and ready to go, Postecoglou is keeping his selection close to his chest.If somebody can try to tell me what my strongest 11 is then good luck to them but itd be a guess, he said.I have four or five starting 11s I could put out tomorrow and Id feel confident about all of them getting the job done. ' ' '