In our series leading up to round one, AFL.com.au writers will debate the best moments, players and teams since the turn of the century. From the pick of the Brownlow and Norm Smith medallists to the finest wooden spooners, non-finalists and premiership teams, a rotating panel will turn their minds to footy's big moments since 2000.

Today, Ashley Browne, Nick Bowen, Travis King and Adam Curley clash over the merits of the great preliminary finals played this century.

2004: Port Adelaide 14.10 (94) d St Kilda 13.10 (88)

This match was so drama-filled that even those of us watching on our couches 1000km away switched off our TV sets at the end feeling like we had played 100 minutes of footy. The young, brash and obscenely talented Saints got off to a flyer, which included spearhead Fraser Gehrig's 100th goal for the season. But the ensuing ground invasion worked against the Saints because it stopped their momentum and enabled the shell-shocked Power to regroup. And they had to. The Power finished top-four the previous three seasons without even a Grand Final to show for it, so the clock was ticking and the premiership window closing. They got themselves back in the match and in front of a manic capacity crowd at Football Park, worked their way back into the match. Gavin Wanganeen willed Port over the line with a brilliant, two-goal final quarter in his last great game, but the result wasn't sealed until Port's Shaun Burgoyne's desperate lunge prevented Brent Guerra from levelling the scores with about a minute to go. The pair would later play together for Hawthorn in the second best prelim final of modern times, in 2013. - Ashley Browne

Peter Burgoyne, Dean Brogan, Kane and Chad Cornes celebrate Port's victory. Picture: AFL Photos





2011: Collingwood 10.8 (68) d Hawthorn 9.11 (65)

Well done on inserting your beloved Hawks into a spiel about a Port-Saints prelim, Ashley. Impressive. I am, however, surprised you overlooked this century's best preliminary final because it, too, involved Hawthorn. This was before Alastair Clarkson's men had added three consecutive flags to the 2008 premiership they pinched ahead of time, and they were desperate to make up for disappointing 2009 and 2010 seasons. Collingwood was reigning premier and had dropped just two games for the year, while its players were determined to win a flag for Mick Malthouse in his final season as coach. The Hawks took it up to the Pies from the opening bounce and an upset looked likely when they led by 17 points at three-quarter time. However, the Pies responded with four of the next five goals to take a two-point lead at the 19-minute mark of the final term. With less than four minutes to go, Lance Franklin dug deep into his extensive trick bag to put Hawthorn back in front. Pouncing on a loose ball across half-forward, he burst clear of opponent Chris Tarrant and, at top speed, dribbled through a goal from deep in the pocket. Collingwood was on the ropes but barely a minute later conjured a knockout punch when Luke Ball roved a forward-line ruck contest and snapped a goal on his non-preferred left foot. The Pies hung on from there for a three-point win and the strain showed on Malthouse as he shed tears in the coach's box after the final siren. Clarkson later said it took him months to get over the loss. - Nick Bowen

Luke Ball reacts after kicking the match-winner against the Hawks in 2011. Picture: AFL Photos





2013: Hawthorn 14.18 (102) d Geelong 15.7 (97)

You had it right the second time, Ash. The 2013 Hawks-Cats prelim was as good as footy gets – not just for the drama on the field but the storylines surrounding both sides. Two all-time great teams butted heads, with Geelong determined to extend its golden era and Hawthorn desperate to make amends for losing the 2012 decider to Sydney. Throw in Lance Franklin's free agency saga and, of course, the 'Kennett Curse' and this contest had everything. Not since the 2008 Grand Final had the Hawks beaten Geelong, but the Cats had used every one of their lives in those 11 successive wins, and finally Alastair Clarkson's men buried the curse. It took an almighty effort, coming from 20 points down at the final change of a see-sawing encounter, with Shaun Burgoyne stepping up to write himself into Hawthorn-Geelong folklore with the match-sealing goal in the final six minutes. Travis Varcoe had the chance to level the scores with 35 seconds remaining but sprayed his shot from directly in front. Hawks fans were in raptures as Cyril Rioli marked on the final siren, which the players couldn't hear given the delirium in the stands. Joel Selwood slumped to his knees, hands on head, while Luke Hodge raised his arms in triumph. The Hawks were through to another Grand Final and a week later, redemption was theirs with victory over Fremantle. Hawthorn's time had come. - Travis King

Travis Varcoe slumps as his last-minute shot at goal sails wide in 2013. Picture: AFL Photos





2016: Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) d Greater Western Sydney 12.11 (83)

Solid effort gentlemen, but I'm not sure how the competition's most recent prelim slipped your mind, a history-making clash that well and truly lived up to the occasion. Almost 22,000 fans packed into Spotless Stadium, around half of them Bulldogs faithful, and it created one of the most amazing atmospheres I've witnessed. Clay Smith overcame the tragic loss of a close friend to boot four first half goals but the Giants lifted after half-time and turned for home with a one-point lead. That increased to a game high 14 early in the final quarter, until Marcus Bontempelli and Jason Johannisen inspired the visitors to respond, and after more lead changes, Jack Macrae floated forward to mark and slot a goal to put his side five points up with less than three minutes to play. GWS had their chances to snatch victory in the dying stages but fate seemed to be against the home team, and the Bulldogs hung on in a classic. - Adam Curley

Tom Liberatore yells in delight at the final siren against GWS in 2016. Picture: AFL Photos



