That, however, hasn't always been the case. Under older finals systems, while the first semi-final remained a knock-out affair, the second semi was a chance for a path directly into a grand final and another chance for the loser.

That meant plenty of occasions in which second semi-final opponents would resume hostilities with a premiership on the line only a fortnight later.

The dress rehearsals have often produced some finals classics. And so have those knockout affairs with the loser kissing a whole season goodbye. From a selection spanning well over 100 years, here's my ten best.

1. 1984 2nd semi-final, MCG: Hawthorn 16.17 (113) d Essendon 15.15 (105)

Essendon's 1984 grand final win over Hawthorn had the romance, but their clash two weeks earlier was a better game, considered one of the great finals. Seldom did more than a handful of points separate the great rivals, the margin two points until Rodney Eade goalled on the siren. It was a tough but still attacking game with plenty of goals. Robert DiPierdomenico starred on a wing with four goals for the Hawks, Leigh Matthews and Rod Lester-Smith sharing six. Leon Baker kicked three for the Dons, Tim Watson and Terry Daniher their stars.

2. 1981 1st semi-final, MCG: Collingwood 19.19 (133) d Fitzroy 19.18 (132)

Fitzroy had terrific teams but not a lot of finals luck in the early '80s, and this great game was another example. Collingwood got off to a flyer and led by as much as 45 points early in the third term before the Lions came charging back. Led by Matt Rendell up forward and veteran David McMahon, the Roys booted another seven in a pulsating final quarter to lead by 10 points deep into time-on. But a goal to Peter Daicos followed by a goalsquare scramble and an amazing snap over the head from Ross Brewer pinched the win for Collingwood.

3. 1970 2nd semi-final, MCG: Collingwood 17.16 (118) d Carlton 17.6 (108)

The 1970 grand final might just be the most famous ever. But it's also overshadowed another epic between the Pies and Blues just two weeks earlier, which featured a comeback similar to the grand final, and huge games from respective spearheads Peter McKenna (nine goals) and Alex Jesaulenko (eight). Collingwood led by 20 points midway through the third term. But Carlton, inspired by Ted Hopkins off the reserves bench (sound familiar?) rallied with five quick goals to lead at three-quarter time. Eventually, the Pies, with a stronger final term, held on to win by 10 points.

4. 2005 2nd semi-final, SCG: Sydney 7.14 (56) d Geelong 7.11 (53)

"I see it, but I don't believe it!" Commentator Anthony Hudson summed up the dramatic conclusion to this game perfectly as the Swans, or rather Nick Davis, came from nowhere to pip the Cats at the post. In a tight slog, Geelong pulled away in the second quarter, and when David Johnson goalled in the last, led by 23 points. But two brilliant snaps and a set shot by Davis pulled it back to just three points. With 10 seconds remaining, he then won the ball at a stoppage, juggled it on to his left boot and somehow snapped the winner.

5. 1946 2nd semi-final, MCG: Essendon 14.16 (100) drew Collingwood 13.22 (100)

Essendon started better but was then outplayed by the Magpies, who led by as much as 24 points late in the third quarter with Lou Richards (four goals) and Harry Lambert starring. But Bomber champion Bill Hutchison turned the game around with his brilliance in the final term, and with three goals in five minutes, the Dons hit back hard. The lead would then change five times and scores level twice in a frantic finish, before late behinds to Dick Reynolds and Jack Cassin squared things up for the final time. Essendon won the replay, and the flag.

6. 2007 2nd semi-final, Subiaco: Collingwood 13.15 (93) d West Coast 10.14 (74) (extra time)

Collingwood were without ruckman Josh Fraser, the Eagles without midfield trio Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr, but they still managed to turn on an epic in the west eight years ago. The Eagles broke clear to lead by nearly four goals late in the third term, but three goals in the last three minutes of the quarter almost pulled the Pies level. Which they were by the end, extra time played for only a second time in finals history. And it was Collingwood which finished it on top, with 3.3 to two behinds in the additional 10 minutes of play.

7. 1965 2nd semi-final, MCG: St Kilda 13.24 (102) d Collingwood 14.17 (101)

The Saints famously beat the Pies by a point on grand final day 1966. They also did it a year earlier in a classic second semi-final. Collingwood spearhead Ian Graham dominated early , but the Saints hit back, despite atrocious kicking for goal. The lead changed seven times in the third term, but St Kilda led by 12 points at the final break. The Pies then kicked three goals in a row, but the Saints came one last time, goals to Verdun Howell and Carl Ditterich giving them the slenderest of leads to which they continued to cling.

8. 1995 2nd semi-final, MCG: Richmond 12.14 (86) d Essendon 11.7 (73)

The Tiger army haven't had a lot to cheer about in the modern era, but they'll always remember this day, when the yellow-and-black hauled back a five-goal deficit to win their first final of any description for 13 years. Essendon appeared to be coasting early, but a couple of misses from Paul Salmon soon after the long break proved costly. Matthew Knights was brilliant for the Tigers, hard man Scott Turner ironed out Gary O'Donnell, and with Chris Naish and Nick Daffy lifting, and on a wave of emotion, Richmond booted eight goals to two in the second half.

9. 1977 2nd semi-final, MCG: Collingwood 17.10 (112) d Hawthorn 16.14 (110)

This game is best remembered for Phil Carman's strike on Michael Tuck which cost him two weeks, and many would argue, Collingwood a premiership. As a game, though, the 1977 second semi was a cracker. Carman and Peter Moore kicked eight goals between them, Peter Hudson four for the Hawks. In a slashing final quarter, the Pies and Hawks kicked 13 goals. Collingwood looked set for the win before late goals from Hudson and John Hendrie brought it back to two points, some last-second heroics from Ron Wearmouth sending the Pies to the grand final.

10. 1937 2nd semi-final, MCG: Geelong 19.11 (125) d Melbourne 16.17 (113)

In over 40 years of league football, this playoff for a grand final spot produced the game's then highest-scoring final. Geelong started well, and added six goals in the second quarter, Melbourne, however, booted seven of their own. The frenetic pace continued to the end with a 12-goal final term, the Cats finally coming out on top. Jack Metherell was the biggest star with eight goals for Geelong, Jack Mueller and former Age chief football writer Percy Beames shared eight for the Demons.