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And then there were four.No Hawthorn, no West Coast, no Fremantle, no North Melbourne. For the first time since 2007, all four preliminary finalists are different from the previous year. But while the cards have fallen differently in 2016, there is still an enormous amount of intrigue ahead of the AFLs penultimate week of the season.This years two preliminary finals -- while both tantalising for spectators -- could not be more contrasting.Geelong vs. SydneySydney and Geelong will both feel the pressure for various reasons when they take to the MCG on Friday night. One of these 21st century powerhouses will again fail to secure a place on the AFLs grandest stage in what will likely be labelled another failed year.The Cats aggressive off-season recruitment means the spotlight will be shining brightly on Chris Scott and the clubs brains trust. The high-profile and much acclaimed acquisition of superstar onballer Patrick Dangerfield has bolstered their midfield stocks enormously, but after paying so much to lure him away from the Crows -- not to mention the additions of Zac Smith, Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood -- success will be expected sooner rather than later.Without question, the Cats loaded up for another premiership on the back of their incredible era of success in the noughties, and anything less will be deemed a failure.If they crash out this weekend, questions will abound.What do they do with ageing superstars Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor, who are all over 30?Do they have enough young talent on their list? The Cats do have some promising youngsters, but not to the same degree as many of their rivals. To make matters worse, their first pick in the 2016 draft is a lowly No. 38. Master recruiting manager Stephen Wells will have to work his magic, yet again, to ensure the Cats dont drop away.Even the most optimistic Cats fan would acknowledge they must strike now to justify their all in approach during the last player exchange period.The Swans, meanwhile, are also under pressure on myriad fronts. Injuries to key personnel have come at the worst possible time, while they also have to travel to the MCG -- admittedly, a happy hunting ground for them -- for the preliminary final off the back of a six-day break.However, their decision almost three years ago to sign Lance Franklin on a $10m, nine-year deal once again has the spotlight firmly fixed on the Harbour City club.Rightly or wrongly, the Swans are viewed as needing to justify Franklins staggering contract with silverware, and a loss to Geelong will mean three seasons have come and gone without any since the former Hawk made the move north.Franklin missed last years finals campaign with mental health issues, but hes back and in arguably career-best form this season and could almost single-handedly lead his team towards premiership glory. But if not, watch the cynics line up to state -- with Franklin only a few months away from hitting a footballers dreaded age of 30 -- that time is running out to strike during the Buddy era.GWS vs. Western BulldogsThe second preliminary final could not be more different.Its too much to claim Saturdays clash at Spotless Stadium is a free hit for the Bulldogs and Giants, but both clubs are under far less pressure than the two teams that will be do battle at the MCG a day earlier.Why?Because both clubs have arrived earlier than expected.Many football experts and fans would have predicted these two sides, particularly the Giants, had the ability to challenge for the premiership over the next two, four or even eight years. So if they fall one or two hurdles short this season, all would not be lost as they should be set for a sustained period of success.Looking at GWS, its perhaps no surprise they are only two wins away from a first premiership trophy.The Giants list is the envy of the competition. Having feasted on 17 top-10 draft picks since 2011 -- the next most in that time is Melbourne with six, while four clubs (the Hawks, Crows, Dockers and Eagles) havent had a single top-10 pick during the same timeframe -- they were always going to rocket up the ladder and smash through the premiership window at some stage. To be on the brink of a premiership in their maiden finals campaign shows just why their rival clubs are worried about an imminent period of domination.The Dogs ability to nail their early and late draft picks, as well as rookie selections, in the past few years also has them set up to be a long-term contender.Under Luke Beveridge, the Bulldogs are tough, hungry and, perhaps most importantly, young. The side that stunned Hawthorn only had a combined 1,899 matches of experience -- exactly 1,500 less than the finals-hardened Hawks.The Dogs are also resilient. The Bulldogs have somehow overcome a seemingly endless amount of injuries, defying enormous adversity throughout the season. For a young side to make the top four after being without their inspirational captain for almost the entire year is testament to Luke Beveridge and the playing group.Whether they win or lose on Saturday, the future is still blindingly bright at Whitten Oval.Extreme pressure is a constant companion during any final. But the pressure gauge is likely to be cranked up an extra notch or two when the Swans and Cats clash for a place in the grand final. Cheap Wholesale Jerseys .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Nike NFL Jerseys China . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. http://www.cheapjerseysnflstore.com/ . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Sale NFL Jerseys . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Football Jerseys Outlet . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett is returning home with a chance to make history.Barnett, who is from Nashville, heads into the final regular-season game of his junior year with 31 career sacks. That leaves him just one shy of Reggie Whites 33-year-old Tennessee career record.All season, Barnett has downplayed the importance of setting that record. That hasnt changed now that hes only one away it as he heads to his hometown for the 24th-ranked Volunteers Saturday matchup with Vanderbilt (5-6, 2-5 SEC).I would be excited to catch that record back home, but Id be more excited if we get a `W, Barnett said after earning his 31st sack last week in a 63-37 victory over Missouri. Every time I step on the field, thats what Im worried about is winning. If thats me getting a sack, helping the team win, then (thats) good. Or if thats me just affecting the quarterback, getting no sacks and we still win, Im fine with that.Barnett already is the first Southeastern Conference player ever to post at least 10 sacks in three separate seasons. After posting 10 sacks each of his first two seasons, Barnett has an SEC-leading 11 sacks this year.Saturdays game also matches the SECs two top players in tackles for loss, as Barnett has 17 and Vanderbilts Zach Cunningham has 16 +.Tennessee (8-3, 4-3) has needed Barnett more than ever to lead a defense decimated by injuries at every level.The line lost three of its top tackles when Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie suffered season-ending injuries and Danny OBrien was dismissed from the team. The linebacker corps lost Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Quarte Sapp to season-ending injuries and also was missing Darrin Kirkland Jr. for five games due to a high ankle sprain. The secondary lost Cam Sutton for six games and could be without leading tackler Todd Kelly Jr. for a second straight game this week.I remember him in the locker room at halftime getting on guys, pushing the defense to play better, quarterback Joshua Dobbs said. If he sees guys are slacking or he sees guys are doing well, hes the first one to say anything.Barnett also has led by example..dddddddddddd. He has played his best when the stakes are highest, as all 11 of his sacks this season have come in SEC competition.When I watch him, that dudes a monster, Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said. Hes a beast one-on-one. Ive seen him beat one guy, two guys, three guys.Barnetts 50 career tackles for loss rank third in school history and put him three away from the school record set by Leonard Little, who had 53 from 1995-97.The only active Football Bowl Subdivision player with more career sacks is Texas A&Ms Myles Garrett, who has 32 +.Hes got a great motor, said Tennessee offensive tackle Brett Kendrick, who has the unenviable task of lining up against Barnett in practice. Even if you stop his initial move, hes always got a counter off that one, and even if you stop that, hes probably got a counter off that one. He just never stops.As well as Barnett has played, Tennessees defense has struggled overall. Tennessee ranks 11th out of 14 SEC teams in total defense and has given up over 400 yards rushing in each of its last two games.That may explain why Barnett has been overlooked on the national award circuit. Barnett wasnt selected as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, separate honors given out to the nations best overall defensive player.I dont want to take away from anybody else who was nominated for these national awards, but I dont know what else an individual has to do, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. (Considering) the transformation of our football program -- the mentality, him as a person, him as a competitor and the productivity that hes meant to our football program -- I think youd be hard pressed anywhere in the country to find anybody better or more deserving than Derek Barnett.---AP Sports Writer Teresa Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Steve Megargee at www.twitter.com/stevemegargee ' ' '