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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. Vans Old Skool Cheap . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Vans Shoes Clearance . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/vans-sk8-hi-clearance.html . PAUL, Minn. Vans Sk8 Hi Leather . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Cheap Vans Shoes . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cruiserweight world titleholder Oleksandr Usyk will make his first defense -- and his United States debut -- against Thabiso The Rock Mchunu on Dec. 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, K2 Promotions announced on Wednesday.Usyk-Mchunu will be televised on HBOs World Championship Boxing (10 p.m. ET/PT) and open a tripleheader that will be headlined by the previously announced farewell fight for 51-year-old legend Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs), the former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion, who will end his 28-year career against Joe Smith (22-1, 18 KOs) in a 12-round light heavyweight contest.This is a great opportunity, Usyk said. Im very excited to fight for the first time in the United States and on HBO. After winning the world title in September, fighting in America was the next goal and I promise the fans in Los Angeles and those watching on HBO a great performance.Ukraines Usyk (10-0, 9 KOs), a 29-year-old southpaw with a big personality, won the Olympic heavyweight gold medal in 2012 and has moved quickly as a professional.On Sept. 17, Usyk traveled to Poland and won a unanimous decision against hometown fighter Krzysztof Glowacki to take his world title. By winning the 200-pound belt in only his 10th professional fight, Usyk broke the division record for fewest fights needed to win a world title, surpassing the mark held by Evander Holyfield, who won a cruiserweight world title in his 12th fight by outpointing Hall of Famer Dwight Muhammad Qawi in an epic 15-rounder in 1986.(Usyk) wants to be known as a true world champion, the same status the gold medal provided him as an amateur, said Alexander Krassyuk of K2 Promotions Ukraine. Were very thankful to HBO for this opportunity and see this as just the first step towards Oleksandr becoming a superstar in the United States.Usyk was initially supposed to face Bosnias 32-year-old Damir Beljo (22-0, 18 KOs) but Beljo ultimately declined to the fight because he did not believe he had enough time to properly prepare for the bout.Beljos decision opened the door for Mchunu (17-2, 11 KOs), a 28-year-old southpaw from South Africa, who made a name for himself in the United States in August 2013 when he upset Eddie Chambers by unanimous decision on a nationally televised card.Against good opposition, I The Rock always rise to the occasion, Mchunu said. Im eagerly focused on the throne.K2 Promotions managing director Tom Loeffler said it took only two days to make the fight with Main Events CEO Kathy Duva, Mchunus promoter, once Beljo dropped out.ddddddddddddWe give Mchunu and Kathy a lot of credit because they accepted the fight and it basically took two days to get it done, Loeffler said. It goes back to what I say about (Gennady Golovkins) fights: When two guys want to fight its easy to make a fight. We made the fight with Mchunu in two days. Hes not somebody you would pick for your first title defense. Hes a very skilled southpaw but Usyk doesnt care who he fights. Usyk is a throwback fighter. He doesnt care who he fights or where he fights. He just wants the opportunity to fight.Said Duva: Thabiso jumped at this opportunity the moment the offer was conveyed without hesitation. He is coming to win and it will be a great fight. I would also give all the credit in the world to Usyk for taking on such a tough challenge in his first defense of the title.Loeffler helped spearhead unified middleweight titleholder Golovkins arrival in the United States and an alliance with HBO as well as doing the same for pound-for-pound king Roman Chocolatito Gonzalez. He said he believes Usyk is capable of following in their footsteps.Weve seen what happened when GGG got the exposure on HBO and the same thing with Chocolatito, Loeffler said. When Gennady was unknown in the U.S. but an undefeated middleweight champion from Kazakhstan and when Roman was an undefeated champion from Nicaragua and came to the U.S., as soon as they had the exposure on HBO their careers went to another level. We expect the same for Usyk. We give (HBO Sports executive vice president) Peter Nelson a lot of credit. The cruiserweight division in the U.S. hasnt gotten the spotlight like it does in Europe but Peter is putting Usyk on like he did when he put on GGG and Roman. He saw their potential and sees Usyks. With the right exposure, Usyks career in the U.S. and internationally will take off.In the co-feature, rising featherweight contender Joseph JoJo Diaz Jr. (22-0, 13 KOs), a 2012 U.S. Olympian from South El Monte, California, will defend his regional belt against Horacio Violento Garcia (30-1-1, 22 KOs), 26, of Mexico, in a scheduled 10-round fight. ' ' '