Jeremy Finlayson (GWS) and Tom Lynch (Richmond). Off to the biggest game of the season. Photos: GETTY IMAGES

Frustration and anger have dominated the airwaves.

At the time of writing, about 24 hours after the fact, it seems as if it could go on forever.

Some are blaming Chris Scott, even calling for his sacking, after another September failure – this time as the coach of the minor premier.

Others reckon it’s Tom Hawkins’ fault after an inexplicable act saw the All-Australian forward suspended. He whacked an opponent in the head and was never going to be available the next week.

That Richmond had Tom Lynch standing tall and kicking five goals in a match-winning display only highlighted Hawkins’ absence at the other end.

Another theory is that the Tigers were just too good with too many winners around the ground, having turned the tide during the third quarter to overpower Geelong.

Part of the fault lies at the feet of a midfield packed with superstars, who were on top early but allowed themselves to be overrun. Then there were some lesser lights who failed to shine in their respective roles.

But no matter how Geelong fans apportion the source of their fury and disappointment, the Cats are out of the premiership race.

Sleepy Hollow and its football-mad inhabitants, who became accustomed to September success under Mark Thompson and in the early stages of Scott’s reign, are now more attuned to home-and-away wins being followed by finals flops.

A summer of reflection beckons for an ever-evolving Geelong side as it seeks to put together its next premiership puzzle.

Collingwood fans know a similar pain. Having thrown away a grand final after kicking the opening five goals last year, the Magpies let slip another massive opportunity. It’s been like a throwback to all those years of black-and-white finals heartbreak over the past two seasons.

Nathan Buckley’s men were outmuscled in the wet by a desperate Greater Western Sydney, which has played the sort of finals football of which some sides can only dream.

It has been hard and tough in the face of adversity – this time missing Lachie Whitfield, Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio – and overcome major hurdles.

Not least a Collingwood fightback in front of a rabid MCG crowd, and a dodgy ARC decision that threatened to overshadow a desperate final quarter in the wet.

The Giants could welcome back the aforementioned quartet for the club’s maiden grand final appearance, but will also monitor injured skipper Phil Davis, who has led superbly without co-captain Callan Ward (knee) by his side this season.

The doubts cast over this Giants group – disparagingly tagged the “Ferrari” over the years – could be gone soon. So, too, could the doubts over Leon Cameron and his coaching credentials.

But there’s one more hurdle to overcome. The look on Greene’s face said it all throughout the dying stages of the preliminary final as Collingwood pumped the ball forward time and again.

There must have been 1000 emotions running through the suspended star’s head. Then, relief and excitement, and pure ecstasy at the thought of returning a week later for his first grand final.

The Giants had not won an interstate final before 2019. Now they have won two in as many weeks and will be aiming for a third with a very big prize at the end of it.

Zac Williams and Tim Taranto gave monster efforts in Greene’s absence and Nick Haynes produced one of the great defensive performances in modern finals after Davis limped off and was then stationed in attack.

Reputations are built in September and this will be the game that people look back on as Haynes’ arrival on the big stage. As a collective, we’ve finally taken notice of a man the Giants have rated highly for some time now.

Young tall Sam Taylor was similarly brilliant at the back and Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron buried his finals demons at the other end, kicking three important goals on a night when they were excruciatingly hard to come by.

One of them put the Giants more than five goals up in the final quarter before Collingwood, which had managed just three goals for the match to that point, sprung to life and rallied.

Josh Thomas’ “goal” and another attempt from Mayne that was touched on the line by Taylor were moments of controversy, but the Giants held firm and deserved their win.

Of the beaten preliminary finalists, Geelong’s blame game might be worse than Collingwood’s.

Jordan de Goey’s hamstring and a procession of injuries throughout the year could not be helped by the Magpies. Jaidyn Stephenson’s betting ban was an avoidable setback, though he was back when it mattered in September.

But the Magpies were handed a lesson in the wet. They’ll watch on forlornly as bitter rivals Richmond take on GWS in the big one.

The Tigers, no doubt, will start warm favourites despite patchy form in a slow start against Geelong that threatened to see them miss out for a second successive year at the penultimate stage of the season.

The Cats’ were on fire as Tim Kelly starred in what could yet prove to be his final game for the club. He kicked three goals from 31 disposals. Gary Ablett, too, might have been in the hoops for the final time

Five straight goals to start the third quarter turned the match Richmond’s way.

Geelong’s performance was a microcosm of its season – brilliant in the first half, inconsistent and ultimately defeated in the second.

Lynch was enormous. His five goals came from 19 disposals and 10 marks, four of them contested. He had a dozen score involvements.

Bachar Houli, Dion Prestia and Shane Edwards were important, as were Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin – despite the two biggest stars dealing with leg injuries.

Houli could be considered lucky to be available for the grand final after a high hit on Gryan Miers. Nathan Broad (concussion) and young tyro Jack Graham (dislocated shoulder) might not get a chance.

Graham’s injury could pave the way for Sydney Stack to return or even open up a spot for Marlion Pickett to make his AFL debut in the grand final.

Wouldn’t that be remarkable? Enough will be written about the former prisoner turned South Fremantle star and mid-season draftee this week before the teams are selected.

But it’s just one of dozens of intriguing storylines that we’ll follow closely in the build-up to a grand final that promises so much.

Now, you’ve just got to work out which side you’re on.