New AFL club the Gold Coast Suns are set to announce on Tuesday they have signed Hawthorn tough nut Campbell Brown.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is adamant Aaron Sandilands will fulfil his full ruck duties against Geelong, claiming anything less would be a liability in a cut-throat AFL semi-final at the MCG.

Having watched Brett Kirk's resurgence upon sighting the finish line, Sydney coach Paul Roos expects nothing less from Brad Johnson when the Swans face Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Sunday night.

Western Bulldogs key forward Barry Hall has caught another September break, evading suspension for punching Collingwood's Harry O'Brien.

Captain Brad Johnson has confirmed his impending AFL retirement at the end of the Western Bulldogs' 2010 campaign.

Fremantle officials remain optimistic ruckman Aaron Sandilands will be fit to tackle Geelong on Friday night despite the dual All-Australian skipping training on Monday.

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson is set to announce his retirement this afternoon.

Sydney coach Paul Roos has dismissed any talk of favouritism for next Saturday's AFL semi-final after his side pulled off an outstanding win against Carlton.

Shattered Carlton was again left ruing its blown chances as it lost a tight AFL elimination final for the second successive year.

Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk insists he will be fit for next week after farewelling Sydney with a trademark performance in Sunday's five-point win over Carlton in the first elimination final at the Olympic stadium.

Sydney has delivered Carlton another gutting first-week elimination from the AFL finals.

Collingwood says it has no concerns about the likely prospect of taking on Geelong in a preliminary final for the third time in four seasons.

Fremantle has breathed a huge sigh of relief after scans cleared ruckman Aaron Sandilands of any serious damage to his knee, freeing him for Friday night's AFL semi-final against Geelong.

Midfielder Ryan Griffen says the Western Bulldogs "still believe" despite their embarrassing 62-point loss to Collingwood in Saturday night's AFL qualifying final.

Fremantle's band of talented youngsters will enter Friday night's semi-final showdown against Geelong at the MCG without fear after ending Hawthorn's AFL season in convincing fashion on Saturday.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is adamant his team's premiership window has not closed just yet despite the Hawks bombing out of this year's finals series at the first hurdle.

Collingwood showed no signs of September nerves with a commanding 62-point drubbing of the Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday night to earn a spot in the preliminary finals.

Fremantle will gamble on the fitness of injured ruckman Aaron Sandilands against Geelong next Friday night, with the 211cm giant set to play as a permanent forward if he fails to recover from a knock to his knee.

Fremantle eliminated Hawthorn from the 2010 flag race with a 30-point upset before 42,719 fans at Subiaco Oval in the second elimination final on Saturday afternoon.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten knows it is asking a lot of his men to defeat a Sydney unit playing arguably more fluent football than the 2005 premiership team.

In an ominous message for other finalists, St Kilda insists it has more improvement to come after beating defending premiers Geelong.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson has warned his men not to bother turning up for a sudden death AFL semi-final unless they are prepared to be desperate from the start.

St Kilda moved to within one victory of its second straight grand final appearance with a gripping four-point upset of Geelong in the second qualifying final at a slippery MCG on Friday night.

St Kilda tagger Steven Baker will have to wait for his return from a long AFL suspension after becoming a late withdrawal from Friday night's qualifying final against Geelong.