Original sentence: Collingwood were without Phil Carman, who had been suspended for two matches for striking Hawthorn's Michael Tuck in the Second Semi-Final.Collingwood, under former Richmond coach Tom Hafey, had risen from last in the 1976 season, to play off in the Grand Final
Edited sentence: At the conclusion of the home and away season, Collingwood, under former Richmond coach Tom Hafey, had finished first on the VFL ladder with 18 wins and 4 losses.Collingwood advanced straight to the Grand Final on the back of a two point win over Hawthorn in the Second Semi-Final.In the finals series leading up to the Grand Final, North Melbourne lost to Hawthorn by 38 points in the Qualifying Final before defeating Richmond by 47 points in the First Semi-Final.North Melbourne had finished second (behind Hawthorn), with 15 wins and 7 losses.The Magpies were without Phil Carman for he Grand Final, who had been suspended for two matches for striking Hawthorn's Michael Tuck in the Second Semi-Final.They had amazingly risen from last place in the 1976 season.They then met Hawthorn once again in the Preliminary Final, this time winning comfortably by 67 points to advance to the Grand Final