The general admission areas looked full.

“CHRIS Judd is facing a two-match suspension for making contact to the face of Brisbane’s Michael Rischitelli.

The match review panel have ruled that Judd made unnecessary and unreasonable contact to Rischitelli’s face during Saturday night’s loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.

Judd has said he was not trying to eye-gouge Rischitelli, but was looking to apply a martial arts technique.
If Judd takes the case to the tribunal, he risks a three-game ban. Any ban will be served at the start of next season. “

AFter all, when the Vic Police used this technique, they were forced to pay out compensation for ‘excessive use of force’.

The snippet I saw in the H-S doesn’t mention degree of force.

Nothing official came of it – I think the AFL feels he’s made of golden teflon !

To this day it amazes me that I have not heard him being asked or answering anything about the West Coast drug saga.
Not suggesting that he was at all involved but he was the captain at the time and you would expect some public questioning – as Wordfold had to endure.

Mind you Worsfold’s responses were pretty lame and un-illuminating

The best was a 33K plus one year, and a home Prelim final that drew 37K.

So, 32.7K is right on their previously exhibited mark.

Reality is it’s always hard to ask a heap of people to trek interstate at short notice for a cut throat elimination final. That’s pretty well a given.

Voss was spuiking, you’re right, and what he was saying was over the top.

The Bullies v Brisbane final on Friday night will be around the 48,000 mark – it might touch 50,000 – but it won’t go too far beyond that.

Collingwood v Adelaide should get more, not just because of the Collingwood army, but Adelaide fans will travel for cut-throat finals in decent numbers.

Bit of shame crowd wise that Ess and Carl are out, the G would be packed…. oh well next year.

Redb

The weekend’s total of 241,315, is well up on the previous record under the current final-eight system of 237,136 (from 2006).

Based on two MCG finals (total of 159,000), an Adelaide final, and a Gabba final that got 32,000.

But more interesting, Tagger says in his observations for the weekend:
1. just when you thought it wasn’t possible for an Australian Pm to put on a more cringe-worthy performance at a sporting event…

I tell you what, the average AFL fan can sniff out someone putting it on a mile off.

On that precident, Judd should go for several weeks for ‘excessively forceful’ contact to the head???

This is the best way to deal with players who are trying to put you off your game.

It will not only make your opponent sleepy but give them blurred vision as well.

I’ve never seen the zone work as well as it did on Friday night for the Crows even against my under-manned Bombers, It was a little scary to see.

The forward set up with Tippett, the Porpoise, Dangerfield and Burton are probably the number one forward line in the AFL. When the Crows get the ball and run near 50, they race off like panthers their opponent streaming out the back of them with no hope.

St Kilda are good enough to beat them IMO. But in 2010 watch out.

Redb

I beleive its not the first time he had tried his finger conjuring tactic………you will get sleepier and sleepier…you will pass the ball to Juddster…

He has now admitted intent has to get weeks you would think. Ohh I wasnt eye gouging just trying to paralyse the poor bloke. Match Review Panel says “errr Ok no worries thanks Juddy and how is Kevin07?”

Carlton, stinking rotten Carlton have infected this once great footballer on the field. Hope he doesnt digress off it and slaps Rebecca Twigley around, there’ll be a riot. Hands off Juddy shes mine

Redb

That’s one criticism I’ve had of Craig. He over-thinks too much and sometimes the bleeding obvious is ignored.

This year, I think they’re just going out trying to win each game as it comes, and must now be seen as probably THE form team still left in the comp.

However, expect that to mean nought 0:01 minutes into Saturday night’s match.

Actually, a lot of the improvement in the Crows I would put down to Todd Viney. Future AFL head coach, of that there is no doubt. When the next coaching merry-go-round takes place, expect his name to be top of many clubs’ wishlist.

In rugby, Burger was crucified for what he did, and rightly so.

In Australian football Judd gets away with nothing!!

I would expect the AFL to give him at least 2 weeks anything less will be seen as a cop out.

Really bizarre and he should get a penalty of some sort, what if the pressure point caused a spasm or a fit?

Total contrast to the image of Jono Brown – what a footballer.

Redb

The Doggies, may well have peaked in the last couple of weeks, as they came under pressure to ensure a top 4 and certainly top 3 position. On Saturday, the Doggies start was shocking, and their finish was off target when the pressure was greatest – Brad Johnson actually has a very, very shakey history of important set shot kicks…..he’s like a soccer penalty spot chocker.

The Pies, would’ve been disappointed with Sunday, the loss of Pendlebury is a major one, and the insertion of Rocca shows a fraction of panic – given the form or lack there of from Jack Anthony.
The Crows are a marvellous x-factor side right now – - far from the Craig Automatons of years gone by. The Crows may well be just the right combination at the right time. Collingwood will be very, very nervous. They have to return to the drawing board to a degree this week – the Crows don’t.

The Lions have won the Grand Final – all else is a bonus – obviously though, their forward line can stretch the doggies. Anything can happen in a sudden death final.

This from the AFL’s poster boy and ornament to the game

”Look, I was pushing my thumb into the pressure point behind your ear,” he said yesterday.

”I haven’t actually seen it on footage, but I assume my hands are close to his eyes. I don’t think the pressure point was really hurting him, but it was a dumb thing to do.”

The Blues’ leader said there was no contact with Rischitelli’s eyes. ”You’d have to poke someone really hard in the eye … to get up, you’d be really blinking. I assume he wasn’t doing that.

”Hopefully we get on with it and we move on to round one. I’d prefer it didn’t happen, but it has. We’ll deal with that if we have to.”

WTF is Judd trying to do. What a low act!!

It will be interesting to see how this plays out and the AFL manages this.

Redb

In the four years running that Brisbane made the grand final, 2001 to 2004, at no stage did they finish first, nor were any of their seasons comparable to Carlton of 1995, Essendon of 2000, St Kilda this year, or even Geelong in their last three seasons.

Adelaide are well trained, make space and have a lethal forward set up. They’re in top form.

Redb

The Bombers went from getting walloped in the 1983 GF to winning the next 2. You see, getting thrashed in a final is no big deal.

Ludicrously, according to you – “They began the decade as the competition’s most dominant side and to end it like this would be galling for most Essendon supporters”

The AFL has engineered it that no side ever stays dominant. Except ofcourse when a new side comes in and they rig it as much as possible to give the new teams a chance of success. E.G Brisbane Lions salary concesions and now the new GC17. Where have you been for the last 10 years David.

Yeah I think you can attribute much of the magnitude of the loss of key players to injury and suspension. No ruck, no clearances, classy forward line for Adelaide.

I sat with 50,000 rabid Crows fan on Friday night and felt the pain and embarassment of a poor performance but on reflection the year has seen a major improvement in Essendon’s fortunes.

Essendon went from 13th to 8th in 2009. Importantly we have 3 emerging players that the club will build its future around in Ryder, Watson and Hurley. Good strides.

Go Dons!

Tipping a St Kilda v Adelaide Grand Final, Saints to win for the first time in 43 years.

Redb