Adam Schneider and Andrew McQualter of St Kilda Saints celebrate a goal during their AFL 1st Qualifying Final victory over Collingwood Magpies
When people look back at the first week of the 2009 Finals, they will see it going straight according to the form guide, but it wouldn’t have been like that had Carlton held their nerve.
Neither the Bulldogs or Magpies could cause the upset which means they should simply swap partners come the third week of the finals. The Geelong – St Kilda Grand Final is basically a done deal.
Eight is Enough
You can only blame injuries and suspensions so much. The truth of the matter is that the Bombers were one of the worst finals sides in recent memory.
To lose by 96 points was painful as it was embarrassing. Who knows where the Bombers go to from here? They began the decade as the competition’s most dominant side and to end it like this would be galling for most Essendon supporters.
As for the AFL, they will be having concerns about introducing a finals system which has more than eight teams. Less definitely is more.
Riches of Brisbane
What is more significant than the Lions coming back to defeat the Blues was how good Daniel Rich is going to be. He may not wear the Number 3, but no doubt he is the heir apparent to Michael Voss.
He was the year’s first Rising Star nominee and won the award unanimously. Against the Blues he was stellar and, while the Lions aren’t going to win the flag this year, they have hit the jackpot with Rich.
If only Richmond had the draft pick before the Lions instead of after – then he would join great players the likes of Matthew Pavlich and Buddy Franklin who weren’t deemed good enough by the Tigers.
Dogs need to Find Their Bark
They always seem to be there and thereabouts without being able to take that leap. 1961 was the last time the Bulldogs were in a Grand Final. No doubt they have made incredible strides as a club, but what is it all worth it unless one year they make a splash in September?
After making successive preliminary finals in 1997-98, it was 10 years until they were back in the final four. Now or never is a pretty apt description of their situation as it has been for the last 48 years.
Looking Ahead
The Brisbane Lions will be brought down to earth by the Western Bulldogs. Adelaide began their season against Collingwood and will end it against the Magpies and in the process will bring about another all-Victorian final four.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Pretty crude martial arts technique!! :)
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
The vast ring of empty seats I saw looked like corporate boxes to me, people given tickets probably and a shame but the reality of sports these days. The general admission areas looked full.
Mattay
Guest
Wasn't Barry Hall's swing at Staker just a martial arts technique as well?
Art Sapphire
Guest
I can't see Judd appealing this - "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. "
Michael C
Guest
I just want to see what degree of force the Match Review Panel is applying in the charge. 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.
Redb
Roar Guru
Reports of 2 weeks for Judd.
BigAl
Guest
Judd was accussed of 'eye gouging' Cambell Brown of Hawthorn in a game in Tassie. a year or so back. 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
Michael C
Guest
Par for Lions finals at the Gabba is around the 32.5 K mark, based on the early 2000s. 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.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I think it was roughly where you would expect it to be given the Wallabies were on at the same time. 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.
Justin
Guest
Was the Gabba crowd disappointing? After listening to Voss spruik that they would have no problem filling it I expected it to be packed.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Agree in relation to the bullies (maybe even high 40s). 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.
Redb
Roar Guru
Will get two games at around 50K this week, Bullies v lions could get sub 50K, I'd expect a lot of Crow fans to come over for the Magpie match, the question is can the Pie fans stomach fronting up again for another shellacking? :-) Bit of shame crowd wise that Ess and Carl are out, the G would be packed.... oh well next year. Redb
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Another bit of history: 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.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I just read that Brisbane's last quarter come back was the largest finals last quarter come back in VFL/AFL history. 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.
Michael C
Guest
You may recall the Victorian Police tried this tactic some years back - re 'crowd control' at the World Economic Forum - and got in hot water over it with compensation payouts for excessive force. On that precident, Judd should go for several weeks for 'excessively forceful' contact to the head???
Art Sapphire
Guest
Gary Ablett please take note and learn from Sensei Juddster. 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.
Redb
Roar Guru
I think they're good enough to beat Collingwood and perhaps Geelong in what will be a classic preliminary final. 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
Redb
Roar Guru
Judd has dropped a peg or two IMO as a result. 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
Mattay
Guest
What I like about the Crows this year is that, unlike previous finals campaigns, they appear to be getting better each week. In previous years, especially when their top 4 spot was assured prior to round 22, Neill Craig would often get too clever and have the players either drop off or raise the intensity leading up to finals, depending on the scientific viewpoint for optimal finals performance (TM) at the time. 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.
True Tah
Guest
Maybe the Carlton Blues employed Schalk Burger to give them some mongrel! In rugby, Burger was crucified for what he did, and rightly so. In Australian football Judd gets away with nothing!!