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Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell remains adamant the AFL should discard grand final replays, but admits the current system probably saved his side from defeat.
The Magpies skipper on Sunday refused to back down from his post-match blast that it was an “absolute joke” that Collingwood and St Kilda had to clash again a week after Saturday’s 68-all draw.
“I spoke a minute after the game and I was severely frustrated and disappointed,” Maxwell said.
“I suppose looking back now I wouldn’t change anything I said, because I said what I felt at the time. I’m not a believer in playing again the next week.
“But having said that I think we really dodged a bullet and St Kilda probably played better than what we did.
“I’m now grateful that we’ve got another opportunity.”
With the Saints having charged home from a 24-point deficit early in the third quarter, Maxwell said the extra-time option he preferred would have favoured the side with the momentum.
But he pointed to broader issues, such as fan satisfaction, players’ post-season plans and conflicts with other sporting events.
“It throws everything into disarray when we have to play again the next week,” he said.
“… Everyone goes there expecting a result and I think that’s probably what everyone deserves in the end and I think that if you take a poll, most people would prefer that.”
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou backed the replay system, which is set to net the league a financial windfall, although he said it would be reviewed.
But he said the hierarchy were proud of the unique nature of their code and felt no compulsion to react to such a rare circumstance – just the third drawn VFL/AFL grand final.
“Of course there was a strange feeling after the game, but it would have been even more strange and hollow for a team that loses after extra time,” Demetriou said.
“I think we’ve all seen the lack of satisfaction from a World Cup or major game that’s decided on penalties.”
He said the 100,016 spectators in attendance on Saturday witnessed a game they would never forget.
“We are not of a mind to changing the rules, we don’t change rules as a knee-jerk reaction to something that’s happened yesterday,” Demetriou said.
“I’m sure that at a point in time the AFL executive and commission will review and consider all of its options, but I remind everybody that it is a unique nature of the game.”
While Saints coach Ross Lyon said post-game his instinct favoured extra time, by Sunday he was spruiking the merits of the replay.
“Golden goals and extra time are debatable. Rather than a small sample, we find out over 100 minutes again (who the best team is), there’s no doubt about that. I’m now happy for a grand final replay.”
Demetriou said the replay – to be resolved by extra time in the unlikely event of another draw – would have more members of the competing clubs present than any previous grand final, with less corporate tickets.
The clubs and players will be financially compensated for playing again.
Demetriou predicted a “very low-key” grand final week the second time around, with considerably fewer functions, including no parade on Friday.
The limelight is also expected to be shared with two other significant announcements.
The AFL is understood to have wanted the announcement on Geelong star Gary Ablett’s expected switch to Gold Coast held off last week, rather than dilute grand final publicity, but are unlikely to stretch it out another week.
And Essendon are tipped to announce former premiership captain James Hird as their new coach.
Factbox on AFL grand final replay:
Collingwood v St Kilda at the MCG, 2.30pm AEST Saturday October 2
Head to head: Collingwood 150 St Kilda 57 Drawn 2
Last time: Collingwood 9.14 (68) drew with St Kilda 10.8 (68) GF 2010, MCG
Overall finals record: Collingwood (played 169, won 73, lost 91, drawn 5). St Kilda (played 50, won 21, lost 28, drawn 1)
Head to head in finals: Collingwood 3 St Kilda 6 Drawn 1
Last time in finals: Collingwood 9.14 (68) drew with St Kilda 10.8 (68) GF 2010, MCG
Overall grand finals record: Collingwood (played 41, won 14, lost 25, drawn 2) St Kilda (played 7, won 1, lost 5, drawn 1)
Head to head in grand finals: Collingwood 0 St Kilda 1 Drawn 1
Last time in grand finals: Collingwood 9.14 (68) drew with St Kilda 10.8 (68) GF 2010, MCG
Betting: TAB: Collingwood $1.55 St Kilda $2.35. Sportingbet: Collingwood $1.57 St Kilda $2.40
The big unknown is how the two sides will react to Saturday’s drawn grand final. Both clubs can make a case from their initial grand final clash to suggest they can make the incremental improvement needed second time around. For St Kilda, they came in as underdogs, trailed almost all day, but fought back strongly to level the scores. They will go into the replay with momentum and the belief that if they throw everything they have at the Magpies, they can crack them. Having lost ruckman Michael Gardiner to injury before halftime, the Saints will also hope that if a fit replacement such as Ben McEvoy can play a full game, that should make a huge difference. Tough defender Steven Baker should also take confidence and increased match fitness after making a solid return from a three-month absence. But the Magpies can also draw on some significant positives. Unlike the Saints, they went into the initial grand final clash with most players lacking grand final experience, something they have now remedied. They will also take heart from the amount of ball they were able to deliver into their attacking 50m arc despite midfield stars Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Luke Ball and Alan Didak picking up below their normal possession tallies. If Collingwood can maintain or improve their performance in general play and their forwards – particularly Chris Dawes and Travis Cloke – can find their kicking range, they will like their chances.
Key: Lenny Hayes and Brendon Goddard were magnificent for St Kilda on Saturday and nearly willed their side over the line. Can they possibly repeat those performances, or can the Magpies find a way to reduce their influence? For Collingwood, the big question is whether they can make the most of their chances when they are on top and maintain their composure if the Saints make another charge.
Tip: Collingwood by 10 points
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