What a weekend of sport. Two fantastic preliminary finals, and we now know who will contest the 2012 AFL Grand Final – Hawthorn and Sydney. But the finals didn’t pan out as expected.
On Friday night everyone expected a classic close-encounter between the Swans and the ‘Pies, but it wasn’t to be. Sydney raced out to an early lead, and kept it for the rest of the game.
Sydney’s midfield of Josh Kennedy, Kieron Jack, Adam Goodes, Daniel Hannebery and Ryan O’Keefe dominated all game.
Collingwood just didn’t have any answers. They panicked. They made mistakes they normally wouldn’t, and just couldn’t keep up with Sydney.
On Jude Bolton’s 300th AFL match, it was his teammate who delivered: none-other than one Lewis Jetta, booting three goals to make it a memorable occasion his teammate.
It was Jetta’s devastating 100-metre run from the Swan’s defensive half that the game will be remembered by. Picking up the ball from the backline he ran.
And ran.
And ran.
Jetta then proceeded to kick the goal that took the life out of Collingwood.
In Chris Tarrant’s final game, Collingwood just simply didn’t have it in them.
After a strong season, the better team progressed through to the grand final where they will meet Hawthorn.
South of the border, the twilight game at the ‘G’ had it all. It was a result no one was expecting. It was meant to be a blowout win to Hawthorn but it was Adelaide who attacked the Hawks and didn’t stop.
The Crows started the better of the two sides, hanging on to a five point lead at the half-time break. The Hawks were wasteful in front of goal, ending the game with 19 behinds.
To Adelaide’s credit, they kept at Hawthorn right to the end, but it wasn’t to be. Taylor Walker’s final quarter goal closed the gap to five points but it was just too late.
Patrick Dangerfield made the difference to Adelaide in the final quarter with a memorable performance. He completely dominated around the ground, setting up an exciting finish.
They hit the lead with five minutes to go, so what did Hawthorn do?
They turned to their main-man: Cyril Rioli.
Rioli kicked a six-pointer straight away to put the Hawks back in the lead, before providing Franklin with the killer blow.
Rioli finished the game with 26 possessions, and in the last quarter gifted Hawthorn with a grand final berth.
Next Saturday, Sydney will take on favourites Hawthorn in the grand final. The two best sides all season have deservedly booked their places in the grand final and what a game we have on our hands.
So who will it be, Hawthorn or Sydney?
langou
Roar Guru
I dare say if a poll was done here in Victoria most would be going for the Swans as well.
Matt F
Roar Guru
They are weak against real power forwards, and Adelaide had two of them (though they probably won't have Tippet next season.) Unfortunately we don't really have one of those so it cancels out the Hawks weak point to an extent next week. Reid and Goodes aren't that type of forward, LRT is a defender turned frorward. I'd imagine that LRT will go to Gibson and try and keep him from playing the third man up role that he does so well. Mumford/Pyke have the physique and will rotate through but neither of those two are is going to kick 4+ goals. That being said, the sheer number of talls that the Swans can rotate through their forward line could stretch the Hawks.
Mango Jack
Guest
I don't think the HAwks defence was very good at all. Shoenmakers was ineffective and ill-disciplined. They will be a lot stronger with Hodge and possible Guerra back, though.
Walesy
Roar Rookie
Both Sides match up well in all areas of the park, will be interesting to see how Sydney cope with Hawthorn's forwards
Australian Rules
Guest
Sydney go quite deep in their mids but Hawthorn's aren't bad either. The Hawks starting mids are Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis. Their rotating backups are Hodge, Rioli, Burgoyne...not bad. Will be a close 4 qtr game.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I reckon it had a lot to do with his daughter being born as his form improved dramatically after that. Given what happened to him and his family last year it's no surprise that his mind was most likely on other things up until that point.
Walesy
Roar Rookie
Completety correct, Sydney have so many players contributing in the midfield, thats what makes them such a powerful team to play against. you cant stop all of them
Walesy
Roar Rookie
Shaw is capable, he is a great player but his disposal effiecency against collingwood was terrible, if only his kicking was as good as his intesity and ability to win the ball. he could be the key for sydneys defence in supporting richards
Strummer Jones
Guest
Agree. I have knocked McVeigh this year for a lack of form in many games, but Friday night was likely his best game for the year. He also played very well against Adelaide. Maybe mid-year it was his adjustment with the new family addition etc (similar to Jetta last year whom admitted it took a lot out of him and affected his form in 2011), but who knows. He is playing extremely well.
Dingo
Guest
One Swan player who was absolutely critical to their win over Collingwood on Friday night was Jarrad Mcveigh, he was a rock in defence and a real ice man under pressure. As good as the players were that you mentioned in the article, Mcveigh was often getting the ball out of defence, and giving off clean disposal, particularly in the first half. He was as instrumental in their win as anyone else.
Robbie deans
Guest
Does anyone know the free kick tally - the umps were favoring the Hawks in my view except for the end of each half. If I was Sando I might have said something..... Its the old home town ump story which is a signifiacant problem for the AFL...
Winston
Guest
And to do that they will need an all-team defence starting from their forwards. Need to pressure the supply enough so that they're forced to bomb in shallow 50 entries and have time for others to double team Franklin. Also, can someone please tag Shaun Burgoyne? He's been getting centre clearances at crucial times in the last couple of games. Put Nick Smith on him and don't let him go within 10 metres of the ball without being tackled!
Matt F
Roar Guru
We'll soon find out though if anyone can it will be the Swans. Rioli was tagged out of their game in Launceston by Shaw and didn't play in the return match at the SCG so it will be interesting to see how he performs. Franklin is basically unstoppable when he's in full flight so it's probably more about damage control with him. Keep him to 4 goals or less and back the other defenders to keep the others quiet.
Walesy
Roar Rookie
I agree completely, the defences for both sides are both very strong and its a matter of stopping rioli and franklin for the swans, but are sydney capable of stopping them?
Anthony
Guest
Like most Australians not born in Vic, I am going for the Swans!
mwm
Roar Pro
I feel the back six from both teams will be the key to this match. If Sydney's back six are firing and can double team or spoil the ball coming into Rioli and Franklin and get their half back running, then the Swans will be in with a chance. Sydney can get overawed in larger venues as their tight defence can be stretched...and the Hawks will play this to their advantage. A good rucking and roving day should be an antidote. As a Swan's fan I always hope for the best...but fear the worst!