It’s not the sort of thing they would want to read, and I can almost hear the fans of the other clubs (or at least another half dozen with grand aspirations) vehemently disagreeing.
However right now, I would not be disappointed one iota, if we just said: “that’s it, the remaining home and away games are irrelevant, Geelong and Hawthorn will play the grand final.”
Stop shouting abuse and calling me an idiot! I’m not a Cats’ fan, nor a Hawthorn supporter.
I’m just being a realist and believe that match-up on September 28, is that one I would pay to see.
I know the Swans for instance always produce great, tense, enthralling, grand finals (their past three have been decided by four points, one point and the ‘blow-out’ of 10 points last year).
And if Essendon and Jobe Watson were to make the decider this season, what a story that would be. And while most people hate Collingwood, if the Pies are in a grand final, at least everyone can get involved by passionately cheering their opponents.
All good grand finalists I’m sure, but Hawks versus Cats could be something truly special for all footy fans to witness and enjoy, regardless of personal affiliation.
Look, I know there is a torrent of water to flow under the bridge before the last weekend in September.
I know teams will tumble out of form, and others will run into it. I know injuries will debilitate teams, so much perhaps to even slam the window shut on their 2013 premiership hopes and aspirations.
There is so much which can and probably will happen over the next three months. But, put your parochialism for your own team, and perhaps even your hatred for these two clubs, aside for one moment, and having watched another ‘classic’ battle between Hawthorn and Geelong last Saturday night, wouldn’t it be a great grand final?
A hypothetical: Hawks and Cats finish one-two, advance to preliminary finals after week one.
Hawthorn play Sydney in one preliminary final, and extract a modicum of revenge for last year.
The Cats meet Essendon – provided the Dons haven’t lost all their premiership points by then due to the ASADA investigation, and if that be the case, then insert Fremantle or Collingwood here – and advance in a nail biter, setting up the real match the Cats have been waiting five year for.
While Saturday night’s victory maintained their unbeaten streak – now 11 – over the Hawks since they were dramatically upset in the 2008 grand final, all Geelong fans and I’m sure players, know that they would trade each of those 11 wins to have won back in 2008.
They will only ever avenge that loss, and obtain real redemption – and the only way to truly make Jeff Kennett regret his taunt – with a grand final win over Hawthorn.
How could you not, right now, want to see a Hawthorn-Geelong grand final?
For starters they are arguably the best two football teams at present, and while grand finals always have so many intriguing little off-field stories which add to the main event, surely it would be impossible to top the theatre these two clubs would take into the final Saturday in September.
Even last Saturday’s match, while not the classic, free-flowing contest the two teams have often previously produced, it still had so much, in particular tension, enormous pressure, a dramatic fightback. and then, the now customary close finish.
Bring it on. Bring on that Cats-Hawks grand final. Sometimes all the hype doesn’t translate to the contest in the final game of the season. But I can’t imagine that happening with a Hawthorn-Geelong flag decider.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Dean, You are either quite young (under 25) or someone with no sense of history, if you think that the 2005 loss was worse than the Hawthorn beatings that Geelong has suffered for the period from, say the Matthews incident in 1985 onwards. I will list the key matches.... Matthews incident (Hawthorn won) 1987 last round... Hawthorn kicks two goals in time on to defeat and cost Geelong a finals berth. 1989.... Rnd 6, come from 56 points down in the most skilful match ever played 1989... Grand Final 1990... Round 1, GF replay... Hawthorn win by 100 points! 1991...2SF... by 2 points 1992.... Geelong was top team at end of H&A season, yet still lost to Hawthron TWICE. The rivalry disippated until the 2008 season and beyond. My friend, who is a Geelong supporter, hates them with a a passion. I am not surprised!!
Micko
Guest
Michael, would we be able to boo?
Dean
Guest
As a cats fan, I wouldn't give back the final we beat them in 2011, then went on to win the flag. Geelong's team has had a lot of changes since then. I'd rather face the Hawks than the swans on the big day. I've got more mental scars from Nick Davis than that Hawthorn GF. Essendon will fall in a hole, Buddy's contract will stifle Hawthorn's mojo (like Ablett and Thompson's departure from the cats). Most worried about Freo and Swans. Hopefully we don't have to play Freo at the G again, but that could be our Preliminary.
Redb
Roar Guru
Yawn. Freo in the GF would be a distaster for the game. I'm with the author Cats v Hawks has everything you could want in a GF. Unfinished business for both sides the narrative doesn't get much better.
Brian
Guest
You are 100% correct. Its not just 2012. The 2005 and 2006 GF were ruined by Sydney and St Kilda gameplan 2008-2011 was equally terrible.
Brian
Guest
People do forget about McPharlin. As we've lost countless games in the past 10 years because we lacked a gorilla down back and have now bought an aging Lake in I have often wondered if more could have been done for McPharlin who actually played every home and away game in the season before he was traded to Freo. The top 4 seems set in stone (take essendon out) but thereafter it looks a real lottery right now
Matt
Guest
Savvas, if football was only meant to be played in one 'way', then the rules of the game would be set up in such a way. A great part of our game, and something many other games lack, is the way that there are many ways to play that are successful. You don't have to rely on a stock standard set of criteria to be successful and create a winning team. I love that it in our game that teams play in their own style and can be successful in their own style. Also, what exactly is 'positive' football when its at home. Trying to kick goals? Trying to run a lot? Trying to make 10 wonderful goals full of perfect play each game? I just don't get what it is supposed to be. Sure, the Swans focus perhaps is more on being very good defensively and using this as the basis of their game plan, but what is the problem with that? If that is what works for them, then go fo it. If you don't like how they play, then its simple, don't watch it! If you were picking the grand final as to this point, it is obvious that it would be Hawthorn vs Geelong. But there is plenty of football to be played, and I do think Freo and Sydney both have the game and the talent to seriously trouble both Hawthorn and Geelong in the finals, if they manage to keep their talent on the park. In that sense, I think both teams are doing well considering who they have had out for extended periods this year. Sydney's injury issues seem to be getting deeper, and another 1 or 2 injuries and they will really struggle I think. Freo however seem to be coming out the other side. I hope that we hit September and all 4 of these sides (and Essendon I suppose if they aren't done for the drugs issue) are as close to full strength as they can be, so that we can get a quality finals series out of it all.
wisey_9
Roar Guru
"Overall, the game was called as one of the best in modern times by Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti, who were commentating on the day, for its sportsmanship and contest." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_AFL_Grand_Final I'm willing to back Bruce and Dennis' judgment over yours Savvas. Have you got any sources to support your opinions up besides your 'mate'? Yes, the Swans played some pretty dour football nearly a decade ago, but this won them a premiership against one of the best midfields in the modern era. It was a champion team that overcame a team of champions. But to call them dull and dreary now makes me seriously question if you are indeed watching the same games as everyone else? Is your Foxtel IQ playing up and showing old games? 'The anathema to what our great game is about' HA! The Swans are heralded across the AFL (and the wider Australian sport community) as one of the benchmarks when it comes to team culture. Player empowerment, playing for each other, never saying die, and strong off-field standards are its hallmarks. To me that'd be pretty much EXACTLY what our great game is all about.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
I agree, and perhaps the Hawthorn v Geelogn game on the weekend is an example. But those two teams have earnt enough brownie points over the last 6 years that allows them some leeway insofar as providing the odd low scoring tight affair. The other thing about these two teams is that they TRY to play positive football. Sydney never do. They only ever score a batch of goals through their slingshot football. They are the Catenaccio of Australian Rules. A pox on them.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
I am talking about the WHOLE game... not just the odd piece of excitement.
Michael Cowley
Expert
My sentiments exactly Jacques
Jacques of Lilydale
Guest
If both teams manage to make it without too many injuries it would be an epic last man standing game of AFL football. What better way for Hawthorn to crack the curse, what better way for Geelong to avenge 2008 and truly put Joffa Kennett's misplaced hubris in to folklore forever! It would be grand theatre of the sporting kind, bring it on.
Michael Cowley
Expert
But to be a great grand final doesn't mean it has to be attractive, free-flowing 140-130. While I also enjoy watching those matches, I guess it also depends on what you think is enthralling. A good hard, tight, contest, on a knife's edge until the final minutes, with every player giving their all for the ultimate prize. That to me is attractive also.
wisey_9
Roar Guru
great argument. MY friend said it was the greatest final he'd ever seen...
Lroy
Guest
Well theres a bunch of red and white spartans up in the harbour city who might have some say about it. As a nuetral my money is still on them. ;-)
wisey_9
Roar Guru
Were we watching the same game? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vvzKpmzT-I
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
As my friend said to me... the Grand Finals have been Close Poor games
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Only Hawthorn attempted attempted to play attractive football in last years Grand Final. The Swans were all about stopping, stopping, stopping. I actually turned off the tv last year at times. It was such a grind watching the Swans destroy our once great game.
big dallo
Guest
saavas you have no idea. swans win grand finals due to hard football and extensive pressure. the emperor has no clothes. get off the gear mate.
Sean
Guest
Clearly you time traveled here from 2007 or were somehow asleep last year during September.