Well that was a disappointing opening weekend of the AFL Finals. Not because I support any of the four losing clubs.
Not because last week in this column I gazed into my crystal ball and predicted the first week winners would be Sydney, Geelong, Collingwood and Richmond (I hope all of those who know my tipping used the reverse psychology and won a heap).
Not because I like many was hoping the first finals’ appearance of the Tigers in more than a decade would last a little longer than 120 minutes.
No, to find out the reason for my disappointment you need only to go back to early July when I wrote a column for The Roar after the Cats had beaten Hawthorn for the one millionth time in succession.
“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. 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.”
The upside is I will save my cash now. I won’t need to fork out for Hawthorn-Geelong granny tickets, because potentially the best game of the 2013 finals series could be played the week before the last weekend in September.
After last weekend’s results it would be foolish to attempt to predict winners – but I will later anyone – but if the Cats can overcome plucky Port Adelaide on Friday night, then the grand final most desired by many fans whose teams are not playing finals, will actually be played in a preliminary final – not for a flag, but simply a spot in the game where you can win one.
That’s not to say it won’t be a cracking game if it eventuates, and the stakes are massive.
But what if it is one of the games of the season, as Hawthorn-Geelong clashes tend to be. Will that leave the following week’s game as a bit of an anti-climax?
I know it will be a grand final, and all the hype and hoopla will ensure it’s a great day, and the Hawks or Cats could be playing Carlton which would be a wonderful game for Victorians, or the Hawks could play Sydney in a replay of 2012, or Fremantle could be in their first grand final chasing their inaugural flag.
Yeah all good I’m sure … but not Geelong versus Hawthorn.
But it’s done now. It can’t happen and it won’t happen, so we have to begrudgingly move on.
Credit where it is due to the weekend victors. Fremantle were superb against Geelong and deserved their win.
Hawthorn (the lonely favourites to win in week one) were clinical in picking Sydney apart.
Port Adelaide amazed most by dismantling Collingwood, while Carlton were stunning in their comeback against Richmond.
And this week the Sydney-Carlton game will be a good one, the Cats-Port clash will have interest, and the both should be entertaining games. But they won’t lead to a Hawthorn-Geelong grand final will they?
Do I sound like a broken record? Perhaps? But deep down – your team aside – wouldn’t that have been a great way to end what as been a tumultuous season?
Anyway, peering into that defective crystal ball I own, I see Geelong ending Port’s fairytale run, and Sydney beating Carlton at home, to set up a Fremantle versus Swans preliminary final in Perth, and the 2013 grand final that will never be, Hawthorn against Geelong.
And this time I’m not getting too far ahead of myself. For those two winners, you’ll have to read next week.
Florian
Guest
I think what you posted made a great deal of sense. But, think about this, what if you composed a catchier post title? I ain't saying your information is not good, but suppose you added a post title that makes people want more? I mean Dockers rob us of a Hawks v Cats grand final showdown | The Roar is kinda plain. You might look at Yahoo's front page and note how they create post titles to grab people interested. You might add a video or a related picture or two to get people interested about what you've got to say. In my opinion, it might bring your posts a little livelier. Feel free to visit my homepage - new shoebuy coupon code - Florian -
fedechhh@hotmail.com
Guest
Semi finals 26/28 winners have been QF losers now Preliminary Finals NO team has won a PF being the lower ranked away team ! Brisbane 03 Sydney 05 West Coast 06 all were the higher ranked team in the away PF so what's this all mean ??? Hawthorn vs Fremantle GF COIN FLIP
michael chris
Guest
Well this year's grand final will be freo Dockers vs the hawks The Dockers are the biggest threat to win this year The reason is that Sydney are worn out now after last night's game they need to travel to Perth and beat the Dockers .. now Dockers will have there 2 week break so us beating Sydney will be a lot easier Now the cats playing the hawks on a preliminary Wow both teams are in for a big game it will be intense So Dockers are the best chance for winning the flag 2013 Sorry to all the Victorian scum that don't want the Dockers to play the gf but Dockers are the biggest threat Go freo
Tricia
Guest
The Melbourne shop owners, hotels and restaurants love it when it's interstate teams playing in the grandfinals more money spent. And it would be a fantastic rematch if its freo v Geelong . Hopefully freo smash whoever is in it and I am a west coast eagle supporter
me, I like football
Guest
If Geelong make it to the Grand Final, surely they are deserving of a place.
me, I like football
Guest
I agree with that sentiment, but at the same time The Ross Lyon factor makes me hope they lose.
jayden
Guest
A Hawks vs Geelong grandfinal would be the lowest rated grand final ever, and would be boring. We're all sick of seeing them around the last 4 years. Geelong are dying - a better match would be hawks vs freo
Keen Observer
Guest
Right, we got to the heart of it. You never mentioned hard to watch, you said anti football, which I took to mean it wasn't AFL football, as in anti = opposite. Be more clear with your opinions and then maybe I can get it through my head and it might make it easier to realise. And then I can ignore one idiots opinion. So thanks for the clarification...and sorry for the big words.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
They are just ugly to watch! Is that so hard to realise? Unlike you and most others, I am not a rabid supporter of any team (luke warm supporter of Carlton). I looks for aesthetics. Freo currently provide none of this.
Max Opray
Roar Rookie
Even as a collingwood fan, deep down I was hoping for a Geelong/Hawthorn grand final. Such a compelling narrative, would have been a brilliant next chapter in one of the all-time great stories of the game. Still can't get the commentary from last year's epic see-sawing encounter between the two out of my head, when Tom Hawkins roosted that goal in from outside fifty after the siren to win the game. Commeti exclaiming: "They've done it again, they've done it again! The cat... is still... on the back!"
jods
Guest
Sydney will bounce back and Hawthorn will beat Geelong again when it matters most enabling the Hawks to exact revenge on the Swans for last year. Now that's what I'd like to see!
Keen Observer
Guest
By anti football do you mean defense? And if so is there a degree of defense that you're against? Maybe a percentage? Please share your wisdom in more detail.
Slane
Guest
I don't work for the AFL. I can only repeat what they are saying: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-10/pies-tigers-cost-afl But I can say for certain that my bottom line will be effected by the results of the finals. Richmond winning probably would have been best for me.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
You're welcome, Mr Cowley.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Hawthorn Geelong and Collingwood all played a different style of football. None of them played Anti Football.
Keen Observer
Guest
Exactly, there should only be one style of football....all the same....get it!
Keen Observer
Guest
Agree checkside, the unfairness wasn't that Freo played at Kardinya (away) but that MCG based teams in the same situation would play at their home ground even though they finished lower.
mach
Guest
Back and fifth
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
After reading a couple of comments praising Fremantle I decided to not bother reading anymore. The Sydney, St Kilda, and now Fremantle style of football is ANTI Footballl. Get it through your heads!
David
Guest
Good point Daws. I've only been to one GF (it was great but my team lost). However, I often book a trip to Melb for prelim final weekend as I consider that to be the best weekend of football - teams and players are desperate to win to play in the GF. This year there will only be one game in Melb and I'm a little short of cash so I'll have to watch on tv. Also, with the GF, the ticket allocation means that the crowd is made up of about 60% of supporters of other clubs. I understand they are entitled to go to the game but I've always felt the atmosphere was better at a prelim.