This week it appears the world is pretty much all about Richmond.
All-Australian captain, best goal, best coach, Brownlow medallist.
All the wash-up from the 2017 AFL Grand Final
» Match Report: Tigers are premiers
» BUCKLAND: Richmond go from rabble to flag
» Six talking points from the match
» Richmond Tigers player ratings
» Adelaide Crows player ratings
» Watch video highlights from the match
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Pubs booked out all weekend. Grand final ticket price inflation reflecting the hikes in the property market there too.
The Tiger-train is a wonderful story and I am sure the power brokers at AFL house will not shirk at having a second Melbournian fairytale in as many years.
But it just seems so many have been caught up in the hype and have forgotten about the Crows.
For Richmond to win, much analysis has been made on the role of the Fab 4 of Cotchin, Martin, Rance and Riewoldt. No doubt they are integral, but for the Tigers to ultimately succeed, their defence needs to stand up collectively like never before – the Crows simply have that many options who could kick a bag.
As a neutral, I am naturally hoping for a pulsatingly close grand final.
Another underlying theme of a fascinating grand final is that the Crows will also be playing with the ethos instilled by their former coach Phil Walsh, who was tragically killed two years ago.
This is no disrespect to Don Pyle, who has taken the team further ahead, but a hat off to the man who laid the foundational stones for this team.
A side even more remarkable in that it could have had the likes of Tippett, Gunston, Dangerfield and Davis all playing for them tomorrow.
He once said: “If you play that boring, sideways, lockdown footy and win a premiership, I don’t want to be a part of it. Simple as that”.
I will be tipping the Crows by 21 points, with Eddie to light up the match with a bag of five.
Be interested in your tips Roarers – here’s hoping for a cracker.
Buzzwah
Guest
Tigers in a tight one, 10 points. As for the Ravens, they’d be ecstatic to have binned Tippett when they did. His sister Gretel would be more useful at the Swans than he is at the moment!!!
dman
Guest
Crows up by 3-4 goals at quarter time, turn the screws in the 2nd quarter to lead by 40-50 pts at the main break. withstand a Tigers comeback in the 3rd to lead by 5 goals at the last change and run out winners by 30-50 pts (hold the tigers off early agan, then kick a few more in junk time when it's all over)...