Grand final rematch pencilled in for Round 2 as 2018 AFL fixtures released

Speaking of coaches making bold moves in Grand Finals - perhaps you were having flashbacks to Kevin Sheedy 1984 Harry. Leon Baker to full forward, Paul Weston to CHF, Darren Williams to centre...... Sound familiar?

If Collingwood are sixth in line for the premiership there must be only 5 realistic chances to actually win it. Will finish outside the 8 somewhere. How low? Who knows?

Yes HTH. If you like your trivia. I believe John Kennedy Senior's half time speech during the 1975 GF was taped. He was addressing what he described as a group of 'academic/studious' players, in particular Michael Moncrieff - who was having a dirty day - when he encouraged the full forward to - 'Don't think, Do'! Agreed - I to was waiting for the Adelaide coaches box to move Betts, Walker to the midfield? Jenkins to the ruck? Someone to tag Martin/Houli? Nothing. I'm a fan of Don Pyke and its easy sitting in the 'cheap seats', but that was not his finest hour. I suspect he's the type to learn from the experience.

It was indeed! Maybe the Crows are the ultimate flat track bullies. It was all too hard for them in the GF.

Was it John Kennedy who infamously screamed as a coach to the hawthorn players to "DO SOMETHING"! ? The most glaring part of the 2017 GF for me is everyone could see what was happening to the Crows but Pyke tried nothing, not a thing. Surely when 5-6 goals down in the last qtr mix it up and try anything rather than meekly sitting on your hands.

Whole truth...it is a fact...the only way to move for Richmoind is down, nevertheless I don't believe you will drop much....you will be top 4 along with the more powerful and younger and faster Bombers.

Rush Hour in Perth? Surely since the mining collapse theirs hardly anyone working there anymore? Regardless, rush hour my ****....try living in Sydney and melbourne....even Brisbane is bad now.

Mattyb...it seems to me Bevo needs to have a look at himself after this year....it is his responsibility to keep harmony in the group and the in fighting and premiership hangover is on his shoulders.

Stephen, the top 4 will be Essendon, Port Adelaide, Richmond and Adelaide. 5-8 will be GWS, Melbourne, Sydney, Bulldogs. 9-10 will be Geelong and St Kilda.

Appreciated HTH. And for what it's worth - I tend to agree with your 2018 top 4.

2 out of 4 Harry! Bombers have a very average midfield at best, a leaky defence and 3 very questionable recruits to work with. Won't work! Port . . . meh! Blind Freddy could pick the other two.

Fair enough.

Anon - " No-one wants to watch a couple of no-hoper teams outside the 8." Richmond, Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood are all "no hoper teams" - interesting. Kane - this is just Mattyb's latest hobby horse - as all his previous grievances get shown to be the ridiculous nonsense they are he has to scramble to find something else to complain about.

Stephen, you seem one of the few in here who actually make really sound, valid comments. I agree totaly woith your summary of the GF. Pyke was next to useless and it was the run of Richmond that destroyed Adelaide. It's why Geelong won't go anywhere and why I am so bouyant about the Bombers as we have so much run....it isn't just pressure as you say for what the Tigers did, it was their youth and run....they will be top four again in 2018 barring injuries....my top 4 for 2018 is Essendon, Richmond, Port Adelaide, Adelaide.

Yes. Well said. More proof - the result of the rematch holds more meaning than nothing.

Dalgety- SOS did bring those 2 into GWS - he also traded them out with pick 19 for pick 7 in the 2014 draft. He also drafted in Sumner to GWS. But no recruiter is perfect - if you want to focus on his mistakes go ahead, but the list he built at GWS is impressive and while it is early days for the blues list it is hard to argue that he isn't getting things right.

Hmmmmmmm. I think that one's been used before, Half Truth. You'd be better off considering how your 3 sketchy 'ins' are going to make the Bombers better. Simple answer is, they won't. Bombers fell into the 8 this year, will fall out of the 8 next year.

Sure will, Stephen. And on the other hand, if Richmond win it could be devastating for the Crows!

I disagree TWT. Life and the game goes on. What's the point of every Grand Final loser simply picking up their ball going home or playing on for nothing - as you say? Better to learn the lessons of defeat and trying to go one better next time - bit by bit. But you're right - no one can ever take the 2017 Premiership off Richmond. And Adelaide's scars may run deep for some time.

Result of this game means nothing! Especially if Crows win. Adelaide would be kidding themselves to think otherwise. Tigers won the big dance and that is all that matters.