The GWS Giants are through to the semi-finals while the Sydney Swans are now out of the race. Here’s my five talking points from Saturday’s elimination final.
Toby Greene the controversial matchwinner
The inclusion of Toby Greene into the GWS side for their first final proved to be a significant one in the context of the match, as booted three goals – his most in a game since Round 1 – to play a crucial role in GWS’ victory.
However he’ll be talked about less for his match-winning abilities and more for his controversial and potentially seriously dangerous technique of defending his mark by raising his foot to oncoming opponents.
It’s essentially the same manoeuvre that saw Greene cop a fine when his boot collided with the face of Luke Dahlhaus last year, in an incident that many felt he should have deserved a more serious punishment for.
Is Greene’s technique technically within the rules? It seems that way. Will it be by Round 1, 2019? I would really hope not.
And speaking of rules changes…
A lot of the talk on this front has fallen away in the face of enormous fan opposition and trial games that have produced little positive outcome in the way of results.
However if the AFL wanted to make a case for rules changes being needed to the game, then the low-scoring nature of three of this weekend’s finals would be exhibit A.
This match was another case of a slow, chess-like affair where goals were very hard to come by until one side eventually cracked at let the other in.
Which, as a spectator, I don’t entirely mind watching – obviously something frenetic and high-scoring is fun, but a match like this has a drama all of its own, particularly early.
Still at a time of year where ad space is at it’s most available, it’s not hard to imagine Gillon McLachlan gnawing on his fingernails as the Swans and Giants kept it low-scoring early.
That said, it might make just as good an argument for having two genuine daytime finals as in the days of yore rather than three at night at one twilight.
Let’s skip this year’s Lance Franklin takes
Ever since Lance Franklin arrived at Sydney whenever their season comes to end there’s been pundits who rush to point out that he hasn’t delivered a premiership to the Swans just yet.
In 2018 I respectfully request that we just don’t bother with it this time. The argument has been made and rehashed enough times that it’s not worth having any more.
Is premiership success the only means by which to define the value of a big recruit? Absolutely not, though obviously it is the most important one.
Having lived in Sydney for two years now I can tell you that Franklin is the name on the lips of every Swans fan in the city and there’s no doubt that their excellent membership numbers and crowd figures – better than any NRL team in the city – are due in a large part to him.
If the Franklin era never delivers Sydney a flag – and that might be the way things go – then don’t think they’ll regret for a second breaking the bank to get him.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Williams returns in fine form
When news came through at the start of the year that Zac Williams had suffered an Achilles injury at preseason training, his season seemed likely to be a write-off.
However on Saturday he played his first game for the year and not only got through it but genuinely starred with 20 kicks, nine marks and a goal assist.
Not only was Wiliams in fine form but his presence in the team also released Lachie Whitfield to roam further up the ground where he finished with 29 disposals and five tackles.
Williams had built fine form at the lower level for a few weeks but it was always going to be a risk to bring back not just him but also Greene, Brett Deledio and Matt de Boer in a must-win final.
If the match had still been in the balance late it might have been a problem – luckily for GWS, the contest was long over by then.
Onto the semis, but can Giants win without Kelly?
Saturday’s match had potential disaster written all over it when Josh Kelly left the field early with a knee injury and didn’t return.
It didn’t look like a serious knee injury, and Kelly is still in contention to play in next week’s semi-final, but a long way from being likely.
As it turned out, GWS didn’t need his influence to slaughter the Swans. But how serious of a chance are they to conquer Collingwood next week if he doesn’t get up?
clipper
Roar Rookie
Well, apart from the fact that AFL probably 5 x more popular there and it's a one code city, unlike Sydney which is an all code city.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Greene is just doing the Dusty fend off with his boots not his hand.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Because they did so well against Melbourne there a couple of weeks ago?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
If Greene tries that against Maynard on Saturday, he is liable to have his leg broken.
Col in paradise
Guest
Dead right...Plugger never won a flag but kicked heaps and is a legend..
Col in paradise
Guest
Stomping with studs is illegal, kicking in danger is illegal...he should be penalised at a minimum...head contact reported...simple...gutless referring and MRP..pathetic.....this will not be good at club and junior levels....enough idiots out on the paddock don't encourage them...
PeteB
Guest
Absolute rubbish. Kicking a player has never been legal or is it a necessary action to take the mark. “Flying” for a mark is a necessary action to achieve height to mark the ball. I think you overrate Richmond defenders, they would not have been prepared for such an unsavoury action either. If you watch the replay Greene himself was expecting a free kick against and was preparing to hand the ball to the Swans and his teammate was in absolute amazement that he got away with it.
Ken
Guest
Except he doesn't simply "lift his feet". He directs his boot, studs first, high at an opponent. The camera even catches him looking straight at Newman as he directs his boot into him. Should every player get in on the act until the umpires and AFL do the obvious?
anon
Roar Pro
Adelaide is 5x smaller than Sydney. 200k would be like 40k watching a Showdown final in Adelaide.
Davo
Guest
His as cocky and arrogant as they come but I just love watching him. For me his like Buddy and Martin you know something eventful is going to happen. Wish he played for my side.
Seano
Roar Rookie
I love Toby Greene! He is like the Boris Bewick of the new generation! You either love or hate! I love! Also how amazing is Whitfield below his knees? I know I’m very slow on the uptake here but Jesus Christ he is so clean! I was transfixed watching him! Anyway, go Giants!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Interesting to see where the Swans go from here. Buddy has really missed Sam Reid. You wonder whether he's ever going to get back on the park. On Buddy this talk of him being a bust in Sydney is the most stupidist think I've ever heard. He's paid back his contract in spades for the Swans. She's still a star and if the Swans ever get a coach with aggressive game style watch Buddy dominate. Swans next two years will see a pretty big turnover. McVeigh and Grundy won't be there in two years. Jack should be finished now. Lloyd of contract and some big deals on the table, can't see him still at the Swans either.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Perhaps they have congestion rules for small grounds SCG, err Alice Springs? wherever - Swans games always congested and its not just their playing style. Swans team now better on big grounds with McVeigh , Jack aging
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Greene issue not a free kick at the mo so play on but ban it from next year. Knee in back incidental in marking contest but leg out is deliberate act.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Quite exceptional figures for Saturday. With FTA and Fox Coll / WC was 1,293,000'; Syd/GWS was 1,013,000 for a total of 2,306,000 The 2 NRL games could only muster 1,400,000 on FTA and Fox - almost a million behind. Plus, AFL had 4 of the 5 top shows in the 25-54, 18-49 and 16-39 demographic (the other being 7 news) Plus on Fri and Sat the AFL was the national No. 1 (even a respectable 53k in Sydney on Fri with no Sydney team) - don't think I've seen that outside of the GF - so a huge first week viewing and attendance wise.
dbjm
Guest
'There has to an element of racism with regards to criticism of Franklin' Your kidding right?
JR
Guest
Greene is a top player, but has some issues the way he goes about it. The way he plays will not change, if it does then he will be more respected.
Tom
Roar Rookie
Alex those injuries already happy with knees. Ask Phil Daivs (kneed by Buddy Franklin ruptures kidney) out for 2014, Tom Lonergan, kneed lost his kidney, Joel Patfull had to drive back from Melbourne to Sydney in 2015 after fracturing his ribs and getting a pneumothorax ( air in outside the lung but in the thoracic cavity) in a marking contest. The knee in the marking situation so dangerous.
Tom
Roar Rookie
Rubbish. If someone can fly for a mark and and knees someone and fractures a rib its OK. Greene is clearing his space to catch the ball. Neuman was unable to defend a smaller guy on one leg. How did about Neuman improve his defending technique. Greene wouldn't try it on Richmond defenders, they would just push him out of the way and work him under the ball.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
I agree he is worth every cent, just noted that Sydney junior football claims 15,000 plus club juniors playing footy in Sydney, a huge increase in the last few years.