The AFL in 2019 has been terrific, fun and exciting to watch for all Geelong fans. Is it going to be Geelong’s year?
Are we witnessing something similar to the 2007 vintage Geelong, who won 19 out of 20 matches to win the flag?
A lot of water needs to flow under the bridge before September 2019 comes into play. Without being disrespectful for the other three main contenders, Geelong look the favourite.
Who are these contenders? Collingwood for showing similar form, West Coast due to the experience of winning the flag in 2018, and Richmond while badly hit by injuries, still able to stay in the top half of the ladder. Great Western Sydney should also feature strongly in the September 2019 action.
For Geelong to be a factor in the flag decider, lots of things must fall into play. The AFL flag winner has to be lucky with injuries. The core key players must play through the season.
Tim Kelly and Gary Rohan of Geelong. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The all-conquering Richmond team of 2018 has experienced some major injuries which set them back in the quest of a successful 2019 assault.
The winner of the last three flags peaked at the right time, the Western Bulldogs in 2016, Richmond 2017 and the West Coast in 2018. They timed the run perfectly before the finals. They have maintained good form through out the final series and nailed the flag.
Since Geelong won the flag in 2011, Geelong’s final record has been appalling. They’ve featured in September action, but not gone far once they’ve been there.
Geelong has just finished outside the eight once – in 2015 – a bit like the Sydney Swans, who won the flag in 2005 and 2012 – and continued to play in the finals during the successful era of the post 2000.
This is something the Cats need to turn around.
I am praying for the injury god to stay happy with Geelong. This way, Geelong can maintain the form showed so far the second half of the season.
Doing so should allow Geelong to build the platform perfectly to the AFL 2019 flag assault, something similar to the successful side who triumphed in 2007.
Parer Ben
Roar Rookie
Big mummy has to be the man with the biggest mongrel in AFL. I understand what your saying, but I think they’re harder than they look. The Geelong game in the second, third and forth quarters the cats senior players really stepped up the intensity and the contested ball was hot. GWS matched them and still kept their smooth transition. They’re clearly talented. They remind me of Mark Waugh. You, I think, are hoping for Steve Waugh.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
The tigers have done better than I thought they would. I am not sure they have adapted to the new rules. I think week 12 against the Cats will define Richmond. You don’t have to win, but it has to be close.
Peter Warrington
Guest
yes agree. that was the one the Giants let slip, and with their age profile, I sense they know the boat may have sailed.
Peter Warrington
Guest
yes and no, they were competitive, but we switched off late as it was round 20, we were effectively 3 wins clear of third. we led by 4 goals halfway through the last. sadly it was a sign not of complacency but (a) less pressure from the 2's, meaning players were thinking of the next week; and (b) fear of injury. we smashed the coast INTERSTATE the next week but played bruise free footy for the last two weeks against the BOmbers and the Dogs. we fell across the line. a loss would have been better. it seemed not to matter when we outclassed the Hawks... but I was full of trepidation the night we played the Pies. their form was hot and ours was stuttery. they played a similar enough style. and had bigger bodies. and Dusty should have been rested. so it goes. you can't win them all :)
Peter warrington
Guest
mmm: last year's? undefeated against them! this year's? what - now? teams we beat don't make the top 4 - because we beat them never quite sure what this week 9 type analysis is meant to prove the fixture makes a mockery of these sorts of claims, for mine. I supported the Pies on that note last year - I could see how well they were playing, eg the Crows in Adelaide - they were top 2 the year before but had a season derailed after the Pies' humiliation. I mark the Pies up, not down, for that.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Rohan would have been a great get for Richmond, even before the injuries
Peter Warrington
Guest
still too pretty and overcoached for mine have the cattle but seem, especially with ward sadly out, to lack the mongrel and drive?
Peter Warrington
Guest
thanks, fella, I needed a laugh.
Peter Warrington
Guest
nah. Pies were great last year. We played great in patches. we were never a back to back quality side. we were worth 1.5 flags, maybe a 2 in 5 years sort of thing of course i would have loved it but i was way more confident in 17, even with 4 weeks to go, I cam remember doing the predictor in about rd 18 and seeing how it could all unfold, and our form from that point on was magnificent. last year, less so. maybe in 10 years time if we are crap again i will loom back at 18 and say "BUGGER" but, to be frank, 72 and 82 hurt a lot more.
reuster75
Guest
Your point about our efficiency is well made and that was what had Chris Scott so riled up at 3/4 time on Saturday - we were giving up a lot of opportunities for the Dogs to score and in general play they had our measure. This was on the back of the same situation the week before against North, same also against Essendon the week before that. Every season under Chris Scott we've started off really well before dropping away in the 2nd half of the season, in part because performances weren't that great early on but the W-L ratio disguised this. Undoubtedly Scott is aware of this which likely further fed his frustration at 3/4 time, a point given some credence by his admission on AFL 360 Monday night that that was first time in a couple of seasons he'd been so vocal with the playing group (a trait he learnt from Leigh Matthews).
Glenn
Guest
Any Swans supporter will tell you that Rohan is a finals spud that looks ok during the home and away games. I always liked Rohan, but the Swans aren't losing any sleep about him leaving and then kicking a few goals. When real pressure is on, he'll disappear again.
Trevor
Guest
Sure have - remember 5 weeks ago when the Roar ran an article on how it was West Coast's comp to lose - they haven't been in top notch form since.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Duncan is every bit the equal of Sidey and quite a way ahead of Lambert...and Lambert is good.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Duncan has been an A grader for years.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Slane, if you hot the reply button I will be able to see and respond to your painful, wounding barbs. Not sure if you recall Ghost and Big Four all last year stating the Tigers flag was done and dusted.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Would love to Crocky but scribing committments keeping me in Melbourne. We are fielding our weakest side with no Elliott, Cox, Moore, Langdon and Adams but I'm thinking Sier might return and De Goey is back.
Parer Ben
Roar Rookie
GWS if they can bring their game to the G. Their best is close to the best.
Crock' O' Clock
Roar Rookie
Pinching his comment about putting milk on weetbix. That's gold Jerry! Gold!
Crock' O' Clock
Roar Rookie
Getting heckled by the mob again Peter? Keep up the good work mate. That 2018 preliminary final will always be beautiful. Will you be going to Sydney tomorrow night?
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Call Rohan a spud and Duncan isn't an A grader? And you think it's others that don't know anything about football? You make thick Mick from Thickington look like a rocket scientist.