The Royals almost pulled off another upset but the footy gods again pulled rank in a WANFL Grand Final as they have done so many many many times in our history
This thread provides respect to the club in what will be a tough night - and I’ve experienced a few of them in my days on this earth as a South Fremantle man so I fully understand what will occur during the evening
Yes you probably will lose a couple of players for next year but that should spur others on that little bit more and there is always recruiting to be done
Just know that South Fremantle were absolutely due to win a Grand Final against you eventually - and this was that day , it stinks , it sucks and it’ll sting like a bastard but it’s just footy the WANFL way
Ill back the coaching staff in every day as the players love them but i felt for the first 3 and a bit quarters that we never looked like scoring and then the last half of the final quarter, we kick goal after goal. We only just got over the line last week also but again, the coaches have gotten us to the grand stage 2 years in a row so hopefully next year we do it. I think with Stephens fit and a couple young fellas coming on, we can do it. Hopefully we dont lose any keys like we did last year. Would love to add some pace and I think that will come from within through the likes of Lindberg.
I could not watch the game but my family in Perth kept me updated. Great result for Souths but incredibly proud on the whole East Perth Club. The umpiring is what is and there are always something for supporters to have angst about. The game from the score line seems to have a good one. Enjoy that not the what coulda shoulda happened.
Special mention to Jordyn Baker,who played a surprisingly good game and proved he could rise to the occasion on the big day,as well as Corey Watts,who totally outpointed the tattooed snowflake Ruscoe,who unsurprisingly flopped on the big day.The forward line unfortunately is still a big problem,and it has become increasingly obvious that the Peel recruit that I held high hopes for,is not the answer,as he spills far too many marks.
SF got a break and it was looking like the blow out was on and then they took a break allowing EP to seize the moment which they did with gusto and were almost in an inch of pulling it off.
The strange stat for me,although we went via the north west cape for most of the match,with the obvious instruction from Roscoe and the coaching panel,to retain possession at all costs,we still won the inside 50 count 40-37 which must’ve been the Bulldogs lowest amount of entries for their virtually unblemished year.Although it was an ugly watch,we were a bees donger away from reversing the previous fortnight’s second semi 10 goal loss,and recording one of the biggest upsets in WAFL Grand Final history.
At the 25 minute mark the consensus of the commentary was there was only 2 minutes left which was my guess at the time as wel. Ended up going another 6. Or so.
There’s already been a lot of movement with AFL retirements and delistings,and I’m wondering when the dust settles after the GF,whether ex Royal Brisbane players Tunstill and Craven keep their spots on the list,as Craven in particular,is a crafty small forward,and would be a very welcome addition to the side.
Tunstill is signed on to 2026 but was thinking the same about craven, for his sake I hope gets another chance but if not, he would be a great addition. Need to keep in mind Cooper Stephens will be ready to go also next year so that could be a great addition to our mid.
Just on this MSD,where both Craven and Sebit got picked up,it’s an absolute joke and not used in spirit of why it was implemented in the first place.Sebit was in the form of his life when he got picked up in 2022,but blind Freddy could see he was never going to cope with the physicality of AFL football,and he’s never been the same since returning.Darcy Craven is another one who is far to small to play AFL football,and surprise,surprise was never given a look in at Brisbane.