So finals are here and this weeks games promise some decent footy and hopefully some close results
my tips
Richmond V Hawthorn
I hadn’t realised that these two teams have never met in a final in the history of AFL/VFL which is an amazing stat given the long history of both clubs. Richmond are very much premiership favourites but they will be nervous about playing the Hawks who are in great form and have in Clarkson the best Coach in the business. I think the Tigers will prevail but in a tight game
Melbourne V Geelong I think the finals experience of the cats may make some difference in this game, but they need to find a way to nullify Max Gawn if they want to win. Also Geelong has had a very soft lead up to this final whereas Melbourne played 3 finals type games in the lead up. Balancing it all up I think Melbourne might just get over the line.
Sydney v GWS Sydney will have Franklin and Parker back whereas GWS still have a lot of injuries and just staggered into the finals. The battle of the bridges is always a willing contest though but I think the Swans will prevail
Eagles v Collingwood Playing at home is a massive advantage for the Eagles and Collingwood will be up against it unless they can have a fast start like the Dee’s did a couple of weeks back and get the crowd a bit agitated. One advantage for the Magpies is that they got a run at Optus Stadium a couple of weeks ago against the Dockers which is exactly what happened to the Bulldogs in 2016 when they came back to Perth after losing to the Dockers at Subi in round 23 and beat the Eagles in the first final on the way to a premiership, so there may be some who see this as an omen. I think West Coast will win by 4 goals though.
Other than Richmond I think any of the teams playing in the other 3 games can win.
A tough call for the tipsters.
I’m probably leaning towards Richmond and the 3 home teams to win.
Melbourne,Sydney and Eagles.
After just watching Richmond put a gallant Hawthorn to the sword in tonights final, I wish every other side in the finals series good luck in beating them. They will need it. The Tigers are just relentless and grind opposition teams down. They now have an unbeaten record of 22 at the MCG and will not leave that venue for the remainder of their season.
They are odds on to go back to back.
Yep, Richmond are certainly looking the goods. The 2 teams I would pick that can beat them are GWS and WCE. Of course, one of these teams have to get there first.
So many Geelong players had shockers tonight. There disposal by foot was terrible.Pity for them Tomohawk looked like he was In for a big night. Well done to the Dees very good in the first qtr and set up the win.
Watching the game tonight, a bit of advice for the Hawks…be afraid. Melbourne looked awesome, like a team with a job to do. Loved the look on Scott’s face throughout the game, whinging flog.
The Demons were very impressive, they absolutely smashed Geelong.The only criticism I would have is that they wasted so many scoring opportunties, they should have been 10 goals up at half time.They will need to put this right against the Hawks. I thought the Joel Selwood brain fade in the 3rd quarter took the stuffing out of the Cats.
The Thursday night game was a disappointment I thought.Never reached the finals heights that it should have, despite all the razzamatazz the commentators went on about.
Last night game was much better.The Dees were merciless in the attitude ,especially in the first half.They almost threw it away during the third quarter with bad kicking.Both sides goal kicking was bad.
The Holy Trinity were a disaster last night.They gave nothing.In fact Selwoods tantrum , more than likely cost them the game.They were on a bit of a roll, Hawkins was goin g to kick a goal,and then the brain explosion.
Both Dangerfield and Selwood gave away many free kicks.Dangerfield I think gave away six.
Selwood was tagged out of having any real influence.
Ablett was doing things when the game was lost.He is a rather large shadow of the player he used to be.In the first half, he was caught in tackles, incorrectly disposed of the ball, yet not penalised.
But saying that to say Geelong played bad would be taking away the greatness of the Dees win.Their pressure was relentless. They moved the ball far quicker and more accurately than the Cats.Weiderman and McDonald .were great forward marking targets for the Dees.
I am sure that the Cats will have a long hard look at their aging players and make some hard calls.
I have tipped the Swans to down the Neeshies today.I think the horror run of injuries has caught up with the Neeshies .You can only shake the tree so many times before all the apples have fallen.I think it has reached that stage for GWS.
Toasters and Pies should be a cracker.I have tipped the Toasters, because I think the crowd will be a major factor.Home ground advantage as well. And besides they have been playing some very good football.
Over 90,000 at both MCG games, should be a capacity crowd at Optus tonight.,and holds over 40,000 I think,so well over 250,000 in four games of football this weekend.Not bad.
And by the way, I tipped the Hawks in Thursday nights game.Tipped them by 17 points.
I think Abblett is like a lot of players that reach the final years of playing in that he will have impact in some games but wont be consistent anymore and runs the risk of being exposed by younger players, especially in big games.
GTR, I think the romantic story of him going back home came crashing down last night.
Do I think he can go around next year,no.But will he is another story.
It will be hard for Geelong to tell him his services are no longer required.Imagine the out cry from the supporters.
Another who will be looked at is Harry Taylor, as alluded to by Freezin in another post.
A true and trusted veteran, but will he be moved on.Will the Geelong faithful be prepared to see him go.
I think Abblett is like a lot of players that reach the final years of playing in that he will have impact in some games but wont be consistent anymore and runs the risk of being exposed by younger players, especially in big games.
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JB I heard ABC Grandstand interview him after the match.Garry Jnr said his average form comes from an interrupted pre season this year.And he spoke about a full pre season + extra training he was going to do for the 2019 season.
Last nights Final was a dreadful standard of Finals Football Melbourne should have won by 10+ goals but fluffed many chances through inferred pressure that actually wasnt really there whilst Geelong look done.
The Thursday night game was a far better standard.
Maybe I am being a bit picky, but does Ablett appear to be over weight in comparison to previous years!!He looks over weight and slow to me.His decision making last night was horrendous.
BH, while I agree the goal kicking from both sides was poor, the pressure from Melbourne was irresistible.The Geelong players could not handle it.
To me a much better finals game than Thursday night.
Ablett looked stressed after the game and I think Geelong needs to make some tough calls on a few players. Unless Ablett can trim down I think his days are numbered.
A/man I will be reserved in my comments. It was my understanding that the Geelong players as a group decided to accept less money than they could have received at other clubs. That is most players accepted this with one notable exception. I think it was a mistake to get that player back.