The Community
General Category => Sports => Topic started by: Zzzptm on March 03, 2022, 07:32:03 PM
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Pre-season, yes, but the lads are on the pitch now.
Carlton had a strong Q1, a great Q2, a fairly decent Q3, and managed to hold on in the 4th to win over the Dees. :D
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Seasons starts in 2 weeks. It seems the AFL is cracking down on umpire dissent which wasn’t out of control to begin with. Just another classic overreach by the AFL and as usual the umps will over officiate it which will only create more angst from supporters towards the umpires. Apparently there’s is a big shortfall on umpires at community level which they’re blaming on crowd behaviour at local football so the AFL is determined to make an example at AFL level in the hope it filters down to junior football. But as I said most of the bad behaviour towards umpires is from spectators at both AFL and community level which you can’t stop. Maybe you can reign it in at community level but not at professional AFL level. People pay their money and are entitled to vent, as long as it’s not over the top swearing etc in front of families and kids. 7 x 50 penalties were payed in last nights game against players just for throwing their hands in the air or asking what the free kick was for. The players are expected to be emotionless robots now. Ridiculous!
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Aw, man, I hate it when natural expressions like that are clamped down on. I did not like one bit the NFL rule on "excessive celebrations in the endzone" that made anything more than a thumbs-up practically a penalty.
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Collingwood loses big to GWS in the first preseason game and folks are already touting them to get the wooden spoon this year, lolz. Wee bit early for that, I would think.
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I see the Dees have had their match vs the Bulldogs, the season is opened! Bulldogs did a great job in the 2nd quarter. Dees climbed their hill in 3rd quarter, took the lead back. Dogs got close in the 4th, but Dees weren't having it and defended their lead convincingly. Great starter for the season, Dees looking to be in great form, Bulldogs not too shabby, but obviously not good enough to get past the Dees.
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The game played near a carbon copy of last years GF barring the big blowout in the margin.
And wasn’t Beveridge prickly after the game unleashing on a journo
https://www.afl.com.au/news/719314/-gutter-journalism-bevo-storms-out-after-extraordinary-outburst
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Well, looks like one coach has got his knickys in a twisty-twist!
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Planning to watch the Geelong-Essendon match in full later today or tomorrow. Found where the full matches are kept at afl.com.au, so I plan to watch Geelong this year. I started on this one, and it's great being able to see the midfield action and defensive stops that don't make the highlights reels.
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Great match, Geelong - never didn't have it. Watching the Brisbane-Port battle right now. I'm midway in the second quarter, both teams trying to find a way to exert themselves, very close match thus far.
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The Cats were awesome! Would’ve won by a lot more had Cameron not got subbed out in the first qtr after that bone jarring collision. He was looking ominous early in that game. Also liking the new quicker ball movement game plan and the fact they never eased up the pressure they applied to Essendon all day, even when they were 10 goals up. It’s only Rd 1 so not getting too carried away but if they play with that attacking flare and relentless pressure mindset every week they’re gonna win a lot of games this year. Big game against Sydney next who also looked impressive against GWS.
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Indeed. Essendon got touted big time by that one columnist to win the premiership. Maybe they have a better season this year, but premiership? Yeah nah. I'm expecting the top teams from last year to remain competitive and there are, of course, going to be the new entrants to the top tier coupled with the teams making their exits. Richmond losing to Carlton is possibly an early sign of some changes in the air. Collingwood started with a bang over St. Kilda, but the Roos... the Roos...
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A little discussion on the Cats new game plan
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/tv-shows/on-the-couch/on-the-couch-the-stark-change-to-geelongs-game-plan-that-took-courage-and-could-solve-their-finals-woes/news-story/75654357c9fcb99206dec64c45efd6ee?fbclid=IwAR3_VKVLJor9U9coEzqDZsofSGF6PK78j_FI_4GBQc5R3f2SDiOZcjTi4-c
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Getting more forward with the ball means their opponents have to be ready with closer man-to-man coverage of stars like Hawkins. Not every defense is going to be up to the task - they'll have to be right up on them, not 5-6 meters away like most play it, zone style. Swans are going to be a key early test for their aggressive style, I'm excited for that match.
For other teams, I really liked Brisbane's performance against Port Adelaide. Port wasn't bad, either, with the run-up they had in the mid-game. But the Lions were better, and climbed the hill to the top and held on. Brisbane's against Essendon next week, be interesting to see if they can run it up on them like Geelong did or if Essendon finds some answers.
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Carlton picked up a second win vs. Bulldogs, they are looking strong coming out of the gate. Carlton deffo a team to keep an eye on this season.
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Geelong took a loss as Franklin got his 1000th goal and the Swans crowd went nucking futs.
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Hawthorn looking very impressive in their win over Port Adelaide - and that team was supposed to be top 4 this year!
McCluggage, Neale, Daniher and Cameron did a great job of keeping the pressure on Essendon to deliver a Brisbane win.
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Port Adelaide is 0-3... after a loss to the CROWS??? Everyone who predicted that before the season, please collect your massive payout at the window...
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What a win Z. What a win!
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What a win Z. What a win!
Just finished watching it. Didn't know the score going in so 3rd quarter brought me down low and then Cameron worked absolute magic in the 4th, WHAT A WIN!!!
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Catching up on the other matches... who knew this time last year that Carlton v Hawthorn would be a match everyone's paying attention to? :D Some really great footy matches this week, for sure.
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Woke up to see Geelong-Brisbane TIED at 69 apiece! Game still on, so I'm not able to see the replay yet, but that score alone got me on the edge of my seat!
AND IT'S CATS BY 2! Listening live... Hawkins gets a free kick... it's wide of the centre, Cats by 3! Hold on, Cats, hold on!
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6 more for Cats, Brisbane responds with a single, Cats now by 8 with 4.22 to go... thriller of an ending, wish I could watch it, lol!
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Can hear the crowd chanting GEE-LONG! GEE-LONG! as the Cats set up another attack to put this game away, Brisbane's coming up short in the battle of endurance... Geelong gets one more at the horn!
Time to play the Geelong song, mates! what a ripper!
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Ripper win. Didn’t have our skipper and our best defender in Stewart went down with gastro just before the game. Poor kicking for goal by Geelong kept the Lions in the game but like last week we really stepped up the pressure and were hard as fuck at the ball in the last qtr and got a much deserved win in the end.
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Yeah, just watched the highlights, Hawkins doing great in his big unit role! And that's such an important win, with all the momentum Brisbane's had.
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Catching up on footy for the week thus far... Swans were up HOW MUCH before WC got a score? 56??? WC had a glimmer of hope last week, but it looks awful dark for them this week.
Speaking of darkness surrounding a team's way forward, NM played a game... Bulldogs got the win, can't tell if Footscray's really turned things around or just had the good fortune to play a struggling team.
Brisbane dispatched Collingwood in a game that wasn't as close as the final score made it seem. Collingwood had a lot of promise in earlier weeks, now is on a 3-game losing streak. That WC was one of the teams they lost to should be a huge alarm bell going off for the Pies.
Swans and Brisbane looked well in order and are riding high 4-1 each on the ladder. Collingwood and Bulldogs need to find some answers to get out of their 2-3 condition. And WC and NM, both at 1-4, are hungrily eyeing Port's Wooden Spoon position.
Looking ahead, I don't have high hopes for Port against Carlton, expecting Blues to win that one. Lions-Crows could be a close game, and Crows could potentially get a win here. I think St. Kilda will defeat Gold Coast as GC is showing signs of life while the Saints are red-hot on a 3-game win streak. Melbourne beats GWS because Melbourne are dominating in their games. Essendon had some luck against Adelaide last week, don't think their luck holds against Freo, which has been looking good.
Hawthorn-Geelong... in week 1 or 2, I'd back Geelong out of loyalty and hope for the best, as Hawthorn was looking hot. After the Hawks dropped games to Carlton and St. Kilda, I don't know if they'll have enough gas in their tank to go the distance against the Cats. Feeling good about Geelong picking up a W here. I'd love it if Geelong were as flatly dominant as Melbourne, but they're not there yet.
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... and, no, Geelong's not dominant, even when the umpires spot them a free kick. Strong Hawk defense and poor Cats shooting in the first half gave the Hawks the advantage. Geelong got back on its bike in the 3rd but then Hawk's better accuracy gave them a needed surge at the end and it was Hawthorn's game at the final.
Both teams are now in the bottom 2 slots of the top 8. Slots 9-18 are all held by teams with losing records.
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R6...
GWS v St. Kilda - Saints win on Friday night.
Bulldogs v Crows - Bulldogs turn the corner here and get a win
Port v WC - Port might just win this and open up the battle for the Wooden Spoon... not a lot of hope, but I think they do.
Freo v Carlton - Fremantle I think makes the statement and wins this one.
Roos v Cats - CATS... they simply MUST win this one, surely!
Suns v Lions - Brisbane takes this one
Tigers v Dees - DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES
Hawks v Swans - Gonna go with the Swans on this one. I think the Swans are a top team this year and may well loose to Melbourne in the Final.
Essendon v Pies - Pies win this one, Essendon's not got a lot going on right now.
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Looks like I was wrong about the Bulldogs, they got edged by a point. Hit on my other picks, looking forward to the Hawks/Swans game.
Cats completely dominated NM, it was redonkulus.
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Liked the look of the debutant Dempsey. He’s got some skills and smarts about him. Jezza finished with 7 and Hawk 4. Good bounce back by the Cats. Geelong Freo next week will be a big test. I’m going to that game.
Bulldogs haven’t mentally recovered from that GF defeat last year. The top 8 is starting to take shape and they’re gonna struggle to make it unless they can turn it around in a hurry.
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Just finished catching up on the last matches...
Hawks looked great for 3 quarters and then collapsed in the 4th, Swans were amazing in that comeback win.
I expected Collingwood to win over Essendon, did not expect it to be a close match, but with the score at half what it was, a close game was on tap. Essendon got managed to get the lead in the 3rd and then the teams were trading leads - Collingwood should have been more dominant, and that gave Essendon an opening. Pies still had strong accuracy and that came to their aid in the 4th, as they got back in front and stayed there. But the end wasn't a statement, it was Collingwood hanging on - just.
That puts the pies into the top 8 - just. I think Hawthorn, also 3-3, can get things sorted and possibly rise to grab that spot. Crows are also 3-3 and may have something in them to rise up... but the teams in the top 7 don't look to be shaky - Carlton, Geelong, St. Kilda, Sydney, Brisbane, Fremantle, Melbourne - which of them is showing weakness right now?
Bulldogs and Port are both struggling this year, they're keeping company with Richmond, from the looks of it.
And yes, Geelong-Freo is going to be a smasher of a game! Let me know what you're wearing so I can try to spot you in the crowd. :D
Other games I'm looking forward to for R7 are Melbourne-Hawthorn to see if the Hawks can get an upset and Sydney-Brisbane in another top 8 clash.
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Freo shut us down and stifled our ball movement after 1/4 time which they’ve been doing to a lot of teams this season. Wasn’t until the last qtr when we took risks and took the game on at all cost in a last ditch effort that we were able to get something going and nearly pinched the game at the end. Taking into consideration we got no goals out of Cameron, only 2 out of Hawkins and our midfield without Dangerfield was way down on their usual output, to only go down by 3 points was still a fair effort.
But really, I blame my missus. I’ve only taken her to 5 games since 2008 but we’ve lost them all so I don’t think I’ll take be taking her again.
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Oh dear, if Geelong's hopes are so fragile as to be dependent upon crowd attendance, then they don't deserve to win! :) Pretty sure your missus being there didn't cost them the match. Like 86% sure. :D
Brisbane looks like another strong contender for the top spot. I don't think St. Kilda have got it after their close loss to Port. Melbourne gets to pick up three more wins pretty easily before they have to meet with Freo in week 11. Then it's Sydney and Collingwood and a bye before meeting Brisbane in week 15. But Melbourne has to play both those teams again in the final 3 weeks, so the Dees basically got front-loaded with a lot of wins and face a tougher schedule in the last half of the season. Geelong has an easier schedule in the second half and may well come out with a fairly decent number of wins overall. But I consider their match vs Melbourne coming up in week 17 to be a must-win if they want to have the right frame of mind to take the Premiership.
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Footscray done in the Pies. 2 years ago, I never imagined I would understand such a statement, let alone type it! :D
Collingwood looked set to stage a rally but Bulldogs let the air out of the balloon with consistent play.
I'll be waking up tomorrow doing my best to dodge the score reports of Hawks v Tigers, Roos v Power, Saints v Cats, Swans v Bombers, and Crows v Lions. 5 matches I'll have to watch quick before Google or some other algo tries to cheerfully offer up scores I don't want to see!
Expecting wins from Richmond, Port, Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane.
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I’m off to the Geelong St Kilda game later today. And NO I’m not taking the missus.
Should be a good fast game under the roof at Marvel. Saints are needing a win to save dropping 3 in a row. Not feeling that confident about the Cats today.
Some really good matchups this rd. The Doggies looked back to their best last night easily accounting for the Magpies.
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Both Geelong and Saints want to get a win out of this match, hoping Geelong have at worst a close win.
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Bit of an all too familiar tale for Geelong. Looked like we had the Saints covered in the first half without putting them away and then the Saints who are the best 3rd qtr team in the comp this season turned it on in the 3rd and smashed us out of the middle and around stoppages getting it in quick to their forwards and putting our defence under pressure and we lost our composure.
Our midfield just ain’t good enough and having to rely on a 34yo battle weary Selwood who was huge for us with 10 clearances and 25 disposals is a concern.
Doesn’t get any easier next week against Port Adelaide who have now won four in a row after losing their first four games. The saving grace is that the game is at home for the Cats.
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Indeed. Cats are now in the middle of the pack and their schedule ahead now looks much tougher than it did before. Both Port and Bulldogs have found a way and have momentum - but I think Geelong can take down Adelaide. But having 2 question marks in the next 3 games before the break is indicative of the struggles they're facing. Richmond's got Sydney and Port along with Essendon in its next three, so it's going to be as near an even run for Richmond relative to Geelong to see who can secure a spot in the bottom of the top 8.
Sydney I don't envy: Carlton, Richmond, Melbourne: they may find themselves with the same record as Geelong and Richmond after that. Carlton has Collingwood and Essendon, I think they get at least 2 wins in their next 3, if not 3. Freo has it tougher with Collingwood then Melbourne and Brisbane.
Watching the highlights of the Essendon-Swans game, it looked like the Bombers have mentally just given up. These guys need a sports psychologist, stat!
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Collingwood beat Freo, that was a stunner result from the weekend. That and Hawthorn edging Brisbane.
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The Pies always travel well, especially to WA and the Lions don’t have a good record in Tasmania so not all that surprising. Also great for Geelong those two teams lost.
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Also great for Geelong those two teams lost.
Indeed, that's a silver lining. Now if only Melbourne could start losing a few games, we'd all be happier for it. :D
Pretty sure Geelong should get a win on Adelaide, along with Brisbane coming back to wins with one over GWS. Wondering if the Tigers can ride their momentum to a win over the Swans, who faltered against Carlton. Melbourne-Freo should be an interesting match, to see if the losses to GC and the Pies are sticking in the heads of Freo's players. I'm hoping they shake it off and give the Dees a real challenge. SOMEONE needs to give the Dees a real challenge... Hawthorn's come closest so far, I think.
Speaking of, I'll expect Hawthorn to beat Gold Coast and Bulldogs to tip West Coast. St. Kilda has a go at NM and wins, Carlton I think beats Collingwood and Port Adelaide rebounds to the W column against an Essendon that's spiraling.
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Sydney Swans held on past the Tigers... and then had to hold on again in a bizarre last-second free kick situation...
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Cats hit the break 8-4 and in 4th spot after one of their best wins for the season tonight. Defence really stood after losing Kolodjashnij before the game to COVID and then losing the best defender in the AFL in Tom Stewart to concussion in the 2nd qtr. De Konning is an absolute young gun and favourite for AFL rookie of the year while again Cameron come up big and was clutch in the last qtr finishing with 6 goals.
Always makes for a great weekend when your team wins the big Friday night game :)
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I saw the score, I was most pleased to see the W over the Bulldogs there!
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Freo only bloody went and done it a second week in a row, taking down Brisbie in a great match. Swans managed to pull ahead and beat Narrm in a real cracker.
Melbourne and Brisbane are still on top of the ladder, but there air is not as rarefied up there as it once was. Melbourne at 10-2 and Brisbane at 9-3 are in striking distance, it seems, of 9-3 Freo and 8-4 Geelong. St. Kilda, Sydney, and Carlton are all at 8 wins and Collingwood picked up its win number 7 over Hawthorn, making it number 8 in the top 8.
Geelong may have a bye this week, but I'm still wanting to see the outcomes of Lions v Saints and Pies v Dees. Wondering if Hawthorn doesn't pull something out and do another giant-killer move on Freo or if the Dockers hold strong. Week after this is when I can rest me eyes a bit, with no big matchups on the horizon.
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Yeah Melbourne was eying off Geelongs long standing record of 23 wins in row and were sitting on 16 but now have lost 2 in a row and are in a bit of a slump. Just goes to show how hard it is to keep winning when you’re the reigning champs at the top and every team you’re playing is that little bit extra motivated to knock off the champs. Season is shaping up to be a classic race for positions to the finals.
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Speaking of slump... Melbourne's now at 3 losses in a row after its loss to Collingwood.
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Things are only getting worse for Melbourne with news their captain and most important player Max Gawn will be out for the next 4-6 weeks with a syndesmosis injury.
If Carlton beats Richmond tonight it will be a 4-way tie at the top of the table. Who would’ve thought 3 weeks ago? What a season this is shaping up to be…
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Indeed, with Max out, the Dees are in a tight spot. And I'm rooting for Carlton, 'coz they're not the Tigers! :D
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Costly loss for the Saints tonight. They might’ve just wrecked their season. They have the toughest schedule in the run home of all the teams in and around the top 8
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I saw that one and a few others... There is a lot of liveliness in the bottom half of the ladder, that's for sure!
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Absolute cracking round of football coming up. All the top 8 teams play each other.
Melbourne(2nd) v Brisbane(1st)
Fremantle(3rd) v Carlton(5th)
Geelong(4th) v Richmond(6th)
Sydney(7th) v St Kilda(8th)
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This is going to be smashing good fun!
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Out of this world
Game of the season
https://www.afl.com.au/video/787114/highlights-geelong-v-richmond?videoId=787114&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1656150304001
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Absolutely! Now that I'm back at home, it'll be easier to get time to stay caught up on the footy. :D
I see that this week's games so far are mostly blowouts or irrelevant - except for Essendon waking up and thumping Sydney!
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What a win for Geelong! Top of the ladder with no truly consistent team in the top 8 with them. This can be anybody's year in the finals.
Except the Roos. :smug: Expecting them to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after this week.
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Well done, Essendon! Brisbie has to be in serious damage control mode after that loss. Freo beat St. Kilda to stay in the top 3.
Meanwhile, it's all over but for the wooden spoon award for West Coast and North Melbourne.
Looking ahead, I really think Geelong can run the table if they stay in shape and keep up the good work. Carlton, Port, Bulldogs, St. Kilda, Gold Coast, and West Coast. The first four all all hungry for a spot in the top 8, and only Carlton has one such as of now. I believe Geelong's good enough to end on a 18-4 record. Melbourne and Freo have similar schedules as Geelong and I think both can generally win out, but they have to play each other, so only one could tie with Geelong for an 18-4 record. The best the other will possibly do is 17-5.
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NM's coach David Noble got sacked after a miserable, miserable record with the team. 4th coach in 5 years at a struggling franchise... smells like the Cleveland Browns' "Factory of Sadness" type of management.
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Geelong only bloody went and done it again! Smashed Carlton by 30! And I see Freo stumbled against the Swans, interesting result there...
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Wait, what??? ROOS BEAT TIGERS???
:drama:
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Yep Richmond haven’t been the same since Geelong beat them. It’s like that loss has scarred them. Roos should’ve beat Collingwood last week so they’ve actually found a bit of form. Caretaker coaches have a good record in the AFL first up.
Went to the Geelong game tonight. Was about 70,000 there. Probably 50,000 were Carlton supporters being their home game but they were silenced for most of the night by a professional Geelong outfit. Looked like we had them covered all night and had another gear to go if needed.
That’s 8 wins in a row for the Cats.
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Conventional wisdom on the Monday morning shows is Geelong has enough gas in the tank to get all the way to the end. For who Geelong faces, there's first some head-shaking about Melbourne's latest form, and then they take a survey of the rest of the top 8 and come back to putting in the Dees at second rung on the ladder.
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That’s 9 in a row to the Cats now. They sit a game clear on top with Melbourne losing to the Dogs tonight. If you can Z, watch the the the final qtr of the Cats v Power game. It was crazy good. Bodies flying everywhere with absolutely no regard for their own personal safety with Tom Atkins leading the way. The guy is a nutter!
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Just finished both the Cats v Power and the Bulldogs v Dees. WOW, both smashing games!
Bulldogs bumped Richmond out of the top 8 with that win where Richmond wound up tying in its game this round. Dees fought hard, but Bulldogs fought harder... and Port were no slouches, either! I don't know if Port could catch up into the top 8, but they've got great form right now, nonetheless. And Geelong looked fantastic, both Cameron and Hawkins making good things happen.
On a side note, my Australian accent is getting fair dinkum perfected what with watching the footy and Ozzy Man constantly. :smug:
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Geelong had me worried with how they handed the first quarter over to the Bulldogs, but the last 3 quarters were all Cats, all the time. Impressive.
I think we're looking at peak St. Kilda. They have a monster schedule for the next three games and I see them dropping out of the top 8 and Western Bulldogs moving in.
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Watching Geelong dismantle Gold Coast after catching the Dee's last moment win over Carlton.
Geelong is peaking perfectly with amazing, unselfish, dynamic performance. They look as seamless and dominant now as Melbourne did this time last year. Cue the Geelong fight song, it's gonna be played some more this year!
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Dees made a huge statement on Brisbie just now, great news for Dees fans, sour news for Lions backers. I don't see that club getting past the first round of the finals in that shape.
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Ordered my Geelong polo shirt today. :smug: I'm committed to the cause, now.
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Absolutely epic Lions-Tigers game, both scores over 100. And both teams answered any critics who asked if they belong in the finals with a "Yes. Yes they do."
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Got my Geelong polo shirt today! YES! All ready for the finals!
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Got my Geelong polo shirt today! YES! All ready for the finals!
Thats awesome! Did you order from the Cats shop or somewhere else?
Mate that game last night was nuts! 17 lead changes and then the overturned goal near the end on insufficient evidence that would’ve clinched it for the Tigers.
I’m getting so nervous about tomorrow. Our record in Qualifying finals has not been great in recent years. We do seem like a different team this year though. Unfortunately I’ve got an 18th birthday to attend that evening so opted not to go to the game. Will watch it at home and then head straight to the party. Hopefully in a great mood.
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Got it from the Cats shop, pretty much the same price as elsewhere. Going to wear it tomorrow when I catch the late version of the game. I'll do what I can to avoid spoilers, but I'm pretty confident Geelong does the job.
Dees-Swans was another cracker of a match, with the Swans really making a strong point with their win.
And the Lady Cats got a win in their first game. Good night, but the scores are so much lower in the WAFL... like a soccer game!
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OH MAN THESE FINALS
Collingwood did not make it easy for the Cats, but the Cats did not make it easy for Collingwood. Back and forth, great plays, and Collingwood did a great job of covering Geelong's top scorers. Unfortunately for Geelong, that just opened up opportunities for other Geelong players to score some points, in particular Gary Rohan. And covering Jeremy Cameron means he only scored 3. :) Atkins led the way on tackles and contested possessions, a vital defensive contribution, and let's not ignore Cameron's involvement in 12 scores. Great finish for the Cats, who kept their momentum. I'll be wearing my Geelong colours all day with pride!
Dockers-Bulldogs... I think the word for that game is "uneven". Bulldogs were all over the Dockers in the 1st Quarter, so much so that they had to trot out stats on "lowest score in a finals at half" and things like that. 41 point lead, the Dockers had at the end of the 1st, and it looked like Freo was a house of cards, coming down. Then the 2nd Q started and Freo showed there was fight left in those lads, and they decided that was a good time to start playing some footy. Dockers kept slogging and finally pulled even in the 4th... and then pulled ahead, thanks much to Walters with his key goals in the game. But neither team really did the job. That the Dockers turned around is to their credit, but that they got so far behind in the 1st is to their detriment. They play Collingwood next, and I don't think the Pies are going to let any lead they get erode away. I'm looking for Collingwood to be facing Sydney in 2 weeks.
For the other match next week, it's going to be the Dees over the Lions. Either way it comes out, I think Geelong wins that match and then faces either Collingwood or Sydney in a great final.
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Preach it Z
Unbelievable game. The pressure both teams applied and stood up to was incredible. Geelong were no where near their best but they just found a way. Cameron was enormous as was Stewart down back but they all stood up in that last qtr when it counted most. So relieved so happy right now.
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They get a good rest for their next match and both Geelong and Swans fans can watch the two games next week with dispassionate interest. :) I'm expecting Collingwood and Melbourne, but if either loses, I'll not be hurt in the slightest. :D
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WOW Brisbane fought like, well... LIONS and came out with a win to knock Melbourne from the finals competition. I still say Geelong can do the job next week.
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Dockers gave up another early lead like they did against Western Bulldogs, but the Pies are not ones to let those leads erode. Pies had it all the way through, very dominant in their play. Well done Collingwood.
Collingwood-Sydney, I'll go with the Swans, and it'll be a tough match. Very excited for the next round of finals.
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Freo couldn’t handle Collingwoods heat, and their slow kick mark possession style footy only played in Collingwoods hands.
Brisbane will not be an easy opponent for Geelong, they have a lot of weapons and are full of confidence atm and recent games against them have been close affairs.
Same for Sydney, Collingwoods pressure is elite right now and they’re ball movement is quicker than anyone’s.
Both games could go either way.
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Well I shall have my Geelong jersey on Friday when I watch the replay of the match. No spoilers! :D
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Wow Z! You’re all in.
I love that you have taken to our unique game. Do you think you’re right across rules and fundamentals now? And what is it you enjoy about AFL the most?
I might sound biased but I think it’s one of the most skilful games played by the fittest athletes of any football code in the world.
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Oh yeah, no question I got the game understood. I even explain it to people here in North America and spell out how it's *not* "just like rugby". Show 'em a speccy and they immediately realize this is a truly different sort of beast, and the action is fantastic.
Best part of the game for me is when someone makes a mark. Whether the guy is clean and away with no opponent for miles around or it's in the middle of traffic, something about that catch is just great to watch. Next up is when players make unselfish passes in order to improve chances of making a shot. Sure, you got a pretty good chance of making it where you are, say, but if you handball it over to your mate on the right, your team has a sure thing. Love to see plays like that.
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Just saw the match... such a disappointment...
For Brisbane. :smug:
Wow, it was only close at the start, owing to the fact that both teams start with 0 points. I did not expect Brisbane to run out of gas and have to push it to the side of the road and wait for a tow truck. Geelong, meanwhile, decided to have a goal derby, pretty much half the team taking a turn making 6 points. Brisbane had terrible production on their inside 50s and poor performance on disposals. Geelong stayed close to their season averages on contested and uncontested marks, Brisbane just fell down on those numbers, no where near their season averages. 71 point smashup by the end of it all and the Cats are through to the final.
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Just got home from the game. Was a destroyation after 1/4 time by the Cats. Danger had his best game for the season and the defence was unbelievable all night. Just a great all round performance really.
Only dampener on the win was that it looks like Holmes has done his hamstring and will miss next week. Feel gutted him. He’s been playing so well and has become such an important player for us in the 2nd half of the season with his speed and endurance. Hoping for a miracle and he can get up to play.
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I'd love for all the Cats to be healthy come the final game. Hoping for Holmes.
And the Cats' defense... WOW... complete in the way they shut down practically everything the Lions threw at them.
Loved seeing Danger get 2. :smug:
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So my beloved Geelong Cats will play the Sydney Swans in the grand final on Saturday.
Expecting a fierce hotly contested and very tight game with both teams in ripping form, Geelong having won 15 games in a row and Sydney 9 in a row. We really do have the two best teams of the season playing off.
Surprisingly, they’ve have never played off in a grand final against each other before, even when the Swans were South Melbourne for 100 years before relocating to Sydney in 1982.
Was lucky enough to score great seats to the game and are very excited to be taking my son and daughter which will be my 8th grand final attended for hopefully my 4th win.
Hope you can find somewhere to catch it live Z.
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Starts at 11:30PM my time on Friday, but I'm sick right now, so I'll likely have to pick it up Saturday morning.
But I'm stoked for the Cats and a ripping good competition!
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And this is what they’re playing for
https://www.afl.com.au/video/847285/a-brief-history-of-the-afl-premiership-cup?videoId=847285&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1663630683001
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Great film, hoping Danger gets to hoist the cup in a few days!
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I liked Riles Macca back when he was posting excellent edits of recent games, but kept following him for his really strong commentary after the AFL told him to take down his edited match recaps. He got them up faster and better and was taking eyes away from the AFL's own channel. :D
Anyway, I really enjoy his breakdown of things and he makes a good point about the final in his pre-game analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKlc0puwCtc
Geelong's kryptonite is opponent pressure. Sydney is ready to play a high-pressure game, so this Grand Final should be a game that goes down to the last seconds, and that's exciting. Thing is, though, he's also right in saying that Sydney has to do everything right to win - everything. Geelong will be taking advantage of every Swans mistake. The game is going to be won in the midfield battles, I believe.
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Yep Sydney is the no 1 pressure side in the comp. Really important Geelong cope with it and stay with them like they did Collingwood(who were the no 2 pressure side in the comp) and finish over the top of them. Be interesting to see what Sydney do with Geelongs spare player in defence. Geelong like to have one less player at the stoppage to have a spare behind the ball. Sydney will have to make a decision to man up the spare behind the ball or go with the extra player at the stoppage. I think they might choose to man the spare as a big part of Geelongs game is having the intercept player in defence and launching their attacks off half back.
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Interesting that Spurs also play with an extra man on defense... one more similarity to work with. :D
Yes Sydney can bring the pressure like Collingwood does - and Sydney also seems to be vulnerable to that pressure, as well, given how they had to hold on as the Pies kept knocking down their lead.
And if they press too far forward, they'll be off-balance when Geelong launches the ball down the field - I expect more than a few big gashes from Geelong.
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Geelong are ranked #13 for their pressure which is quite low but their pretty much ranked #1 in all other important facets of the game. Another thing Sydney do well is they lower their eyes when kicking inside 50 rather than dump kick it in which Geelong will pick off all day. So vitally important Geelong brings extra pressure up the field to not give that Sydney player kicking inside 50 the time and space to hit up a player inside their forward 50.
Sounds like you’re leaning towards Spurs Z. Great choice.
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Weather should be fine for the game tomorrow. Cloudy with a top of 14c. Maybe a light shower or two early morning.
Holmes is 50/50 to play. His hamstring injury was neural rather than a tear. Hasn’t trained much at all this week but had a fitness test this morning which they say he got through. My gut feeling is they won’t take the risk and he won’t play.
Butterflies have started to kick in. I’m gonna be a nervous wreck tomorrow come game time.
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Yeah, it's the Grand Final, excitement is expected and understood! :D
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Game day has arrived. Heading off in about an hour to do the organised March to the MCG with fellow Cats supporters at 11am from Federation Square in the City. Beyond pumped!
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GO CATS
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We saved our Masterpiece until last
16 wins in a row
Fuck yeah CATS!
We did it Z!!!
(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/02877fb0c68698a467429ae4d841fa6ff8df5541/19_0_4709_2827/master/4709.jpg?width=620&quality=45&fit=max&dpr=2&s=d40356a294fd395d097939bfbce857dd)
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Ah, it wasn't a true win until Selwood got his goal in, am I right? The emotion of that one... and wasn't that the Geelong Song I heard in the stands right before he sent it in?
I popped out of bed, got my Geelong kit on and squinted hard as I went to load the video. But before doing it, I had already decided that Geelong had won, most likely in a close match. Even though there were several clues tipping that perhaps Geelong might have done rather well, nothing set me up for them being over Swans by 81.
E I G H T Y - O N E P O I N T S ! ! !
Stengle's a great story there, for sure, but what about Danger handing his goal shot off to Jezza? Better story there, these Geelong Cats winning with such heart. It was like they were playing a massive game of footy to celebrate their win over the Pies in the first round of finals and simply couldn't tell the difference between the Lions and the Swans, they just rolled over everything in their path with exuberance and excellence.
Swans got to be in the big match after being a bottom-4 team two years ago and I know there's some agonizing in Sydney after that fell apart, but I can't join in with that. Geelong won, and I'm going to be a bit insufferable about it for the rest of the day. :D
:myfun: :kidwoohoo:
:diohorns: :YES: :diothumbsup:
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On my 5th time of watching the replay while I spent the day recovering from the day/night before.
I’ll cherish the memories of being there yesterday with my son and daughter forever :love:
Great article
https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/09/24/afl-grand-final-focus-dads-army-wins-the-war-heres-how-chris-scotts-cats-produced-their-masterpiece/?fbclid=IwAR088Bwhw2BffmiLGNcRGyW93dpqi_JEIGzRlBYmg1v0r5rCP-lobmVIIk0
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Loved that article, thanks for the share. "Dad's Army", indeed!
Back when Geelong edged Richmond, I thought, all right, they are back to form after a rough start. Then, two weeks later when they beat the Dees by a comfortable margin, that's when I thought OH WOW THEY COULD DO IT THIS YEAR. The only close games after that were with Port Adelaide and Collingwood.
With sports medicine as it is, Tom Brady is going to be less of an outlier as athletes are able to prolong their careers, making that experience good for something more than just coaching.
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Speaking of Dads Army.
(https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/2e86cdb0c47a3f52de209855e7f65b40?width=768)
Traditionally AFL teams have a Mad Monday which is when a teams season is over they get together for end of season drinks on the Monday after their season is done and Geelong have made an art form out it. They started the dress up many years ago which other teams have tried to emulate but it just comes of as lame and a poor copycat which for the most part goes unnoticed unless there’s are drunken incident. But every year at Geelongs Mad Monday a huge media throng rocks up because they know how well Geelong do it, and they didn’t disappoint this year ;D
Check out some photos and videos here Z. It’s Gold.
https://twitter.com/superfooty/status/1574202589692178433?s=21&t=wC_9etTAKM9er43n726JJw
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/geelong-cats/afl-grand-final-2022-geelong-cats-mad-monday-costumes-best-pictures-and-video/news-story/b2eb3da819b93c3287f1d0019825ea42
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Quick summary of the GF
https://www.afl.com.au/video/851884/the-cat-nobody-can-stop-shell-shocked-sydney-s-anthem-nerves?videoId=851884&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1664151213001
Just also want to point out just how amazing Geelong have been the last 20 years
The Top Four sides of the 21st Century so far in terms of wins (2001-2022)
1) Geelong - 349 wins from 522 games(four Premierships)
2) Sydney - 308 wins from 520 games(two Premierships)
3) Collingwood - 292 wins from 516 games(one Premiership)
4) Hawthorn - 283 wins from 508 games(four premierships)
Coach Chris Scott has a winning percentage of 70.3% from 286 games in 12 years of coaching Geelong. Only missed finals once. This amazing record is despite never having a draft pick better than pick #10
As their song says. They really are “The Greatest Team Of All”
Is there anyone in the NFL that has a similar record Z?
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12 seasons and over 70% wins, you're looking at guys like George Halas from the pre-Super Bowl era and Don Shula from more recent years. Bill Belichick is sitting at .667 and Andy Reid at .634. Lombardi and Madden have the %, if not quite the seasons. Coach Scott is in a thin crowd of coaches for sure!
100% LOVE the Mad Monday photos, I was already a fan, now I love 'em off the field, as well.
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Gonna need one for Jezza! :D
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^And Stengle :D
So our fearless leader hung up the boots today :-[
Joel Selwood is a true legend of the Geelong Football Club and Australian rules football.
– 355 games(club record)
– 175 goals
– 4x premiership player(Most of any Cats player)
– 1x premiership captain
– 6x All-Australian(3x as Captain)
– 3x Best & Fairest
– 1x AFL Rising Star(aka Rookie of the year)
– 4x AFL most courageous player
– No.1 most games as captain by any player in the history of the game(245)
– No.1 most wins as captain
– No.1 most finals played of any player(40)
– No.1 winning % of any player in the history of the game(72.96%)
Won a flag in his first and last year
Sums him up as a person
https://twitter.com/afl/status/1573622288192192513?s=21&t=Itde5SeYeW4bftkKvvQ_5A
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/geelong-cats/afl-grand-final-2022-geelong-cats-mad-monday-costumes-best-pictures-and-video/news-story/13dab4cd53ca41fe14bd34924de8b755?fbclid=IwAR03hZm_DPz1uGIKIsBTpl0oJMz2wZKVF_gtqDIpQvrFAfHHtCqMrOgXklY
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Reminds me of when I was a kid and got into the Cowboys towards the end of the Staubach era. It's one thing to hear of legends, quite another to remember them playing like legends.
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The Cats won the season, won the premiership and now they’ve won the trade period.
What a club :banana:
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-trade-period-verdict-your-clubs-moves-draft-picks-rating-out-of-10-c-8525743
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Well, so much for them being an old folks' home side! :smug:
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And the Roos... oof. They essentially traded away two number one picks, last year's and this year's and did not get a lot in return. Hawks not only traded two players out, but still pay the contract of one and half the contract of the other. Ouch and ouch!
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Yeah North lost out on that deal.
Collingwood are paying 1/3 of Grundys salary for him to play at Melbourne. On top of that they’re still got another 2 years to pay 1/3 of Treloars salary to play at the Bulldogs. Salary dumps they call them. No such issues at Geelong as our players generally take unders to stay together for team success. What an amazing culture to have.
Gaining pick 7 and Jack Bowes for a future 3rd and to take on his salary owing which we’ve smoothed out over 4 years was the steal of the century. Geelong hasn’t had a top ten pick since 2006. That year we got Joel Selwood at pick 7 :smug:
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Yeah North lost out on that deal.
Collingwood are paying 1/3 of Grundys salary for him to play at Melbourne. On top of that they’re still got another 2 years to pay 1/3 of Treloars salary to play at the Bulldogs. Salary dumps they call them. No such issues at Geelong as our players generally take unders to stay together for team success. What an amazing culture to have.
Gaining pick 7 and Jack Bowes for a future 3rd and to take on his salary owing which we’ve smoothed out over 4 years was the steal of the century. Geelong hasn’t had a top ten pick since 2006. That year we got Joel Selwood at pick 7 :smug:
Yeah, already read a few reports saying Geelong gets "another Selwood pick from the trade". :smug: And I watched a highlight reel of Henry's performance on the Pies, loving his style. I suppose my excuse for wearing the Geelong jersey this week is to celebrate their trade period victory! :D :D :D
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Man, that St. Kilda sacking the coach after extending his contract... no way to build loyalty or to make a case that a future coach has a home there. They'll get another jobber who will collect a check to coach until he's being paid not to coach. Hell, I'll do the job for half price, they can fire me after the first game, and I won't even stipulate that they say nice things about me. I just ask that I be able to work the job remotely. :D
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The talk is they’re going to get Ross Lyon back who got them to back to back grand finals in 09/10 but fell agonisingly short on both. But they had, Riewoldt, Goddard, Hayes, Montagna etc back then. He didn’t plan for the future though by developing and playing the younger players and they fell off the cliff rather quickly after that. Then he shafted them and went to Fremantle leaving St Kilda to deal with the mess he left behind. He did the same at Fremantle, got them in to a GF but again didn’t develop and play the younger kids coming through.
Now they want him back??
St Kilda is a basket case.
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Ugh, yeah, and Max King deserves a better fate than St. Kilda.
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Went to watch the AFLW yesterday and look who my daughter met
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/B4CC4B6F-B1CB-447A-B59F-9DFDCE1CBA74.jpeg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/6339989E-B78B-48B2-BAF8-4C5FC4417915.jpeg)
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She met Mr. Cup, I see!
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Watched highlights from the 2022 Grand Final again. Selwood's goal got a tear from me, what a moment!
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Watched highlights from the 2022 Grand Final again. Selwood's goal got a tear from me, what a moment!
Its probably my favourite moment of the GF. I reckon I’ve rewatched the game at least 20 times since the win. It was on loop on the Fox Footy channel over here for weeks after and I’d randomly start watching it when I channel surfed and arrived on the Fox footy channel.
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Wondering if I should make an "8 hours of Joel Selwood's GF goal" video. :D
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Why not. I could also watch 8 hours of him and Chris holding up the premiership cup :D
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Making 9 hours of Selwood's Goal, so as to cover an entire business day plus lunch. :smug:
It'll take 3.5 hours to render, but well worth it, I reckon!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzxWTCWAyZA
The skipper! The hero! The superstar! What a moment!
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Just saw that all of Round 5 games are going to be in Adelaide... hope they don't get smacked with a COVID restriction and have to play out the season in the Adelaide Bubble! :rofl:
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Yeah they’re calling it “Gather round” All the teams will travel to South Australia to play in week 5. They’re adding an extra week of footy to the season so no teams will lose a home game nor will fans living outside of SA get one less game to attend.
I reckon West Coast will be happy they won’t have to travel to GMHBA stadium to get their annual whipping unless we play them twice. They haven’t beaten Geelong in Geelong since 2006 with an average losing margin of 63 points or something.
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:rofl:
The West Coast Hamburgers (Is it just me, or is their corporate sponsor more prominent than their mascot logo?) look to be on track for a bottom-half sort of year again.
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Just a final note on the 2022 season:
In one season of Taskmaster, the contestants had to get goosebumps, fastest wins. The winner stripped down bare and hugged a cold structure, got them in 1 minute 29 seconds.
I can beat that.
I played the clip of Selwood's goal I have here... got the goosebumps in 10 seconds, flat. :smug:
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He got smashed when kicking that goal too and in true Selwood fashion got straight to his feet.
You need to seek out Gerard Whateley’s call of that goal on radio. “Oh captain, My Captain”
Talk about goosebumps!
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Just got the bumps reading that! :D
Sweetest moment of the game.