Bluey
1st October 2001, 06:15
AFLTips.Com Review News
Grand Final - 29 September 2001
w: http://www.afltips.com/
e: adrian@afltips.com
* Brought to you in conjunction with BigFooty.com -
http://www.bigfooty.com/
+----------+
INDEX
1) Prize Draw
2) Important Stuff for you to read.
3) "Weekly Round-Up" - Reviews of all matches from the editor.
4) Various info about AFLTips.Com
+----------+
1) Prize Draw
Our last and final prize draw winner is a Brisbane supporter (how
fitting) by the name of Mooreby.
Read about the prize draw here:
http://www.afltips.com/prizedraw.html
Until next time,
Adrian Appleyard
adrian@afltips.com
+----------+
2) End of the Season
This week we have two reports on the Grand Final, one from
Dominic Milesi and one from David Wiseman.
I watched the Grand Final at the Islington Walkabout Inn, the
first full footy match I have been able to watch since last
season. Delayed telecast, but I avoided my e-mail until after
I'd seen it so I didn't inadvertently find out the result.
A couple of hundred Aussies cheering their guts out, or crying
into their beer as the case may be, watching one of the best
finals matches in my memory. Fantastic game, fantastic
atmosphere.
Until the start of next season AFLTips.Com will probably go out
monthly with bits and pieces of interest.
You can talk footy all year 'round at www.BigFooty.com – a
marvelous site that, allegedly, at least one source inside the
Collingwood Football Club has called 'a disgrace'. ;)
See what the fuss is (or isn't) about:
http://www.bigfooty.com/
Adrian Appleyard
adrian@afltips.com
+----------+
3) Weekly Round-Up
from our Regular Contributors
http://www.afltips.com/people/
(E-mail adrian@afltips.com if you'd like to become a
contributor.)
**********
Essendon v. Brisbane
Saturday, September 29
MCG 2:30 PM AEST
Brisbane fans, talk about the match here:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=18
Essendon fans, talk about the match here:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=14
BRISBANE LIONS PERSPECTIVE
The Brisbane Lions ended a sensational season by winning their
16th straight game, taking the 2001 AFL Premiership in the
process. It was a triumph for the national league, a triumph for
Fitzroy supporters and a triumph for Leigh Matthews, coaching his
2nd team to a flag. It was also a nice change to have such a
great game that befitted the occasion, with both sides fighting
hard and the result in doubt until 10 minutes to go.
The Lions did it the hard way, coming back from a 14 point
deficit at half time to evenutally run out winners by 26 points.
Brisbane had started well, absorbing the physical pressure
applied by Essendon in the first 20 minutes to lead by 5 points
at quarter time. However, it appeared they had wasted several
crucial chances, with some poor kicking leading to a score 3.7,
and at one stage 4.10. Alistair Lynch was the chief offender
with some bad misses.
When the Bombers jumped to a 20 point lead late in the 2nd
quarter it looked like Brisbane may have let a giant opportunity
slip. However, a late goal to Lynch reduced the margin to under
3 goals. Leigh Matthews made one of the key moves of the game at
half time, moving Mal Michael from Steve Alessio onto Matthew
Lloyd, and moving Justin Leppitsch onto Scott Lucas, who was
proving too tall for Chris Scott. Scott and Darrell White moved
forward and the Lions suddenly looked a lot more dangerous.
The first 20 minutes of the 3rd quarter was a fantastic arm
wrestle, some of the best Grand Final football we have seen since
the 1989 Hawthorn-Geelong classic. Marcus Ashcroft kicked a long
bomb to give the Lions the 1st goal of the 2nd half. However,
the Lions piled on 4 goals in time on to suddenly have a 16 point
lead at 3 quarter time, and the premiership within sight. Nigel
Lappin kicked 2 of those goals, including a magnificent snap
after a quick Michael Voss handball, and Johnathan Brown and
Martin Pike also kicked crucial goals.
Brisbane ran rampant in the final quarter, kicking 4 more goals
to suddenly extend the lead to 38 points, and it was all over.
The crowd began celebrating ten minutes before the finish, as
first Tim Notting was found in acres of space to put Brisbane 16
points up. Michael Voss and Jason Akermanis got in on the act
and it was party time. The siren sounded to signal the 9th flag
for the Lions, but the first since Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears
had merged in 1996. For Fitzroy supporters, who had not seen
their team win in 57 years, it was a memorable day. With the
Brisbane midfield at the peak of its powers and the Lions just
receiving ridiculous draft concessions from the AFL, this may be
the first of several flags to head north in the next few years.
PLAYERS:
Chris Johnson - Was brilliant rebounding off half-back, and
almost kicked the goal of the Grand
Final after bursting through midfield, only to hit the post.
Good performance. 7/10
Justin Leppitsch - Did a good job on Lloyd in the 1st half,
before moving onto Lucas and stopping his dominance. Great
return after his hamstring injuries.
7/10
Darryl White - Struggled down back early, looked lost and made
some sloppy mistakes. Proved better as a target up forward after
half time. 5/10
Martin Pike - Became one of the few players to win a flag with 2
different clubs. Had a very good game, hitting targets off half-
back and snapping a crucial goal in the 3rd quarter. 7/10
Chris Scott - Was well beaten by Scott Lucas in the 1st half,
proved much more effective across half-forward after half time.
5/10
Marcus Ashcroft - Solid game without being spectacular. However,
his long goal in the 3rd quarter was one of the key points of the
game. 7/10
Jason Akermanis - Beaten by Adam Ramanauskas in the 1st half, he
spent a fair bit of time on the bench to break the tag in the 2nd
and 3rd quarters. With the Essendon midfield running out of
legs, he dominated the last quarter with 8 possessions and also
kicked 2 goals for the day. 7/10
Michael Voss - Another inspirational game from the skipper. Put
his body on the line all day, was clean with his disposal and won
plenty of the footy. Was fitting he kicked a great goal to all
but seal the flag. 8/10
Brad Scott - Didn't get much of the footy, but didn't need to as
he thrashed James Hird. Important performance. 8/10
Robert Copeland - Was reasonable until getting a knock in the 3rd
quarter in a marking contest, after that played little part in
the game. 5/10
Johnathan Brown - Had a great battle with Dean Solomon for the
first 3 quarters, before getting on top in the final quarter.
Was a target all day and never flinched a contest. 7/10
Nigel Lappin - Had a great first half when some of his teammates
didn't, and ended up beating Misiti for the day. 2 great goals
topped a very good day for the midfielder, who must have been a
contender for the Norm Smith medal. 8/10
Luke Power - After struggling for most of the year came good when
it counted with 3 goals from a forward pocket. 7/10
Alistar Lynch - Was a constant problem for Dustin Fletcher, but
let himself down with some dreadful kicking for goal. A crucial
goal just before half time kept the Lions in it however. 6/10
Daniel Bradshaw - Shouldn't have played. Injured and had little
effect on the game, spent nearly all of the 2nd half on the
bench. 2/10
Clark Keating - Had a good battle with Alessio early before
dominating Barnes in the 3rd quarter. Brisbane thrashed Essendon
in the centre clearances. 7/10
Simon Black - Unusually quiet game for Black, who seemed to pick
up a lot of possessions on the half-forward line. Did better in
the 2nd half but probably shaded by Jason Johnson. 5/10
Shaun Hart - Fantastic game and worthy Norm Smith medallist. Put
his body on the line at every opportunity, won some vital 50/50
contests and was good early when it was needed. Brilliant game.
9/10
Mal Michael - Forced to come on early to take Alessio, he did
much better in the 2nd half against Lloyd, despite him kicking 5
goals. Has been a great pickup for the Lions. 6/10
Beau McDonald - Did well in the ruck with Keating, an area
Brisbane ended up winning. 5/10
Craig McRae - With Power doing so well in the crumbing forward
role, there was little need or game time for McRae. 3/10
Tim Notting - Was excellent when coming off the bench in the 2nd
half, presenting across the forward line and kicking the goal
that would start the avalance in the final quarter. 5/10
ESSENDON PERSPECTIVE
The greatest side in history was what people were calling them
after their amazing win against the Kangaroos. However, the
greatest side in history wouldn't win just one flag from 3 years
of dominance of the competition, and wouldn't let a 20 point lead
slip in a Grand Final.
Skipper James Hird was bitterly disappointed after the game, and
it showed in his speech, claiming the players were 'embarrassed'
and he also failed to congratulate the Lions for clearly been the
better team on the day.
Basically the Bombers ran out of legs. The 27 degree day and the
hard, hot final a week before against the Hawks was always going
to be a problem. With Hird and Mercuri struggling, the Bombers
were simply one or two midfielders short when it came to the end
of the game, and it showed with Brisbane dominating out of the
centre after half time.
It hadn't looked that way early however. The Bombers had been
fortunate Lynch and co did not have their kicking boots on,
however it appeared they had soaked up the Brisbane pressure and
were about to march away when the lead incresed to 20 points late
in the 2nd quarter. Scott Lucas was dominating across center
half forward, proving too strong for Chris Scott, while Jason
Johnson was winning the ball in the centre, and Adam Ramanauskas
was playing an inspired game on Jason Akermanis.
However after half time things went horribly wrong, and the
Bombers could only manage 4 goals for the half, 2 of which came
after the game was over. Lloyd kicked a great running goal early
in the last quarter to put them back within 10 points, but it
soon became clear the Dons had used all their petrol tickets.
Many Essendon supporters may curse the omission of Darren
Goldspink, but in reality they were beaten by a much better side
on the day. Essendon lacked a 3rd option up forward, with
Moorcroft, Hird and Rioli all out of sorts, and too many
midfielders just didn't find the footy.
So the much talked about Essendon arrogance was pegged back a few
notches, and Essendon must come back next year and prove to the
football public, they are not just a very good side, but a great
one.
PLAYERS:
Damien Hardwick - Did some good things but was unable to contain
Luke Power. 4/10
Dustin Fletcher - Had a very entertaining duel with Alistar
Lynch, a battle that ended up 50/50. Made some important
defensive plays, and his kickouts were nothing short of
sensational. 6/10
Dean Solomon - Another great battle, this time with Jonathan
Brown. Solomon was probably leading at 3 quarter time, but in
the end Brown got on top. 6/10
Mark Johnson - For all his talk when it came to the crunch
Johnson was found wanting, getting a bath from Shaun Hart. No
doubt he will be disappointed with his game. 3/10
Sean Wellman - Was there to play the loose role in defence, but
was probably not as creative as Kevin Sheedy would have hoped.
5/10
Adam Ramanauskas - Great first half, but ran out of legs as
Akermanis took over in the final quarter. Tried hard and did
some inspirational things however. 6/10
Danny Jacobs - Probably Essendon's best defender, easily beat
Bradshaw until he was taken from the field, and took some
pressure marks. Has a good future. 7/10
Joe Misiti - Beaten by Nigel Lappin. Had a bit of the footy, but
failed to really stamp his authority on the game, a criticism
that is often levellad at Joe. 5/10
Blake Caracella - Reasonable game off the wing and on the ball,
solid without anything special. 6/10
James Hird - A shocker. After the brilliance of last year James
would be devastated with such a poor effort. Was totally
blanketed by Brad Scott. Bomber supporters can claim he was
injured, but once you are picked in the side everyone is deemed
100% fit. Sheedy argued a 70% fit James Hird is better than a
100% Mark Bolton - on yesterday's performance it would be hard to
agree. 2/10
Scott Lucas - The much malinged Lucas can hold his head up high.
Presented all day and was superb in the first half, taking Chris
Scott to the cleaners. Found it a bit harder in the 2nd half
with Leppitsch as an opponent, but with 4 goals certainly
couldn't be blamed for the loss at all. 7/10
Gary Moorcroft - On and off the ground and had little effect.
4/10
John Barnes - Very disappointing end to a long career. Looked
totally unfit, out of sorts and not up to it. Was thrashed in
the ruck in the 3rd quarter, which hurt the Bombers. 1/10
Matthew Lloyd - Couldn't be faulted. Five goals in a good battle
with Leppitsch, than Mal Michael in the 2nd half. Took some good
marks and led well, but was prevented from kicking more by the
likes of Ashcroft and Scott bravely backing back into the path of
his lead. 7/10
Dean Rioli - Very ordinary. 9 possessions, no impact on the game
and his usual silky skills were unsighted. Will be disappointed
he didn't grasp his chance after missing last year. 2/10
Steven Alessio - Was pretty good early, but like a lot of his
teammates, ran out of steam. His ruckwork was OK, but failed to
gain many possessions. 5/10
Jason Johnson - Great in the first half, faded a little but still
beat Simon Black. Was the best of the Bombers midfield. 7/10
Chris Heffernan - Was given the big job on Voss and was never up
to it, been well beaten all day. 4/10
Mark Mercuri - Why did he play? Totally unfit and virtually a
waste of a player, spent a lot of time on the bench. 2/10
Justin Blumfield - One of the Bombers 2nd tier that was flying
last year, but has come back to earth in 2001. Yesterday was no
exception with little game time or impact. 3/10
Mark McVeigh - On the bench most of the day, thought he probably
deserved more of a run. 2/10
Paul Barnard - Last year's hero with 4 goals couldn't get into
the game up forward, apart from some brief moments after half
time. 4/10
Score:
Brisbane 3.7 5.10 11.12 15.18.108
Essendon 3.2 8.6 9.8 12.10.82
Goals: Brisbane - Power 3, Lynch 2, Brown 2, Akermanis 2, Lappin
2, Voss, Ashcroft, Pike, Notting
Essendon - Lloyd 5, Lucas 4, J. Johnson, Moorcroft, Caracella
Best: Brisbane - Hart, Lappin, Voss, B.Scott, Pike, Leppitsch,
Power
Essendon - Lucas, Lloyd, J.Johnson, Jacobs, Ramanauskas
- Dominic Milesi
**********
Essendon fans can take some solace that it takes the best to beat
the best and that it required a team the calibre of the Brisbane
Lions to defeat the Bombers.
It's not always the best team of the year who wins the flag and
sometimes the best team doesn't win the flag – that's the beauty
of the Grand Final. 25 weeks of football gets you into the last
Saturday in September but then it all comes down to the best team
on the day.
The Lions only had one player with Grand Final experience whereas
the Bombers had 20. Some pundits thought that this may be a
factor, but the Lions took their experience from elsewhere. They
had tough losses on the MCG in Preliminary Finals in 1996 and
1999. Earlier this year they were smashed in the Ansett Cup Final
by Port Adelaide. The Power didn't win a final this year and now
the Lions are Premiers so make of that what you will.
Similarly, the seeds for the Crows back-to-back flags were sown
when they blew a 42-point half time to the Bombers in the
preliminary final. Look back at the opening paragraph, what would
Sheedy, the Bombers and their fans prefer? The flag they pinched
in 1993 or the ones they blew in 1999 and 2001.
The 1993 side boasted Premiership players the ilk of David
Grenvold, Paul Hills, Ricky Olarenshaw, Peter Somerville and
David Calthorpe. (And to think that Derek Kickett couldn't get a
game here???) I am prepared to say that this is the worst side
ever to have won a flag - any one out there prepared to disagree?
Maybe Sheedy/Essendon is paying the price now for winning that
flag and not playing Derek Kickett.
Three years of dominance for one flag is not a good return. They
were beaten just as they were hitting their straps in 1999, they
won when they peaked last year and lost again whilst seemingly on
the way down.
Geelong are the Cats but the Bombers seemed to have as many lives
this year. Looking back now, their incredible escapes against the
Kangaroos and Swans in particular must have taken their toll and
out of them. Everything came to a head against the Hawks which
was the Preliminary Final but was in reality the Bombers, Grand
Final.
In the second half against the Hawks they scored 3.3 to 7.6.
Against the Lions it was 4.4 to 10.8. The heat, the injuries, the
being the 'hunted' every week took it's toll apart from the fact
that the Lions were a better side, playing a more sophisticated
brand of football and full of confidence.
The Lions were also playing with nerves. Their skills in the
first half were below par and had the game not been the Grand
Final with the pressure the way it was, the Lions would have won
by 15 goals.
The game started without the expected fireworks. It was
punctuated by free kicks given away by the Bombers due to ill
discipline and sloppiness but the Lions couldn't capitalise and
were astray in their kicking for goal.
The second quarter was where the Bombers got on top. Sheedy had
delayed playing Moorcroft, Barnard and Blumfield as he tried to
keep some runners fresh but his hand was forced and he had to
play them sooner rather than later. Jason Johnson was superb in
the second quarter but the effort he put in meant he became a
spent force later in the game. Simon Black did a great job on him
and how must the Swans 'Brains Trust' be feeling after gaining
Simon Hawking and Brent Green from the Lions for the pick the
Lions used to select Black.
If at halftime, Lucas and Alessio were the Bombers best than you
knew something was amiss. Hird and Mercuri were virtual
spectators and the Lions had the better of most match-ups. Chris
Johnson was sensational and unlucky not to have won the Norm
Smith medal. Had his shot for goal after his brilliant run gone
through and not hit the woodwork, it would have been him.
In the first ten minutes of the third quarter, the Bombers
through everything at the Lions but for no return. It was 'rope-
a-dope', the Bombers had nothing left in the tank and the Lions
piled on the goals, seemingly at will.
Alessio ran out of steam and when the ineffective Barnes came on,
it allowed Beau McDonald a carte blanche at the ruck contests.
Last year the Bombers had 10 goal kickers in the Grand Final,
this year they had 5.
The Lions could not have picked a better time to have won their
first final in Melbourne.
What will happen to the Bombers now? Most of their side had a
career year last year; no one can play that well two years in a
row. How about three?
Damian Peverill will be a welcome addition next year as he was
sensational is the games he played this year. Corey McGrath, Mark
Bolton and David Hille will also come in.
Apart from the Lions being able to match up well on the Bombers,
they were hard, themselves to match up on. For instance, at one
stage you had Paul Barnard on Nigel Lappin???
Akermanis was dragged twice but came back and did a job on
Ramanauskas and got into the game in the last quarter.
Gary Moorcroft is a diver and a faker and should play soccer if
he wants to play like that.
Leigh Matthews has now had a hand in every one of Sheedy's three
grand final losses as a coach.
One special person in Brisbane's premiership should not be
overlooked and that's Nathan Buckley. And to think that he left
Brisbane to play finals????
- David Wiseman
+----------+
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4) Info about AFLTips.Com
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The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those
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Copyright (C) Adrian Appleyard, 2001
ENDS
************************************************************ *****
Grand Final - 29 September 2001
w: http://www.afltips.com/
e: adrian@afltips.com
* Brought to you in conjunction with BigFooty.com -
http://www.bigfooty.com/
+----------+
INDEX
1) Prize Draw
2) Important Stuff for you to read.
3) "Weekly Round-Up" - Reviews of all matches from the editor.
4) Various info about AFLTips.Com
+----------+
1) Prize Draw
Our last and final prize draw winner is a Brisbane supporter (how
fitting) by the name of Mooreby.
Read about the prize draw here:
http://www.afltips.com/prizedraw.html
Until next time,
Adrian Appleyard
adrian@afltips.com
+----------+
2) End of the Season
This week we have two reports on the Grand Final, one from
Dominic Milesi and one from David Wiseman.
I watched the Grand Final at the Islington Walkabout Inn, the
first full footy match I have been able to watch since last
season. Delayed telecast, but I avoided my e-mail until after
I'd seen it so I didn't inadvertently find out the result.
A couple of hundred Aussies cheering their guts out, or crying
into their beer as the case may be, watching one of the best
finals matches in my memory. Fantastic game, fantastic
atmosphere.
Until the start of next season AFLTips.Com will probably go out
monthly with bits and pieces of interest.
You can talk footy all year 'round at www.BigFooty.com – a
marvelous site that, allegedly, at least one source inside the
Collingwood Football Club has called 'a disgrace'. ;)
See what the fuss is (or isn't) about:
http://www.bigfooty.com/
Adrian Appleyard
adrian@afltips.com
+----------+
3) Weekly Round-Up
from our Regular Contributors
http://www.afltips.com/people/
(E-mail adrian@afltips.com if you'd like to become a
contributor.)
**********
Essendon v. Brisbane
Saturday, September 29
MCG 2:30 PM AEST
Brisbane fans, talk about the match here:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=18
Essendon fans, talk about the match here:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=14
BRISBANE LIONS PERSPECTIVE
The Brisbane Lions ended a sensational season by winning their
16th straight game, taking the 2001 AFL Premiership in the
process. It was a triumph for the national league, a triumph for
Fitzroy supporters and a triumph for Leigh Matthews, coaching his
2nd team to a flag. It was also a nice change to have such a
great game that befitted the occasion, with both sides fighting
hard and the result in doubt until 10 minutes to go.
The Lions did it the hard way, coming back from a 14 point
deficit at half time to evenutally run out winners by 26 points.
Brisbane had started well, absorbing the physical pressure
applied by Essendon in the first 20 minutes to lead by 5 points
at quarter time. However, it appeared they had wasted several
crucial chances, with some poor kicking leading to a score 3.7,
and at one stage 4.10. Alistair Lynch was the chief offender
with some bad misses.
When the Bombers jumped to a 20 point lead late in the 2nd
quarter it looked like Brisbane may have let a giant opportunity
slip. However, a late goal to Lynch reduced the margin to under
3 goals. Leigh Matthews made one of the key moves of the game at
half time, moving Mal Michael from Steve Alessio onto Matthew
Lloyd, and moving Justin Leppitsch onto Scott Lucas, who was
proving too tall for Chris Scott. Scott and Darrell White moved
forward and the Lions suddenly looked a lot more dangerous.
The first 20 minutes of the 3rd quarter was a fantastic arm
wrestle, some of the best Grand Final football we have seen since
the 1989 Hawthorn-Geelong classic. Marcus Ashcroft kicked a long
bomb to give the Lions the 1st goal of the 2nd half. However,
the Lions piled on 4 goals in time on to suddenly have a 16 point
lead at 3 quarter time, and the premiership within sight. Nigel
Lappin kicked 2 of those goals, including a magnificent snap
after a quick Michael Voss handball, and Johnathan Brown and
Martin Pike also kicked crucial goals.
Brisbane ran rampant in the final quarter, kicking 4 more goals
to suddenly extend the lead to 38 points, and it was all over.
The crowd began celebrating ten minutes before the finish, as
first Tim Notting was found in acres of space to put Brisbane 16
points up. Michael Voss and Jason Akermanis got in on the act
and it was party time. The siren sounded to signal the 9th flag
for the Lions, but the first since Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears
had merged in 1996. For Fitzroy supporters, who had not seen
their team win in 57 years, it was a memorable day. With the
Brisbane midfield at the peak of its powers and the Lions just
receiving ridiculous draft concessions from the AFL, this may be
the first of several flags to head north in the next few years.
PLAYERS:
Chris Johnson - Was brilliant rebounding off half-back, and
almost kicked the goal of the Grand
Final after bursting through midfield, only to hit the post.
Good performance. 7/10
Justin Leppitsch - Did a good job on Lloyd in the 1st half,
before moving onto Lucas and stopping his dominance. Great
return after his hamstring injuries.
7/10
Darryl White - Struggled down back early, looked lost and made
some sloppy mistakes. Proved better as a target up forward after
half time. 5/10
Martin Pike - Became one of the few players to win a flag with 2
different clubs. Had a very good game, hitting targets off half-
back and snapping a crucial goal in the 3rd quarter. 7/10
Chris Scott - Was well beaten by Scott Lucas in the 1st half,
proved much more effective across half-forward after half time.
5/10
Marcus Ashcroft - Solid game without being spectacular. However,
his long goal in the 3rd quarter was one of the key points of the
game. 7/10
Jason Akermanis - Beaten by Adam Ramanauskas in the 1st half, he
spent a fair bit of time on the bench to break the tag in the 2nd
and 3rd quarters. With the Essendon midfield running out of
legs, he dominated the last quarter with 8 possessions and also
kicked 2 goals for the day. 7/10
Michael Voss - Another inspirational game from the skipper. Put
his body on the line all day, was clean with his disposal and won
plenty of the footy. Was fitting he kicked a great goal to all
but seal the flag. 8/10
Brad Scott - Didn't get much of the footy, but didn't need to as
he thrashed James Hird. Important performance. 8/10
Robert Copeland - Was reasonable until getting a knock in the 3rd
quarter in a marking contest, after that played little part in
the game. 5/10
Johnathan Brown - Had a great battle with Dean Solomon for the
first 3 quarters, before getting on top in the final quarter.
Was a target all day and never flinched a contest. 7/10
Nigel Lappin - Had a great first half when some of his teammates
didn't, and ended up beating Misiti for the day. 2 great goals
topped a very good day for the midfielder, who must have been a
contender for the Norm Smith medal. 8/10
Luke Power - After struggling for most of the year came good when
it counted with 3 goals from a forward pocket. 7/10
Alistar Lynch - Was a constant problem for Dustin Fletcher, but
let himself down with some dreadful kicking for goal. A crucial
goal just before half time kept the Lions in it however. 6/10
Daniel Bradshaw - Shouldn't have played. Injured and had little
effect on the game, spent nearly all of the 2nd half on the
bench. 2/10
Clark Keating - Had a good battle with Alessio early before
dominating Barnes in the 3rd quarter. Brisbane thrashed Essendon
in the centre clearances. 7/10
Simon Black - Unusually quiet game for Black, who seemed to pick
up a lot of possessions on the half-forward line. Did better in
the 2nd half but probably shaded by Jason Johnson. 5/10
Shaun Hart - Fantastic game and worthy Norm Smith medallist. Put
his body on the line at every opportunity, won some vital 50/50
contests and was good early when it was needed. Brilliant game.
9/10
Mal Michael - Forced to come on early to take Alessio, he did
much better in the 2nd half against Lloyd, despite him kicking 5
goals. Has been a great pickup for the Lions. 6/10
Beau McDonald - Did well in the ruck with Keating, an area
Brisbane ended up winning. 5/10
Craig McRae - With Power doing so well in the crumbing forward
role, there was little need or game time for McRae. 3/10
Tim Notting - Was excellent when coming off the bench in the 2nd
half, presenting across the forward line and kicking the goal
that would start the avalance in the final quarter. 5/10
ESSENDON PERSPECTIVE
The greatest side in history was what people were calling them
after their amazing win against the Kangaroos. However, the
greatest side in history wouldn't win just one flag from 3 years
of dominance of the competition, and wouldn't let a 20 point lead
slip in a Grand Final.
Skipper James Hird was bitterly disappointed after the game, and
it showed in his speech, claiming the players were 'embarrassed'
and he also failed to congratulate the Lions for clearly been the
better team on the day.
Basically the Bombers ran out of legs. The 27 degree day and the
hard, hot final a week before against the Hawks was always going
to be a problem. With Hird and Mercuri struggling, the Bombers
were simply one or two midfielders short when it came to the end
of the game, and it showed with Brisbane dominating out of the
centre after half time.
It hadn't looked that way early however. The Bombers had been
fortunate Lynch and co did not have their kicking boots on,
however it appeared they had soaked up the Brisbane pressure and
were about to march away when the lead incresed to 20 points late
in the 2nd quarter. Scott Lucas was dominating across center
half forward, proving too strong for Chris Scott, while Jason
Johnson was winning the ball in the centre, and Adam Ramanauskas
was playing an inspired game on Jason Akermanis.
However after half time things went horribly wrong, and the
Bombers could only manage 4 goals for the half, 2 of which came
after the game was over. Lloyd kicked a great running goal early
in the last quarter to put them back within 10 points, but it
soon became clear the Dons had used all their petrol tickets.
Many Essendon supporters may curse the omission of Darren
Goldspink, but in reality they were beaten by a much better side
on the day. Essendon lacked a 3rd option up forward, with
Moorcroft, Hird and Rioli all out of sorts, and too many
midfielders just didn't find the footy.
So the much talked about Essendon arrogance was pegged back a few
notches, and Essendon must come back next year and prove to the
football public, they are not just a very good side, but a great
one.
PLAYERS:
Damien Hardwick - Did some good things but was unable to contain
Luke Power. 4/10
Dustin Fletcher - Had a very entertaining duel with Alistar
Lynch, a battle that ended up 50/50. Made some important
defensive plays, and his kickouts were nothing short of
sensational. 6/10
Dean Solomon - Another great battle, this time with Jonathan
Brown. Solomon was probably leading at 3 quarter time, but in
the end Brown got on top. 6/10
Mark Johnson - For all his talk when it came to the crunch
Johnson was found wanting, getting a bath from Shaun Hart. No
doubt he will be disappointed with his game. 3/10
Sean Wellman - Was there to play the loose role in defence, but
was probably not as creative as Kevin Sheedy would have hoped.
5/10
Adam Ramanauskas - Great first half, but ran out of legs as
Akermanis took over in the final quarter. Tried hard and did
some inspirational things however. 6/10
Danny Jacobs - Probably Essendon's best defender, easily beat
Bradshaw until he was taken from the field, and took some
pressure marks. Has a good future. 7/10
Joe Misiti - Beaten by Nigel Lappin. Had a bit of the footy, but
failed to really stamp his authority on the game, a criticism
that is often levellad at Joe. 5/10
Blake Caracella - Reasonable game off the wing and on the ball,
solid without anything special. 6/10
James Hird - A shocker. After the brilliance of last year James
would be devastated with such a poor effort. Was totally
blanketed by Brad Scott. Bomber supporters can claim he was
injured, but once you are picked in the side everyone is deemed
100% fit. Sheedy argued a 70% fit James Hird is better than a
100% Mark Bolton - on yesterday's performance it would be hard to
agree. 2/10
Scott Lucas - The much malinged Lucas can hold his head up high.
Presented all day and was superb in the first half, taking Chris
Scott to the cleaners. Found it a bit harder in the 2nd half
with Leppitsch as an opponent, but with 4 goals certainly
couldn't be blamed for the loss at all. 7/10
Gary Moorcroft - On and off the ground and had little effect.
4/10
John Barnes - Very disappointing end to a long career. Looked
totally unfit, out of sorts and not up to it. Was thrashed in
the ruck in the 3rd quarter, which hurt the Bombers. 1/10
Matthew Lloyd - Couldn't be faulted. Five goals in a good battle
with Leppitsch, than Mal Michael in the 2nd half. Took some good
marks and led well, but was prevented from kicking more by the
likes of Ashcroft and Scott bravely backing back into the path of
his lead. 7/10
Dean Rioli - Very ordinary. 9 possessions, no impact on the game
and his usual silky skills were unsighted. Will be disappointed
he didn't grasp his chance after missing last year. 2/10
Steven Alessio - Was pretty good early, but like a lot of his
teammates, ran out of steam. His ruckwork was OK, but failed to
gain many possessions. 5/10
Jason Johnson - Great in the first half, faded a little but still
beat Simon Black. Was the best of the Bombers midfield. 7/10
Chris Heffernan - Was given the big job on Voss and was never up
to it, been well beaten all day. 4/10
Mark Mercuri - Why did he play? Totally unfit and virtually a
waste of a player, spent a lot of time on the bench. 2/10
Justin Blumfield - One of the Bombers 2nd tier that was flying
last year, but has come back to earth in 2001. Yesterday was no
exception with little game time or impact. 3/10
Mark McVeigh - On the bench most of the day, thought he probably
deserved more of a run. 2/10
Paul Barnard - Last year's hero with 4 goals couldn't get into
the game up forward, apart from some brief moments after half
time. 4/10
Score:
Brisbane 3.7 5.10 11.12 15.18.108
Essendon 3.2 8.6 9.8 12.10.82
Goals: Brisbane - Power 3, Lynch 2, Brown 2, Akermanis 2, Lappin
2, Voss, Ashcroft, Pike, Notting
Essendon - Lloyd 5, Lucas 4, J. Johnson, Moorcroft, Caracella
Best: Brisbane - Hart, Lappin, Voss, B.Scott, Pike, Leppitsch,
Power
Essendon - Lucas, Lloyd, J.Johnson, Jacobs, Ramanauskas
- Dominic Milesi
**********
Essendon fans can take some solace that it takes the best to beat
the best and that it required a team the calibre of the Brisbane
Lions to defeat the Bombers.
It's not always the best team of the year who wins the flag and
sometimes the best team doesn't win the flag – that's the beauty
of the Grand Final. 25 weeks of football gets you into the last
Saturday in September but then it all comes down to the best team
on the day.
The Lions only had one player with Grand Final experience whereas
the Bombers had 20. Some pundits thought that this may be a
factor, but the Lions took their experience from elsewhere. They
had tough losses on the MCG in Preliminary Finals in 1996 and
1999. Earlier this year they were smashed in the Ansett Cup Final
by Port Adelaide. The Power didn't win a final this year and now
the Lions are Premiers so make of that what you will.
Similarly, the seeds for the Crows back-to-back flags were sown
when they blew a 42-point half time to the Bombers in the
preliminary final. Look back at the opening paragraph, what would
Sheedy, the Bombers and their fans prefer? The flag they pinched
in 1993 or the ones they blew in 1999 and 2001.
The 1993 side boasted Premiership players the ilk of David
Grenvold, Paul Hills, Ricky Olarenshaw, Peter Somerville and
David Calthorpe. (And to think that Derek Kickett couldn't get a
game here???) I am prepared to say that this is the worst side
ever to have won a flag - any one out there prepared to disagree?
Maybe Sheedy/Essendon is paying the price now for winning that
flag and not playing Derek Kickett.
Three years of dominance for one flag is not a good return. They
were beaten just as they were hitting their straps in 1999, they
won when they peaked last year and lost again whilst seemingly on
the way down.
Geelong are the Cats but the Bombers seemed to have as many lives
this year. Looking back now, their incredible escapes against the
Kangaroos and Swans in particular must have taken their toll and
out of them. Everything came to a head against the Hawks which
was the Preliminary Final but was in reality the Bombers, Grand
Final.
In the second half against the Hawks they scored 3.3 to 7.6.
Against the Lions it was 4.4 to 10.8. The heat, the injuries, the
being the 'hunted' every week took it's toll apart from the fact
that the Lions were a better side, playing a more sophisticated
brand of football and full of confidence.
The Lions were also playing with nerves. Their skills in the
first half were below par and had the game not been the Grand
Final with the pressure the way it was, the Lions would have won
by 15 goals.
The game started without the expected fireworks. It was
punctuated by free kicks given away by the Bombers due to ill
discipline and sloppiness but the Lions couldn't capitalise and
were astray in their kicking for goal.
The second quarter was where the Bombers got on top. Sheedy had
delayed playing Moorcroft, Barnard and Blumfield as he tried to
keep some runners fresh but his hand was forced and he had to
play them sooner rather than later. Jason Johnson was superb in
the second quarter but the effort he put in meant he became a
spent force later in the game. Simon Black did a great job on him
and how must the Swans 'Brains Trust' be feeling after gaining
Simon Hawking and Brent Green from the Lions for the pick the
Lions used to select Black.
If at halftime, Lucas and Alessio were the Bombers best than you
knew something was amiss. Hird and Mercuri were virtual
spectators and the Lions had the better of most match-ups. Chris
Johnson was sensational and unlucky not to have won the Norm
Smith medal. Had his shot for goal after his brilliant run gone
through and not hit the woodwork, it would have been him.
In the first ten minutes of the third quarter, the Bombers
through everything at the Lions but for no return. It was 'rope-
a-dope', the Bombers had nothing left in the tank and the Lions
piled on the goals, seemingly at will.
Alessio ran out of steam and when the ineffective Barnes came on,
it allowed Beau McDonald a carte blanche at the ruck contests.
Last year the Bombers had 10 goal kickers in the Grand Final,
this year they had 5.
The Lions could not have picked a better time to have won their
first final in Melbourne.
What will happen to the Bombers now? Most of their side had a
career year last year; no one can play that well two years in a
row. How about three?
Damian Peverill will be a welcome addition next year as he was
sensational is the games he played this year. Corey McGrath, Mark
Bolton and David Hille will also come in.
Apart from the Lions being able to match up well on the Bombers,
they were hard, themselves to match up on. For instance, at one
stage you had Paul Barnard on Nigel Lappin???
Akermanis was dragged twice but came back and did a job on
Ramanauskas and got into the game in the last quarter.
Gary Moorcroft is a diver and a faker and should play soccer if
he wants to play like that.
Leigh Matthews has now had a hand in every one of Sheedy's three
grand final losses as a coach.
One special person in Brisbane's premiership should not be
overlooked and that's Nathan Buckley. And to think that he left
Brisbane to play finals????
- David Wiseman
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