Pie 4 Life
Hall of Famer
After this week's game I have seen a bit too much negativity.
FFS we are into a fifth Grand Final in a decade and were minor premiers.
Here are some problems and ways to look at benefits:
(1) Jolly and Reid being injured and could miss out
This has been a massive thing on our board and how we're finished because of it. But I look at it this way: In the last few rounds of the H&A Season, Cameron Wood was playing better than Jolly, whether Jolly was injured or not, and Wood has improved out of sight. He even was providing a solid forward target. I don't care what anyone says, I'll back him in the Grand Final. He might get monstered by Ottens, but in Round 8 he held his own and our midfield is good enough to shark the opposition taps.
As for Reid, I dare say he'll play. But lets face it, their tall forwards aren't near our talls and I would back Dawes + Cloke to boot more than Pods + Hawkins anyday of the week. If Reid doesn't play, we will find a way around it. We have a disciplined backline which anyone can play nearly any role. I back Scott Waters to organise it and ensure we aren't left short.
(2) We had a physically tolling match, while Geelong waltzed into the Grand Final
Even Robert Walls (of all people) pointed out that Collingwood have had 'finals atmosphere' matches and will be battle hardened. This could be crucial early on as we could hit them hard and come out of the blocks ala Prelim 2010. Not to mention lets face it, Geelong have a tendency to have a bit of arrogance, so lets hope they have the same mentality as other supporters on Big Footy.
(3) Key players are down on form/lack match practice
Thomas will be better for the run, Shaw had the "low second game" back, Maxwell got even better, Wellingham and Beams won't play a match like that two weeks in a row. And if anything the match against Hawthorn was the best match practice you could get. If anything, a match with "bruise free footy" would be no better than training, so this irons them out and prepares them for the Grand Final.
So for all those who think we're gone, spent, done, finished, caput - just remember what this group of young men did last year and have continued to do this year.
When the Saints hit the front at GF1 last year, the boys could have thrown in the towel and conceived they had choked again. But they didn't. They fought their way back, and then pounded the Saints with their supreme fitness the next week.
Last night we looked all but gone, but when it came down to it, we found something when all looked lost. We willed ourselves to the contest and kicked the clutch goals to win and book another Grand Final berth.
Lets not forget our midfield is intact, and if they can win the clearances, we are a huge shot, our forward line is dangerous and will good delivery, we should knock them off.
So please, lets forget about the negativity and look at what the boys have done and what they have to do. As Mick says "Take this as an opportunity. If you treat it as a loss it will be. So treat it as an opportunity"
Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw, Dale Thomas and the rest of the boys who will run out on Saturday bleed for this club.
They believe, I believe.
Do you believe?
FFS we are into a fifth Grand Final in a decade and were minor premiers.
Here are some problems and ways to look at benefits:
(1) Jolly and Reid being injured and could miss out
This has been a massive thing on our board and how we're finished because of it. But I look at it this way: In the last few rounds of the H&A Season, Cameron Wood was playing better than Jolly, whether Jolly was injured or not, and Wood has improved out of sight. He even was providing a solid forward target. I don't care what anyone says, I'll back him in the Grand Final. He might get monstered by Ottens, but in Round 8 he held his own and our midfield is good enough to shark the opposition taps.
As for Reid, I dare say he'll play. But lets face it, their tall forwards aren't near our talls and I would back Dawes + Cloke to boot more than Pods + Hawkins anyday of the week. If Reid doesn't play, we will find a way around it. We have a disciplined backline which anyone can play nearly any role. I back Scott Waters to organise it and ensure we aren't left short.
(2) We had a physically tolling match, while Geelong waltzed into the Grand Final
Even Robert Walls (of all people) pointed out that Collingwood have had 'finals atmosphere' matches and will be battle hardened. This could be crucial early on as we could hit them hard and come out of the blocks ala Prelim 2010. Not to mention lets face it, Geelong have a tendency to have a bit of arrogance, so lets hope they have the same mentality as other supporters on Big Footy.
(3) Key players are down on form/lack match practice
Thomas will be better for the run, Shaw had the "low second game" back, Maxwell got even better, Wellingham and Beams won't play a match like that two weeks in a row. And if anything the match against Hawthorn was the best match practice you could get. If anything, a match with "bruise free footy" would be no better than training, so this irons them out and prepares them for the Grand Final.
So for all those who think we're gone, spent, done, finished, caput - just remember what this group of young men did last year and have continued to do this year.
When the Saints hit the front at GF1 last year, the boys could have thrown in the towel and conceived they had choked again. But they didn't. They fought their way back, and then pounded the Saints with their supreme fitness the next week.
Last night we looked all but gone, but when it came down to it, we found something when all looked lost. We willed ourselves to the contest and kicked the clutch goals to win and book another Grand Final berth.
Lets not forget our midfield is intact, and if they can win the clearances, we are a huge shot, our forward line is dangerous and will good delivery, we should knock them off.
So please, lets forget about the negativity and look at what the boys have done and what they have to do. As Mick says "Take this as an opportunity. If you treat it as a loss it will be. So treat it as an opportunity"
Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw, Dale Thomas and the rest of the boys who will run out on Saturday bleed for this club.
They believe, I believe.
Do you believe?
