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Enjoy all the gifs.
If there are any fu** ups in there, I'll check later... my god that was nerve wracking ensuring I didn't lose anything (particularly having to split the write up into two posts).
Next up is #4... TY24
How is anyone supposed to top that! Loved the gifs.
It’s probably my most watched game not sure I’ll ever be able to catch up all the Sunday mornings watching it on VHS waiting for my folks to wake up.
That Sumich goal just before half time is hideously underrated as is his 6 goals (and one given to Matera) in a tight, low scoring slug. He was the boss that whole finals series. Amazing write up.
“Good evening. The unthinkable has happened. Geelong, the hope of Victoria has succumbed to the West Australian Eagles”
Also as an aside, for those that can recall, what was the lead up like for the first final? I can only imagine the intensity and pressure that Mick and the group were under. A cut throat final versus our tormentors from the year prior. Despite having “aged” further, they were still an imposing opponent.
I found that to be such an intense game also, going behind early and having to dig in and scrap for the full game. Funnily enough, maybe that game is what set up the flag. We were as battle hardened and ready as could be after that.
TY24 said:The year before we had achieved the honours of winning our inaugural wooden spoon, something not even the purple mob down the road had managed during their 17 year tenure in the league.
I chose it because it’s the first game I can vividly remember as tense, dramatic, edge of the seat stuff. Obviously that’s what the ‘06 flag would’ve been like but I was only 7 at the time so I don’t have a great recollection of watching it. But that final against Carlton is the first time I can remember feeling the sheer stress, anxiety and elation of a nail biting, high-stakes victory. Especially after the few seasons of pain we went through between 08-2010.Another shock selection! I should probably expect that not everyone would have been around for older games, though. Great write up, but I will correct you on one thing... Dockers have won a spoon and a good 9 years before we did!
I may have to re-watch this game. I forgot it was the old Channel Ten 5 minute warning and the last quarter took forever. Seemed like that happened far too often...
I rewatched this game last weekend when someone on here reminded me of it. So good!The scene? Pattersons Stadium, as it was then known.
The time? Saturday September 17, 5.50pm.
The occasion? Second Semi-Final
The teams? West Coast Eagles v.Chris Judd FCCarlton
View attachment 769658
LINE-UPS:
WEST COAST EAGLES:
B: S. Hurn D. Glass (c) B. Waters
HB: S. Butler E. Mackenzie A. Embley
C: L. Shuey M. Priddis A. Gaff
HF: M. LeCras J. Kennedy M. Nicoksi
F: J. Darling Q. Lynch D. Kerr
FOL: N. Naitanui A. Selwood S. Selwood
I/C: C. Masten W. Schofield D. Cox P. McGinnity (sub, GOAT)
CARLTON:
B: M. Davies M. Jamison J. Laidler
HB: C. Yarran B. Thornton N.Duigan
C: K. Simpson M. Robinson D. Armfield
HF: J. Garlett L. Henderson A. Carrazzo
F: E. Betts S. O'Hailpin A. Walker
FOL: R. Warnock C. Judd (c) M. Murphy
I/C H. Scotland A. Joseph D. Ellard Z. Touhy (sub)
2011 was a strange old season for West Coast. The year before we had achieved the honours of winning our inaugural wooden spoon, something not even the purple mob down the road had managed during their 17 year tenure in the league. We can blame that on ICEHOUSE lead singer Ben Cousins and his ring mates for tearing the club apart from the inside though. Following our spoon, we found ourselves up against Carlton, an equally surprising finals candidate due to the fact that they've been s**t forever. Carlton were being led by a familar face to us West Coast faithful; former West Coast premiership captain and Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd, who at this point in his career was carrying an extra 5kg in playing weight just from the amount of tape on his shoulders.
This was a see-sawing affair which never saw the margin exceed 23 points either way, with Carlton kicking the first 4 goals of the game to assume a 23 point lead early in the 1st quarter. At this point it felt like Carlton were in cruise control and an upset victory looked on the cards. Josh Kennedy looked like he would be out of the game in the first quarter with illness, we were 4 goals down and getting absolutely belted out of the middle, it wasn't looking great for the lads.
Matt Priddis would win a free kick from a i50 stoppage and kick our only goal for the opening term as we went into quarter time down, but far from out at 1.3.9 v 4.1.25.
View attachment 769672
At this point, 12 year old me was being bullied by all my other mates at the party I was at because we were losing. No good for 12 year old Tyler.
The Coasters came out fired up and booted the first three goals of the second quarter in a flash, with Nicoski (2) and Lynch (1) putting 3 goals on the board in 2 minutes to level things at 27 a piece. From here on in, the game would be an arm wrestle. West Coast wouldn't relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game, but Carlton were able to level the scores twice. The West Coast forward line was on fire, with Kennedy, Darling and Nicoski all kicking 3. A rare goal from would-be skipper Shannon Hurn also helped get the lads over the line. One of the highlights of the first half was undoubtedly cult hero Dean Cox launching a vital goal from the arc, sending Pattersons into raptures.
View attachment 769800
The game boiled down to one of the most epic last quarters seen in modern footy. West Coast entered the final term with a slender 9 point lead, but the two teams would trade goals for the first half of the quarter. Then, Carlton seemingly hit the wall and West Coast put the foot down, bursting out to a 21 point lead and seemingly putting the Blues to bed. The Blues however contuined to chip away and got themselves back to within a goal, but the siren was surely going to sound soon, right?
Wrong.
The quarter went on.
And on.
And on.
It was one of the longest last quarters on record, and thanks to Channel 10's 5 minute warning, no one knew when the siren would go. It was a guessing game and every second that ticked by felt like an hour. The last quarter culminated in a controversial non-call in the Carlton goal square, where I can definitely confirm that Andrew Walker DEFINITELY WASN'T BEING HELD.
View attachment 769817
This incident occurred during the 35th minute of the last quarter, 15 minutes into time on. The game would continue on well into the 36th minute before the siren finally went, with West Coast running out victors by 3 points in one of the most intense finals of the modern era.
View attachment 769819
FINAL SCORE: West Coast Eagles 15.11.101 defeated Carlton 15.8.98
Pedals23 you're up
Lol, I was 7 in 1992 and 21 in 2006. Your post makes me feel old.I chose it because it’s the first game I can vividly remember as tense, dramatic, edge of the seat stuff. Obviously that’s what the ‘06 flag would’ve been like but I was only 7 at the time so I don’t have a great recollection of watching it. But that final against Carlton is the first time I can remember feeling the sheer stress, anxiety and elation of a nail biting, high-stakes victory. Especially after the few seasons of pain we went through between 08-2010.