Zevon
Moderator
- Moderator
- #1
It was a mixed bag on Thursday and Friday, but the two Saturday finals were exhilarating. We bid farewell to the Giants and Dockers. Six teams remain and we’re in for a cracking few weeks. Let’s go wrapping…
Crows v Pies, Thursday night: If you needed any evidence that finals are a whole new ball game, look no further than this game. The high flying ladder leaders who’d swept all before them, against a side that had limped into the finals having nearly tumbled out of the Top 4 altogether. Sure enough, the finals hardened Magpies brought fierce heat and didn’t look anything like the side had lost five out of their last seven games. Another famous interstate win for a side that’s had a few of them. Oh and while we’re here, if you’re one of the Crows supporters that singled out Isaac Quaynor for more booing than any other player on the ground, you’re a tool and maybe footy isn’t for you.
Cats v Lions, Friday night: After these two played out a gem of a prelim last year, this game promised a lot. It didn’t deliver. In fact it was tepid, bruise-free stuff for long patches. Neither side brought much pressure but the Cats did bring an intelligent, professional game plan that a wounded Brisbane had no answers to. That bizarre minute in the second quarter when the umpire lost the plot and took it upon himself to gift a couple of goals to Cam Rayner was just about the only “highlight”. Says it all really.
Giants v Hawks, Saturday twilight: Um… wow??! This game was sputtering towards its own boring conclusion until an orange tsunami hit Giants stadium in the third term. They went from seven goals down to level in a matter of minutes! Just when it looked like they were going to match Brisbane’s ridiculous comeback at the same venue 12 months ago, their challenge peaked and Hawthorn found something to steady the ship. It’s another one that got away for the Orange Team, and it’s another big September win for Hawthorn. Great final.
Dockers v Suns, Saturday night: Talk about saving the best for last. This was NUTS. The Suns (playing their first ever finals game let’s not forget) had complete control until the Dockers came alive in the third term. When the home side turned up the heat I daresay there were a few people writing the Suns off… “not ready to win a final yet” would have been doing the rounds in a few news rooms. But they were having none of it. A goal down, Mac Andrew took a grab and then marched back to take his kick like he wanted to own the moment, and then with seconds left who else should have a shot to win the game than Dave Swallow, the West Australian who’s been so loyal to the Gold Coast for so long. Stunning win, and what an amazing Q-clash final it sets up next week.
Don’t forget to post your Liked, Learnt, Hated below… along with any other thoughts you had about week one of the finals!
Crows v Pies, Thursday night: If you needed any evidence that finals are a whole new ball game, look no further than this game. The high flying ladder leaders who’d swept all before them, against a side that had limped into the finals having nearly tumbled out of the Top 4 altogether. Sure enough, the finals hardened Magpies brought fierce heat and didn’t look anything like the side had lost five out of their last seven games. Another famous interstate win for a side that’s had a few of them. Oh and while we’re here, if you’re one of the Crows supporters that singled out Isaac Quaynor for more booing than any other player on the ground, you’re a tool and maybe footy isn’t for you.
Cats v Lions, Friday night: After these two played out a gem of a prelim last year, this game promised a lot. It didn’t deliver. In fact it was tepid, bruise-free stuff for long patches. Neither side brought much pressure but the Cats did bring an intelligent, professional game plan that a wounded Brisbane had no answers to. That bizarre minute in the second quarter when the umpire lost the plot and took it upon himself to gift a couple of goals to Cam Rayner was just about the only “highlight”. Says it all really.
Giants v Hawks, Saturday twilight: Um… wow??! This game was sputtering towards its own boring conclusion until an orange tsunami hit Giants stadium in the third term. They went from seven goals down to level in a matter of minutes! Just when it looked like they were going to match Brisbane’s ridiculous comeback at the same venue 12 months ago, their challenge peaked and Hawthorn found something to steady the ship. It’s another one that got away for the Orange Team, and it’s another big September win for Hawthorn. Great final.
Dockers v Suns, Saturday night: Talk about saving the best for last. This was NUTS. The Suns (playing their first ever finals game let’s not forget) had complete control until the Dockers came alive in the third term. When the home side turned up the heat I daresay there were a few people writing the Suns off… “not ready to win a final yet” would have been doing the rounds in a few news rooms. But they were having none of it. A goal down, Mac Andrew took a grab and then marched back to take his kick like he wanted to own the moment, and then with seconds left who else should have a shot to win the game than Dave Swallow, the West Australian who’s been so loyal to the Gold Coast for so long. Stunning win, and what an amazing Q-clash final it sets up next week.
Don’t forget to post your Liked, Learnt, Hated below… along with any other thoughts you had about week one of the finals!
Don’t worry, I didn’t miss out on the multiple times you’ve tried to needle me about the 2022 Grand Final. Duly noted! How about this… I have nightmares every night and wake up in a cold sweat yelling out “JEREMY CAMERON!!” Is that what you needed to hear? Yikes, Brisbane smashed us in a granny way more recently than you did and they don’t seem to feel as much of a need to keep revisiting it.
