Zevon
Moderator
- Moderator
- #1
What a finals series we have ahead of us… and we still don’t even know who’ll be there! Difficult to remember a season where so few points separated so many sides in the eight, or one where you could make such a strong case for so many teams to have a genuine shot at the flag. First things first, let’s wrap (most of) Round 24…
Bombers v Blues, Thursday night: Not sure there’s ever been an Essendon-Carlton game that anybody cared less about. Even the supporters of the two clubs seemed to be shrugging their shoulders and streaming an episode of Love Island UK instead of watching the footy. Yawn.
Pies v Demons, Friday night: Early in the last quarter the Magpies were staring down the barrel, but they found their way out of it. Limping into the finals with a shocking form line it must be said, not to mention a few old man injuries too. Still, the post season is a whole new ball game and anything’s possible from the top 4. Not writing them off, much as I’m tempted to.
Port v Suns, Friday night: A fine send off for Boaky and Hinkleyey, but goodness me what a costly loss for the Suns. At genuine risk of blowing probably their best season ever with some indifferent form at the end. Surely they won’t miss out on finals with a loss to the Bombers… Surely.
North v Crows, Saturday arvo: The bruise-free Crows cruised for most of the afternoon and completely put the cue in the rack in the final term, which allowed the Xerri and Sheezel-led Roos to pile on some late goals. Reckon a five win season is unders for North, they simply have to win a few more next year. And hey, they only have to look to the Crows for inspiration… 15th in 2024 to first in 2025. Magnificent.
Tigers v Cats, Saturday twilight: Similar to the previous game, this was a top two side against one from the bottom three. Like the Crows, the Cats shut up shop in the final quarter and like the Roos, the plucky young Tigers put through a few late ones. Remarkable that the Cats have finished in the upper reaches of the ladder again. A well coached side that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Eagles v Swans, Saturday night: The Eagles were actually in front at half time… then lost by 67 points. 13 goals to one after half time will do that. Diabolical one-win season for West Coast.
Giants v Saints, Sunday arvo: Thrilling finish. The Saints nearly extended their lengthy winning streak but Toby Greene wasn’t having any of it and hauled his team over the line. Suspect the Giants will be found wanting against one or two sides in the finals, but at their best they’re capable of serving it up to anybody. They only need to find that level for a few games, so who knows.
Dogs v Dockers, Sunday twilight: Usually twilight on Sunday is the graveyard shift, but there was something about the stakes being so high combined with the game being so late in the round that made this timeslot really work for once. It was a case of win and you’re in for the Dockers and Doggies, and it looked grim early for the Purple Haze. That was until everything turned on its head from the second quarter onwards. Ruthless from Freo to steamroll their way through the middle two quarters, then hold their nerve when the Dogs came at them again late. Plenty to suggest they won’t just be making up the numbers in September.
Lions v Hawks, Sunday night: Another nice little finals taster! The wayward Lions nearly kicked themselves out of it, but the Hawks couldn’t quite take advantage. It was a tight, tough game from both sides. Brisbane look dangerous in the top 4 given how good their best footy is, while the Hawks are still a slippery proposition from the bottom half of the eight.
Suns v Bombers, Wednesday night: Won’t be writing a wrap for this one, so let’s write a preview... Biggest game in the Suns history and they simply have to win it. It’s been a bad finish in the last couple of weeks but they’ve had such a good season and they deserve to be in the finals. That all changes if they can’t get it done in this one though.
Don’t forget to post your Liked, Learnt, Hated below… along with any other thoughts you had about Round 24!
Bombers v Blues, Thursday night: Not sure there’s ever been an Essendon-Carlton game that anybody cared less about. Even the supporters of the two clubs seemed to be shrugging their shoulders and streaming an episode of Love Island UK instead of watching the footy. Yawn.
Pies v Demons, Friday night: Early in the last quarter the Magpies were staring down the barrel, but they found their way out of it. Limping into the finals with a shocking form line it must be said, not to mention a few old man injuries too. Still, the post season is a whole new ball game and anything’s possible from the top 4. Not writing them off, much as I’m tempted to.
Port v Suns, Friday night: A fine send off for Boaky and Hinkleyey, but goodness me what a costly loss for the Suns. At genuine risk of blowing probably their best season ever with some indifferent form at the end. Surely they won’t miss out on finals with a loss to the Bombers… Surely.
North v Crows, Saturday arvo: The bruise-free Crows cruised for most of the afternoon and completely put the cue in the rack in the final term, which allowed the Xerri and Sheezel-led Roos to pile on some late goals. Reckon a five win season is unders for North, they simply have to win a few more next year. And hey, they only have to look to the Crows for inspiration… 15th in 2024 to first in 2025. Magnificent.
Tigers v Cats, Saturday twilight: Similar to the previous game, this was a top two side against one from the bottom three. Like the Crows, the Cats shut up shop in the final quarter and like the Roos, the plucky young Tigers put through a few late ones. Remarkable that the Cats have finished in the upper reaches of the ladder again. A well coached side that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Eagles v Swans, Saturday night: The Eagles were actually in front at half time… then lost by 67 points. 13 goals to one after half time will do that. Diabolical one-win season for West Coast.
Giants v Saints, Sunday arvo: Thrilling finish. The Saints nearly extended their lengthy winning streak but Toby Greene wasn’t having any of it and hauled his team over the line. Suspect the Giants will be found wanting against one or two sides in the finals, but at their best they’re capable of serving it up to anybody. They only need to find that level for a few games, so who knows.
Dogs v Dockers, Sunday twilight: Usually twilight on Sunday is the graveyard shift, but there was something about the stakes being so high combined with the game being so late in the round that made this timeslot really work for once. It was a case of win and you’re in for the Dockers and Doggies, and it looked grim early for the Purple Haze. That was until everything turned on its head from the second quarter onwards. Ruthless from Freo to steamroll their way through the middle two quarters, then hold their nerve when the Dogs came at them again late. Plenty to suggest they won’t just be making up the numbers in September.
Lions v Hawks, Sunday night: Another nice little finals taster! The wayward Lions nearly kicked themselves out of it, but the Hawks couldn’t quite take advantage. It was a tight, tough game from both sides. Brisbane look dangerous in the top 4 given how good their best footy is, while the Hawks are still a slippery proposition from the bottom half of the eight.
Suns v Bombers, Wednesday night: Won’t be writing a wrap for this one, so let’s write a preview... Biggest game in the Suns history and they simply have to win it. It’s been a bad finish in the last couple of weeks but they’ve had such a good season and they deserve to be in the finals. That all changes if they can’t get it done in this one though.
Don’t forget to post your Liked, Learnt, Hated below… along with any other thoughts you had about Round 24!
