Game Day Around The Grounds - The Prelims

[Aphrodite]

Geelong v Sydney (second preliminary final)

Friday September 23, MCG — 7.50pm (AEST)



GWS v Western Bulldogs (first preliminary final)

Saturday September 24, Spotless Stadium — 5.15pm (AEST)



Cats & GWS for me in the Prelims.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

In hindsight Geelong's form doesn't look that good. They squeaked by the Hawks and were far from convincing and the Hawks got smashed the next week. Sydney still look strong but winner of the Giants/Dogs game has a real shot at this.

 

[Navara79]

Doggies or GWS for the premiership. I love watching them both play.

 

[Jabba73]

Would prefer the winner of the GWS and Doggies game to go all the way. Cats and Swans have had time in the spotlight.

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

The good news is that at least one 'fresh' team will make the big dance. Unfortunately it would be a big ask for such young teams, with limited finals experience, to match it with experienced teams like Geelong and Sydney, but not completely out of the question and I will be rooting for the winner of Dogs v GWS.

 

[Show_Me_The_Money]

I'll be going for the Doggies no doubt but simply cannot see any team getting past Sydney should they get there.

 

[Jeremias]

Would love to see the Dogs get up but can't see any result other than the Giants and Cats making it through.

 

[I bleed Blue]

Come on doggie!!!

 

[Big Sim is Back]

In hindsight Geelong's form doesn't look that good. They squeaked by the Hawks and were far from convincing and the Hawks got smashed the next week. Sydney still look strong but winner of the Giants/Dogs game has a real shot at this.

On the face of it yes but the Hawks were a lot better against Geelong than they were against the Bulldogs.

Geelong have been hard to get a read on all year, so flaky.

I think the Swans are capable of winning but I also think its easy to forget what an enormous home ground advantage the SCG provides, which not only inflates their ladder position each year but also makes them look better than they are when they demolish other teams there.

Could go either way but by golly I hope it goes the way of the Cats.

Agree that the winner of the Dogs Giants game is a huge flag chance, and I can't see that being the Dogs, as much as I would llike it to be.

 

[El Topo]

CARN THE SWANS (until next week)

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I liked the Cats during their whole run. Couldn't stomach Henderson winning a flag though.

 

[Dramoth]

The AFL is apparently embarrassed by the way GWS are storming through and would like for the dogs to win against them to distract people away from the fact they created a monster.

 

[Iamcarlton]

Question why are the swans playing off a 6 day break after a tough match last sat and the dogs on an 8 day break after playing friday night ? The scheduling seems a bit odd cats should get it done off a weeks break with sydney on a 6 dayer .

 

[Dramoth]

Talk to fox sports... They seem to be the ones setting the fixtures these days.

 

[El Topo]

The wildcard here is the bye after round 23. One gamr in three weeks for Geelong and GWS could be a double edged sword.

 

[Iamcarlton]

Talk to fox sports... They seem to be the ones setting the fixtures these days.

Yeah very odd even though there was a bye prior to finals common sense would say bulldogs again friday night sydney again sat night to give equal rest and not slight advantage sydneys opponent . Yet another example of shoddy AFL management .

 

[Big Sim is Back]

The wildcard here is the bye after round 23. One gamr in three weeks for Geelong and GWS could be a double edged sword.

Yes, I agree. However, I think it more likely a plus than a minus as some very smart professional people would have worked out an appropriate training regime during the time out.

And if its close at 3 quarter time in either game, the fresh side has a significant advantage.

 

[Big Sim is Back]

I liked the Cats during their whole run. Couldn't stomach Henderson winning a flag though.

I would love him to.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I would love him to.

Hooray for unconditional footballers.

 

[Big Sim is Back]

Hooray for unconditional footballers.

Laidler make you happy?

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Laidler make you happy?

Don't like any players leaving and having success really but Laidler was not conditional and was almost forced out.

 

[Big Sim is Back]

Don't like any players leaving and having success really but Laidler was not conditional and was almost forced out.

Was delisted so fair to say forced out. If I didn't dislike Sydney so much would be barracking for him to get a medal. Very courageous and capable player when rats was coaching him.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Was delisted so fair to say forced out. If I didn't dislike Sydney so much would be barracking for him to get a medal. Very courageous and capable player when rats was coaching him.

I think he was delisted after he walked out. Semantics I guess.

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

I liked the Cats during their whole run. Couldn't stomach Henderson winning a flag though.

This. Not sure I even want him playing in a GF. Selfish? Yes.
He was my favourite player before his final year. I don't have a problem with players wanting to leave for whatever reasons. I still love Bell and wish him all the best. It's the way he went about his business after he decided he was leaving. Could the club have handled it better? Absolutely, but in this life there's one thing you have complete control over and that's your own actions. Take a leaf out of the book from your old teammate Bell or current teammate Dangerfield. Play out the year, give 100%, then go wherever you want.
Anyway, it's done now and I doubt we could have done any better than getting pick 8 for him. He didn't want to play as a forward and with the addition of Marchbank and our back line looking very settled, there would've only been a spot up forward for him.


I feel a bit better now

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

Question why are the swans playing off a 6 day break after a tough match last sat and the dogs on an 8 day break after playing friday night ? The scheduling seems a bit odd cats should get it done off a weeks break with sydney on a 6 dayer .

I don't see that being much of a factor. Swans lost 5 games this year:
Rd 4 - Adelaide in Adelaide off a 7 day break
Rd 8 - Richmond at MCG off a 7 day break
Rd 11 - GWS at Spotless off an 8 day break
Rd 15 - WB at SCG after the bye
Rd 17 - Hawks at SCG off a 6 day break
They also beat Geelong in Rd 16 by 38 points at Simonds.

My biggest question is why the top of the ladder Swans have to play the prelim at the MCG when they should have a home game? I know the AFL wouldn't be able to handle having the only two finals both being played in Sydney, but tough t***ies.