Opinion Don't mention the war (a.k.a. The same old arguments)

[romeohwho]

The finals was a basket case of bad luck injury wise and bad decisions by the match commitee and even then we only just missed the granny by the skin of our teeth. Enright and chapman missed the prelim (massive outs), our best ruckman was out, we choose not to play our second best ruck and hawkins basically couldnt run or jump because he was never rested during the season. Even then it took the rest from the week off for hawthorn for us to lose as we had them on toast at 3 qtr time. Only extreme circumstances enabled the hawks to win that one. And lets not get started on the debacle of the first final.

Yep agree that poor decisions were made and injuries impacted at the end but the indisputable fact remains that we lost 2 significant finals that we would have won, had we been good enough. (For instance, the dogs overcame plenty to progress through the finals in September last year-because they were playing the best footy-really good teams carry on regardless of the circumstances.) As much as it pains me, we still have not beaten the Hawks when it matters- nor did we that night. The score flattered us and they won easily in the end.

 

[Partridge]

Yep agree that poor decisions were made and injuries impacted at the end but the indisputable fact remains that we lost 2 significant finals that we would have won, had we been good enough. (For instance, the dogs overcame plenty to progress through the finals in September last year-because they were playing the best footy-really good teams carry on regardless of the circumstances.) As much as it pains me, we still have not beaten the Hawks when it matters- nor did we that night. The score flattered us and they won easily in the end.

So how did we beat them earlier in the season then? Not just once but twice.

 

[Catman]

As much as it pains me, we still have not beaten the Hawks when it matters- nor did we that night. The score flattered us and they won easily in the end.

So when does it actually matter? The QF last year not important?

 

[romeohwho]

So how did we beat them earlier in the season then? Not just once but twice.

It doesn't matter in a home and away. (And both those wins were under 2 goals-not exactly definitive) Nor did it matter in the first final last year. Because there was a second chance. We have not beaten them in a cutthroat final-fact.

 

[Lana]

So when does it actually matter? The QF last year not important?

It isn't important just like the QF in 2011. Both counted for nothing in the end.

 

[romeohwho]

So when does it actually matter? The QF last year not important?

Of course it mattered but the loser still had a second chance. On reflection, I wish we had lost that game as it was a better prep for rest of the finals. Still m thrilled we beat them in a final even if it 'didn't matter.'

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Ha ha. Was wondering when this'd be moved.
Like clockwork.

 

[Catman]

Of course it mattered but the loser still had a second chance. On reflection, I wish we had lost that game as it was a better prep for rest of the finals. Still m thrilled we beat them in a final even if it 'didn't matter.'

2011 QF set us up for the flag. Week off then a PF against a wounded opponent. Hawthorn were forced to go the long way and ran out of puff in the last quarter of the PF after being three goals up at 3/4 time. Eerily similar to us in 2013.

Trust me, it mattered.

 

[romeohwho]

2011 QF set us up for the flag. Week off then a PF against a wounded opponent. Hawthorn were forced to go the long way and ran out of puff in the last quarter of the PF after being three goals up at 3/4 time. Eerily similar to us in 2013.

Trust me, it mattered.

Yep agree it matters ultimately, but until we knock them off in a cut-throat final-they quite rightly deserve the bragging rights.

 

[Partridge]

Yep agree it matters ultimately, but until we knock them off in a cut-throat final-they quite rightly deserve the bragging rights.

The perception could also be skewed that of the two finals we've won (2011 and 2016), we've gone on to win the premiership once. When they've beaten us in finals recently (2008, 2013, and 2014), they've won the flag every time.

 

[Willo_]

As far as I'm concerned the decisions made that September gave Fremantle 22 sets of hotel room keys for Grand Final week. Couldn't have helped them more if we'd tried.

I have never left a game so angry as I did that day. The absolute dumbest last quarter I have ever seen

 

[ATSAM]

For a player who is cooked, Stevie J sure is putting on a show.

Another player who has done well after leaving us. Who did we get for Stevie J and have they been a better inclusion than keeping him?????

 

[DangerHere]

Another player who has done well after leaving us. Who did we get for Stevie J and have they been a better inclusion than keeping him?????

PFD, he goes alright.

 

[ATSAM]

PFD, he goes alright.

Was that part of the deal?

 

[DangerHere]

Was that part of the deal?

Salary cap cleared

There was no deal - Johnson was cooked ( still is ).

 

[Scottland2007]

Another player who has done well after leaving us. Who did we get for Stevie J and have they been a better inclusion than keeping him?????

Took Ruggles with his pick. May help next year but I'd rather Steve this year.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Stevie J adding to his finals greatness. one of the games true great finals players. an absolute legend. haha.

He is. Deserved the Norm Smith in 2011 as well for mine. Great great player.
Just don't call the captain Joely.

 

[Scottland2007]

Salary cap cleared

There was no deal - Johnson was cooked ( still is ).

Johnson was out of contract and happy to play on Rookie wages I heard.

 

[Scottland2007]

He is. Deserved the Norm Smith in 2011 as well for mine. Great great player.
Just don't call the captain Joely.

Yeh, I remember something about that. Can you elaborate?

 

[Seeds]

He is. Deserved the Norm Smith in 2011 as well for mine. Great great player.
Just don't call the captain Joely.

one of the greatest finals players of the modern era. and we gave him away for nothing to give burbury and mcarthy more games.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Salary cap cleared

There was no deal - Johnson was cooked ( still is ).

Nah. Stevie was willing to play for heck all.
We gave Bartel a 2 year contract (that went well!) and also Mackie a 2 year contract.

 

[Scottland2007]

one of the greatest finals players of the modern era. and we gave him away for nothing to give burbury and mcarthy more games.

That's ok, we have Mitch Clarke and Billy Smedts to cover the loss of Johnson....

 

[Seeds]

Salary cap cleared

There was no deal - Johnson was cooked ( still is ).

he kicks 40 goals the next season and was stiff to not be nominated for the all australian squad and then two seasons later kicks 6 in a final. how could you still possibly say he was cooked two years ago? i mean seriously? its a ridiculous comment that shows unbelievable cognitive bias. just admit you were wrong.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Yeh, I remember something about that. Can you elaborate?

Not really cause it's just a rumour TBH.
Unfortunately because we were given no valid reasons by the club to why he was let go it's caused a lot of speculation.

 

[Scottland2007]

Nah. Stevie was willing to play for Damn all.
We gave Bartel a 2 year contract (that went well!) and also Mackie a 2 year contract.

Yeh, the Johnson thing is a massive **** up. Imagine if we make the grand final against GWS and he kicks 4 and we lose by 3!