- Joined
- Aug 7, 2016
- Posts
- 37,929
- Reaction score
- 57,276
- AFL Club
- Geelong
It absolutely is.Not on the Geelong board in the preview thread. There was mention that he coughed - shock, horror - once. There were plenty of remarks afterwards that he was fine and laughing before the match. Where was this mysterious cough during his speech?
Occam's razor provides a much simpler answer. A 35 year old player, whose output has been declining for years already, and who had 3 average to solid games against Brisbane this year, had an even quieter game in the Grand final. Even more likely after following up his best game in years the previous week.
It's been curious to see how some Geelong fans have become so insecure and protective that they simply cannot ever admit star players play bad games. And sometimes fail completely. It's an excuse that is absolutely never extended to opposition players either.
Reid in the 2022 GF. Another Reid in the 2011 GF.
Martin in 2 of his worse finals: 2018 PF + 2022 EF.
Hird in the 2001 GF.
Davis in the 2019 GF.
Chapman in the 2008 GF.
Rioli was nursed through the 2014 GF but his team dominated so it didn't matter.
Plenty of other times the gamble paid off and players excelled in finals despite being hampered. But it is a gamble. Hindsight reveals whether it was a correct one and hindsight is a beautiful thing.








