Straight into it:
1. Limited list depth
This has been an issue for a while, but especially over the last two years. None of Sydney, Adelaide or Richmond would have space for Murdoch, Zuthrie, Parsons or be forced to play Harry at CHF. Arguably, Blicavs, Bews, Parfitt and Kolodjashnij would also find it hard to break into those lineups.
This was also a big problem in 2013 - where we were great for depth in every position bar tall forwards and ruckmen. Guess who went down?
2. Kardinia advantage a big H&A boost
Whether it's the travel factor or the weird shape of the ground, we do play KP a lot better than the G. I think we hold our defensive shape a lot better at home, simply because the ground is so skinny.
3. Overachievement in H&A
Basically put, our stars have dragged us across the line in a lot of H&A games, often against ordinary sides. Across 2014 and 15, I remember than we went 10-0 in games decided by less than 2 goals. We went something like 5-1-0 in similar games this year. We don't get away with that in finals.
4. A few Barry Crockers
Sydney last year, Freo in 2012, Richmond this year.
5. Smaller mids not great in finals footy
A number of our players are better either one-on-one or in space. Motlop is the obvious candidate, but Menegola has also turned in some sub-par finals games compared to H&A output.
1. Limited list depth
This has been an issue for a while, but especially over the last two years. None of Sydney, Adelaide or Richmond would have space for Murdoch, Zuthrie, Parsons or be forced to play Harry at CHF. Arguably, Blicavs, Bews, Parfitt and Kolodjashnij would also find it hard to break into those lineups.
This was also a big problem in 2013 - where we were great for depth in every position bar tall forwards and ruckmen. Guess who went down?
2. Kardinia advantage a big H&A boost
Whether it's the travel factor or the weird shape of the ground, we do play KP a lot better than the G. I think we hold our defensive shape a lot better at home, simply because the ground is so skinny.
3. Overachievement in H&A
Basically put, our stars have dragged us across the line in a lot of H&A games, often against ordinary sides. Across 2014 and 15, I remember than we went 10-0 in games decided by less than 2 goals. We went something like 5-1-0 in similar games this year. We don't get away with that in finals.
4. A few Barry Crockers
Sydney last year, Freo in 2012, Richmond this year.
5. Smaller mids not great in finals footy
A number of our players are better either one-on-one or in space. Motlop is the obvious candidate, but Menegola has also turned in some sub-par finals games compared to H&A output.