Preview 2014 AFL Grand Final - Sydney vs Hawthorn, MCG, 2.30pm, Saturday Sept 27th

[MF]

Finally someone talking about the game Jesus!! Want to enjoy reading threads about the game not hear useless whining from both sides.

The interesting one for me is Sam Mitchell. He has never stood up in a GF. In 08 he was well held by Lingy and had virtually no influence. 2012 he gathered something like 25 disposals but was contained and resoundly beat by O'keefe who had one of the games of his life. Creepy Crowley'd last year, but who will stop Sammy if he turns it on Saturday at the G? If Cunningham goes to him that releases Hill which could be disastrous for swans. He could be a huge factor in deciding the outcome IMO.

Head to head with McVeigh I think. Cunningham will definitely go to Smith or Hill.

 

[Leg End]

Will be a great game.
It will all be about who keeps up the intensity for longer - who uses their momentum periods to the full.
Looking forward to Gibbo/Lake v Buddy/Tippo. Other great match ups.

I enjoy watching Hawks play, very talented - but how much will Swans allow them to play their game then smack them on the rebound.

Just hoping, in a tight game, umpires don't make the difference.
Let the two best teams go at it.

 

[base615]

We'll just have to outscore the umpires influence.

 

[Big Blood]

Will be a great game.
It will all be about who keeps up the intensity for longer - who uses their momentum periods to the full.
Looking forward to Gibbo/Lake v Buddy/Tippo. Other great match ups.

I enjoy watching Hawks play, very talented - but how much will Swans allow them to play their game then smack them on the rebound.

Just hoping, in a tight game, umpires don't make the difference.
Let the two best teams go at it.

Feel the same way. Love watching players like Roughie, Gibson, Hill and Langford go at it. Lake can really take a game by the throat (ha!). Like all good teams you can never count them out. The Swans' strength is their team pressure game and their ability to close down space. If they can do that for four quarters they'll win. If they let the Hawks off the leash even for ten minutes as in the MCG game Hawthorn will score four or five goals and probably win the contest. I think the Swans have a bit too much depth for Hawks to cover, though, and that's why they have to go in as favourites.

 

[Xtreme]

We'll just have to outscore the umpires influence.

If Buddy kicks 6 there will be 6 suspicious frees given against whomever is marking Roughead

 

[Bayer_]

2012 AFL Grand Final

Sydney, Frees For 10
Hawthorn Frees for 21

Were any of them as unjustified as the 50 given to McVeigh for him pretending he couldn't catch the ball (and getting an easy goal in the process)?

 

[Kummerspeck]

Were any of them as unjustified as the 50 given to McVeigh for him pretending he couldn't catch the ball (and getting an easy goal in the process)?

The ball went about a metre over McVeighs hand even after he put it up and jumped. Clearest example of a 50 you could get. But unjustified ones? Yeah, Hale's for the Hawks first goal of the third. Pulled out of thin air.

 

[Bollox]

We'll see if they've learnt their lesson and tag Malceski.

 

[WWSD]

There was an article in the HS mentioning the players from both teams who were drafted in the rookie draft that will take the field on Saturday.

Sydney
Harry Cunningham (2011 rookie draft)
Kieren Jack (2005 rookie draft)
Ben McGlynn (2005 rookie draft)
Dane Rampe (2012 rookie draft)
Mike Pyke (2008 rookie draft)
Heath Grundy (2004 rookie draft)
Nick Smith (2007 rookie draft)
Jake Lloyd (2012 rookie draft)

Hawthorn
Matthew Suckling (2006 rookie draft)
Josh Gibson (2004 rookie draft)
Brad Sewell (2002 rookie draft)
Jonathon Ceglar (2010 rookie draft)
Luke Breust (2008 rookie draft)
Will Langford (2010 rookie draft)
Jonathan Simpkin (2005 rookie draft)

 

[HODGEYROAD]

We'll see if they've learnt their lesson and tag Malceski.

Don't want him having another Massive 15 touch game like Round 18 do we now?

 

[WWSD]

We'll see if they've learnt their lesson and tag Malceski.

We tagged Malceski in Round 18. Simpkin was the player who did the job and beat him. Which stopped Sydney from getting any sort of drive off half back.

 

[Jack Lord]

They've been favouring Sydney the most this year (other than Geelong).

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story, chief.

According to Footywire...
http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/fts_team_rankings?type=TA&year=2014&sby=9

In terms of average frees for, Sydney is 11th with 16.8. Swans give away 16.2 frees per match.
Hawthorn is 13th with 16.1 frees for a game. They give away 15.7 frees per match.

So in nett terms, Sydney is +0.6, Hawthorn is +0.4. These figures are statistically irrelevant.

If you are looking to find the umpires' favorites this year, look to Carlton (+3.6), Adelaide (+2.4) and West Coast (+2.2).

So much for those conspiracy theories.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

After the game the losing team will blame the umpires for winning the game for the opposition, the winning team will blame the umpires for almost losing them the game. People only see what they want to. Everyone needs to get over this obsession with biased umpires and learn that there's not some giant conspiracy against your team!

Hear, hear.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Yeah neither side has a great run from the umps or a poor run, will be a great game between the two best sides in the comp bring on Saturday.

 

[Bayer_]

We tagged Malceski in Round 18. Simpkin was the player who did the job and beat him. Which stopped Sydney from getting any sort of drive off half back.

IMO Malceski isn't just a gun, he's Sydney's cornerstone. Nulify him, and the Swans struggle. Hard to beat them when he's given room to move (and kick long and straight).

 

[WWSD]

IMO Malceski isn't just a gun, he's Sydney's cornerstone. Nulify him, and the Swans struggle. Hard to beat them when he's given room to move (and kick long and straight).

He's their number one link up player coming out of defense and he sets up play with his run and carry. If we can stop him, we basically shut down Sydney's drive coming out of defense.

 

[Syd]

Were any of them as unjustified as the 50 given to McVeigh for him pretending he couldn't catch the ball (and getting an easy goal in the process)?

Ahh my HawFlogs including @hedghogy Xtreme et al enjoy the week, the denial etc

your time cometh

 

[Bayer_]

Ahh my HawFlogs including @hedghogy Xtreme et al enjoy the week, the denial etc

your time cometh

I can't ****ing wait.... can't concentrate on anything right now! Bring it on and let the players leave it all on the ****ing field!!

 

[Syd]

IMO Malceski isn't just a gun, he's Sydney's cornerstone. Nulify him, and the Swans struggle. Hard to beat them when he's given room to move (and kick long and straight).

I hope your coaching team feels tbe same

 

[RUNVS]

I am hoping Malceski can pull a few more goals out of his arse on Saturday like he likes to do against Hawthorn.

 

[Bayer_]

I hope your coaching team feels tbe same

Yes, sorry, I mean, if we nullify him, we win. Most other clubs aren't so strong in the midfield, or have such good foot skills, or potent forwards.

 

[WWSD]

I am hoping Malceski can pull a few more goals out of his arse on Saturday like he likes to do against Hawthorn.

If Malceski drifts forward and kicks any goals, game over.

 

[SodaPop]

I am hoping Malceski can pull a few more goals out of his arse on Saturday like he likes to do against Hawthorn.

I'd rather him pull a hamstring.

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

We'll see if they've learnt their lesson and tag Malceski.

ill say no. He is my main concern

 

[SHAKESPEARE]

I'd rather him pull a hamstring.

Come on mate...to be the best, you gotta beat the best.

I won't wish ill on anyone. These guys make these games awesome