ELIMINATION FINAL: SYDNEY vs NTH.MELBOURNE, OLYMPIC STADIUM, SAT NIGHT

[BLPC08]

I'm hoping the Kangas can win, but they were so insipid last year against the Cats and the Power that I have strong doubts over whether they are a quality finals football team. If its a close game, I'll give the Kangas the edge because they have won 5 games this year by less than 8 points.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Channel 10 in Sydney has just reported that up until last night, only 16,000 tickets have been sold. Pretty ordinary even with the opposition. They might be lucky to break 30K for an 80K stadium.

 

[kickingoals]

roos should win , swans are on the down hill slide and beating the lions last week is nothing , the roos have had a good year and the past three meetings have resulted in a draw and win a piece , roos under 39 . in a low scoring affair , roos only average 13 goals away from the dome were they average close too 16 .

 

[Magpies696]

Teams Ins/Outs
SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL
SYDNEY SWANS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sydney Swans
B: Leo Barry, Craig Bolton, Martin Mattner
HB: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Ted Richards, Tadhg Kennelly
C: Jared Crouch, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Jarred Moore
F: Amon Buchanan, Barry Hall, Paul Bevan
Foll: Peter Everitt, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Craig Bird, Kieren Jack, Darren Jolly
EMG: Ryan Brabazon, Heath Grundy, Patrick Veszpremi

In: Goodes, O’Keefe
Out: Heath Grundy, Patrick Veszpremi

North Melbourne
B: Ed Lower, Josh Gibson, Michael Firrito
HB: Daniel Pratt, Lachlan Hansen, Shannon Watt
C: Lindsay Thomas, Daniel Wells, Matt Campbell
HF: Brent Harvey, David Hale, Shannon Grant
F: Aaron Edwards, Nathan Thompson, Scott McMahon
Foll: Drew Petrie, Brady Rawlings, Daniel Harris
I/C: Sam Power, Adam Simpson, Jess Sinclair, Leigh Harding
EMG: Gavin Urquhart, Ben Ross, Leigh Brown

In: Lower, N. Thompson, Sinclair
Out: Hamish McIntosh, Corey Jones, Gavin Urquhart

 

[Pres]

That Sydney side looks very strong on paper. I have not seen them play for about two months but in Sydney, with that side you'd have to have them as favourites.

O'Loughlin out gives me hope though. Cripes he kills us every time.

 

[gumblebear]

Sydney by 40, remember what happened last year. the roos are not good in the finals they will feel the pressure and burn. Sydney have played in more finals then any other team at the moment and they know how to get the job done

 

[mj05]

Can't see Sydney winning this game, unless they play an extra man like last time.

Can't see North winning this game,unless swans goals clearly over the line arent paid.

 

[red+black]

Heard it reported that with the lack of interest in this game, Paul Roos has suggested the AFL hand out free tickets for the game. So I thought I'd check out finals crowds in Sydney:

1996: v Hawks 37,010 (SCG)
1996: v Dons 41,731 (SCG)
1998: v Saints 36,076 (SCG)
1998: v Crows 37,498 (SCG)
2003: v Lions 71,109 (ANZ)
2004: v Eagles 40,282 (ANZ)
2005: v Cats 39,079 (SCG)
2005: v Freo 61,373 (ANZ)
2008: v Kangas ??,??? (ANZ)

 

[chesson]

2008 v Kangas 36,075 (ANZ)

 

[red+black]

yeah, i was going to say there's a good chance it will be the smallest finals crowd ever in Sydney. Game should have been played at the SCG.

 

[chesson]

I'm glad its at ANZ, we will win there.

 

[ssfc0203]

The crowd is going to be pathetic. I'm just hoping the atmosphere will be good.

*White replaces Grundy as an emergency.

 

[.Shotties.]

*White replaces Grundy as an emergency.

Well that's good. At the very worst, it'll be a draw.

 

[chesson]

Well that's good. At the very worst, it'll be a draw.

Show that man the bench

 

[red+black]

The crowd is going to be pathetic. I'm just hoping the atmosphere will be good.

Would be heaps better at the SCG, wouldn't you agree?

 

[ssfc0203]

Would be heaps better at the SCG, wouldn't you agree?

No doubt. Even though I'd have to travel an extra 45 minutes (I'm 10 minutes drive away from ANZ), I'd go to the SCG. Much prefer to have it there.. atmosphere in general and finals atmosphere is outstanding.

Its our home ground and our finals should be held there if it weren't for stupid contractual agreements.

 

[Goo]

Absolutely pissing down all day so far in Western Sydney.

 

[Charliebrow16]

I think I might tip Sydney tonight.
Should be a good game, looking forward to some wet weather football by the sounds of it

 

[bOmBeR_BoY1]

Absolutely dismal weather in Sydney - nearly 80mm (close to 4 inches) has fallen at the Olympic Stadium in the last 24 hours. Conditions will definately play a big role in the game.

Even more rain expected tonight through the game. Strong winds as well.

 

[Goo]

It's gonna be a shocking night out there tonight lol. Was thinking bout going out for a look but bugger that. Might be busy drowning my own sorrows anyway the way things are going in Adelaide!

 

[ReservoirDog]

North by 4 goals.

 

[Twist_of_Lemon]

Carn the roos!

Roos by 17.

 

[Brownie_30]

They'll be lucky to get 25k there tonight the weather is cyclonic.

This rain brings the Roos into it more I reckon. If Barry Hall was a race horse you'd scratch him on anything worse than a dead track.

 

[Goo]

Rains eased off in the last couple hours. Still going to be cold and nasty though.

 

[stmookeyj]

LATE CHANGES

SYDNEY
IN: Veszpremi
OUT: Bird (Soreness)

NORTH
IN: Urquhart
OUT: Hansen (Conditions)