Preview Geelong V Brisbane Prelim Final Sat Oct 17 7 40 pm @ Gabba

[cats_09]

 

[cats_09]

Unchanged line up

For Brisbane Coleman out & Ellis-Yeoman in

 

[Goggin Our Best]

No matter how much the AFL and the complicit media parties seek to try to remove it, there is an enormous asterisk against the flag if either the Lions or the Power win it.

Basically the whole season literally 'at home', while other teams have flown hither and yon and slept in hotel beds for months at a time.

Won't matter in the final analysis, I know. In fifty years from now, it won't register with anyone too much that this was the 'COVID campaign'.

But the greater the denials that come from the two clubs about the supposed level playing field we're all battling on, the more clear it becomes that they have (just by circumstance) been dealt an enormous hand up over the course of 2020.

Doesn't change the fact that both the Tigers and us are more than capable of overcoming the obstacles involved in knocking them off in the next two days, though. Will objectively be less of an asterisk on the year if one of the teams who had to hub for several months get it done next Saturday.

Bullshitt Bullshitt Bullshitt

Whoever wins the premiership - it is a fantastic premiership and thoroughly deserved

The AFL has done an outstanding job keeping the season going - given the incredible circumstances - and every supporter should be grateful for that .

Ive had alot of enjoyment this year - at times watching a game of footy every night - thankyou AFL

 

[cats_09]

Emergencies: Atkins, Zuthrie, Ratugolea & Close

 

[foxdog50]

I love Stanley this year, have to say his been top 5 ruck in the league this year. But will his knee and body hold up?

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

It's all so unprecedented, isn't it? I always thought that taking my young son to a really big finals game would absolutely have to involve a massive cost, flights to Victoria, and an epic footy trip. Not that it isn't a great adventure, but it's tough to afford it and shattering if you come up empty.

As it is, he'll get to travel a whole 30 minutes from our front door, see his heroes play off to be in the big dance, and have the prospect of fronting up to his first GF next weekend if the boys happen to get up tomorrow night.

So, win or lose, I am determined that he understands the gravity of what's going on here. If he stays living in Queensland, he will never get an easier opportunity to see his club play in the last two weeks of a season than we are about to experience now.

Having told him the stories of 'being there' in 2011, the last few years of mostly ignominious finals exits have been torturous for him. Every year, I watch him set his hopes so high, only to see them vanish without a trace far too often. I think he truly senses (like I do) that this is a moment like no other for Cats fans living in exile here.

So, Catters, about tomorrow night, please don't disappoint my boy...

Hope it all works out for you and your son goyoucatters - my son is 23 now but we made the trip in 2007 & 2011 - as Borat would say "great success" and some fantastic lasting memories

 

[nohairandfair]

Hopefully we continue with last weeks return to form and systematically break down the Lions for a comprehensive win.

In saying that I have a soft spot for the Lions as the old man (rest his soul) was a staunch Lions supporter and took us to many Fitzroy games at the Junction Oval and inner suburban grounds (generally standing only and rough as). It was in the days of Kevin Murray (with back brace), Gary Wilson and Renato Serafini. We always provided a bit of support to "his" team but our real allegiances resided elsewhere.

"Mother's" side of the family had my brother and myself already as Cats supporters before we could walk with hand knitted Goggin (35) and Wade (23) jumpers courtesy of the grandma.

The tea leaves are telling me we have a great chance to make it through to the big dance. Go Cats.

 

[frggr]

Figured CEY would come in - they'll want the bigger body around the contest.

Good to see we're going in unchanged

 

[goyoucatters]

Bullshitt Bullshitt Bullshitt

Whoever wins the premiership - it is a fantastic premiership and thoroughly deserved

The AFL has done an outstanding job keeping the season going - given the incredible circumstances - and every supporter should be grateful for that .

Ive had alot of enjoyment this year - at times watching a game of footy every night - thankyou AFL

Totally agree about the enjoyment of the season. But totally disagree about the sense in which all teams have been roughly set the same challenges along the way. Without the need for the expletives to register my disagreement, either.

No coincidence at all that the top two this year played so many games at home and slept in their own beds for basically the whole year. Just because it's been great to still have the footy on doesn't make the season anything like a level playing field.

If we can't get it done, I won't be trotting out any excuses. We're good enough to win this, despite the challenges. But to suggest that there hasn't been an enormous (albeit unwitting) leg up to the teams that have covered far less miles and accumulated way less 'golden guest' accommodation credits along the way is just not a reasonable analysis in my view.

 

[goyoucatters]

They played Cats in Sydney

And lost. One of the three games they had to travel more than a hour to contest in the whole season.

Still, no real advantage in that, is there?

 

[goyoucatters]

Figured CEY would come in - they'll want the bigger body around the contest.

Good to see we're going in unchanged

I like the fact they've made the change. Shows they're concerned about a potential dominance around the ball for us. Happy to see them a little reactive, and hope CEY struggles to pick up the pace, after not playing senior footy for four weeks.

 

[Commando]

This is an absolute killer for QF winners. Someone posted that so CE the bye introduction, QF winners have gone from near certainties to win their PFs to almost 50/50 chances - it's crazy

agree
If anything the bye should be after prelim pre GF

 

[GeelongFTW]

agree
If anything the bye should be after prelim pre GF

wow dont give the AFL ideas please!

 

[Commando]

wow dont give the AFL ideas please!

makes more sense than post season
Its only there for the betting companies

 

[winty]

agree
If anything the bye should be after prelim pre GF

God, we'd never win another flag if that was the case....

 

[Commando]

So we’re all going for Port..?

 

[Frappe]

So we’re all going for Port..?

Storm tonight

 

[xtatik222k]

So we’re all going for Port..?

Yep, that's my desire for this game. Because the Cats or Lions will belt them the week after, and seeing Port lose a Grand Final = Excellent.

 

[cats_09]

God, we'd never win another flag if that was the case....

What happens if it's being played on an odd year with channel 10 having coverage?

 

[catempire]

Storm tonight

The BOM radar looks pretty clear...

 

[Pollywaffle]

It was in the days of Kevin Murray (with back brace), Gary Wilson and Renato Serafini.

Ah Gary Wilson the most talented stick figure ever to play footy..

 

[cats_09]

 

[Nickoo]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Mac Cat]

All games from now are 50/50. Have a better chance now though than any time since 2011.
Go Catters!

 

[Pollywaffle]

Well FFS my ideal world just hit reality.
Tigers in the GF.