Autopsy If any of you are still alive we are into the Granny!

[mcs095]

MaCrae mind games didn’t work

If anything with the very confident looks the Pies had coming onto the ground it was a distraction.

Jumping them early won the game in the end.

Obviously they came back but we were the ones on early and focussed on the job.

Yep absolutely. I think however, if Reid didn't go down, it would of been a very different story and it would of been a far more comfortable win. We were clearly a tall short without hiim in there, especially trying to get out of trouble. Combined with Buddy being manhandled every contest (could easily have had 3 or 4 holding frees), we just couldn't find tall targets to help release the pressure.

We looked cooked late - I think part because we were possibly short a run for want of betting terminology, and partially because this team just isn't suited to playing all out defensive footy like we did in the last. We were very fortunate to hang on, but did blow some good chances to ice it when we did get away.

One thing that gives me hope for next week is Geelong play a different style of footy - they are not an absolute manic pressure team like the Pies are. I don't fancy us to beat them in a shootout, but a more open game (on those huge expanses of the 'proper footy ground' that is the MCG - I got told that multiple times today by Pies fans across the bay.....) will help us.

It will be an interesting tactical battle next week. Geelong may just be too classy, too good for us on the day. But I fancy our chances if we can settle the nerves early and go with them, and be within striking distance in the Premiership Quarter. They will be strong favourites for a reason, but I keep getting vibes of 2012 and how the two teams lined up that day. We definitely have less experience than those magnificent warriors of 2012, but there is plenty of talent, and plenty of young guys who I think will thrive on the big stage.

If we can get it to a contest that relies on the bottom half a dozen at crucial times, I fancy us to go real close.

But whatever happens, I'm going to enjoy the day next Saturday at the 'G, and whatever comes. I know some hold a lot of hate for the Cats, but they are definitely within my group of 'meh' clubs compared to those I really dislike. I don't enjoy their Salary Sombrero and how they get away with it - but they are a wonderfully well run club like ours, and if they take the flag, then so be it.

But I will dream of Red and White Ribbons on that cup all week, and just sometimes dreams can come true. And as I've said before - these boys believe, and they will back themselves come Saturday afternoon!

 

[mcs095]

I had such great ideas for another comic sketch leading up to the game but my superstitious nature prevented me from going further than writing out the words. I was worried doing one would invite bad karma.

My take on bad karma was Pies fans invoked it today, and the Footy Gods made them pay in the harshest way possible.

Passed several on the Hume Highway with scarfs hanging almost completely out the window going to the game this morning like they'd won the flag..... I said to the Mrs, the footy gods won't like that arrogance today!

Maybe a bit harsh by the footy gods the method of final destruction (so close), but I loved it!

Don't tempt the footy gods to send their wrath people, just don't do it!

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Aside from everything else. Being in a grand final and being a legitimate chance to secure our 6th flag (3 since the turn of the century would have us up there with the best), just take a moment to appreciate that we broke tens of thousands of Collingwood hearts!

What a way to end their season and send them back where they belong. Their sickening gloating has been a blight on our games against them and now they’re paying the ultimate price.


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[sataris]

You could generate a decent amount of power from all the vic tears that flowing,

lovely stuff

 

[tonk]

Couldn't watch, too stressful

 

[caesar88]

Still drunk and I know I definitely did 'Suspicious Minds' with the missus at karaoke tonight, but I'll give this a go...

I feel like we played a bit manic by design. It was like we were daring Collingwood (who typically haven't been a high-scoring team) to catch our goal tally. It worked, getting us a handy lead, until it didn't, as we slackened off defensively and let them get wayyyy too close for comfort. But I don't mind this, as changing up our style week to week - and even quarter to quarter - has been a hallmark of this 9-0 stretch.

I don't say this lightly at all, but we are seeing something special with Rowbottom & Gulden. It can be easy to underplay how good these two are because they're kids, but they are literally showing all the attributes of out and out champions. Big plays in big moments, brilliance when desperately needed. Gulden's tackling tonight was exemplary and Rowbottom's reading of packs and how to crumb/rove them is unbelievable. It was mind-boggling seeing them perform the way they did in a ******** preliminary final.

So many good performers - Stephens with some deadset ballsy moments under pressure; Warner showing his trademark willingness to take the game on; McInerney (YAY!) playing with that spark and urgency we all know he's capable of; Hickey with the absolutely MASSIVE marks when we needed them. That guy is all ticker honestly.

Our leaders all had some frustrating moments where I wish they took a leaf out of the youngsters' book of composure, but I also wouldn't want our team being led by any other group in the comp.

As I said earlier, love this club to death. Everything crossed for Reid. We can absolutely win this.

 

[Tedeski]

We butchered 2 or 3 goals that would have pushed it too far as well. I don’t think we were gassed, it was desperation stakes!!

Paps went for a ridiculous pass from the pocket backwards to CHF instead of taking his natural snap for goal in the last. It would have snuffed them out.
Heeny missed everything a few times from well within scoring range.
Should have been 50 points up early to half time.

 

[caesar88]

It's only because Mills is such a smart footballer and great leader that his decision to take the advantage in the first and bomb it out on the full infuriated me beyond belief.

 

[Neverwas]

but i think reid will play
and i would not drop mcdonald

I'd like to know what it is about McDonald's game that you like. Zero possessions to half time and 6 after, one of which was a horrible clanger. Nice kid but seems to me to be way out of form.


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[Neverwas]

My great grandfather died of a heart attack at a swans game in a tight finish between the blues and the swans.

I'm sure that's how I'll eventually go and i always have it in the back of my mind during a tight finish. But today I lived through it!

Wow, so did my grandfather, at the Lakeside oval.

My father was playing and my grandmother would not let the club tell him until after the game so that he would not be upset and let his team mates down. One has to have priorities!

I seem to have a spiritual connection to the club as a result and will have to watch out in a tight finish myself.

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[RainMachine]

So much to improve from this game, as has been mentioned - a number of heeney’s set shots/contests, papley’s attempted assists, Blakey’s soft frees.

In John we trust, but I just did not think putting an extra back and playing so defensively in the last quarter was the way forward. IMO it puts our defense under more pressure, gives less options for our mids from clearances. Momentum is a powerful thing and we are so unfortunate.

Was disappointed by a number of missed throws, some really soft frees, and a number of missed holding the ball.

Team Amartey if Benjamin Reid’s brother does not get up.

Can I close by saying I never want to see heeney, mills or Gulden in the ruck ever again..?

 

[Maddo11]

.

Can I close by saying I never want to see heeney, mills or Gulden in the ruck ever again..?

Blicavs going to have a field day going up against our second ruck options next week unfortunately

 

[Punts]

We play 4q of like we did the first 2 will be a massive challenge for the cats

 

[Rhino5]

Yep. He also needed to make sure he held onto it when tackled. That spill was almost very costly. Easy to say on the couch after the game though.

Definitely thought similar ar the time, but having watched it a couple of times now I’m not sure he could have done much more than what he did. Certainly was no chance of getting it onto a boot in the split second he had the ball before getting tackled. Should he have held onto it? Maybe, but he got absolutely crushed.

I was more annoyed it rolled straight to a Pies player! Anyway, doesn’t matter now

 

[Kirkswan]

View attachment 1510863

Cruel, but exquisitely funny... had no idea where it was going...

 

[Ticky009]

So much to improve from this game, as has been mentioned - a number of heeney’s set shots/contests, papley’s attempted assists, Blakey’s soft frees.

In John we trust, but I just did not think putting an extra back and playing so defensively in the last quarter was the way forward. IMO it puts our defense under more pressure, gives less options for our mids from clearances. Momentum is a powerful thing and we are so unfortunate.

Was disappointed by a number of missed throws, some really soft frees, and a number of missed holding the ball.

Team Amartey if Benjamin Reid’s brother does not get up.

Can I close by saying I never want to see heeney, mills or Gulden in the ruck ever again..?

It wasn't Horses decision re: last quarter. In his presser you'll hear him talk about how he wanted the players to keep going forward.

The boys tightened up and almost lost the game and Horse was not a happy camper because of it.

 

[Kirkswan]

Props to SCG crowd. Place was absolutely nuts the whole game. Special mention to upper Trumper folks that gave it back to the Pies bay with extras.

Had a great time up there! No voice at all!!!

Oh, and yes I was booing with the best of them...

If they chanted, we chanted louder; if the sung, we sung louder; if they booed, we cheered; if they cheered, we booed!

Had a great time!!! Sooooo happy!

My God I love this club!!!!!

 

[Blueballs38]

You almost killed me! But from the bottom of my heart thank you! Finally drove the karma bus over those flogs. One flog team down one to go ….. good luck Swannies! I’ll be rooting for you all come the GF. Wish my team had even half your culture!

 

[Achy Blakey Heart]

What an incredible feeling!

Reviewed last 5 mins this morning....incredible acts that won it for us....

Buddy's Contested Mark
Jesus contested mark
Stephens effecting the spoil
Errol the tackling machine
JMac clever hand ball towards teammates on goal line to get the rushed.

So friggin sweet!

 

[Maddo11]

Errols pressure in the middle of the ground to force the stoppage that lead to the Papley goal

Absolutely outstanding

 

[The King!]

was thinking overnight **** Collingwood

1 point was about 40 points and 2 weeks further than you deserved to be in the season so heck you

 

[Nuggetz]

Grand final babyyy wooooo

 

[Nuggetz]

Thought jmac played one of his best games this season. Great intensity.

 

[Punts]

Thought jmac played one of his best games this season. Great intensity.

Watch that kick to Franklin

 

[Kirkswan]

I think it's safe to say majority of people now want us to lose next week lol.

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I absolutely don't get this at all!!!

Everyone outside Melbourne wants us to win, and all the Collingwood rivalries want us to win...

While I think we'll be the underdogs, I absolutely think most people will want us to win!!!

GO BLOODS!!!