It's Geelong's flag to lose now

[hellfire]

Having attended both finals so far, it was pretty clear to me that the Eagles put in a far better performance than the Hawks. Their pressure was outstanding, they dominated centre clearances [not around the ground though], their defense stood up really well, and their tall forwards stretched out defense [not helped by Reid missing].

The Eagles are a very good side, and while we were below our best today, primarily due to key players missing, underdone players returning, and a desperate need for a week off, I'd say a bigger factor in what made us look poor was the Eagles' pressure. Give credit where it's due. The Hawks did the same thing in the first quarter last night, but their intensity seemed to diminish as the game wore on.

 

[Simple Jack]

I remember thinking the same thing in 09'.

Geelong lost a late season game against WB (who were pathetic against other top 4 sides) & then looked very flat against the Bulldogs in the QF, who had multiple chances to win the game.

Conversely St. Kilda won with ease in the QF & many thought it was their flag to lose. A week is a long time in football, 3 weeks is an eternity.

Yes, also remember St Kilda lost to Essendon and North, and would have lost to Melbourne in R22 were they not tanking (took Jurrah off at half time after he kicked 4 or so). So you'll find pretty much no-one thought it was 'our flag to lose', we were also 2.50 outsiders in the granny.

Also St Kilda comprehensively outplayed Geelong in the GF but horrendous goalkicking cost us. So if the same thing happens this year you are going to have to rely on Geelong having an '08 GF type goalkicking performance. I don't think that'll happen again.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

You put the cue in the rack at 1/4 time in a game you won by 14 points? WOW.

Comprehension fail. Re-read it perhaps, genius.

 

[MB1908]

Yes, also remember St Kilda lost to Essendon and North, and would have lost to Melbourne in R22 were they not tanking (took Jurrah off at half time after he kicked 4 or so). So you'll find pretty much no-one thought it was 'our flag to lose', we were also 2.50 outsiders in the granny.

Also St Kilda comprehensively outplayed Geelong in the GF but horrendous goalkicking cost us. So if the same thing happens this year you are going to have to rely on Geelong having an '08 GF type goalkicking performance. I don't think that'll happen again.

Geelong did go into the 09 GF slight favourites on the back of PF performances.
I don't think however, that you would find many people that say St. Kilda comprehensively outplayed Geelong. Or even outplayed them.

 

[Hagla]

So you are saying that H&A is the same ball game as finals?

Inane logic there

Collingwood lost to Geelong, who lost to Essendon, who lost to Richmond, who lost to Port Adelaide. Therefore, Port is the best team in the comp.

Geelong's current side knows how to handle finals. I wouldn't underestimate their ability to hurt sides like Carlton, Essendon and WC in finals when they arguably smashed Hawthorn's 2011 finals hopes.

WTF are you on about? I never said anything about teams who have beaten other teams who have beaten you? I mentioned 2 teams that have beaten you themselves and one that had a narrow loss or two to you, not anyone else...

Yes finals footy is different but I believe both West Coast and Carlton could beat you, not saying they will but it won't surprise me if they do. If you don't take H&A footy into consideration at all then I guess every team should go into the finals games with the exact same odds. Better yet they may as well just can the whole H&A season... Inane logic there isn't it chump.

Geelong smashed Hawthorns finals hopes hey? I would argue that the Buddy injury did that not the loss. Also, the only reason their finals hopes look to be smashed is because they now have to get through Collingwood to make the GF.

 

[timmy22]

I will assume that WCE will be too good for who ever they play in Perth, but I actually give WCE a real chance against Geelong, so Geelong are not certainties to even make the GF.

Thoughts ?

If WC get past next week. I can certainly see them take it up to Geelong

They will need Rosa, Kerr, Cox back to make it close

 

[Simple Jack]

Geelong did go into the 09 GF slight favourites on the back of PF performances.
I don't think however, that you would find many people that say St. Kilda comprehensively outplayed Geelong. Or even outplayed them.

Half time score StK 7.7 Geel 7.1

4 or 5 horrendous misses and one that stopped in the goal square.

Slightly better kicking and the Saints would have been 4-5 goals up at half time, and considering how the 2nd half went, Geelong wouldn't have been close.

Only someone completely ignorant or biased would not be able to see those are the facts of what happened.


This was not the point I was trying to get at anyway, I was saying that if you compare it to 09 and the exact same thing happens (with Collingwood replacing St Kilda) then unless you guys kick horribly in the GF, you wouldn't lose. And I don't think you'll kick that badly again.


Edit: Also you say you wouldn't find many people who say St Kilda outplayed Geelong which is right you wouldn't. But that is because people don't remember what actually happened leading to the result, they remember the result and then think what probably happened to lead to it.
An example is Chris Judd. If you ask people now, you will find many that will say he was the best player in the comp last year because the umpires awarded him the brownlow. If you asked those same people before the brownlow last year, not 1 would suggest he was in the top 5.
You only have to look at your coaches statement directly after the game "We were very lucky to win."

 

[lihei]

After today, there has to be no doubt that Geelong are clearly the best side at the right time of year. If the Eagles skills were a little better today, the Pies wouldn't have won that, a very unimpressive performance. What's everyone else thinking?

I'm thinking your an idiot! Then again, you are from Adelaide.

 

[nohairandfair]

If WC get past next week. I can certainly see them take it up to Geelong

They will need Rosa, Kerr, Cox back to make it close

Your boys took it up to Collingwood today and well done for that... but your execution of basic footy skills was lacking as you continually burned the Sherrin.

Kerr would help your cause, no doubt... and so would an act of god.

 

[Churros]

WTF are you on about? I never said anything about teams who have beaten other teams who have beaten you? I mentioned 2 teams that have beaten you themselves and one that had a narrow loss or two to you, not anyone else...
This is the bit where we learn about conversation. What is conversation if it doesn't develop?

Yes finals footy is different but I believe both West Coast and Carlton could beat you, not saying they will but it won't surprise me if they do.
Wouldn't surprise me either, however the Cats experience will likely prove too valuable against them two, especially Carlton. Geelong has beaten WC in previous seasons in Perth in the H&A season, and has gone on to do badly in the finals series. Don't judge how a finals series may go because of H&A form. As most people are saying, the flag isn't won.


If you don't take H&A footy into consideration at all then I guess every team should go into the finals games with the exact same odds. Better yet they may as well just can the whole H&A season... Inane logic there isn't it chump.
I most definitely do take it into consideration. I have told people what you said to me myself. But Geelong clearly has the advantage over others, with experience this year.

Geelong smashed Hawthorns finals hopes hey? I would argue that the Buddy injury did that not the loss. Also, the only reason their finals hopes look to be smashed is because they now have to get through Collingwood to make the GF
I said that they MAY have. Otherwise I would agree with you on everything else in this post. Great, we have similar views, let's call it a day. Good game yesterday and shame about Buddy

 

[Terex8]

WC are a superior side to Hawthorn regardless of whether it's at Subiaco or the MCG. They also have a better gameplan.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Half time score StK 7.7 Geel 7.1

4 or 5 horrendous misses and one that stopped in the goal square.

Slightly better kicking and the Saints would have been 4-5 goals up at half time, and considering how the 2nd half went, Geelong wouldn't have been close.

Only someone completely ignorant or biased would not be able to see those are the facts of what happened.


This was not the point I was trying to get at anyway, I was saying that if you compare it to 09 and the exact same thing happens (with Collingwood replacing St Kilda) then unless you guys kick horribly in the GF, you wouldn't lose. And I don't think you'll kick that badly again.


Edit: Also you say you wouldn't find many people who say St Kilda outplayed Geelong which is right you wouldn't. But that is because people don't remember what actually happened leading to the result, they remember the result and then think what probably happened to lead to it.
An example is Chris Judd. If you ask people now, you will find many that will say he was the best player in the comp last year because the umpires awarded him the brownlow. If you asked those same people before the brownlow last year, not 1 would suggest he was in the top 5.
You only have to look at your coaches statement directly after the game "We were very lucky to win."

Yes agree clearly Saints didn't take their chances.

Yet at the crunch time with a quarter to go and the flag on the line, only one team did any attacking - 3 goals to zip

Best side won

 

[BACCS]

West Coast were brilliant today. Thread completely disrespects their effort and intensity at the contest today. Anyone that thinks Geelong or any other side in the league would've just strolled through that game and come out the other side looking certain premiers has rocks in their head.

I reckon Geelong are favourites on the back of their last couple of weeks, but the race is absolutely wide open. Going to be a cracking finish.

I never discredited West Coast's performance in the OP, others have done that. I said that if their skills were a little better, especially going forward, that they would have won today. No one could possibly disagree that they were their own worst enemy today, Collingwood looked very average.

And I'm not jumping on a bandwagon, I have always had a soft spot for Geelong. If Adelaide aren't in it, I will always support them.

 

[Geelongsince1984]

Uh collingwood are still outright favourites and geelong are coming for them, still got prelims to go, but i think itll be saints or swans playing the pies, no buddy no hawks. prelims will be very interesting this year

 

[maryjames]

Having attended both finals so far, it was pretty clear to me that the Eagles put in a far better performance than the Hawks. Their pressure was outstanding, they dominated centre clearances [not around the ground though], their defense stood up really well, and their tall forwards stretched out defense [not helped by Reid missing].

The Eagles are a very good side, and while we were below our best today, primarily due to key players missing, underdone players returning, and a desperate need for a week off, I'd say a bigger factor in what made us look poor was the Eagles' pressure. Give credit where it's due. The Hawks did the same thing in the first quarter last night, but their intensity seemed to diminish as the game wore on.

The Eagles were terrible today..

 

[RedLegs#5]

Geelong favs for sure.

 

[mytym]

They have to get there first.

I would argue that Geelong now have the harder match in the Prelim. A rematch of todays game in the GF is a distinct possibility.

 

[jc37]

Geelong are certainly favourites and they still have to get there. West Coast were superb today. 100 tackles! The pies need a break and it was only two weeks ago the Cats lost to sydney at their very own fortress. davis, shaw, Thomas, Tarrant (2nd half) and Maxwell are big ins compared to Sinclair, wood, goldsack and whoever is unlucky.
The cats have sadly lost Menzel who is a nightmare as the 5th/6th best forward to match up on.

 

[magic_johnson!]

They have to get there first.

I would argue that Geelong now have the harder match in the Prelim. A rematch of todays game in the GF is a distinct possibility.

You think West Coast are better than Hawthorn at the 'g? Not taking anything away from them, but they are the only team we have close to a home ground advantage over that we have a chance of playing.

 

[pjcrows]

Rubbish thread.

A Geelong v Collingwood Grand Final would be dead even as it sits.

 

[Ashb23]

Ridiculous statement. Form in recent weeks not withstanding, over the course of the whole year Collingwood have been the best team. If it's a Collingwood v Geelong Grand Final, and Collingwood lose, it will be looked upon as a monumental choke in the context of the year they've had. If Geelong lost to Collingwood, it wouldn't be looked upon as anywhere near as harshly.

Really? I don't think so. If its Collingwood Vs Anyone else and the lose, then yeah, its a choke, but if they lose to Geelong, a team which has beaten them twice already this season already and had a 19 - 3 record, I don't think thats a choke....

 

[Ashb23]

I remember thinking the same thing in 09'.

Geelong lost a late season game against WB (who were pathetic against other top 4 sides) & then looked very flat against the Bulldogs in the QF, who had multiple chances to win the game.

Conversely St. Kilda won with ease in the QF & many thought it was their flag to lose. A week is a long time in football, 3 weeks is an eternity.

You really have a short memory. We came out and smashed the dogs early in the QF. Basically jumped to a 5 or 6 goal lead and kept the dogs at arms length for the rest of the day. Final margin was only 14 pts, but the dogs were never really in it. Smashed the pies in the prelim and really looked good. It was the saints who struggled more, with inacurate kicking the only reason the Dogs didn;t beat them.

 

[ashs35]

Collingwood finished on top of the ladder so they will be favorites until they get beaten.

 

[Terex8]

You really have a short memory. We came out and smashed the dogs early in the QF. Basically jumped to a 5 or 6 goal lead and kept the dogs at arms length for the rest of the day

Bulldogs got to within 8 points at one stage during the 3rd quarter. They also kicked 4 gettable points in a row in the last quarter & had Geelong on the break. It was much like the 08' PF, they had plenty of the ball & chances to convert.

I remember the game well, Aker brought them back into the game in the 3rd.

 

[eddiesmith]

Actually I disagree - I don't think the break will help them at all.

Break is exactly what is needed, Collingwood have had the longest run of games of any of the sides in the finals since their last break