manangatang
Günther was slain in the catacombs
- Moderator
- #1
“We're leaving ground (leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again?”
This is it - the last game of Season 29. This is the final countdown for the 20’s.
A bold new future awaits us in Season 30 and beyond, but first there’s the matter of a rather important game of Qooty to be played out at SFA Park.
And what an incredible game this promises to be.
Both the Swamprats and the Demons have toiled through a super-long season, taking on and conquering all challenges they faced with clenched teeth and stern spirit.
But now it’s once more unto the breach – who will emerge victorious and who will be left to choke on the acrid dust of squandered opportunity?
Which team’s players will enter the future (doubtless full of flying cars and monkeys with lasers coming out of their hands) with a tiny picture of a cup next to their screen name?
Which of these proud and brave leaders will stamp their name into history as a premiership captain, and share the tale of their Qooty heroics with their children and their children’s children? And, depending on how long they live or their current family circumstances, their children’s children’s children?
Let’s look at how each team has come to earn their place in this momentous clash – it’s certainly been a hard-fought finals series, with the prelim finals both nail-biters...
But a season is not made of just finals – here’s a brief overview of the journey that each grand finalist has been on through Season 29…
The Swamprats are making a habit of inhabiting the top rungs of the Sweet F.A. ladder, and once again enjoyed a remarkable season.
Under stable leadership from experienced philreich and supported by the constantly teenaged SarahSmiles, the Swampies were never lower than 5th spot across Season 29, and inhabited top spot on the ladder for 6 rounds. They eventually claimed the minor premiership, 1 game clear of the Furies and having never lost more than two games in a row for the season.
With extensive recent finals experience under their belt, it was unsurprising for the Swamprats to grind out a victory against the Roys in their Qualifying Final, but how they did it (coming back from a 40-point 3QT deficit) was most impressive. Following this, they snuck over the line against the Furies in their Preliminary Final to set themselves up for another tilt at the holy grail.
Can this group of underground dwellers sneak away with their second flag and, in doing so, create a dynasty for themselves?
If they were to challenge for another flag in Season 29, the Demons needed to quickly move on from their horror Season 28 Grand Final loss to the Dragons. They certainly started the season strongly, sitting on top of the ladder by the end of Round 9.
However, this triggered a rare Mt. Buller losing streak, with a mid-season slump resulting in four straight losses. From here, it was a battle for the Dees to stay in touch with the Top 4, but with some quality goalkicking from Tarkyn_24, a late season purple patch from DemonJim and consistent quality from Callums_Guns and Proper Gander, they showed their fight and won games late to finish in third spot.
Emotions ran high in the Demons’ Qualifying Final victory over the Furies, with the Dees pledging to #doitfordeaneus. The squad appreciated a week off to save their energy, before facing traditional rivals – the Wonders – in a classic and tense Preliminary Final bout.
The Demons continue their impressive run of Grand Final appearances (three out of the past four), and will hope to take one extra step from last season in order to snare another flag.
philreich: The irrepressible Swamprats captain has been a force of nature this season, posting and Qootying up a storm. He finished fifth overall for tackles in the home & away season and will be hoping to use his experience around the ball to physically intimidate the Demons mids. Coming off a 24 possession, 10 tackle and 4 goal preliminary final, what else does this gun mid have to offer?
Kirkswan: A surprise packet in the Rats’ engine room, Kirky ended up in the Top 10 of the league for disposals and worked into All-SFA form towards the back half of the season. Her raking left foot will be vital to feed SarahSmiles up forward, but will the Demons give her the space she likes in such a high-stakes contest?
Proper Gander: What a year this gun Demon is enjoying. Backing up her B&F win from Season 28, PG has topped all other rucks for overall hitouts, finished 4th overall for DT points and put her name forward strongly for All-SFA selection. You just get the feeling that PG is built for days like Grand Final day – what can she bring?
DemonJim: Started the season in unusually quiet form, but was a big reason for the Demons’ form turnaround and impressive run home. His tackling intensity has lifted and he’s now got a very strong connection with fellow mid Callums_Guns. Jum is a proven Grand Final winner - can he grab a Deestroy this time?
Anything can happen as the Final Countdown plays out. Heroes become villains, and villains become less villainous.
We expect the Demons to vanquish their Dragons from last season and run over the top of the Swamprats, but we may just be a tad biased...
Either way, let’s strap ourselves in and get ready for an epic and history-making encounter.
Here’s some music to get you in the mood.
Oh, and Captains, please submit your team sheets no later than 11:59pm AEST on Thursday the 18th June. (OK mang, I will).
