Preview Grand Final 2024 - Sydney Swans / South Melbourne Bloods vs Brisbane Bears/ Fitzroy Lions - The Big Dance

[SM]

That’s what makes the GF special and having the presentation at say 5:25pm then you can still get dinner with your family. It also allows clubs to have post match functions. Think of our side, it allows us to have a function in Sth Melbourne and then be able to do it in Sydney the next day.

It isn’t getting anymore fans at twilight which is a terrible time to watch footy at the ground as the sun is in your eyes half the game

Nah twilight's great in the ground but shit for TV, I hate having to wait the whole day for the game. 2020 and 2021 were crap for that. Waking up, getting stuff for the BBQ and drinks, then coming back to watch the build up and the game is perfect timing.

 

[The King!]

So how did Reid pass that rigorous fitness test?

Reid did his adductor 7 days before, Mills strained a hammy 3 weeks ago

 

[The King!]

The timeslot is odd when every other final is twilight or night.

We haven't played a day game since (if 3:20 is twilight) since the 21st July. Brisbane similar I assume

 

[The King!]

Sure did Punts - up close to where we sat - he simply couldn’t jump or move properly.

How is Papleys ankle? every injury is different , who knows. We don't get to see them during the week

 

[Ticky009]

How is Papleys ankle? every injury is different , who knows. We don't get to see them during the week

Papley ankle
McDonald ankle
Campbell groin
Mills Hamstring

and those are the ones I know off the top of my head.

 

[The King!]

Papley ankle
McDonald ankle
Campbell groin
Mills Hamstring

and those are the ones I know off the top of my head.

Amartey ankle still I am guessing, Jmac still taped too.

Heeney got some sunburn taking the mark v GWS

 

[Ticky009]

Robbo talking potential match-ups:

Dunkley to play on Heeney
Rowbotton on Neale
Starkevich to go to Papley
Jordon to Zorko

 

[MightyBloods]

Reid did his adductor 7 days before, Mills strained a hammy 3 weeks ago

I remember Luke Hodge observing Reid taking kicks for goal pre-game 2022 GF. He said that he couldn't kick 30 metres and was pulling his kick. When I heard that, I thought how could they select him...but he was one of Horse's favs. This week, I'd like to think that they have Mills running flat out and kicking at goal from 50. If he can't do either, don't select him.

 

[SM]

Robbo talking potential match-ups:

Dunkley to play on Heeney
Rowbotton on Neale
Starkevich to go to Papley
Jordon to Zorko

Was there 360 today? With first crack and bounce last night I'm starting to question if I missed a day of work today.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Nah twilight's great in the ground but shit for TV, I hate having to wait the whole day for the game. 2020 and 2021 were crap for that. Waking up, getting stuff for the BBQ and drinks, then coming back to watch the build up and the game is perfect timing.

I find twilight the worst as you can’t see the ball for half the game drives me insane. Just keep it during the day it’s what makes it special, hate night games it’s so dewy

 

[Jewelsbon]

Is that background music lyric “I wanna let you down again?”

If so …. FFS!

geez, what's with playing that song?! surely that's not a sly message to the players ... "i won't let you down again"
if i were one of the players i'd be friggin annoyed at that

Hearing that song as the backing gave me cold shivers - in a good way. I thought it was really fitting, like they realized that in '22 they'd let us down and weren't going to do it again. That's how I viewed it anyway.
To each, they're own I guess.

 

[momentbymoment]

Has anyone taken a moment to really consider how GWS supporters will be feeling this week?

#Sfellow

 

[Millky95]

Has anyone taken a moment to really consider how GWS supporters will be feeling this week?

#Sfellow

Reckon they would have felt lile they could have ran over Geelong in the 4th

Or not got out of 2nd gear against Port

 

[Maddo11]

Robbo talking potential match-ups:

Dunkley to play on Heeney
Rowbotton on Neale
Starkevich to go to Papley
Jordon to Zorko

I thought starcevich is a taller defender? More likely to go to Amarety or McLean or whichever is down there at the time trading off with Payne if they're both there

I'd say JJ to a midfielder is more likely, mcluggage would be my pick, but having someone like Hayward who loves a tackle run with Zorko while having the height advantage to be able to beat him in 1v1s if the balls coming forward

 

[bloodsbigot]

Woke up just now forgetting we're in the Grand Final and when I remembered got excited all over again. Just gotta pinch myself each time.

 

[Kirkswan]

I don't think that's the case. I think the suggestion is that Mills is completely underdone and has been underwhelming so far this season. At his best we all know how good he is, but he seems far from his best. So taking the captaincy out of the equation, should he be played ahead of a fully fit Fox is really the question.

So I was originally thinking along these lines, but have since changed my mind.

You can't take the captaincy out of the equation, this team chose him as their captain... if they had wanted him to step down he would have, but they have clearly and repeatedly said they wanted him, and how great he has been.

So now I've changed camps... His leadership can't be understated, and his ability to play in the middle and down back is important, his willingness to play the role given... these are also important.

So if he's fit enough, then he plays... give the team what they want! I think just being out there will give them more confidence!

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Has anyone taken a moment to really consider how GWS supporters will be feeling this week?

#Sfellow

I had a chat to all 7 of them.

They’re fine.

 

[BloodySwan]

No disrespect to Brisbane but I'm not worried about them. I'm worried about us. Our best easily beats Brisbane's best.

 

[The King!]

I watched that Pies 23 doco.

They were obsessed on the friday with the captain letting go of the cup last wins, Selwood did in 22 and then Moore last year etc.

So Rampe, Mills, don't let go first

 

[Ed_Gein]

No disrespect to Brisbane but I'm not worried about them. I'm worried about us. Our best easily beats Brisbane's best.

They're a good team! They are solid all over the park and have made the GF for a reason...

I'm just worried about their players that can run fwd of centre like Bailey and Rayner - they'll cause a few headaches if we aren't careful.

 

[Ed_Gein]

The inner Punts tells me we'll lose this on the back of someone like Daniher doing a Tom Boyd, or an Ah Chee putting in a Norm Smith effort...

 

[bloodsbigot]

I watched that Pies 23 doco.

They were obsessed on the friday with the captain letting go of the cup last wins, Selwood did in 22 and then Moore last year etc.

So Rampe, Mills, don't let go first

No sunglasses. No pink underwear. Make sure we don't walk under ladders.

 

[SwansLifer]

JJ goes to Zorko for mine.
Need to keep an eye on McCluggage and if he starts to get on top put JJ to him and Gulden to Zorko.

Only 1 change. Mills in for Fox. Campbell sub.

Still need to get through that last training for final selections though.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Papley ankle
McDonald ankle
Campbell groin
Mills Hamstring

and those are the ones I know off the top of my head.

This time of the year most have a niggle here and there

 

[LukeParkerno1]

JJ goes to Zorko for mine.
Need to keep an eye on McCluggage and if he starts to get on top put JJ to him and Gulden to Zorko.

Only 1 change. Mills in for Fox. Campbell sub.

Still need to get through that last training for final selections though.

Mills only come in if he can train fully and I mean fully sprinting and everything on repeat tomorrow. Test him out and if he tears the thing so be it.