The Game Is in Good Hands

[skilts]

If tonight's game is any indication, the current crop of custodians of our very own sport are lifting the standard of our unique game to even greater heights.

The despair I felt for the future of our code, because of the negativity and boredom it engendered a couple of years back, has been made redundant by the way Geelong have played the game over the past eighteen months.

It's to our joyous advantage that the other teams have realised the only way to be competitive against such skill, quick decision-making, consumate ball-handling, drilled teamwork and sheer brilliance is to confront them head-on, with an attacking plan of your own. We're all the beneficiaries of this.

In 54 years of watching footy, I've never seen it so exciting, so involving, so tense, so uplifting, nor so awe-inspiring in the skills we get to see. Huge congratulations to both teams for the glorious example they provided of what our game can be - the best ball game in the world. Did I mention how brave the players are, with dozens of examples every match?

Then there's Ablett. The prototype for the footballer of the next generation. If you didn't enjoy tonight's match, you're either a justifiably disappointed North supporter, or brain dead.

 

[Zvim]

I think it is the high standard of players, espcially the youth, that has allowed us to bring the game to the current standard. You just couldn't pull it off 5 years ago because the talent wasn't there.

 

[johnnm4vr]

Skilts even though we did get murdered by the umpires tonight especially in the last quarter the difference between our sides was the precise passing under pressure by Geelong and most importantly the ability to hold the ball back for a second and think before disposing. Even though we lost, the experience gained by the younger brigade will hold ud in good stead in our future games. How much better to see these styles compared to ones dished out by the Swans, West Coast and Adelaide. Aren't we glad their domination is over.

If tonight's game is any indication, the current crop of custodians of our very own sport are lifting the standard of our unique game to even greater heights.

The despair I felt for the future of our code, because of the negativity and boredom it engendered a couple of years back, has been made redundant by the way Geelong have played the game over the past eighteen months.

It's to our joyous advantage that the other teams have realised the only way to be competitive against such skill, quick decision-making, consumate ball-handling, drilled teamwork and sheer brilliance is to confront them head-on, with an attacking plan of your own. We're all the beneficiaries of this.

In 54 year of watching footy, I've never seen it so exciting, so involving, so tense, so uplifting, nor so awe-inspiring in the skills we get to see. Huge congratulations to both teams for the glorious example they provided of what our game can be - the best ball game in the world. Did I mention how brave the players are, with dozens of examples every match?

Then there's Ablett. The prototype for the footballer of the next generation. If you didn't enjoy tonight's match, you're either a justifiably disappointed North supporter, or brain dead.

 

[finders]

Yep with the current skill levels and fitness of the players the REAL Australian Football is still the greatest and most exciting football game in the world!Tonights match was just thrilling to watch.

 

[w00dy]

If tonight's game is any indication, the current crop of custodians of our very own sport are lifting the standard of our unique game to even greater heights.

The despair I felt for the future of our code, because of the negativity and boredom it engendered a couple of years back, has been made redundant by the way Geelong have played the game over the past eighteen months.

It's to our joyous advantage that the other teams have realised the only way to be competitive against such skill, quick decision-making, consumate ball-handling, drilled teamwork and sheer brilliance is to confront them head-on, with an attacking plan of your own. We're all the beneficiaries of this.

In 54 year of watching footy, I've never seen it so exciting, so involving, so tense, so uplifting, nor so awe-inspiring in the skills we get to see. Huge congratulations to both teams for the glorious example they provided of what our game can be - the best ball game in the world. Did I mention how brave the players are, with dozens of examples every match?

Then there's Ablett. The prototype for the footballer of the next generation. If you didn't enjoy tonight's match, you're either a justifiably disappointed North supporter, or brain dead.

great post... i didn't see the game, but i listened to the call on SEN and i can imagine it would've been great to watch...

 

[RoyalBlue]

Can we have some more Friday night games please?

Thanks.

 

[Soul_Pie]

Quality post!

Tonight's game was an absolutely exceptional display of modern football, in my view. While I still lament a few of the weak as piss free kicks that are paid on a weekly basis, I think generally the skills and the fast running nature of footy today makes for an amazing spectacle. Geelong especially have helped bring back a more exciting, attacking style, which is fantastic because a few years ago I think a few of us were worried that the game was developing into an overly defensive flood-fest.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Skilts even though we did get murdered by the umpires tonight especially in the last quarter the difference between our sides was the precise passing under pressure by Geelong and most importantly the ability to hold the ball back for a second and think before disposing. Even though we lost, the experience gained by the younger brigade will hold ud in good stead in our future games. How much better to see these styles compared to ones dished out by the Swans, West Coast and Adelaide. Aren't we glad their domination is over.

Adelaide and Sydney are still closer to a flag than the Roos. I'm not going to get into the whole "attractive footy" debate, because I only care about winning, but you're kidding yourself if you think the Swans and Crows aren't a chance this year.

 

[AG]

Skilts even though we did get murdered by the umpires tonight especially in the last quarter the difference between our sides was the precise passing under pressure by Geelong and most importantly the ability to hold the ball back for a second and think before disposing. Even though we lost, the experience gained by the younger brigade will hold ud in good stead in our future games. How much better to see these styles compared to ones dished out by the Swans, West Coast and Adelaide. Aren't we glad their domination is over.

Swans aren't finished. and they have shown this year that they can play attractive football, so don't start this boring style of football argument crap. The kangaroos were just as bad during that era. The only difference is Sydney grabbed a premiership. I thought the 2006/2006 finals were pretty good.
The style of the game will change again within the next 5 years. The evolution of football will cause game styles/systems to change every few years.

 

[Glass23]

How much better to see these styles compared to ones dished out by the Swans, West Coast and Adelaide. Aren't we glad their domination is over.

You have mistakenly included my team in your whinge about game styles.

 

[johnnm4vr]

Glass you averaged 400 possessions for less than 100 points and your games against the Swans in your succesful era were good in their closeness but were incredibly tightly contested affairs where 2 goals may have been scored in a quarter which was unlike the flair displayed tonight and the style that my team exhibited last year where we were the leading team in not passing the ball backwards. To clarify, this year we haven't produced that as 14 plus injuries have a dramatic efect on the playing style but we are improving and that is a positive sign.

Unfortunately this is not my opinion, I am uncertain whether you read the local papers but St Kilda's Sydney copy style recieved publicity to a stage that St Kilda's president or so had to declare his support for his newbie coach and state that he wants him to coach for the next 5 years.

You have mistakenly included my team in your whinge about game styles.

 

[voodooguru]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought you were talking about Demitri-doh!, D'drian Dunderson, the great man/king wowser Kevin "Tiggy Touchwood" Bartlett and all of Vlad The Impaler's minions and catamites down at AFL House/D__kheadquarters.

We are so lucky the game and the players are so good because the current administration bite and suck like vampires. Arguably the worst in the world.

 

[harmesy 37]

I thought the Swans vs Port game was one of the best games I had seen for a while. The continual pressure in that game was amazing.

Anyway you play -Winning form is all that matters.

re- the administrators. I think the 150th celebrations between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College is slightly more important than a junket to China to see people play volleyball, netball, badminton and soccer.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

Adelaide and Sydney are still closer to a flag than the Roos. I'm not going to get into the whole "attractive footy" debate, because I only care about winning, but you're kidding yourself if you think the Swans and Crows aren't a chance this year.

They are both right in it, I am worried about both the Swans and the Crows being deep into the finals.

I think both these sides have adapted, without watching too much of either, from what I've seen they are both playing a faster, more attacking style as well. Would this be true?

 

[Mr--ShinBoner--#11]

Adelaide and Sydney are still closer to a flag than the Roos. I'm not going to get into the whole "attractive footy" debate, because I only care about winning, but you're kidding yourself if you think the Swans and Crows aren't a chance this year.

so its no coincidence that both seem to be adopting a more attacking style more often than not?

 

[MF]

You have mistakenly included my team in your whinge about game styles.

THats because the poster is a clown who has no idea what he's talking about. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Turkey Tom]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought you were talking about Demitri-doh!, D'drian Dunderson, the great man/king wowser Kevin "Tiggy Touchwood" Bartlett and all of Vlad The Impaler's minions and catamites down at AFL House/D__kheadquarters.

We are so lucky the game and the players are so good because the current administration bite and suck like vampires. Arguably the worst in the world.

I agree, the game is so good (most of the time), inspite of what AFL HQ is trying to do to stuff it up.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Tonight's game was an absolutely exceptional display of modern football, in my view. While I still lament a few of the weak as piss free kicks that are paid on a weekly basis...

That was the only downer for mine. Current umpiring interpretations watered down the toughness of an otherwise epic match.