The AFL / Aussie Rules Thread

[Holden]

Nervous yet, @Holden ?

Tight games today!!!

Yes, they blew it against what I consider to be a weak Port team. Results today will have a big bearing as to whether the Wednesday game against the Dons will be enough. Here's hoping!

[Madiel]

Actually it's always been the case that Gold Coast just needed to win one of the 2 games.

The second one is Essendon. Come on now.

[Papy Oli]

The view is not bad from that second spot 

[Papy Oli]

Yes, they blew it against what I consider to be a weak Port team. Results today will have a big bearing as to whether the Wednesday game against the Dons will be enough. Here's hoping!

Even if the dogs beats Freo, you already have a better % than the latter so a win v Essendon guarantees you 8th spot anyway.

That said, despite his admittedly superb work at the Suns, I do and would take some particular pleasure at seeing Dima seething  what Chris Scott has in cold anger, Dima has equal quantities in rage   

[Papy Oli]

Hmmm... Great decider earlier today..Would have preferred Hawthorn... Brisbane showed their experience as holders to clinch it.

On the other hand, the Hawks pierced them down the middle time and again. That could bode well for our Atkins, Dangerfield, Bailey and Holmes down that route!

[Madiel]

Yeah. I end the season having won precisely nothing in the tipping competition. Except I was one of the most consistent in picking the margin - never FIRST, just regularly 2nd or 3rd. Sigh.

[Holden]

Well, the plus for the Suns is that their fate is in their own hands and the Bulldogs just have to sit it out. Come on the Suns!!!!

[Papy Oli]

40 pts at Q1 means nothing   

[Madiel]

40 pts at Q1 means nothing   

It largely means they're playing Essendon. Who have been pretty dreadful in the second half of the season.

[Papy Oli]

95 pts was a bit overkill 

Well done, enjoy September @Holden

Not an easy table to predict!!!

[Madiel]

The Western Bulldogs missing out when they have such a high percentage must be bitterly disappointing.

[Holden]

95 pts was a bit overkill 

Well done, enjoy September @Holden

Not an easy table to predict!!!

While the Suns are capable of beating Freo they lost to them at home in their one meeting this year. Also, Optus stadium wil be a big ask but I'm quietly confident that they can come up trumps. If they do lose they can go into next season knowwing they finally put the last eight hoodoo behind them and should try to go forward from there. Dima and his staff have done a wonderful job in turning around what was a rather toxic culture that started with the what I consider to be the short sighted signing of Gary Ablett Jr.

I don't expect them to make the final or the semis but if asked who are the likely flag winners there is only one team I would pick. Geelong have been so consistent in the second half of the season and are serial winners. I'm sure Papy will like that sentiment from me.

[Papy Oli]

Appreciate the vote of confidence @Holden but bear in mind we played the Lions twice (lost twice) and GWS twice (lost twice). our run out has been somewhat easier I guess. So I am not entirely confident on next week's game.

Still, Jezza with the Coleman, Mannagh with the young player of the year and another accolade for Bailey are good signs of another solid season in constant rebuilding and playing in September again after last year's hangover season.

[Papy Oli]

Well well...

The Crows' Q3 was like watching an England batting order of old collapse  (thought I'd throw in an Australian friendly metaphor  )

[Papy Oli]

Tasty one tomorrow (probably quite stressful too) 

[Madiel]

Well well...

The Crows' Q3 was like watching an England batting order of old collapse  (thought I'd throw in an Australian friendly metaphor  )

Collingwood suddenly has their mojo back when it counts. I think maybe the week off has done them good. The fact is, for most of the season they were the best team.

[Madiel]

Well, Geelong is working hard to keep the game close. 

[Papy Oli]

Stressed
Thrilled
Fuming
Elated

And that's only Q3...

[Papy Oli]

I would like to dedicate this victory to Brisbane's Cam Raynor and shove it right in his face and wipe his Q2 smirk...karma and all that 

Other than that, I couldn't love that Geelong team any more than I already do, proper team performance with 13 different goalscorers in 15 goals. They played their little hoops socks off !!

(We'll ignore the minor fact that the game should have been buried at HT time already. My future cardiologist will write them a strong worded letter for that    )

[Holden]

As I said in an earlier post, the Cats are the likeliest to take the flag.