Carlton Supporters Club

All ready for the final siren! :)

Da da da da daaah

What a win. Best since 1999!!!

The skipper bloodied and banged up but still humble in victory as was Sam Walsh both crediting Melbourne for a tough game, great win and our blokes were great winners...

I was pretty disappointed with Melbourne's low brow tactics. Martin and Harry McKay were definitely missed IMO.

Pity that the other mob are a pack of ***TS.  Got no respect for them.  Pack of handbags.  Head shots, slings, jumper punches, tunnels, a lot of late crap. 

 Never in doubt!

When Acres kicked the winning goal, he had De Koning, McGovern and Kemp for company and Charlie was in defence.

Scenario planning 🙂

I was pretty disappointed with Melbourne's low brow tactics. Martin and Harry McKay were definitely missed IMO.

Hopefully your Dees disappointment is completely outweighed by your Blues blissful W

Acres.  Definition of tough.  Runs until he throws up week after week, playing with an AC...  total respect

Unbelievable!

Unbelievable!

Ollie H important in that last quarter - looked as fresh as a daisy!

The absolute scenes at the ground is something I will remember for ever!!! Screaming jumping high fiving just unbelievable they didn’t stop. I was resigned to losing and was ok with it as I could see they were running out of puff but tadaaaaaa not quite yet 

Fox footy Commentators said it was the loudest thry have ever heard

Weitering concussion going to be a story.

That late brain fade from Gawn, that's what comes of having to go head to head with Pitto and TDK for 4-qtrs.

And Hollands, Dow and tall Durds are running laps of the G

Holland's ball use is amazing for a kid

Lost for words. So happy but the stress of going so deep is bloody hard!

Walsh is a star. Cripps is a warrior. Doc is inspiring and was massive in last 2 goals. Acres tough as nails. Weiters a rock. TDK is a big game star.

Finally we have a smart team that know what to do at the right times. Don’t rely on one superstar anymore.

Can’t believe we are into the prelim. So so proud of this group.

Weitering concussion going to be a story.

what happened?

Never in doubt!

When Acres kicked the winning goal, he had De Koning, McGovern and Kemp for company and Charlie was in defence.

Scenario planning 🙂

Max Gawn gave us a helping hand too....😉

Blake Acres recruit of the year, targeted early for rough treatment and big again tonight with crucial goals.

what happened?

He got an arm to the jaw and was wobbly for a good 2 minutes. BT, Brayshaw were very concerned for his welfare about getting him off.

He got an arm to the jaw and was wobbly for a good 2 minutes. BT, Brayshaw were very concerned for his welfare about getting him off.

I love weiters but do see him often over playing a hit or injury and reckon this was one of those occasions. 

He will play next week.

He got an arm to the jaw and was wobbly for a good 2 minutes. BT, Brayshaw were very concerned for his welfare about getting him off.

 🤣

It's a bit surreal right now. I think I'm high on adrenalin 🤪

You bl%*dy ripper. As much as it was a heart stopper. Our boys won that game on just that. HEART 🥳

Holland's ball use is amazing for a kid

Hollands had some key touches....Conversely the selection of Schache as sub for Melbourne was a monumental blunder from Goodwin, they had no fresh runner to bring on and they might as well have had a lampost for a sub given he never made it onto the ground.

Can't wait to read your comments Bluebaggers. Bring on the replay coz it'll be on repeat in my place.

So proud of Vossy and the boys

The sleeping Giant is no longer sleeping.
Fu<k Yeah!!!!

Couldn’t watch as too gut wrenching. But got to replay.

Shed a tear.

So amazed and proud. Especially of doc and Walsh. But all of them.

Couldn’t watch as too gut wrenching. But got to replay.

Shed a tear.

So amazed and proud. Especially of doc and Walsh. But all of them.

I was pacing q4 like a crazy. It was so thrilling. Enjoy the replay again and again.

Max Gawn gave us a helping hand too....😉

Literally! Haha!

I'm with Shawny. Footy is so much easier when you're s-hit...haha.

Our youngsters in Hollands and Motlop played with composure and therefore skill, above their years.
Congratulations young men.
As for Blacres.....he's our new cult hero. Mr Clutch 👏🏼

That was un bloody real!!!! Eat sh1te Goodwin you smug pr1ck!!! 
CARNA BLUE BAGGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fox footy Commentators said it was the loudest they have ever heard

I've been going to the footy for 53 years and I've never heard a noise that loud, not even winning premierships. It was phenomenal! Normally my friends and I are easy for people to hear; not tonight. I won't sleep for hours yet, until my adrenal glands recover. But that was amazing.

Blake Acres again showed he why we recruited him. He did some really nice things, he ran hard, he took marks at clutch moments and kicked truly when it mattered. An inspired choice.

Blake Acres again showed he why we recruited him. He did some really nice things, he ran hard, he took marks at clutch moments and kicked truly when it mattered. An inspired choice.

Missed out on his regular kick out on the full, just to top off the performance.

Sam Walsh was the difference this evening. He was special. 34 possessions, 8 tackles, 2 goals and 600+ m gained was huge.
Patrick Cripps wasn't far behind. 27 possessions, 6 tackles and 9 clearances! Some teams don't get 9 clearances in a game!
Cerra started well, but faded, as did Tom de Koning. However, Tom took some really important marks this evening. And he had clearances at important times. He should be pretty happy with his performance.

Sam Walsh was the difference this evening. He was special. 34 possessions, 8 tackles, 2 goals and 600+ m gained was huge.
Patrick Cripps wasn't far behind. 27 possessions, 6 tackles and 9 clearances! Some teams don't get 9 clearances in a game!
Cerra started well, but faded, as did Tom de Koning. However, Tom took some really important marks this evening. And he had clearances at important times. He should be pretty happy with his performance.

tom's goals got us going too.

Wow!  Just Wow  :D
Carlton of old would've just folded with the intense physical pressure.
But this is not Carlton of old!
This Carlton is similar to old OLD Carlton.

And the crowd.... far out, what's the word everyone is using... Phenomenal.
The noise was intoxicating, well done Blue Baggers, they talk about the the Tiger Army and the Black and White army but gee the Blue Baggers show 'em how it's done.
Crowd sizes are up and the AFL should be thinking, what've they been missing out on for the last 20 years.

IMO the crowd next week will be about 40-60 the Bear's way. The Baggers will be out in force.
The swaggers back baby.
Go Blues.

All the boys deserve massive love and credit for their efforts tonight. But I'd reserve special mention for Weitering, Acres, Cripps, De Koning, Newman, Docherty, Walsh, Saad. Next tier down for me would be Hewett, Cerra, Kemp, and I thought the new 3 Amigos battled hard.

Kysaiah Pickett needs to forget the surname and the time warp. He isn't Byron and this isn't the 90's. Garry Lyon called him out, and I agree.

“It’s time for him to forget about the try-hard tough acts and put his head over the footy and win some ball,” a blunt Lyon told Fox Footy.

What can you say. My ears were ringing like I had been to a rock concert. In the last quarter I had two thoughts going through my head, I didn't see how we could win but we have been good in close games this year. There is so much room for improvement but if you don't give up and keep trying until the end, you never know your luck in a big city.
Last season when Melbourne won in the last minute they were all over the media saying how much they practice scenarios. Clearly they need to practice some more. Their problem is a lack of key forwards yet they went after one of the best ruckman in the competition even though they have the best ruckman in the competition. Their list management strategy is bewildering.
Under SOS there were a lot of hits and misses and he was extremely innovative. Under Austin, our player selection from other Clubs, and both our early and late picks in the draft have been extremely effective. Acres, Hollands and Cincotta are proof of point. It is good players with plenty of depth that makes good teams and good coaches, you just have to create the right environment and put the right pieces in the right place. We are doing this now.
At quarter time against the Gold Coast I was wondering whether the gloom would ever end. Now there is so much elation. Go Blues!

Wow!  Just Wow  :D
Carlton of old would've just folded with the intense physical pressure.
But this is not Carlton of old!
This Carlton is similar to old OLD Carlton.

I suspect most of us are old enough to remember....
But it's sometimes hard to explain to many younger fans.
Why have the 'oldies' been so upset, frustrated and angry over the last twenty years or so?
It's because this was the 'Carlton' we grew up with.

Hopefully this is a side, and the nucleus of sides to follow, that will provide the younger Carlton fans with similar success and memories for years to come.

.....and I thought the Prelim of 99 was the best thing outside a premiership!!  Sam Walsh was Kouta, Nick Newman was Dean Rice, Crippa was the whole midfield rolled into one and Blake Acres was....Blake Acres courageous, uncompromising and a match winner!!

Incredible still pinching myself had a couple more glasses of red than usual and didn't even notice

Hopefully the younger Carlton family can experience what we older supporters did - and took for granted - back in the day.  Its been a bloody dark twenty years but we're getting there. Its a much deserved emotional reward for people who have stuck fat through a very bad period.

We got away with a couple in the last quarter; Cripps should have come off for the blood rule and Weitering should have had the concussion test. 

The umps missed Crippa’s nosebleed but we might get a please explain for Weiters; although the AFL official could have ordered him to come off.  Weiters did look to be in trouble, particularly when his opponent was quite concerned about him.  Hopefully, he’ll get through any concussion protocols.

It’s great when a couple of things go our way, especially with the heroics of Cripps, Docherty and Acres, the effort and determination of the other 20 players, and the planning and execution by Vossy and his assistants.

Go Baggers! 👏

 Check 1:50 to go, Cripps kicks a looper into the forward line. Acres with a bung shoulder goes front on to Lever and gets poleaxed for about the 15th time.  50 secs later, with bung shoulder, takes a saving mark and kicks the winning goal. Don't tell me that won't be on high rotation at the review. Courage wins finals, snipers don't.

A few years back, maybe for the AFL centenary, they published every club's best side, and i noted the comment "Carlton could field a number of these, but their best is as good as anybody's".

After a quality hiatus a few of the current crop are making solid auditions for future legendary status.

Be a good player, but become a legend at Carlton.

Heart. Inspirational persistence. Character.

Cowardly stuff from Pickett, all he succeeded in doing was show the footy world the courage and strength of Crippa as a person; as a leader.

Many amazing moments where our blokes showed poise, discipline and heart in adversity. Just one critical example - Weitering's brilliant risk to shift play late in the game with a rocket to Hollands, then Hollands' smart kick to Doc and with his crook shoulder took the overhead mark and attacked the goal face. The rest is inspirational history. A great moment.

Un-friggin-believable. You really can't explain the emotion and exhilaration you go through when you're standing in the trenches with the other tragic's and something like what happened last night occurs. Grown men, and women, complete strangers just jumping and hugging and screaming and crying and laughing and singing together. Just brilliant. 96,412 biggest crowd for the year I believe. We are on some sort of run.

Many amazing moments where our blokes showed poise, discipline and heart in adversity. Just one critical example - Weitering's brilliant risk to shift play late in the game with a rocket to Hollands, then Hollands' smart kick to Doc and with his crook shoulder took the overhead mark and attacked the goal face. The rest is inspirational history. A great moment.

That WAS the moment. If it wasn’t for the Spanish Soccer Federation I would have invaded the field to kiss Weits on the lips after the game.

I liked Voss' press conference. I thought he summarised the totality and reality of the game quite well - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Our youngsters in Hollands and Motlop played with composure and therefore skill, above their years.
Congratulations young men.
As for Blacres.....he's our new cult hero. Mr Clutch 👏🏼

I think a few people on this and other fora owe Motlop an apology. After being rightfully dropped mid-way through the year he has been pivotal, I think, to the turnaround.
Don’t know who has been coaching/mentoring him but his forward craft and Eddie-like pressure has improved through the roof. Yes, he made some blunders in the last q last week but it’s not easy to come on as sub late and slot into the pace of the game (which just goes to amplify Ollie’s maturity and composure). He got caught twice holding the ball against the Swannies but they (Sydney) are a phenomenal tackling side thanks to their access to rugby specialists.

Hollands was around it so much in the last, perfect choice for our sub.

Did cunners get subbed out for injury? Or form??

I was critical they didn’t start Hollands but my son said he’d have been annihilated by the Melb big boys, it was just so fantastic to see him fresh and with run in the last - I just really rate him, he’s smart and backs himself!

Another that just has my full respect is Saad, it’s so rare he stuffs it up and his kicks are usually razor perfect 👌🏼

How good was Crippas interview after the game, he was bloody ecstatic!!!

Out of everybody associated with Carlton, whether it's supporters, administration, board, coaches etc. the most happiness I feel is for Cripps. Up till now, he has put his body on the line, been bashed from pillar to post, been tagged and scragged, and had nothing to show for it in terms of team success. The joy he feels is palpable. It's written all over his face.

Greatings from Bangkok airport, YOU FARKEN BEAUTY!

Un-friggin-believable. You really can't explain the emotion and exhilaration you go through when you're standing in the trenches with the other tragic's and something like what happened last night occurs. Grown men, and women, complete strangers just jumping and hugging and screaming and crying and laughing and singing together. Just brilliant. 96,412 biggest crowd for the year I believe. We are on some sort of run.

x100. gave a few people hugs, high fives and sang the song until my voice could not make any more sound. Almost shed a tear so emotional. Never heard a crowd that loud, I cannot even remember anything like that even during or after the 99 prelim and any GF.

Go Bluessssssssssssssssss.

Robbie Williams love TDK....lol.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/6652726064773159

Robbie Williams love TDK....lol.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/6652726064773159

Oh classic.

Robbie Williams love TDK....lol.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/6652726064773159

Tell me of another football club that draws in a superstar like Robbie to take notice and cheer on.

The afl must be so rapt we are where we are.

Ok here is my take on last night.

Anticipation.
Massive.
Excitement.
Exhilaration.
Adrenalin.
Loud.
Unbelievable.
Angst.
Emotional
Singing.
Hugging.
Jumping.
Relief.
Exhaustion.
Sleeplessness.

But oh boy was it all worth it.
Just to see the excitement in all the fans faces and the sear joy was worth the money I paid for the seat and more.
Something I will not forget for a long long time.

Come on Blues and bring on Brisbane. There is always a first time to loose at your home ground.

Oh and one last thing Goosebumps





 
.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/lids-off-if-you-can-t-celebrate-wins-like-carlton-s-footy-would-be-pointless-20230915-p5e503.html

Well written, even brought a tear.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/lids-off-if-you-can-t-celebrate-wins-like-carlton-s-footy-would-be-pointless-20230915-p5e503.html

Well written, even brought a tear.

Subscriber only, unfortunately.

Here you go

"We’re back. Carlton’s back," said president Luke Sayers, managing to make himself heard above the din. Sweat soaked through his shirt: such was the closeness in the clubrooms. Such was the closeness of the match.

Elsewhere in those rooms, former Blues champion Greg Williams was scratching his head. "A few of the blokes have said it’s just as big as the ’99 [preliminary final] win against Essendon," he said, his voice still hoarse. "That’s pretty big."

That, incidentally, was an election night, when Jeff Kennett was unexpectedly ousted as premier. This felt like one. Somewhere else in the room again, former state Labor government minister Martin Pakula was rejoicing. "From where we were half-way through the season, to be in a prelim, it’s almost beyond belief," he said, "There’s no reason we can’t go all the way."

Above them, 96,000 people, the preponderance of them Carlton fans, were happily decamping. In the rooms, no one was. Such was the crush that to get to their team meeting, the triumphant players had to thread their way through a sea of humanity. No problem; they’d been doing that all night. On a table, a pile of healthy food, the first step on the road to recovery, lay largely uneaten. Like procedural matters, it could wait.

You couldn’t find a lid big enough to put on Carlton right now, and it would be pointless and even counterproductive to try. If you can’t celebrate wins like this, footy would be pointless. If you can’t celebrate seasons like this as they unfold, ditto. The po-faced schtick would not have worked now anyway; no-one could have pulled it off. "You’ve got to try to keep a lid on it," said Williams, then after a pause: "But nah, it’s off."

If this is not too much of a backhanded compliment for Carlton, they’re the Collingwood of 2023. A win from nowhere and against all the indications on the night, an opposition who found a way to lose - kicking five behinds in a row to finish the match, would you believe? - and an improbable hero, Blake Acres, doubling up from last week; here was lightning striking twice in the same forward pocket. The Blues needed a bit of space; they had Acres.

The problem with Carlton as the new Collingwood is that the old Collingwood are still up to their neck in these finals, and a grand final between the pair is still possible. For the AFL, it’s a dream. They’re having their cake and eating it, too. Three 90,000-plus crowds in nine days at the ’G; only Carlton and Collingwood can generate masses and momentum on this scale. A new generation is bearing witness. It’s impossible to quantify the influence a crowd has on a team and match, but the Collingwood players swear by it, and so too do Carlton now.

There is something unique about the atmosphere in the Carlton rooms when they’re up and about. It might simply be that colour, single, unambiguous and forbidding. They’re not just the Blues, they’re the "famous old dark Blues" and at times like this it’s its own statement. John Nicholls and Stephen Kernahan and Chris Judd weren’t in the room and yet somehow they were.

A well-meaning official tried to shepherd the crowd towards the door, in vain. His heart wasn’t really in it anyway. In the milling multitude, Terry de Koning stood out by standing out. At 196 centimetres, he’s still as tall as sons Sam, the Geelong premiership defender, and Tom, an impact player for the Blues this night.

He turned over his scarf to make sure he had the right badge facing outward. "Tom saw his brother win the flag [last year]. He was very emotional when Sam won," de Koning said. "I think it’s because he knows how hard it is."

Tom de Koning characterises Carlton 2023. In mid-season, he looked gone as suitors circled. But he stayed. So it goes, too, for the team; they were gone, but they’re still here. "He loves Carlton," said his dad. "He loves all the boys."

This was two improbable yarns folded into one: Carlton’s season and Carlton’s night. Bottom four in June, top four now; it’s the stuff of movies. No one can say convincingly what changed, except that they doubled down in their efforts, kept their nerve and their faith in coach Michael Voss in a way that the Blues would not always have, and inside the club kept their cool.

The fans kept their ... membership tickets, but only just? "I’d never given up, but I didn’t see this coming," said Pakula. "I really didn’t see this coming." Rejoined de Koning senior: "They never lost their confidence. You’ve got to admire that. They believed in Vossy, and in each other. They’ve got the ability, but a lot of footy is between the ears, isn’t it?"

Or in an even more remote place. Looking back to mid-season, chief executive Brian Cook said: "It’s like flicking a switch. I’ve got no idea how we did it. I can tell you what happened before it, and I can tell you what happened after it, but I can’t tell you what was the switch, who flicked it. I just couldn’t tell you."

Here is the mystical element about footy, about sport, that professionalism thankfully has not altogether suppressed. Sometimes, things happen this week because they happened last week. They happen because they do. It’s wondrous, and it makes nights like Friday even more wonderful.

Every club, every coach, says they’re working hard, but only for Carlton is it working out like this. Cook would demur at this, but he might be at least part of the key to the mystery. He was at West Coast for their first two premierships, steered Geelong to a trio 10 years ago and now ... and now?

De Koning thought back a week to when Tanya Weitering, mother of Jake, asked: "Why not us?" "Luke Beveridge said that in 2016," said de Koning, once a Bulldogs player. "That was their theme ..." It’s been a long time between drinks for Carlton, but for de Koning senior, it might be back-to-back.

The crowd in the Carlton rooms did not budge for hours. It was as if they were afraid to go out into the world again and find it was all fantasy, a trick of the LED lighting. Eventually, they spilled out onto a concourse, where staff were trying to load a truck with match-day apparatus. The job was done, but there was still a job to be done.

"We’re just riding an amazing wave at the moment," said Sayers. "The boys are finding belief and confidence and it’s just awesome to watch."

Williams was still shaking his head. "I couldn’t believe we won, really," he said. "It was one of the great wins. It’s going to be harder again next week. We’ll just enjoy this one for now."

After next week, there’s only one more. "I’m not going there," said Cook, "not yet anyway." They are going to Brisbane, to a preliminary final. They’ll be prepared in one way. However clammy Brisbane is next Saturday, it won’t be stickier than the overflowing, party-like-it's-1999 Carlton rooms on Friday night.

Thank you rocky.

I think the best quote from that article is from (unsurprisingly) Brian Cook :

Or in an even more remote place. Looking back to mid-season, chief executive Brian Cook said: "It’s like flicking a switch. I’ve got no idea how we did it. I can tell you what happened before it, and I can tell you what happened after it, but I can’t tell you what was the switch, who flicked it. I just couldn’t tell you."

The rest is a bit of emotional gushing IMO. Completely justified and understandable, but I think a lot of people are getting carried away on an emotional high. Let's face it, we had a fair bit of luck in that game : Gawn's touch on the goal line, Viney's miskick straight to Weitering, Docherty's opponent losing his feet as he takes the mark, Acres nearly missing his shot from right in front etc. The boys should definitely party hard this weekend, but they need to face reality starting Monday.

omg the NOISE when Acres took that mark!

“Zeez ear plugs, zey do nothing.”

In reality we should get pasted by Brisbane next week. But we seem to be living in an alternative reality lately.

The rest is a bit of emotional gushing IMO. Completely justified and understandable, but I think a lot of people are getting carried away on an emotional high. Let's face it, we had a fair bit of luck in that game : Gawn's touch on the goal line, Viney's miskick straight to Weitering, Docherty's opponent losing his feet as he takes the mark, Acres nearly missing his shot from right in front etc. The boys should definitely party hard this weekend, but they need to face reality starting Monday.

Emotion can win you games. ;)

For every thing that went wrong for Melbourne we could probably find just as many things that went wrong for us.

Emotion can win you games. ;)

For every thing that went wrong for Melbourne we could probably find just as many things that went wrong for us.

Neither team played great footy, it has to be said. But as Voss stated, Melbourne had all the momentum in the last 8 minutes, and when you are 5 points up with 90 seconds to go, and all the momentum, you shouldn't lose.

Deleted

Generally you have to win finals, you can't defend finals. Sometimes due to external circumstances they can be one-sided as a result of the playing field not being level, but when teams are on level terms you have to win a final.

Melbourne have made a huge mistake going solo with Gawn, this luxury they have has created a hubris that has led them down a never ending path of pain, they don't connect his winning with their losing. They were right to pick up Grundy, but probably wrong to think they can change the mould on a long established player, they should have gone hard at another kid.

For that matter it's the same with May and Lever, they are completely dependant on one of those two dominating, take them out of the occasion and they are almost laid bare. All the finger pointing and arguments should be a tell, but the Dees seem oblivious to it.

PS; That experiment Melbourne did last night, running no ruck at all in their F50, they only got away with it because we weren't ready for it as an opposition. They had to do it to give Gawn 1/2 a chance to compete for 4-qtrs, but we failed to see it coming and were lost about what to do when it happened. It looks like at first we thought it was an accident, by the time it happened 3 or 4 times we started experimenting, it showed a weakness in our adaptability and experience. Next time if it ever happens, Pitto or TDK must start 5m off the drop zone and hit the fall of the footy at full speed, they can start back, left, right or even under the fall of the ball and cause havoc with the Dee forwards. Nobody will be allowed to block their run, and with momentum up they will be able to draw multiple opponents trying to stop them. I was quite surprised we didn't have a plan for this!

Melbourbe the new tennis players of the AFL. Out in straight sets. GO BAGGERS

If not for Kysiah Pickett trying to emulate his uncle the Dees would have almost no effective F50, the hits Kysiah keeps handing out put defenders on the back foot, and you'd expect he should get banned for yesterday, and one day it'll be a big one, that is if someone doesn't level up first!

Great article and thanks Mr Balboa for posting it... I was going to!!

The cockles of this little black duck's heart were warmed when Vossy declared to allow celebration in for a day or two. Ride the high. Takes me back to big error from a past coach who declared, 'don't get too high, don't get too low.' And to the chagrin and irritation of some I spoke out against this approach. Emotion is natural, and very powerful when channelled correctly... let that dopamine and those endorphins loose! Bravo Vossy and your off-field team.

I've had a wonderful 18 or so hours. Until I pressed the wrong button when conducting a review of some of the players and now my written report has been deleted. :(  ::)
Moving on, it's a thrill just to be in the third week of the finals, at long, long last. No matter how far we go, this is a wave I'm enjoying riding. Speaking of, it's expected to be a hot summer. I need to buy a bodyboard and get into it lol.
We have exceeded expectations, at least mine, for this year. It really is making up for the sadness of last year. Considering that most tipsters went for Melbourne, it's incredible we got through and are now into a preliminary. What about the crowd noise? Wow. What a bloody feeling this is. Can there be more? No pressure at all. Yeah.

If not for Kysiah Pickett trying to emulate his uncle the Dees would have almost no effective F50, the hits Kysiah keeps handing out put defenders on the back foot, and you'd expect he should get banned for yesterday, and one day it'll be a big one, that is if someone doesn't level up first!

Cheap and cowardly thuggery. FH. There was a bit of this attempted intimidation from some Go Dees players... we just absorbed it and kept our focus on our jobs and task at hand. Well done, fellas.

Heart. Inspirational persistence. Character.

Cowardly stuff from Pickett, all he succeeded in doing was show the footy world the courage and strength of Crippa as a person; as a leader.

Many amazing moments where our blokes showed poise, discipline and heart in adversity. Just one critical example - Weitering's brilliant risk to shift play late in the game with a rocket to Hollands, then Hollands' smart kick to Doc and with his crook shoulder took the overhead mark and attacked the goal face. The rest is inspirational history. A great moment.

Cripps still had 27 hard-fought possessions, even after being off for some time to get treated as well. He stood up. Pickett had a dirty game all-round, save for some late time stuff. Come on Christian, put the hatred away and site him for that crap. You know what to do.

Deservedly so, there is enormous praise for Acres and his endeavour, playing through pain and delivering the goal that put us in front. Spine-tingling stuff.

However... I'd like to add 2 other incredible last qtr goals.
1. Walsh at the beginning of the final qtr goaling would have been an enormous lift for the boys and a message that we're in this to our eyeballs.
2. Motlop kicking a brilliant snap to reduce the margin to one kick... again, lifting the boys.
2 other great moments.

Deservedly so, there is enormous praise for Acres and his endeavour, playing through pain and delivering the goal that put us in front. Spine-tingling stuff.

However... I'd like to add 2 other incredible last qtr goals.
1. Walsh at the beginning of the final qtr goaling would have been an enormous lift for the boys and a message that we're in this to our eyeballs.
2. Motlop kicking a brilliant snap to reduce the margin to one kick... again, lifting the boys.
2 other great moments.

Walsh is made for this stuff. No. 1 pick in his draft, looks like the best of them. Seemed a bit rusty at times this year, with his injuries, his absence was noted by me. Now back to his awesome best.
As I tried to note with Acres, this man belongs. All heart and effort, playing with a surging confidence. All at the price of a McDonald's ice cream of the past! Or near enough. With experience and a designated role for him, being the wing, there is much more consistency to his game now. You take the good with the bad. On the latter, no out of bounds on the full this time, but Blake, mate, as I tried to note, take a breath, don't rush the damn thing. Perhaps instinct works for him better than overthinking set shots.
Oh and Motlop. He's a creame de la creame player (excuse spelling, French is not may native language). Getting better all the time. Two beautiful goals, along with lots of chasing and tackling, despite the low stats. Will only get better with more experience and as he builds his body and tank more.

BT’s commentary, “… the kick wasn’t great to Docherty …”?!?

What? Ollie’s kick was freakin’ centimeter perfect. In fact, all 3 kicks in that play were brilliant.

Seriously, does he even watch the game or just glance up from scrolling through FB posts every now and then?

His disappointment when we win is palpable, which makes Andy and Sellers’ biased commentary beyond delicious.

If not for Kysiah Pickett trying to emulate his uncle the Dees would have almost no effective F50, the hits Kysiah keeps handing out put defenders on the back foot, and you'd expect he should get banned for yesterday, and one day it'll be a big one, that is if someone doesn't level up first!

by my reckoning he has two charges to answer.

One on cripps, the other on mcgovern.  You can't swing an arm and hit an opponent high even if he is bumping you.

Robbie Williams love TDK....lol.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/6652726064773159

Gave me a warm glow listening to that on the wireless this morning 🙂

Robbie did one about Sydney losing last week but he put a lot more thought into “De Koning’s in the air”

The sling into the fence and whatever Viney did on the side opposite the camera (sly elbow?)  were also pretty average Thry.  Lot of high, late, scruffy.....and totally unnecessary stuff.

Cripps said post match he copped quite a few hits last night - of course he says it as all part of the game. What a warrior seriously, and as someone said previously the happiness is written all over his face and I bloody love it for him!

Did caro ever retract her ‘Cripps and doch don’t like their teammates and stay at different hotels
From the team’ comment??!!

The sling into the fence and whatever Viney did on the side opposite the camera (sly elbow?)  were also pretty average Thry.  Lot of high, late, scruffy.....and totally unnecessary stuff.

Pickett was responsible for a lot of that dog act stuff and our players did well to stay disciplined, when you look back at the undisciplined stuff Melb did it probably cost them 3-4 goals and the match. Gawn will get the blame for touching that ball through that should have been a goal and losing Melb the game but it was Pickett imo who cost them the game with some of his early dirty work and justice was done.

Micky, Caroline did apologise to Cripps for those comments.

The sling into the fence and whatever Viney did on the side opposite the camera (sly elbow?)  were also pretty average Thry.  Lot of high, late, scruffy.....and totally unnecessary stuff.

Totally right, but I think it was Tom Sparrow, not Viney.

by my reckoning he has two charges to answer.

One on cripps, the other on mcgovern.  You can't swing an arm and hit an opponent high even if he is bumping you.

To be generous to McGovern, that was a block and a shepherd only. God Pickett was a flog last night. Just a couple of the silly things he did last night. With four umpires, there's really no excuse to miss those two things, despite the other frees and two, yes, two fifties he gave away.

Gawn will get the blame for touching that ball through that should have been a goal and losing Melb the game....

Maradona's Hand of Gawn.....lol.

Maradona's Hand of Gawn.....lol.

Max wasnt his usual jovial self at the end of the game, got shoved around by Pittonet all night, missed some sitters then did his best Maradona impersonation to wind up what was a dirty night. Abby Holmes did well to get a post game interview out of him of sorts.

what a fantastic result for us supporters and club from we have come from . Reality is we were very lucky last night and to me it was a case of melb lost it we didnt win it . I want to win games on merit ,win with a game plan that doesn't allow opposition an opportunity. It all starts with a game plan that like i have been saying all year "no more fu......k long bombs " last night we kicked ball how many times to dees players  just hope voss can come up new plan for the Fitzroy game . 1 more hurdle to go 

We were pretty hard at them for most of the game and I think this pressure got to them. They were pretty snakey in the end - they expected to win and we just wouldn't let them.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/1432284/afl-sf-sounds-of-acres-match-winning-goal?videoId=1432284&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1694837062001&fbclid=IwAR0-tuX0lJ6LtFX3tyFvKtyHIHxaE_NTV_eVh02JuAn_oM1zNqgdN-tlK4Y

Still can't believe it - especially the noise its still ringing in my ear and it's delightful almost 24 hours after the game.

Dislocated shoulders, Broken collarbones, Broken Ribs, Blood noses No Problem.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/1432284/afl-sf-sounds-of-acres-match-winning-goal?videoId=1432284&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1694837062001&fbclid=IwAR0-tuX0lJ6LtFX3tyFvKtyHIHxaE_NTV_eVh02JuAn_oM1zNqgdN-tlK4Y

that's my evening sorted. I could watch that all night

Still can't believe it - especially the noise its still ringing in my ear and it's delightful almost 24 hours after the game.

Dislocated shoulders, Broken collarbones, Broken Ribs, Blood noses No Problem.

Old school footy..not pretty or high scoring but more of a war and when you win those games the satisfaction is immense...

that's my evening sorted. I could watch that all night

I have to admit, that is pretty good.

F*** me.

Now THAT was a game of footy.

The mighty baggers army has really helped turn this team around. The support it gives the players unquantifiable.
It felt like a home game against gold coast. Our supporters can dwarf any opposition into insignificance with how loud we are.
The Acres goal at the end is the biggest roar you will hear in your life time of footy.

My 8yo son has only really started getting into footy this year (while we were $hite no less) and although it was cold and miserable and super late, i took him to the swans game last week because "Its finals, its different, you'll see". He agreed and was happy, but wasn't really interested in doing it all again this week. I put my foot down and said he was going again and that at least the weather would be good.
To borrow from Huddo...
"Who would've thought the sequel, would be just as good as the original"
He had the best time. I've never seen that amount of joy on his face when Acres took the mark kicked the goal....and when the siren went. The whole stand was jumping about as one, high fiving and hugging complete strangers. Tears of joy flowing, smiles that'd put the cheshire cat to shame. The adrenaline running through me was crazy. I was shaking. Heart bursting out of my chest. Surreal.

It didn't stop there though....
The crowd singing the song after siren was as loud as you'll ever here.
The crowd spontaneously singing the song walking down the stairs after the game
The crowd at the train station bursting into song
The carriage singing in unison again on the way home.
Walking home at midnight down the street dressed in our Carlton gear, random cars tooting away with Carlton scarves hanging out the window just like was common place in the 80's and 90's.

I said to him, this will be the best game/experience you will probably ever see in your life. Despite being after midnight and him being awake since 6am, he hopped, jumped, skipped and 'parkoured' his way home barely touching the ground. He is hooked.

The sleeping giant has been awoken and he is oh so hungry for some success.

Never been so proud of this club and its supporters.

first time post - walked this path many times over the years (first Blues memory 68 grand final)
as much as it sounds painful - there is an old saying a half fit so and so is better than a fully fit so and so.
l have seen this happen many times with all AFL clubs only to pay the consequences.
there are some banged up boys right now who will be going into next week game not fully fit - anyone had a broken nose or a dislocated shoulder (l can see Zorko lining up Patty Cripps nose) l don't think a jab will rectify .
should the board go completely left field and rest them and play a fully fit team -  or run the risk of a 60 point lose next week.
l don't know.  

Gutless Christian, really weak.  If you want to stop Pickett doing stupid things, then punish him appropriately.  One week?  F off you idiot.

Gutless Christian, really weak.  If you want to stop Pickett doing stupid things, then punish him appropriately.  One week?  F off you idiot.

The colour of our jumper is the only reason. This really is a blight on the game. One person decides, who played for one club, is the policeman. The Roger Rogerson of the AFL.

Gutless Christian, really weak.  If you want to stop Pickett doing stupid things, then punish him appropriately.  One week?  F off you idiot.

Sparrow should have got 2-3 weeks for slamming Walsh head first into the boundary fence, the AFL want to protect the head but that must apply only when you are in play. It was a really dangerous act and even Sparrow looked shocked at what he had done afterwards. The whole MRP needs an overhaul and the penalty system simplified...our blokes should have sorted Sparrow out as well, if that was Nick Daicos with his head rearranged it would have been a full pile on from the Pies.

Gutless Christian, really weak.  If you want to stop Pickett doing stupid things, then punish him appropriately.  One week?  F off you idiot.

Two weeks would have been reduced to one as per Jack Martin.

I reckon we should go back to the system where previous suspensions/reports contributed to the penalty.  Second offence = double penalty.

They squealed like piglets over Maynard, then played the man very next gamr  Zero respect for that mob.  None.

Sparrow should have got 2-3 weeks for slamming Walsh head first into the boundary fence, the AFL want to protect the head but that must apply only when you are in play. It was a really dangerous act and even Sparrow looked shocked at what he had done afterwards. The whole MRP needs an overhaul and the penalty system simplified...our blokes should have sorted Sparrow out as well, if that was Nick Daicos with his head rearranged it would have been a full pile on from the Pies.

The umpire blew the whistle for a free kick to us, hence the probable no remonstration or over remonstration to it. Someone got in his face, can't remember who. He certainly should have been on the books for that. Just unnecessary stuff. It's okay to be intense and in your face in a big match. But it's not alright to endanger a player and especially their head through what's on the side of the boundary line.

Interesting that the Go Dees ended up with 4 MRO citings after last night's game. 2 for Pickett and 1 each for Sparrow and Viney.

Interesting that we finished with both Kemp and Gov at deep forward when Acres kicked the last. Another one of Voss's scenarios similar to Martin on the last line the week before.
Salem is another dog who" tested" Acres shoulder while he was lying on the ground in the first quarter.

The sling into the fence and whatever Viney did on the side opposite the camera (sly elbow?)  were also pretty average Thry.  Lot of high, late, scruffy.....and totally unnecessary stuff.

Same goes for Sparrow. A couple of unnecessary overzealous acts over the boundary. They played like thugs with their backs against the wall. We, on the other hand played what was in front of us. The ball 🙄

It's a true reflection of the effectiveness of our coaching and leadership. Dare I say it, it reflects a strong culture.

Same goes for Sparrow. A couple of unnecessary overzealous acts over the boundary. They played like thugs with their backs against the wall. We, on the other hand played what was in front of us. The ball 🙄

It's a true reflection of the effectiveness of our coaching and leadership. Dare I say it, it reflects a strong culture.

They couldn't beat us up and stop us within the rules so they were getting frustrated and trying to beat us up outside of them.

Still couldn't rattle us.

Vossy have got the team humming along nicely. Not much could phase us at the moment.

They flirted the line and played semi dirty I'm all ok it was a final.

They were extremely unsociable and hard at it and unlucky not to win it in the end.

The character and confidence of our team is at stratospheric levels and Brisbane should know that playing unsociable football doesn't work with this group.

From the replay:
- Pitto played a ripper, shame he wasn't ready to be unopposed
- TDK did what he's almost done for several weeks
- our boys didn't complain despite getting scragged
- umpiring was good
- Fogarty has a couple of special moments (i.e. sidestep, kick i50)
- Kemp has had the steepest improvement
- our defence is synergistic
- we trust each other, we're tough
- Double dee-fence kept Charlie quiet (did he get a free?)
- Bluebaggers are the best

first time post - walked this path many times over the years (first Blues memory 68 grand final)
as much as it sounds painful - there is an old saying a half fit so and so is better than a fully fit so and so.
l have seen this happen many times with all AFL clubs only to pay the consequences.
there are some banged up boys right now who will be going into next week game not fully fit - anyone had a broken nose or a dislocated shoulder (l can see Zorko lining up Patty Cripps nose) l don't think a jab will rectify .
should the board go completely left field and rest them and play a fully fit team -  or run the risk of a 60 point lose next week.
l don't know.

I think a Cripps with a broken nose and a mattress around his ribs, an Acres with half a collarbone, a Doc with a popping out shoulder etc etc is more than what we have to come in.  You cannot take those 3 out for those reasons, maybe Acres as he was holding his arm up and it is obvs paining him immensely, but you’re taking out one of our very best who has played with the condition - Under extreme heat, and done magnificently. I would say absolutely not.

I think a Cripps with a broken nose and a mattress around his ribs, an Acres with half a collarbone, a Doc with a popping out shoulder etc etc is more than what we have to come in.  You cannot take those 3 out for those reasons, maybe Acres as he was holding his arm up and it is obvs paining him immensely, but you’re taking out one of our very best who has played with the condition - Under extreme heat, and done magnificently. I would say absolutely not.

Just adding to the above, Weitering was talked about with potential concussion, but apparantly he was punched in the throat, so thats ok. However, i noticed at the game, and it was also mentioned in the presser after the game, that he had an issue with his hand/finger.
He was in pain, trying to do something to his hand, but stayed out there. Some speculation it could be a broken finger. I reckon it could have been a dislocation. IIRC he dislocated one in the past month or 2.
Bit of the walking wounded, but all those guys - Weitering (hollands) Docherty and Acres were the guys involved in the turnover, (transition) goal assist and goal to win us the game.
Our boys have guts and determination and a never say die attitude. Combine that with our natural talent.....and thats a very dangerous combination.......for opposition teams.

Max wasn't his usual jovial self at the end of the game, got shoved around by Pittonet all night, missed some sitters then did his best Maradona impersonation to wind up what was a dirty night.

The Pitto/TDK tag team really nullified Gawn with TDK also making a massive contribution on the forward line.

A lot said about gawn touching that Oliver effort for goal.  I reckon Kemp had a finger on it. 

You have to laugh.

Some Melbourne folk are having a big whinge because our players didn't go off under concussion protocols.

Here's a tip. ;)
If you want the concussion protocols applied then you have to make your 'dirty' whacks more effective. ::)

How stiff was Marchbank to be penalised for a near perfect tackle on Smith?

Smith bent his knees and dropped his shoulder in the best Joel Selwood style and Marchy’s arm just crept over the top of his shoulder.

“BALL!”

How stiff was Marchbank to be penalised for a near perfect tackle on Smith?

Smith bent his knees and dropped his shoulder in the best Joel Selwood style and Marchy’s arm just crept over the top of his shoulder.

“BALL!”

The over the shoulder for the second goal on kosi pickett was not really there either.  He did a ginnivan to draw that and langdon scored with docherty taking his eye off the ball when the whistle went.

They got a bit of charity in front of goal and were allowed to get away with scragging all game.

A lot said about gawn touching that Oliver effort for goal.  I reckon Kemp had a finger on it. 

Kemp touched it first and Gawn deflected it.  One point even if Gawn had got his mitt down.

Kemp touched it first and Gawn deflected it.  One point even if Gawn had got his mitt down.

Certainly, but there was a chance that had gawn not touched it, the ump may have made the soft call of a goal and potentially insufficient evidence to overturn it.
Gawn guaranteed it.

What a great time for my computer to have a malfunction and have no internet access, finally got back online this morning.

I'm still at a loss to understand how we pinched it but I'm bloody ecstatic we did, my heart specialist was on speed dial for those last 5-7mins.

Acres grubber goal from the square nearly hit the post, he should have run in closer so he didn't give me such a big scare.

Anyways, Pickett should be reported twice and given suspensions for both, dirty little screwing sniper !!

Melbourne tried to bash us into submission early, they were as physical as they could be plus where possible, attacked our players who were carrying niggles. Twice they grabbed or pushed on Acre's dodgy shoulder and Cripps got a few whacks across the kidneys & ribs too.

Weitering was in the horrors early but lifted his game immensely after 1/4 time.

Curnow was double-teamed, scragged & unfairly held or blocked for the vast majority of the game yet received no free kicks from the umpires, it was extremely frustrating to watch. I felt he had given up in the last quarter, his head had dropped, there were no second efforts and his facial expressions were that of a beaten man. He needs a big lift next week and hopefully kick a bag.

Probably TDK's best game for the club, kicked accurately too which totally surprised me.

Just hope our players aren't too physically wrecked after that game and the Lions, with the benefit of the week's rest, are able to run all over us.

Forgot to say, our entry into the forward 50 was appalling all night, we made it very hard for ourselves and played into May's hands as a result.

Vossy & Co need to address that issue and properly, Lions are beatable if we are on song.

Forgot to say, our entry into the forward 50 was appalling all night, we made it very hard for ourselves and played into May's hands as a result.

Vossy & Co need to address that issue and properly, Lions are beatable if we are on song.

I don't think so.

Lever and Tomlinson didn't really have to worry about opponents for much of the game and that allowed them to double and triple team Charlie and intercept at will.  Later in the game, May was able to take advantage of that and mark nearly everything that came his way.  It would have been a very different story with Harry and either of the Jacks in our forward line.

Many of our kicks into the forward 50 were precise and gave our forwards every opportunity; you couldn't get much better than Cripps to De Koning, Newman to Motlop, Cerra to Kennedy for Walsh to goal, Fogarty to Curnow, Cripps to Kennedy, Marchbank to Acres, Kennedy to Owies and Docherty to Acres. 

Melbourne had five goal assists to our ten and three of those five were handpasses.  Most of Melbourne's goals came from kicks to contests and scrambling ground ball gets.

I have watched the last couple of minutes several times now - and with all of the different commentaries  :)  - and Weitering's decision to go across the ground to Hollands is critical.  Earlier in the season, I'm sure that Weitering would have gone down the line where Gawn and a couple of his buddies had an outnumber.  They win possession and it's game over.

Hollands could have gone down the corridor where Melbourne again had an outnumber.  The kick to Docherty left the Melbourne players out of position and out of gas.  Fritsch was able to go with McGovern but Acres had burnt off his opponent.  Kemp's opponent was nowhere to be seen and De Koning was free too.

And speaking of De Koning, how good was he to gather that ground ball and kick it to Kennedy for the last score?

It was a scrappy game with both sides making uncharacteristic errors, but that's the pressure of a close-fought final.

A final word about Sammy Walsh.  His form has been building all season after a relatively slow start but he took it to another level on Friday night with one of the best all round performances I have seen.  That is why there's really no comparison between him and Butters and Rozee.  Sure, they're good players, but they couldn't get close to what Sammy produced on Friday night.  

How stiff was Marchbank to be penalised for a near perfect tackle on Smith?

Smith bent his knees and dropped his shoulder in the best Joel Selwood style and Marchy’s arm just crept over the top of his shoulder.

“BALL!”

The commentators were unanimous too. Saying it was a bloody free kick. Joel Smith learning from his namesake, Selwood or something. Richo and BT having forward player bias or something? WTF???

Pickett was responsible for a lot of that dog act stuff and our players did well to stay disciplined, when you look back at the undisciplined stuff Melb did it probably cost them 3-4 goals and the match. Gawn will get the blame for touching that ball through that should have been a goal and losing Melb the game but it was Pickett imo who cost them the game with some of his early dirty work and justice was done.

Pickett wanted to be the hero when he had that low percentage shot on goal which hit the post in the last, Petracca was screaming for it and there were 2 Melbourne players running towards goal 20m  free.......selfish act.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2023-news-afl360-dermott-brereton-questions-melbourne-demons-max-gawn-brayden-maynard-hit-on-angus-brayshaw-semi-final-against-carlton-blues/news-story/4a1fce93b5cf98aab804dde8ff0f4ad6

Now we know why the Dees decided to be so physical in that first quarter.

Melbourne's issue for a long while has been bad kicking for goal. The rest of their game is in pretty good order. Nothing to do with toughness. They should be smart enough not to be baited by Dermie's nonsense, but it seems not.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/1432284/afl-sf-sounds-of-acres-match-winning-goal?videoId=1432284&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1694837062001&fbclid=IwAR0-tuX0lJ6LtFX3tyFvKtyHIHxaE_NTV_eVh02JuAn_oM1zNqgdN-tlK4Y

OMG, goosebumps for the entire 4 mins.

If you were not at the game and just watching on TV, the highlights just do not do that moment justice.
x100 times and your getting close

From where i was sitting, Q24, Doc's mark looked way more difficult than it was as the Melbourne player looked to be in front of him, and I thought oh no Melbourne was going to mark it or it would be a spoil and possibly a ball up.
It was such a superbly jugged mark.

The decision to include Josh Schache as the sub after only two senior games this season appeared to backfire when the former Bulldog was not used, with Carlton sub Ollie Hollands making a significant impact with his outside run when he entered the game in the final quarter.

Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon described the call as “curious” while Jordan Lewis suggested Schache had potentially been included as injury cover for Max Gawn.

Goodwin confirmed as much post-game, telling reporters his inclusion had been necessary to cover for Gawn, who he confirmed had broken his big toe in the qualifying final.

“(Gawn) was never in doubt, he trained fully, but when you take one ruckman in … he had a broken big toe, but it was something he trained with all week and played with tonight,” he said.

“We just needed some coverage with our talls to make sure we could get through the game.”

The coach said he would meet with Brodie Grundy next week for a “really good conversation” about his impending departure from the club, while he said the Demons would again look at attracting players from other clubs to improve their list.

Gotta love Goodwin and his off the beam selection ideas, thanks Simon, enjoy the off-season now.

Gotta love Goodwin and his off the beam selection ideas, thanks Simon, enjoy the off-season now.

That was a shocking decision making Schache the sub and Goodwin really has lost the plot recently with some of his strategies and ideas. Recruiting Grundy has been another disaster and I cant see Goodwin lasting if he continues with these contrarian ideas.

If Grundy played they probably would have beat us. Gawn was broken last week and we finished him off.

Listening to Goodwin's press conference, Gawn had a broken toe and Van Rooyen was suspended, so the idea with Schache was to provide coverage just in case Gawn or another tall couldn't last the game. There must be a bit of rolling the dice no matter who ends up as the sub. It doesn't sound like an unreasonable decision IMO. They were clearly conscious of going too tall to begin with, but I think their real issues lie elsewhere.

Listening to Goodwin's press conference, Gawn had a broken toe and Van Rooyen was suspended, so the idea with Schache was to provide coverage just in case Gawn or another tall couldn't last the game. There must be a bit of rolling the dice no matter who ends up as the sub. It doesn't sound like an unreasonable decision IMO. They were clearly conscious of going too tall to begin with, but I think their real issues lie elsewhere.

Thats a flaw in logic.

You get the coverage in the team first. Use that to give Gawn a chopout and if everything is going to plan, then you simply sub out a tall for extra run late.
You do NOT do it the other way.
What happens if you get an injury to a small early on....then you are extra tall with no relief in site.

I'm not a fan of 2 rucks (and 2 key forwards) but i'd still pick that every day of the week instead of 1 ruck, 2 key forwards and a tall as the sub....thats stupidity.

Sorry, it is long and behind a paywall, but well worth the read!!

Craig O'Donoghue - Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, Blake Acres and Sam Docherty prove what real toughness is about: thewest.com.au/sport/afl/crai…

There’s a massive difference between acting tough and being tough when it comes to playing Australian Rules football.

Carlton  wingman Blake Acres, captain Patrick Cripps and former skipper Sam  Docherty produced shining examples of what real footy toughness is  during Friday night’s cut throat semi final win over Melbourne at the  MCG as too many Demons wasted time being fake tough.

Acres  is playing with a shoulder injury, everyone knows it and everyone knows  he’s in pain. But by playing tough footy, he made himself a Carlton  hero.

When  Lachie Hunter tackled him to the ground early in the first quarter,  Acres landed on his shoulder and it was obvious that it hurt. But he got  back up.

Less  than 40 seconds later, Adam Tomlinson shoved Acres into the path of  Christian Salem. The Blue lost his balance and crashed to the turf. He  was visibly shaken. But he got back up.

Alex  Neal-Bullen tried to rattle Acres by constantly bumping, nudging or  pushing him in the shoulder. But Acres kept focusing on the footy.

And  with one minute and 52 seconds left in the game, Acres made a crucial  decision to run back with the flight of the ball and jump into Jake  Lever’s path to deny the Demon the chance to attempt an intercept mark.  Carlton trailed by five points and that ball simply had to come to  ground.

Acres  didn’t have to put his injured body on the line. Nobody would have  noticed if he’d jogged to be front and square instead of pushing harder  to get to that contest. But he chose to put his body on the line for  very little reward. That’s real toughness.

“Premierships aren’t won by acting tough. Premierships are won by being tough.  Melbourne should spend the summer remembering that.”

Then  he drifted forward the goal square where he marked a kick from Docherty  and kicked the match winning goal. Docherty’s toughness was amazing. He  dislocated his left shoulder shortly before half-time but got up and  played out the game. Without Docherty and Acres, the Blues wouldn’t have  won.

That’s courage. That’s being footy tough.

What’s  not being footy tough is Kysaiah Pickett jumper punching Mitch McGovern  in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Joel Smith had just taken a  mark and was lining up for goal from about 25m out on a slight angle. 

Remember, Melbourne lost by two points. The umpire reversed the kick,  costing the Dees that crucial shot for goal.

Pickett received a $1500 fine for that bit of fake toughness He’s lucky that wasn’t a suspension. But he wasn’t done. Pickett also chose to bump Cripps to the head in the second term.

He  didn’t need to make contact, but he couldn’t help himself. Everyone  knew Cripps was carrying sore ribs and that made him a target. Cripps  left the field under the blood rule but returned and had 27 possessions,  nine clearances and six tackles. That’s real toughness.

Pickett has been offered a one-match ban for his fake toughness on the Carlton captain.

It’s  not the first time Pickett has tried to be fake tough this year. He  launched himself like a missile into Bailey Smith in the opening round  in a horrible example of what the AFL is trying to stamp out of the  game.

He copped a two-game ban for that. It could have been more. Clearly he didn’t learn his lesson.

Tom  Sparrow decided to be fake tough too late on Friday night too. With  4:53 remaining and Melbourne leading by three points, Sparrow shoved  Adam Cerra to ground as he crossed the boundary line.

It wasn’t necessary but also wasn’t a free kick, which led to Sam Walsh confronting him.

Sparrow’s response was to grab Walsh by the jumper and throw him head-first into the fence. That’s fake tough.

Melbourne should have been setting up for a boundary throw in where Max Gawn could have exerted his authority over the contest. Instead, Walsh took the free kick and the Blues went forward. The AFL has fined Sparrow for that incident and he should be extremely thankful he’s not missing round one.

Any D-Grade suburban footballer can hand out jumper punches, late high bumps or throw someone into a fence. Fake toughness is everywhere at that level. More is expected when you’re playing in an AFL final.

Without disrespecting Acres, he wasn’t known as one of the AFL’s hard men at St Kilda or Fremantle. But he’s ignored pain and injury to kick the winning goals in consecutive finals for Carlton. He’s become a navy Blue hero. No matter what else he achieves in his career, he’ll now be lauded for being tough.

Finals bravado often leads to fake toughness. But it rarely works.

Premierships aren’t won by acting tough. Premierships are won by being tough.

Melbourne should spend the summer remembering that.

The 'Sherriff' is off to clean up Brisvegas this weekend :D

https://www.facebook.com/reel/851709433197229

The 'Sherriff' is off to clean up Brisvegas this weekend :D
https://www.facebook.com/reel/851709433197229

Anyone know what the "Sheriff" is in reference to?

Anyone know what the "Sheriff" is in reference to?

It's from his Fremantle days.
He went to Rory Lobb's western themed birthday party dressed as a sherriff.
The name stuck.

It's from his Fremantle days.
He went to Rory Lobb's western themed birthday party dressed as a sherriff.
The name stuck.

I’m impressed that you know that Lods … but also just a little concerned 🙂

I’m impressed that you know that Lods … but also just a little concerned 🙂

Nothing sinister. ;)
I wondered about it myself...so I looked it up. :)

https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1145853/how-acres-became-freos-sherriff

It seems the "Sherriff" got a bit carried away with his role. ;D

Check 1:50 to go, Cripps kicks a looper into the forward line. Acres with a bung shoulder goes front on to Lever and gets poleaxed for about the 15th time.  50 secs later, with bung shoulder, takes a saving mark and kicks the winning goal. Don't tell me that won't be on high rotation at the review. Courage wins finals, snipers don't.

After Doc took the contested mark, with a bung shoulder, to get the fowrard entry........ just fckn amazing!!!

I'm with Shawny. Footy is so much easier when you're s-hit...haha.

ive never felt so nervous before a game - felt bl00dy silly, not as if i was playing or anything.  but, you could sense it, in the ground, in all the bars pre-match, all baggers supporters were on their toes and edgy.  even during the match, it was too close to enjoy the whole 2nd half (except after the Blacres goal, when all the tension was released).  

a mate i was going to meet up with in one of the bars, after the match, was a no-show.  he msgd me to tell me he just had to go home and have some quiet time, as he was emotionally cooked

Another that just has my full respect is Saad, it’s so rare he stuffs it up and his kicks are usually razor perfect 👌🏼

He is so clean.  In a match where everyone was fumbling and the pressure was huge, he was so sure every time he went near it

Nothing sinister. ;)
I wondered about it myself...so I looked it up. :)

https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1145853/how-acres-became-freos-sherriff

It seems the "Sherriff" got a bit carried away with his role. ;D

Concerned that you know Lods 😇

Great that we won but my concern we won because melbourne didnt take there multiple chances ,feeling i have is that melb lost it and we didnt win it . Our game plan style needs to change for any chance against lions.

They has 1 more inside 50. Harry would have made a big difference.

Great that we won but my concern we won because melbourne didnt take there multiple chances ,feeling i have is that melb lost it and we didnt win it…………….

I tend to agree.

Great that we won but my concern we won because melbourne didnt take there multiple chances ,feeling i have is that melb lost it and we didnt win it . Our game plan style needs to change for any chance against lions.

We've won 11 out of the last 12 with that game plan.  It's not changing.

Both defences were on top but we won because our forward structures and transition stood up better.  We had 52 inside 50s to their 53 but 10 goal assists to their seven.  As a result, we got better looks at goal and made the most of them.

With Harry and Jack Martin back in our forward line, we get more scoring options and Brisbane's defence will be stretched.

Melbourne had 1 more I50, 1 more mark I50, and 8 more scoring shots, and lost by 2 points. They took more marks, more marks I50, and more contested marks. Their kicking for goal is a real problem.

We had 7 more free kicks, lost the clearances, and had 10 more turnovers. Even Voss was surprised we won.

Melbourne had 1 more I50, 1 more mark I50, and 8 more scoring shots, and lost by 2 points. They took more marks, more marks I50, and more contested marks. Their kicking for goal is a real problem.

We had 7 more free kicks, lost the clearances, and had 10 more turnovers. Even Voss was surprised we won.

It's not their kicking for goal.  It's how they got the ball inside 50, where they took their shots from, their chains of possession and the pressure that we applied.  64 tackles to 49 explains the free kick discrepancy and the perceived pressure arising from that contributes to poor disposal efficiency; we had 15 more effective disposals.  We dominated the centre clearances and that has been our main avenue to goal all season. 

We had more rebound 50s, more bounces and we gained 200 metres more than Melbourne.  Our run and carry was effective and critical.

Then there's team selection and tactics.  Hollands gave us a lift when he came on but why on earth did Melbourne have Schache as sub, and then not use him? Pitto and the King negated Gawn and Grundy in round 22 but Melbourne went with just Gawn and opted to not contest hit outs (we should have capitalised on that), and Gawn had a broken toe.  Gawn's frustration with Pitto and the King became more obvious as the game progressed and his influence waned.  Melbourne's focus on the man and their ill-discipined acts cost them scoring opportunities and created opportunities for us.  Finally, our close game scenario planning paid off - lessons learnt from last season and perfected this season.

Melbourne had 1 more I50, 1 more mark I50, and 8 more scoring shots, and lost by 2 points. They took more marks, more marks I50, and more contested marks. Their kicking for goal is a real problem.

We had 7 more free kicks, lost the clearances, and had 10 more turnovers. Even Voss was surprised we won.

you missed the part where the first 2 demons goals came from soft frees directly in front and they probably infringed more frequently with faux thuggery.

Last qtr of biased Blues Radio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5qGEF0ibE4

It's not their kicking for goal.  It's how they got the ball inside 50, where they took their shots from, their chains of possession and the pressure that we applied.  64 tackles to 49 explains the free kick discrepancy and the perceived pressure arising from that contributes to poor disposal efficiency; we had 15 more effective disposals.  We dominated the centre clearances and that has been our main avenue to goal all season. 

We had more rebound 50s, more bounces and we gained 200 metres more than Melbourne.  Our run and carry was effective and critical.

Then there's team selection and tactics.  Hollands gave us a lift when he came on but why on earth did Melbourne have Schache as sub, and then not use him? Pitto and the King negated Gawn and Grundy in round 22 but Melbourne went with just Gawn and opted to not contest hit outs (we should have capitalised on that), and Gawn had a broken toe.  Gawn's frustration with Pitto and the King became more obvious as the game progressed and his influence waned.  Melbourne's focus on the man and their ill-discipined acts cost them scoring opportunities and created opportunities for us.  Finally, our close game scenario planning paid off - lessons learnt from last season and perfected this season.

Leaving aside the sub issue, I guess you and I see the game differently. I'm not sure you can retroject a victor's narrative into that game, and bring all positive outcomes back into the agency of players and coaches. There are so many variables in football, that sometimes the better team doesn't win. I'm not sure why this would be considered unacceptable. I'm not suggesting we were blown out of the water. We played well, but Melbourne were better IMO, but we had some luck. And there's nothing wrong with that. It happens. Even Voss seemed surprised by the win.

Melbourne had 1 more I50, 1 more mark I50, and 8 more scoring shots, and lost by 2 points. They took more marks, more marks I50, and more contested marks. Their kicking for goal is a real problem.

We had 7 more free kicks, lost the clearances, and had 10 more turnovers. Even Voss was surprised we won.

Look at the shots that missed, and look where the majority of them came from. Wide, on an angle. Low % shots.
Yes, they missed a couple of sitters, but so did Harry last week. It happens.

If we control the corridor, we force poor converting at goal, and thats exactly what we do.

Just as an aside Pauly, i've noticed you seem to be overly negative of late. Its creeping into a lot of your posting and it seems out of the ordinary. Everything ok?

Hopefully Paul is fine.
I think what we're seeing is just a difference in supporter approaches.

It's the glass half full/empty phenomenon.
We're all stoked that we're still in it.
For some, the lid is well and truly off and they can't see 'where we'll lose a game'.
They look at the games ahead and think 'Why not!'.

For others, the lid is still on but there's a sign of movement ;)
They look at where we've come from, the injuries to significant players (some held together by masking tape) and wonder whether we can drag ourselves over the finish line.

Some of the stats are against us to the point where we've won against the odds.
So 'luck' is playing a huge part.

Effort, luck and durability will all play a part.
Effort is about the only thing we can control.
Have no doubt that if we win this from the position we were at half way through the season it may very well be the best flag ever...and that's saying something.

We get two vital players back who straighten us up. If we "play our way" as its called these days, we are every chance to be able t beat Bris. Charlie is due for a big one, we all know he can absolutely turn a game on its head even against top defences.
Senior players like Cripps, Doc etc can literally reach out and touch a GF appearance, don't underestimate the power of that. The pressure is ALL on Bris, for us its a free hit. I'm not kidding myself, a hell of a lot has to go right for us and we cannot afford even one injury. But we dare to dream and daring they must be.
Go Blues.

And just in case you didn't believe, this should get the blood pumping

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/1434926/anythings-possible-afl360s-epic-semi-final-montage-fox?videoId=1434926&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1695072880001

Hopefully Paul is fine.
I think what we're seeing is just a difference in supporter approaches.

It's the glass half full/empty phenomenon.
We're all stoked that we're still in it.
For some, the lid is well and truly off and they can't see 'where we'll lose a game'.
They look at the games ahead and think 'Why not!'.

For others, the lid is still on but there's a sign of movement ;)
They look at where we've come from, the injuries to significant players (some held together by masking tape) and wonder whether we can drag ourselves over the finish line.

Some of the stats are against us to the point where we've won against the odds.
So 'luck' is playing a huge part.

Effort, luck and durability will all play a part.
Effort is about the only thing we can control.
Have no doubt that if we win this from the position we were at half way through the season it may very well be the best flag ever...and that's saying something.

In euro 2004, I gave Greece 0 chance of winning against most of their opposition who were better credentialled, better manned, and in better health heading into each and every single game they played.

Thing is, the national team hit a vein of form that was unlikely to be repeated both in qualifying and at the major tournament proper, which resulted in seeing them lift a trophy by any sense of the imagination they had no business lifting against a much more fancied opponent on their own deck no less. 

Once you are in finals, all bets are off, what should and shouldnt happen is up to fate, and luck will have some bearing on how this all plays out.

Thing is, pressure can do funny things to a team.  Our boys have choked under pressure over the past 24 months but less so in the past 12 weeks, and have shown an ability to lift beyond that, and whilst the pressure is not on us at the moment, the teams we are playing against are pressuring us, and we are standing up.

They are not exactly thriving under pressure either.  Collingwood have not had a good 8 weeks.  Brisbane are showing scintillating form, but have had minimal adversity to play through, so if things do happen to go against them, how will they cope?

No one knows.  We are here in a prelim, for the first time in what is effectively my adult lifetime (I turned 18 in 2000).  We have a pretty good record at turning finals appearances into flags from an efficiency perspective, and the weight of expectations do more to work in our favour than not.

Of our finals opponents, I think we have shown the least capability of being an accomplished premiership winning outfit, even at our scintillating best, and we are about 2 notches below that currently, but with sport, you just never know.  For me, I am enjoying the ride, looking at it one contest at a time, and hoping for the best knowing at the back of my mind that irrespective of what happens, from here, the best performing team will win the flag. 

We are giving it a red hot go, and our window has been smashed open this season so enjoy the next few years as we are in that frame. 

Thanks to those who have enquired after my emotional well being. Apart from fairly self evident, big ticket issues which should be of concern to any sane person, I’m fine.

I consider my assessment of the game to be fair and balanced, and free of any Navy Blue bias. At any rate, I don’t want to put a dampener on the euphoria that is clearly sweeping through the supporter base, so I’ll leave it at that.

@PaulP Its an opinion based forum we are on.  All im saying is get excited.  We have no guarantees, and enjoy the ride.  We might be a bit flat next week, but we can consider season 2023 a raging success either way!

No hard feelings at all from me mate!   Everyone Navy is ok in my book (with the odd exception for rather personal reasons). 

We weren't expected to win in 99 against the cheats.
The Cheats also weren't expected to win in 93.
There are heaps of examples like this.
Just freshen up and then go out and do your best leaving nothing on the table.
That's all we ask.
Apart from their win over Port all their games have been close, so they are not dominating.

Go Blues

Supporters come in all shapes and sizes.
We should never tell another supporter how to support (unless it's complete whacko behaviour) because it's a very individual experience and it all stems from a deep passion and love for a club.

I'm probably closer to Paul at the moment in expectations.
But that's not to be critical of anyone who is riding the success.
My ride is just a little more cautious, a little more subdued.
It's like the bloke sitting quietly, knuckles turning white with the nerves, as he grips his seat, while the bloke alongside is screaming his head off and jumping up and down.

Half way through the last quarter on Friday I was thinking we were probably done, but what a good effort to get as far as we had.
Fifteen minutes later and it was a totally different experience...but I doubt I felt the euphoria any less than those who had had 'kept the faith' all the way through.
In some respects it may have even been greater, because it was unexpected.

Brisbane will be tough.
I'm not confident....but "while there's life, there's hope."

Omen of the week
Everytime Argentina has won a world cup, Carlton has won a premiership the year after:
1978 Arg
1979 Car

1986 Arg
1987 Car

2022 Arg
2023 ?

I'm suddenly enjoying looking at the away guernsey.  8)

Thanks to those who have enquired after my emotional well being. Apart from fairly self evident, big ticket issues which should be of concern to any sane person, I’m fine.

I consider my assessment of the game to be fair and balanced, and free of any Navy Blue bias. At any rate, I don’t want to put a dampener on the euphoria that is clearly sweeping through the supporter base, so I’ll leave it at that.

Wasn't meant to offend.

Wasn't directed at one post, but a pattern over....well....weeks.
Seemed out of character.
*shrugs*

well game forgotten already got lions on my mind

Lions are heavy favourites.

Hopefully they let it go to their heads and our boys do what they do and grind out a contest and get our noses in front at the final siren

Clarrie Oliver has gone up in my estimation.  He could have drawn Crippa’s bleeding nose to an umpire’s attention and got him sent off under the blood rule.  Instead, he alerted Crippa to his nose bleed and that enabled him to wipe the blood away and stay on the park and in the contest.

Analysis of the game has been done to death now and there’s general consensus that we won because Melbourne’s team selection was flawed, their tactics and coaching were poor, and the team was Ill-disciplined.  Nothing about poor kicking for goal.

Nothing about poor kicking for goal.

I don't think the goal kicking impacted the result, it's easy to make that claim but fans forget after every behind you get the opportunity to lock the footy in your F50 and if you don't you can't complain about the miss.

Making claims about the overall result based on behinds is flawed.

Despite Melbourne making lots of F50 entries we routinely took the footy beyond the wing even though Gawn was camped behind the ball, he just can't be everywhere and where he wasn't we either had TDK or Charlie competing and I thought we did OK at stopping the Melbourne turnovers from hurting us. I think Melbourne made two mistakes, only playing Gawn against TDK and Pitto was the first, and the second was leaving McDonald deep in F50 when he could have been further up the ground. Maybe McDonald wasn't match fit enough and that compounded the problems. The net result was May and Lever had to get further out of our F50 than was comfortable for them and they failed several times to get back, it was a structural flaw.

In those final minutes, when we saw McGovern, Kemp, Acres and TDK deep in our F50, according to Doc on 360 that was a drill, so it seems in that moment Voss outcoached Goodwin. You have to win finals, and Voss placed a winning bet!

We had more scoring shots against Collingwood when we lost to them this year.

Collingwood had more scoring shots than us when we beat them last time out.

So many times in the past decade we've had games in which we bombed the ball to the goal square form +60m out only to see it rushed over the line and carried away to the other end, something we complained about over and over again as a losing tactic, our fans should be cognisant of that when they discuss goals and behinds.

Then go back and watch Melbourne repeatedly bombing the ball to the top of the square for Gawn, Smith, McDonald, Pickett or all four to launch against each other, and compare that to our last 90s of the game!

Think about our early season, when Charlie, Harry and SoJ flew against each other, the continual calls for them to create space!

Surely the analogy is strong enough for fans to understand.

Goals to Behinds is more often than not largely irrelevant, it's how it happens that matters.

Incredible! From here on in, there's no pressure on us. At all. The expectations, starting last night, were on Melbourne, who most tipped to win. Now a first preliminary final since 2000! OMG!
To some comments on some players now. Walsh, you legend. How your absence has been noticed this year. Splendid to have you back champ. Stood up and stood out in only his second final, set the ground on fire. Next captain in waiting material.
Acres, thank you mate. An absolute keeper, not just recycled junkyard trash filling in a spot. Runs hard everywhere and once again, won the match! One thing I'll say is, breathe mate, don't rush the thing in the dying stages. The game could still have been stolen back off us. Perhaps he was more comfortable with instinct and not overthinking set shot goals. Hmm.
Docherty. Heart and soul champion. Courageous stuff to play on with that shoulder. So unlucky with those injury problems. Provided dash and long, direct kicking and metres gained play.
Motlop. You little beauty mate. Tackling, chasing and two very important, clever goals. He belongs in the 22. Growth still to come. What a time to play that sort of a game.
Newman. The everywhere man. A finals-hardened player. Has been a little bit off with some clangers this finals series, but can't fault his effort and ability to find and win the ball, both in the clinches and in the spaces.
McGovern. I don't recall who he was on, but won more than his share of the ball and had an overwhelming kick-to-handball ratio. Why not either? A trusty kicker, kicked out almost entirely after their 17 behinds and seemed faultless at it. He was also in the contest when Acres took the match winning mark and goal. He will get his turn too, he knows where the goals are.
TDK. Good lord. What a player he is becoming. When he hangs on to his marks, he can fly and take some speccies. Took them all around the ground. He was an excellent and important presence forward. Those two marks and two goals from set shots, he provided a foil for the Melbourne defence and took pressure off Charlie, who was soundly beaten by May. He was a forward as a junior too and I reckon this is the start of a presence we'll see down there. He'll improve as a forward, just as much as a ruck. More to come. Very well done to nail those set shots.
Pittonet. Gave Gawn a real headache as a defensive ruck running with him.

(This was the review I wrote, I found it in my draft post section)!

It's worth reliving the last two minutes as seen by different commentators:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVqFmbHWCbw

Pleased to see Luke Darcy actually chuffed by the way that unfolded.  I get the idea he was just happy with the way that played out and would have the same look on his face irrespective of what happened.

We know he isnt a blues fan generally, so perhaps he just dislikes Melbourne more.

Reckon Dunstall is a bit harsh on Jack Viney there.  Its not as if that play was wide open and he had plenty of options, and he scrubbed the kick.   Talking about inches, from what I saw, all he had to do was get it over Weiters, and they probably would have gone on to win the game from there.

Pleased to see Luke Darcy actually chuffed by the way that unfolded.  I get the idea he was just happy with the way that played out and would have the same look on his face irrespective of what happened.

We know he isnt a blues fan generally, so perhaps he just dislikes Melbourne more.

Reckon Dunstall is a bit harsh on Jack Viney there.  Its not as if that play was wide open and he had plenty of options, and he scrubbed the kick.   Talking about inches, from what I saw, all he had to do was get it over Weiters, and they probably would have gone on to win the game from there.

I think that the anti-Carlton bias attributed to Darcy and other commentators is largely a supporters’ concoction.  Most commentators love the game and appreciate good footy regardless of which teams are involved.

For example:

"Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy has irked some neutral AFL fans after being accused of hyping up Carlton during commentary amid the Lions' remarkable comeback win. The Blues kicked the preliminary final's opening five goals to shock the Gabba faithful in the first quarter but managed just four more in an 11.13 (79) to 9.9 (63) Lions win.

Collingwood await the Lions at the MCG next Saturday in a battle of the regular season's top two teams. However, viewers watching the Channel 7 broadcast became incensed after accusing commentator Darcy of 'barracking' for the Melbourne-based club."

I think that the anti-Carlton bias attributed to Darcy and other commentators is largely a supporters’ concoction.  Most commentators love the game and appreciate good footy regardless of which teams are involved.

Tend to agree.
Except BT ;)
But the feeling is mutual. :D

Cornes just does it to get a rise.

Tend to agree.
Except BT ;)
But the feeling is mutual. :D

Cornes just does it to get a rise.

Cornes is OK when he’s serious.  I think it depends on who he’s working with.

BT adopts another persona when he picks up a microphone; Mr Hyde!

There is a compilation of different broadcasters describing the last two minutes but I can’t find it.  Andy Maher was hysterical - literally.  Daisy’s reaction was uninhabited too 🙂

I'm not sure if it's safe to attribute the behaviour in the moment with other agendas, one set of events are based on reflex while the other behaviours are a long term tactic.

It's a bit like claiming the AFL do not view Soccer as a competitor just because there is footage of Gloc going ape watching the Matildas!

Worth reliving ... again   :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sjFBx93vfo