Yes we have been bundled out - so I have zero care who wins.
So disappointed in this year.
To be second on the ladder to being so terrible is unacceptable.
Regardless - I don’t have a soft spot for anyone left and will be tuning out of the finals series now 👋🏼
But do you have someone and why?
I wouldn't mind seeing GWS winning a 1st. I'd much rather not see Geelong or Hawthorn win again this year.
Yep. Gws all the way. I'd be ok with port winning a flag too.
Hate the rest. Brisbane are a club I'd be ok winning a flag, but geez some of their players are hard to like.
Sydney
If Hawthorn make it to the GF, I'd back them against the remaining teams.
I reckon they're all pretty average....which makes our drop-off even more disappointing.
All have their issues, except Hawthorn...whose only issue seems to be youthful enthusiasm. :D
Geelong
Not Hawks
Not cats
....they've had their fair share.
Port are fun watching implode so let that continue.
Swans are a safe choice and that doesn't other me.
Gws is a choice that doesn't really bother anyone.
Brisbane probably deserve one given how good they've been over last few years and losing to the eventual premiers can take a bot of sting off the double elimination by them.
So any of the last 3 for me.
Dawks.
Yep, I think while they are in form, using the ball the way they are using it, there is an efficiency of ball use that let's them get on with the game.
Fans focus on the Dawks run, but watch their games and most players hardly take a step or two before disposing, and they hit a target so it's not wasted. The ball movement is fast and elite, the run isn't expansive but the ball use is.
The Handbaggers played a very similar style, and they are the other stand out, they get maximum result from an economy of effort.
Back in the threepeat era that team called it "Mitchell ball" because it was Sam's tactic they all copied. When they mark the ball they hold their spot and look side ways to dispose of the ball instead of automatically running back 10 steps giving up time and ground. This is even more effective in 2024 with the guy on the mark not allowed to move.
Mitchell could do this because he could hit targets left or right with hand or foot, our blokes can't even hit targets on their preferred.
Modern AFL players can't even handball properly anymore, it's bizarre that the half throws of modern AFL players can't hit targets 5m away!
Or is it that the handball is so so bad because they are trying to punch a moving target?
I think the rule changes around HTB etc are a big reason behind the hot potato disposal epidemic.
Possibly, we can't talk in absolutes.
But relatively, watch them dispose of the ball when tackled, and compare to our disposal of the ball when tackled. They find a team-mate, we find an opponent.
Funnily or not so funnily
@PaulP, what happened yesterday was what I had originally feared would happen when the rule emphasis changed. I thought the new HTB and Ruck rule interpretation disadvantaged our Rucks and Mids, and advantaged blokes like Meek and McInerney, but we seemed to have escaped those effects until yesterday.
It's bizarre some at Carlton would call for removal of prior, an even worse situation for our slower midfield that relies on bigger heavier bodies to create a clearance.
You know voss points to consistency.
Has our club been the picture of consistency over the journey? I'd say not. You know who has? Sydney, Brisbane, hawthorn, Geelong, Port Adelaide, Western bulldogs and to a degree you can say that about gws who still boast plenty of foundation players.
Maybe the lesson is off field impacts on field more than we think.
Not everything is about us. I know that might be a bizarre way to look at things, but you should try it.
Yes, it would not benefit us, but i never said it would.
I'm looking at it with my AFL hat on, not my Navy blue hat.
One of the great features of our game is that it is inclusive of all types, not just the fastest or the most agile.
GWS for that camo-stealth guernsey they have and monologo on their guernsey - closest thing that resembles the Blues
That GWS charcoal clash jumper is the best jumper in the league IMO.
2nd best jumper, ours always has been the best jumper and always will be.
https://www.gq.com.au/gq-sports/afl-guernseys-ranked/image-gallery/1001250adf3ac0e3816fc6106e9e98d7
All Sydney GF.
SF's, Hawks beat Port, GWS beat Brisbane. Probably not hard to pick those two.
PF's, Sydney beat the Hawks, GWS beat Geelong. Cats have struggled this year when another side has put it on them. They got a soft touch the other night. Wish we got that. Sydney are more beatable than 8 weeks ago but I reckon they still win at home.
After yesterday's QF Sydney v GWS could go either way. Sydney have experience at GF level but GWS did have a big lead near 3/4 time yesterday. Sydney wouldn't want to do that again.
Hawks if the make the Granny, they get my nod. Sam Micthell has his boys playing with intensity, speed and a refreshing game plan, they're enjoying their footy , exciting to watch , footy fans are getting on board the exuberant footy machine.
I dont know that I could tolerate my Hawthorn mates if they won. One mate in particular who said to me 10 -11 weeks ago (rnd 16 we'd just flogged Geel by 10 goals) and we were sitting in 2nd, they were 13th and he boldly claimed "we will salute before your mob does". I told him he was crazy and he asked why to which I replied, "look at the ladder mate, we are 2nd are you are 13th".
Those words will come back to haunt me I'm sure.
Agreed. This would be my worst nightmare.
Agree...Swans and GWS are the two best teams in it....too close to call, need to see final teams.