AFL

[Oli]

What team do you reckon wil get Chris Judd?

C'Mon the bombers. I'd trade Lucas if we had to.

But other than Carlton I reckon the Hawks are the best chance to get him. Buddy Franklin is from WA and in a couple of years he might want to mov back to WA, so now is a great chance to trade him and maybe a good draft pick for a quality player. Plus the Eagles really want and need a star forward.

The Hawks could really benifited from that trade, no offence to Buddy but he could have had a brilliant year and now or the rest of his career only kick about 15-30 goals a year.

[J@3]

He's not meeting with the Hawks. God knows why I know this, but it was on the news last night.

[Fitzy]

he isnt talking to the hawks
i think he will more likely go to carlton, in the afl we hardly ever see any surprises and at the moment all the talk is carlton. once again the blues will have another midfielder from their end of season recruiting (04- Nick Stevens, 05- Marc Murphy, 06- Bryce Gibbs, 07- Chris Judd) maybe they should be looking for some more force up forward or some presence down back. Look at the way Jared Waite finished the season. At the start of the year he was playing CHB and ended up at CHF, with fev still in the goal square. But then they lack the height down back. They could have used Josh Kennedy a bit better, being a perfect build for FF or CHF and allowed Waite to play in the back line and support guys like Bret Thornton to play on the key position forwards.

[Oli]

He's not meeting with the Hawks. God knows why I know this, but it was on the news last night.

i didn't think that he was either, but a couple of hours earlier i though I read an article saying that the Hawks were in contention.

[Fitzy]

we should start picking our brownlow votes too, its on this monday
im going for brent harvey!

[Ty-Land]

Biggest game for me in a long time this friday being a Cats fan. Conveniently falls on the same night as my girlfriends 21st, so I can't go or watch the game. Hope we smash the pies, as everybody I know who doesn't go for the Cats is a Collingwood supporter and I don't think I can put up with their rubbing it in if we lose.

For the Brownlow I would love to see Gazza Jnr pick it up. He has been sensational this year, and in my biased view, the best player in the league.

[Fitzy]

to be honest i dont even know why hes a favourite. i would have thought that bartel would be the top cat

[Oli]

we should start picking our brownlow votes too, its on this monday
im going for brent harvey!

As if

I don't like to always agree with everyone else, but I believw that Garry Ablett is going to win the brownlow.

Here's a question, Could Gazza win it if he were playing for one of the better bottom 8 teams like the lions?

[Fitzy]

well brent harvey just won the lou richards medal boys

well thats impossible to tell, different team, different situation

[Oli]

Tonight the Cats take on the pies for a spot in the Grand Final.

I reckon the cats more experienced midfield and backline will prove to much for the young pies.

My tip, Cats by 37

[Fitzy]

as much as i want the pies to win, geelong will flog them

[Oli]

as much as i want the pies to win, geelong will flog them

Who do you support mate

[Fitzy]

im a roos fan, if you havent picked that up

cats one last night, i missed the match cause i was working but i heard that channel seven cut out 7 seconds at the end of the match the skip to the end or something? they did it in the roos-cats match in the first week of the finals cause it wasnt live, load of crap

[Oli]

Here is the AFL website match report for the Prelims,

Cats into Grand Final after surviving a classic

Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
Friday, 21st September, 2007 10:31:00 pm
GEELONG has reached its first AFL Grand Final in 12 years, but the Cats had to survive an almighty scare from a Collingwood side that repeatedly climbed off the canvas.

Gary Ablett kicked the goal on the cusp of time-on to keep the Cats 11 points clear, but Paul Medhurst kicked a goal with 70 seconds remaining to close the gap to just five points.

The siren sounded with the ball on Collingwood’s 50m arc to end a classic preliminary final in front of 98,002 fans at the MCG, with Geelong emerging victorious 13.14 (92) to 13.9 (87).

The Pies fought back in every quarter, and in the final term surged back to within a goal after looking buried with 10 minutes to play.

Travis Cloke and Alan Didak capped excellent evenings with two crucial goals which broke a run of three straight Geelong goals.

But with the sides equally desperate, the Cats had too many big guns, and arguably their most brilliant, Gary Ablett, snapped a crucial goal from 45m to provide breathing space on the tick of time-on.

The Pies broke even in the third quarter, kicking 3.1 to 2.7 to trail at three quarter-time by just five points.

Rushed delivery into the forward line and wayward goalkicking cost Geelong, but the blame for much of that can be laid at the feet of Collingwood’s 22, which chased and hassled the Cats in a relentless quarter of football.

The Cats had all the running at the start of the third term, but wasted a couple of chances and Leon Davis pinched the half’s opening goal.

James Kelly threaded a 40m goal on the run, but Travis Cloke responded for the Pies and then Paul Medhurst put Collingwood in front with a shot from 50m that might have been shot from a cannon.

Cameron Mooney kicked his only goal for the night in the dying seconds to restore Geelong’s lead, after James Clement had been penalised for handballing deliberately out of bounds.

The Pies fought back superbly in the first half after looking likely to be overrun at times in each of the first two quarters.

The Cats slipped into top gear midway through the second term, kicking three goals in a minute to open up a 17-point gap.

But a goal minted from nothing by Alan Didak stopped the rot, and Sean Rusling added his second goal of the game to slash the gap to five points at half time.

The Pies outplayed the premiership favourites for 10 minutes, wiping out an 11-point quarter-time deficit to snatch the lead at the eight-minute mark.

But when the Cats hit back, they did so in a fashion that made it appear as though the game was about to be blown open.

Two contrasting goals to Steve Johnson inside a minute restored Geelong’s lead; the first a booming 50m set shot and the other a poacher’s goal from a ball-up.

And Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett were both involved as Max Rooke kicked the Cats’ seventh.

Ruckman Josh Fraser was a late omission for Collingwood, and Brad Ottens was making the most of his absence, thoroughly outpointing Chris Bryan at the taps.

But unlike the Kangaroos in week one of the Toyota AFL finals series, Collingwood was able to punch its way off the ropes – helped a little by some Didak magic.

Finding himself forced off the ball by Corey Enright in the forward pocket, Didak palmed the ball into space and volleyed the goal over his shoulder while falling to the turf.

Small Cats forward Mathew Stokes was quiet after kicking three goals in the opening quarter.

In the first term, the Cats seemed to be kicking away after running off a nervous opening, and it took a 50m penalty paid to Shane O’Bree against Joel Corey to keep the Pies in touch. Mathew Stokes and Brad Ottens kicked early goals, and when Stokes snapped another after a scramble that left Cameron Mooney wrapped around a goal post, Geelong led by 13 points.

The Pies were tackling hard but struggling to breach their half-forward line, and O’Bree’s goal came as a welcome respite.

The Pies had very early running as Geelong made a nervy opening. Skipper Tom Harley dropped several overhead marks in slippery conditions, and Scott Burns had a goal on the board and Anthony Rocca a behind before Geelong had a possession in its forward half.

Bryan was a late inclusion after Josh Fraser pulled out with a back injury for the second consecutive week.

Geelong 4.4 7.6 9.13 13.14 (92)
Collingwood 2.5 6.7 9.8 13.9 (87)

GOALS
Geelong: S Johnson 3, Stokes 3, Mooney 2, G Ablett, Chapman, Kelly, Ottens, Rooke
Collingwood: Cloke 3, Medhurst 3, Rusling 2, Didak 2, Burns, Davis, O’Bree

BEST
Collingwood: H. Shaw, Clement, Lockyer, Clarke, O'Bree, O'Brien, Buckley, Cloke
Geelong: G Ablett, Ottens, Corey, Bartel, S Johnson, Scarlett, Milburn, Hunt

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Collingwood: A Rocca (ankle), Fraser (back), replaced in selected side by Bryan


Reports: Nil

Umpires: S McBurney, S McLaren, S McInerney.

Official crowd: 98,002

and here is the other game,

Power bound for Grand Final after belting Roos

Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network
Saturday, 22nd September, 2007 5:03:00 p
PORT Adelaide smashed the Kangaroos in the second preliminary final at AAMI Stadium this evening, running out winners by a massive 87 points.

The Power turned a 32-point lead at the long break into a huge advantage at the final change after they outscored the Roos eight goals to one in the third term. The match petered out in the final quarter, the home side eventually running out convincing 20. 13 (133) to 5. 16 (46) winners.

Earlier in the day, Daniel Motlop kicked the first of the match from point blank range in a sign of things to come. He was shirt-fronted by Glenn Archer after marking 25m from goal and was awarded a soft 50m penalty.

Shannon Grant replied for the Roos with a great running left-foot snap soon after, but Kane Cornes then kicked the Power’s second. When David Rodan played on and goaled after marking a floating kick close to goal, Port Adelaide led by 11 points.

The Roos stayed in touch when Grant snapped truly again under pressure while tucked deep in the right forward pocket and Aaron Edwards lodged his first major to give his side the lead for the first and only time.

Motlop ensured the advantage was short lived, kicking his second, and late goals from Danyle Pearce and Travis Boak gave the Power a 6. 0 (36) to 3. 2 (20) lead at the first change.

The Roos missed some opportunities early in the second term when a long Brent Harvey effort was touched on the line, Aaron Edwards missed a kickable chance from 35m out and Daniel Wells hit the post.

Ebert made the visitors pay with a classy snapped goal from a tight angle after nine minutes as the Roos’ inaccuracy continued.

Rodan then lodged his second and Motlop evaded Josh Gibson for his third to open up a 30-point lead and things were looking grim for the blue and white.

The rest of the quarter was played on the Power’s terms, but the Roos managed to stem the flow of goals, and the home team led 9. 3 (57) to 3. 7 (25) at the long break.

In the third quarter the Power stamped their authority on the game. Steve Salopek kicked the first of the term, Ebert kicked two straight and veteran Warren Tredrea chimed in with his first to put the home side out by 59 points.

Tom Logan made things even worse for the Roos with his first after 13 minutes and Tredrea’s successful right-foot snap a minute later was followed by an extravagant bow to the Power fans.

A miss by Aaron Edwards from a set shot only 10-metres out and Jess Smith hitting the behind post from 40m summed up the day for the Roos.

Meanwhile, Tredrea’s third for the quarter at the other end enabled Port Adelaide to rattle up the ton and a 77-point lead.

With one minute to go in the term, Harris ended a 70-minute drought with his first goal, his team’s first since the 18-minute mark of the first quarter.

But Chad Cornes finished the term with his first of the day and his side’s eighth of the quarter. At the final change the Power led 17. 10 (112) to 4. 10 (34).

The Roos tried hard to regain some respect in the final term, Ed Lower kicking the first goal of the quarter, but Logan regained the momentum for the Power with his second after 14 minutes.

Goals to Justin Westhoff and Salopek’s second capped the resounding victory for Port Adelaide and secured its second Grand Final berth.

Probably the only negative point for the Power was veteran Michael Wilson snapping his achilles, perhaps ending the 30-year-old’s career and certainly his season.

Retiring Shinboner Glenn Archer tried his heart out for the Roos in his last game, recording 17 possessions, and skipper Adam Simpson had 25 touches.

The Power has plenty of stand-outs – Pearce took 25 possessions and Trop Chaplin was impressive with 30 touches.

PORT ADELAIDE 6.0 9.3 17.10 20.13 (133)
KANGAROOS 3.2 3.7 4.10 5.16 (46)

Goals: Port Adelaide: D Motlop 3, W Tredrea 3, B Ebert 3, D Rodan 2, T Logan 2, S Salopek 2, T Boak, D Pearce, K Cornes, C Cornes, J Westhoff. Kangaroos: S Grant 2, E Lower, D Harris, A Edwards.

Best: Port Adelaide: T Chaplin, S Burgoyne, C Cornes, T Logan, D Pearce, J Surjan, D Rodan, B Ebert, D Motlop. Kangaroos: D Harris, A Simpson, J Sinclair, G Archer, E Lower.

Injuries: Port Adelaide: M Wilson (ruptured achilles tendon). Kangaroos: L Hansen replaced in selected side by K Green.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: M Vozzo, H Kennedy, B Rosebury.

Official crowd: 44,953 at AAMI Stadium.

My tip for the Gran final is, Power to win by 7

i reckon that they are in better form and will carry heaps more momentum into the match. plus the cats have a lot of injuries to worry about.

[Ty-Land]

Big week for me as a Cats fan. Will be watching the brownlow tonioght closely hoping one of the boys gets up. On thursday I'm heading to Skilled Stadium to watch the final training, and Friday will be in the city to see the Grand Final parade. Then be watching the game on my parents big plasma on saturday.

Like to say congrats to the VFL premiers Geelong who slaughtered Coburg. Great win and outstanding perfromance by Tom Lonergan who won best on ground less than 12 months after his major kidney injury. What a comeback!

[Oli]

Well Jimmy Bartel has one the brownlow convincingly by 7 votes despite missing the last 2 games.

Click here to launch the afl brownlow tracker:



Jimmy Bartel snuk under the radar a bit I reckon in the second half of the season.

[Ty-Land]

Stephen King selected to replace Mark Blake. This is a big call. Blake has been good all year, though a little disappointing last week. King has been playing exceptionally well in the VFL the last 4 weeks. If we win and dominate in the ruck then the selectors will be applauded. If we lose because of this decision the fans will be fuming and it will probably be the end of King at the club. I think this is the do or die game for Kings career at the club.

I feel bad for Blake though, may be his only chance to play in a Grand Final. Him and Egan are pretty unlucky.

Goddam we better win!

[Oli]

Yeah, but they needed King to play so that Geelong would physicaly have two good ruckmen to take it up to the best ruck combination in the league, in Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan.

[Oli]

Who do you guys reckon will win the Grand Final toomorrow?

I reckon port will upset the cats by 7 points

[Fitzy]

for the love of god i hope port wins, i have too many mates that go for the cats

[Ty-Land]

for the love of god i hope port wins, i have too many mates that go for the cats

I've lost so much respect for you fitzy. I thought you were a Victorian.

I pick Geelong by 11, as a Cats fan I don't care what the final score is just as long as we win.

If we win, I would check out the 'post when drunk thread' as well.

[Dan's Brain]

You going to the match Ty?


I'm tipping Geelong by 7 goals. Another close GF would be nice, especially after the last two years. But i can see the Cats running away in the 4th.

Norm Smith - Joel Corey. (Congrats also to Jimmy Bartel)


And finally, as a Bomber, i didnt want to see Sheeds ousted the way that he was. He deserved better after 27 years and 4 flags. I always liked Matthew Knights as a player, but I can see him only being a temporary solution. He'll grow as a coach with the upcomers like Stanton, Ryder, Jobe and Gumbleton, but he'll probably be sent packing when the Dons are ready to make noise again.

I think they'll make the 8 next year, but will lose the elimination final.

[Fitzy]

for the love of god i hope port wins, i have too many mates that go for the cats

I've lost so much respect for you fitzy. I thought you were a Victorian.

haha i am! it goes to the point where i know too many arrogant pricks that go for the cats and i want them to crash and burn

but other then that, patriotic fitzy wants the cats to win of course

[Fitzy]

thoughts on the grand final so far...

geelong are slaughtering them, the cats looked shaky early on but now theyve settled and are ripping it up!

[Oli]

Well a 119 point thumping of Port by the Cats to basically show how dominant they were for the whole season. steve Johbson also won the Morm Smith medal.

I am still getting over how convincing the cats were. I don't think that anybody could say that they were'nt the best team throughout the year.