Are you in total surprise over the first week of the AFL finals? Most of the pundits are as well. These were some of the best matches of the season. Each final was an exciting and closely fought contest. The AFL must be in smug mode.
Each venue was close to capacity. All of them were so loud players could not hear the umpire. Remember two seasons ago? There were no crowds at all. The Grand Final was played far from the MCG. The MCG will host two more finals this coming weekend, with at least another two to come.
Goodbye Tigers and Bulldogs
Flagmantle rings out proud and strong despite a slow start. The Lions are still in the hunt. Pies though beaten were in no way dishonoured. Likewise the Demons will be smarting after loosing. It all bodes for another big weekend of finals action.
We bid goodbye to two teams. One perhaps unlucky. The other overwhelmed and possibly still dealing with past defeat. Richmond were just not close enough. There was a controversial score review. It will be argued till the end of days. Richmond should use it as fuel for next season.
The Western Bulldogs were amazing in the first half against Fremantle. Up by 42 points in the second quarter. Why did they stop? Was it Fremantle making a contest and actually wresting control of the game? Only the players really know, maybe they do not. Soul searching is required for the Bulldogs.
Only two games this coming weekend.
Friday September 9 @ MCG
Melbourne v Brisbane
Melbourne have the history against Brisbane. Brisbane have a very bad record at the MCG. Does it come down to history? Can winning or loosing motivate one team better than the other?
Melbourne were blunted, defied and out played out in their match against Sydney. Injury to midfielder Christian Petracca is such that he can play? A fractured tibia might not be something you run out. Let alone the calf injury that comes with it. Playing injured is a gamble. Will it pay off?
Brisbane stayed in the contest throughout their match against Richmond. It was one of the most memorable shoot outs for some time. The risk of playing such a quick and loose game against Melbourne is that Melbourne have the defensive talent to stop that tactic.
All evidence to hand says Melbourne should have enough to stymie Brisbane at the MCG. However winning is a habit and one that can be learned and lost in an instant. This is far from the Melbourne of last year. Brisbane have much to prove and beating Richmond at the ‘Gabba was just the beginning.
Melbourne to win
Saturday @ MCG
Collingwood v Fremantle
Collingwood finished 17th in 2021, they are now two wins from a Grand Final. Did anyone think that would happen? No one. Collingwood have won in close games. Often having to fight back and being behind by up to forty points.
Fremantle have spent an entire year without their double Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe. On Saturday Fremantle won their first final since 2015. At half time against the Bulldogs not many thought it would happen. In a stunning turnaround Fremantle kicked ten of the next eleven goals to win.
Collingwood are smarting after their second loss since round ten. Four months of nail biting, heart stopping, close wins. Once again in a close contest against Geelong fans must have thought Collingwood would prevail. Unfortunately, Collingwood came up short with Geelong wining by six points.
The MCG will be filled with ninety thousand passionate Collingwood fans. It will be a cauldron of hostility for the Fremantle players. Most will have never played to such an audience. Can Fremantle hold back the tsunami of black and white? Even if Fremantle is in front by a huge margin the belief that Collingwood can win from any position is tried, tested and proven.
Collingwood to win.