There is no God.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Jack Anthony having a teary in the post match interview.

Hopefully a win like that leaves them a bit bruised and sore for next week, and the Cats can smack them and set up a GF between 2 of the top 3 teams, the way it should be.

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

I hate the Pies and their supporters just like the rest of us. But there is no denying their large and vocal supporter base is a factor in getting them over the line in games such as that one.

Fortunately, the Cats will have just as many at the G next week when they hopefully open up a can of whoop ass on them.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,020]

If they give the cats a lead like that there's no way they'll pull it back.

[Carn dees 108]

Hope the cats maul em.

As usuall collingwood supporters get their hopes up and are shatered in the end.

[Fugazi 53]

Ugh, what a sickening sight. I truly hope they get smashed by Geelong next week. Will not hear the end of it if they go all the way.

[Chook 15,012]

I hate the Pies and their supporters just like the rest of us. But there is no denying their large and vocal supporter base is a factor in getting them over the line in games such as that one.

Fortunately, the Cats will have just as many at the G next week when they hopefully open up a can of whoop ass on them.

I was there and there's no doubt the crowd got them over the line.

Hope the cats maul em.

As usuall collingwood supporters get their hopes up and are shatered in the end.

Not the Pies supporters that were around me. None of them were under the illusion that they're a chance at all next week.

[Carn dees 108]

hmm, most collingwood supporters i no think they can win it every year lol

[45HG 1,539]

fkn bs

[ucanchoose 1,816]

I went to the game. As a spectacle not the greatest, but the crowd was going off in the last. When Tippett put them in front, I saw broken chairs - and people leaving. 20 seconds later they are all running back to their seats. It will be the last time that I attend a Collingwood game of any type - I don't care if we make the Grand Final - I'm not watching Collingwood live. Nothing against the team, their 'supporters', and I use that term loosely, are a dead set disgrace to the competition.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

their 'supporters', and I use that term loosely, are a dead set disgrace to the competition.

And yet, nothing ever seems to happen to keep this from occurring. I think it was either Blight or Walls (what a commentary team THAT was.... snore) watching Joffa lose his brain over a simple over the boundary line call who said "they paid their money." Like they're allowed to do whatever they want once in the stands.

As for the pies I can't help but think of two big parallels. One is the Lions. They had an even more stirring comeback a week ago, and look what happened to them? They limped into a semi and were comprehensively done by a bulldogs team that only persevered though low confidence, in horrible kicking conditions that didn't suit them at ALL. They spent all their gas the week before and got done big time.

The second parallel is us 3 years ago. We had what was deemed as the best Victorian list, we beat the Saints after a spirited comeback, who were all playing on one leg it seemed. Then we wander over to Subi to get pantsed by the biggest joke club in the AFL. Half a season later it's curtains for Neale, most of his panel, and we're left with most of the list offering only the reflex twitches of their dead careers.

Of the four teams left in the finals, I think only the Saints and Dogs have the right to be genuinely positive about the coming few years. And even the Dogs could drop off easily with a LOT of older players still holding things together for them. The Cats are going to decline over the next few years I think (only out of flag contention, they'll still be dangerous). And the Pies have gotten WAY further than they should have.

After that only the Blues and Hawks I think will come on strong.

Enjoy this time Eddie and your great unwashed. It'll be the biggest celebration you're going to have for a while. I'd HATE to be a pies supporter in exactly a week's time.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

I don't dislike Collingwood anymore than I dislike 13 other teams. I rank Adelaide and Collingwood on equally on my scale so I was equally happy to see the back of one of them. As for their supporters I reckon 99% of them are just one eyed footy fans and I can usually have a good chat about footy with most of them. It's the 1% that causes the trouble, and because that 1% represents a greater number than most other clubs it means there is more to deal with. Do I want to see them win it? Hell no! Do I like beating them? Hell yes! But hate? That is reserved for Carlton. I'd rather see Collingwood go a back to back than see Carlton make the finals ever again.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Rojik of the Arctic

[Slartibartfast 17,189]

Well I was there and I thought it one of the great pieces of theatre I'd attended. Football is a great spectacle and last nights game just about had it all. A fantastic mixture of pressure and skill, the comeback, the counter comeback and then the drama. For genuine footy lovers it was a game for the ages.

What did surprise me was the crowd. Firstly it was only 62,000 and at least one third were Crows supporters, and they were vocal. The crowd did lift Collingwood in the last but the Crows had a fair bit of support.

As for Collingwood supporters. They are no different from any other club. The worst behaved and ugliest supporters I've ever seen was a number of years ago in Adelaide sitting in front of the Melbourne Cheers Squad. They were an absolute disgrace.

[praha 11,233]

If there is a God, he loves Collingwood and hates the rest of the world.

And I hate him.

[grazman 7,406]

watching the game my better half asked me who I wanted to win, I gave my usual reply when we aren't playing...."neither". I was hoping for Neil Craig's sake the Crows would get over the line, but not to be. Other than that it was fascinating to watch two teams who really don't subscribe to "rebuilding" slug it out. Lots of blokes that seem to have come from nowhere.

The Crows have made good use of their trading (though they'll have to give away their policy of using their first picks on ruckmen), but they've also managed to use the rookie list pretty well.

The Pies KPP early draft picks in Brown, Reid & Rusling have been overtaken by the later picks of Anthony, O'Brien and Goldsack and their better players in Swan, Lockyer, Maxwell and Johnson are all very late picks or Rookie Upgrades.

Edited September 12, 2009 by grazman

[IWAP 170]

The second parallel is us 3 years ago. We had what was deemed as the best Victorian list, we beat the Saints after a spirited comeback, who were all playing on one leg it seemed. Then we wander over to Subi to get pantsed by the biggest joke club in the AFL. Half a season later it's curtains for Neale, most of his panel, and we're left with most of the list offering only the reflex twitches of their dead careers.

Dappa - I can't agree about your assessment of the Collingwood list. In reality the only key player to the team who will retire over the next couple of years will be Prestigiacomo. There are a couple of lesser lights, Lockyer, Johnson, O'Bree who are also near their last legs. Rocca was finished years ago. They have drafted well in recent times, got good young players playing significant roles in their teams.

Whereas most of our key players from 2006 were near or on their last legs, and are now gone from our side.

[titan_uranus 24,970]

As for the pies I can't help but think of two big parallels. One is the Lions. They had an even more stirring comeback a week ago, and look what happened to them? They limped into a semi and were comprehensively done by a bulldogs team that only persevered though low confidence, in horrible kicking conditions that didn't suit them at ALL. They spent all their gas the week before and got done big time.

The second parallel is us 3 years ago. We had what was deemed as the best Victorian list, we beat the Saints after a spirited comeback, who were all playing on one leg it seemed. Then we wander over to Subi to get pantsed by the biggest joke club in the AFL. Half a season later it's curtains for Neale, most of his panel, and we're left with most of the list offering only the reflex twitches of their dead careers.

I'll give you a third parallel. This one isn't so good.

2007: Collingwood travel to Subiaco for a semi-final against West Coast (the reigning premier). The game goes into extra time. Both teams look dead. Collingwood win. They then have just 7 days to return to Melbourne and prepare for Geelong, who had had the week off. Geelong won by just 5 points, despite having the (purportedly) fresher legs and better team. Note that they won their QF by 100 and the GF by 100. Yes, Geelong still won it. But it just goes to show that teams can't be written off at this stage of the year.

Geelong is not a good Prelim performer. Their past 2 have been less than convincing. They also don't play as well against Collingwood than most other teams. I'm sickeningly worried about this.

[Guest The Old Xaverian]

hmm, most collingwood supporters i no think they can win it every year lol

As opposed to Melbourne supporters who hope to lose games every year. Memo to the MCC Members (which, I'm one) who are Melbourne supporters, don't turn up on Saturday night, I don't want to queue up to get in the FGS behind other supporters of clubs not good enough to get there!

Edited September 13, 2009 by The Old Xaverian

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

As opposed to Melbourne supporters who hope to lose games every year. Memo to the MCC Members (which, I'm one) who are Melbourne supporters, don't turn up on Saturday night, I don't want to queue up to get in the FGS behind other supporters of clubs not good enough to get there!

enjoy it well it lasts [censored].

[Chook 15,012]

If there is a God, he loves Collingwood and hates the rest of the world.

And I hate him.

Or maybe he's just setting them up for a bigger fall. I'd prefer 'em to lose in the Grand Final than the semi.

[classy dees 42]

The second parallel is us 3 years ago. We had what was deemed as the best Victorian list, we beat the Saints after a spirited comeback, who were all playing on one leg it seemed. Then we wander over to Subi to get pantsed by the biggest joke club in the AFL. Half a season later it's curtains for Neale, most of his panel, and we're left with most of the list offering only the reflex twitches of their dead careers.

...

Enjoy this time Eddie and your great unwashed. It'll be the biggest celebration you're going to have for a while. I'd HATE to be a pies supporter in exactly a week's time.

i want to agree with you DD, but i just feel their list is in a better position that ours was. They have some real quality young kids, and their key players are younger than ours were. Time will tell though.

Geelong is not a good Prelim performer. Their past 2 have been less than convincing. They also don't play as well against Collingwood than most other teams. I'm sickeningly worried about this.

this does genuinely concern me. but geelong was so desperate for that week off, they will be primed for this.

As opposed to Melbourne supporters who hope to lose games every year.

incredibly clever post, showing a real knowledge of football. did you come up with by yourself? because a post of such quality would surely need the collective IQ of 40,000 collingwood supporters. and even then you'd still need spell check.

Memo to the MCC Members (which, I'm one) who are Melbourne supporters, don't turn up on Saturday night, I don't want to queue up to get in the FGS behind other supporters of clubs not good enough to get there!

wow, since when are the tough collingwood supporters such petty cry babies?

[FitZ 0]

As opposed to Melbourne supporters who hope to lose games every year. Memo to the MCC Members (which, I'm one) who are Melbourne supporters, don't turn up on Saturday night, I don't want to queue up to get in the FGS behind other supporters of clubs not good enough to get there!

I wasn't going to go... but now

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Dappa - I can't agree about your assessment of the Collingwood list. In reality the only key player to the team who will retire over the next couple of years will be Prestigiacomo. There are a couple of lesser lights, Lockyer, Johnson, O'Bree who are also near their last legs. Rocca was finished years ago. They have drafted well in recent times, got good young players playing significant roles in their teams.

Whereas most of our key players from 2006 were near or on their last legs, and are now gone from our side.

Fair enough. I think I was more suggesting they're due for a bit of pain before they win a flag. Eddie thinks they're having an assault over the next three years. Perhaps as a list they're closer to where we were at in 2004. We had good youngsters and good older players, but not enough of either to go the whole way. They'll make up the numbers or bust during the GC/GWS period.

I'll give you a third parallel. This one isn't so good.

2007: Collingwood travel to Subiaco for a semi-final against West Coast (the reigning premier). The game goes into extra time. Both teams look dead. Collingwood win. They then have just 7 days to return to Melbourne and prepare for Geelong, who had had the week off. Geelong won by just 5 points, despite having the (purportedly) fresher legs and better team. Note that they won their QF by 100 and the GF by 100. Yes, Geelong still won it. But it just goes to show that teams can't be written off at this stage of the year.

Geelong is not a good Prelim performer. Their past 2 have been less than convincing. They also don't play as well against Collingwood than most other teams. I'm sickeningly worried about this.

I was thinking about this. You know, one day, Collingwoods weight of support, money, and completely unfair draw will cause an ordinary team to go the whole way. And we won't stop hearing about it for decades. Tony Shaw is still in the media FFS. This is the major reason why I want to make sure they stay clear of GFs.

As opposed to Melbourne supporters who hope to lose games every year. Memo to the MCC Members (which, I'm one) who are Melbourne supporters, don't turn up on Saturday night, I don't want to queue up to get in the FGS behind other supporters of clubs not good enough to get there!

HA! In true Collingwood form, some [censored] comes on and decides they're better than the other 15 clubs in the league. So you're saying your club's never barracked for draft picks? Josh Fraser ring any bells?

Tool. You wanna post here, have some respect. Didn't you just win?

i want to agree with you DD, but i just feel their list is in a better position that ours was. They have some real quality young kids, and their key players are younger than ours were. Time will tell though.

They have a handful that we never had. Pendles being a good place to start. I jut think they have half, maybe less than half a premiership team. There's a LOT of older dead wood, and a lot of retreads, and promoted rookies.

They won last night through nothing more than desire. That's something for them to hang their hats on, sure. But the Lions did the same, and look what happened to them.

The Pies older brigade will vacate their positions (Johnson, who kicked 2 of the more important goals, Lockyer, Fraser will be 28, Didak 29, O'Bree's about 130...) and they have trades that I'm not completely convinced by (Leigh Brown who kicked an important goal, and Medhurst) and what's left will be NQRs MOSTLY.

The diference between us and them was that we had nothing BUT NQRs. With respect to JMac and Robbo. The difference between us and them is that they'll have a few ok players, like Pendlebury, and they won't say they're "bottoming out." Which will in the end, be their downfall. I kind of hope they'll cop it during the worst during the GC/GWS years.

Edited September 13, 2009 by Dappa Dan

[timD 994]

As opposed to Melbourne supporters who hope to lose games every year. Memo to the MCC Members (which, I'm one) who are Melbourne supporters, don't turn up on Saturday night, I don't want to queue up to get in the FGS behind other supporters of clubs not good enough to get there!

Troll.

Does your parole officer know that you have computer access?

How did you afford MCC membership on the disability pension?

Do you realise that the MCG does not have a centrelink officer?

Back in your box - the one with the bars on the window.

P.S All the best for next week.

[Rogue 585]

The second parallel is us 3 years ago. We had what was deemed as the best Victorian list, we beat the Saints after a spirited comeback, who were all playing on one leg it seemed. Then we wander over to Subi to get pantsed by the biggest joke club in the AFL. Half a season later it's curtains for Neale, most of his panel, and we're left with most of the list offering only the reflex twitches of their dead careers.

First, IMHO whoever deemed us as 'the best Victorian list' had rocks in their head (where's mo64 with his obligatory jab at RR?). I certainly didn't predict the injury-plagued train wreck of a season we had in '07, but we were only going to get worse after 2006. Most of our key players were going to be past their best and our age gap - as a result of some draft penalties and failed picks - was going to bite us.

Second, while I have no problem with deriding the Dockers, they finished above us in 2006 for a reason. Heading over to Subi is always a big ask for us and this was no different. From memory we also had an injury crisis that meant 426 was taken over there as a ruckman against one of the better rucks going around at the time.

HA! In true Collingwood form, some [censored] comes on and decides they're better than the other 15 clubs in the league.

To be fair, virtually everyone in this thread's been ripping into Collingwood and their supporters.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

First, IMHO whoever deemed us as 'the best Victorian list' had rocks in their head (where's mo64 with his obligatory jab at RR?). I certainly didn't predict the injury-plagued train wreck of a season we had in '07, but we were only going to get worse after 2006. Most of our key players were going to be past their best and our age gap - as a result of some draft penalties and failed picks - was going to bite us.

I'm the same. I took an honest look at our list after the Freo final, and I didn't hold much positivity. I didn't say much, because, as you point out, RR would have gotten up on his well-worn soap-box. Like you, I didn't see much improvement, but I didn't see as much disaster as what happened. I don't think many supporters actually do.

Second, while I have no problem with deriding the Dockers, they finished above us in 2006 for a reason. Heading over to Subi is always a big ask for us and this was no different. From memory we also had an injury crisis that meant 426 was taken over there as a ruckman against one of the better rucks going around at the time.

Your point? I never had much hope for us in that final. It was really all about the Saints game. Freo were string that year.

To be fair, virtually everyone in this thread's been ripping into Collingwood and their supporters.

Like they don't deserve it...

:D