The 2014 finals thread

[monoccular 17,679]

Port will forever rue their poor kicking for goal in the first, which was what cost them a GF berth. Of course the umpiring 50/50s all went Hawthorn's way, especially a run of HTBs in I think Q2 and of course that final one as they pressed into attack. Still, great game.

If only our guys could learn a bit about intensity, running and pressure.

[Whispering_Jack 31,250]

I must confess that I found myself supporting Port Adelaide in the dying moments of the game and it was sad to see that last shot miss.

The two best performed teams of the season get to play in the grand final and let's face it, the series has been sensational. The Bondi Billionaires should go in to next week's game as hot favourites and the AFL's dream of promoting the interstate teams in the competition will be vindicated.

[MadAsHell 4,217]

I really don't give a siht what ideas you come up with We generally get the two best sides over the year who end up in the GF and the side who peaks at the right time in September generally win The Lions were masters at it the Swans 05, Hawks 08 and Cats 11 did it and that's how the system works. You keep coming up with ridiculous formulas it wont change The Cats and Freo were cooked North got the Cats at the right time and met the best side for the year last night. Port were brave but paid for inaccuracy if you don't like what has occurred this finals series you're watching the wrong game

You've never played at a decent level have you

Gee, clearly I've touched a significant nerve PSD, did you come up with the current system or something?

I fail to see what level I've played at (in any sport) has anything to do with the point being made. I've played in different teams in different sports that have gone through seasons undefeated and lost in a Grand Final and another team that knocked out an undefeated team in a finals series after we only scrapped through on percentage, it doesn't matter, the better team on the day won. I'm not saying that neither Sydney or Hawthorn aren't deserving of being in the Grand Final, what I'm saying is that they've received a stronger advantage going into their Prelim's then they necessarily needed.

All I've said is that a trend has occured over the last 15 years, that I don't think is overly good for the game, if you disagree, fair enough.

[ILLDieADemon 804]

1 game left for the season :-(

[titan_uranus 25,191]

Then give us an even draw so that teams make the top 4 based on something other than which of the other teams they happened to play twice. If you make the top four then you're probably good enough to win it anyway. Why make it a fait accompli?

Do you believe Hawthorn and Sydney only finished top 4 because they played easy sides in their double-up games? They didn't, so that argument is rubbish.

The less weight you give to the top 4, the less weight you give to the 23 home and away rounds in favour of the first three weeks of the finals. The GF should feature the best two teams of the year, and to ensure you get that, you need to put emphasis on winning home and away games. You get that by giving the top 4 an advantage.

If you want to win the flag, don't settle for being 5-8. I haven't heard a single Port person complain about the finals system or the fact they had travelled two weeks in a row whilst Hawthorn didn't play. They rightfully will rue losing to Fremantle in Round 23 (and their other losses meaning they missed top 4) and they will also rightfully rue kicking 3.9 in the first quarter. Port could, and arguably should, have won that game.

Additionally, Hawthorn has now played in 4 consecutive preliminary finals, and won 3 of them. Each one of them has been decided by less than a goal. It's not as if the teams losing in the QF round of the finals are never having any chance.

The finals system is fine.