Well 12 months ago the excitement was building with the MCG Elimination final vs Geelong fast approaching.

Alas now we ( those who are football lovers)are neutral observers again for September.

I'm certainly done with the trade everyone and blame everyone talk, so week 1 finals thread time for me

Thurs Eagles vs Bombers - can't see the Eagles dropping this, dry conditions forecast and Nic Nat creating havoc around the clearances I can't see the Bombers generating enough run and carry to control the game and expose the Eagles ground level deficiencies to cause an upset.

Eagles by 23pts

Fri Cats vs Pies - tough choice I think this will be a great game. Both sides with big game players, but just get feeling the Pies will benefit from the  break and getting a leg up with the Hawks surprisingly beating the Eagles at home, giftingthem the double chance. Grundy will potentially be the difference in the game for mine.

Pies by 11pts

Sat Giants vs Dogs - time for Giants to get back to being hard at the contest and exposing sides with their outside run. The week off hurt Dogs momentum and allowed the Giants to get back on track under the radar

Giants by 15pts

Sat Lions vs Tigers -Tigers have all the momentum coming in but, Brissy's back at home, dry day warm conditions. If they break even in the middle and limit turnovers they will win at home

Just

Lions by 3pts

 

Edited September 3, 20195 yr by Pennant St Dee

Agree other than I reckon the Dogs own the Giants and are playing sublime footy right now. 

Hoping the Lions pump the Tigers and go all the way. 

I’m on the Brisneyland bandwagon this September. 

Eagles 34

Magpies 2

Bulldogs 4

Tigers 1

Is it a bad thing that I have absolutely zero interest in the finals, and therefore will probably not watch a minute of it with the exception of the Grand Final?

8 hours ago, McQueen said:

Agree other than I reckon the Dogs own the Giants and are playing sublime footy right now. 

Hoping the Lions pump the Tigers and go all the way. 

I’m on the Brisneyland bandwagon this September. 

Brisbane for me, too. Just a dream but their form is almost complete. Will miss the finals - because the Dees are not there this year after such early-season anticipation ... still, I will be boarding the Trans-Siberian railway in Moscow for Vladivostok, then China by air within seven days ... so it will be a good distraction from the season horribilis. Enjoy the finals, folks and dream.

Who cares. This season is dead to me.

At least Starc and Smith are back.

36 minutes ago, dl4e said:

At least Starc and Smith are back.

Yes The Ashes has come at the right time but still love the game of footy at all levels 

As long as Jeelong get smashed up hard

3 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

Is it a bad thing that I have absolutely zero interest in the finals, and therefore will probably not watch a minute of it with the exception of the Grand Final?

I agree. My taste of finals footy last year reinvigorated my love of footy in September and I had high hopes of enjoying this time of year. So much so that I forbade any trips be planned for the school holiday period this year. However this poor season left a bad taste in my mouth and I have absolutely zero interest in any of the results. As long as Essendon are out in the first week and Collingwood and Geelong follow shortly thereafter I will be happy for anyone else to win (except Richmond and the Bulldogs). I'm happy to get on the BrisVegas bus if only for the slither of hope that their story can one day be ours.

I will be jetting off to overseas (almost last minute decision) in a few weeks and will miss PF and GF. I couldn't be happier with this decision.

As long as none of the VIC clubs don't win it I'm happy.

Would be happy if GWS won it as nobody would even care or notice. Would probably rate a brief mention/paragraph in the Daily Telegraph near the racing form guide.

From a purely footy perspective the final 3 games of the weekend look like tasty match ups, particularly the Brisbane V Richmond game.

I'm surprised many in this thread don't care about the finals. Yes, we're not in it but I thought we all loved the game of footy and would be tuning in to see high quality football at the business end.

 

24 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

As long as Jeelong get smashed up hard

Don't worry, Scott's got a contract for life on the back of the 2011 flag.

3 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

Is it a bad thing that I have absolutely zero interest in the finals, and therefore will probably not watch a minute of it with the exception of the Grand Final?

nope, that's just a thing ?

13 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Don't worry, Scott's got a contract for life on the back of the 2011 flag.

That’s fine, he can whinge all he wants  this will be there last tilt for a while

 

2 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Yes The Ashes has come at the right time but still love the game of footy at all levels 

Ashes comes first PSD and then the footy.  And the Rugby League finals are on the week after.  The NFL kicks off this weekend whilst the EPL is in full swing.  Spoilt for choice!  Most I know are into all of the above and more.

For what it's worth ...

Eagles by 45

Cats by 35

Bulldogs by 10

Tigers by 35

Given the highs of those two Friday nights last September, it’s very sobering not to be there again. I honestly expected it this year. 

Will watch with interest given the quality of the footy on display , whilst also keen to hopefully see the bombers , meth coke , filth and Geelong all bow out in dramatic style.

whilst I wouldn’t mind the lions winning I wouldn’t look at them as a fairytale story , fagan has done great work up there to turn them around so quickly and love the way they play , but let’s not forget that 15 years ago they were playing off for 4 in a row. 

I think whoever wins this time I’ll still feel jealous and shortchanged that as a supporter base we are still waiting, after so many years, and to again watch other teams keep passing us in the queue to September glory is just unfair. But that’s life and to be expected following the mighty demons!

Edited September 4, 20195 yr by Delusional demon 82

2 minutes ago, Macca said:

Ashes comes first PSD and then the footy.  And the Rugby League finals are on the week after.  The NFL kicks off this weekend whilst the EPL is in full swing.  Spoilt for choice!  Most I know are into all of the above and more.

For what it's worth ...

Eagles by 45

Cats by 35

Bulldogs by 10

Tigers by 35

Yes agree Ashes is a priority

NRL is neutral for me Macca with the Dragons cooked

Everton in the EPL 6th at best

GAA All Ireland Football replay in 2 weeks with my boys in blue going for 5 in a row, never been done before 

Been a Patriots fan since the 80s so been a good 30 years,  but all good things come to an end

 

6 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Yes agree Ashes is a priority

NRL is neutral for me Macca with the Dragons cooked

Everton in the EPL 6th at best

GAA All Ireland Football replay in 2 weeks with my boys in blue going for 5 in a row, never been done before 

Been a Patriots fan since the 80s so been a good 30 years,  but all good things come to an end

I will keep an eye out for that All Ireland Final ... and the Pats will probably win it again!  See you on the NFL thread (Other Sports) We run an interesting comp for those who might want to partake.

I'm reasonably eager for the footy as I have watched very little AFL this year.  Tigers & Dogs might do well (?)

With some sports I'm more inclined to follow the league (NRL,  EPL & NFL) whilst with footy it's the Demons front & centre.  With cricket it's the Test side.  Ashes cricket No.1

5 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

Is it a bad thing that I have absolutely zero interest in the finals, and therefore will probably not watch a minute of it with the exception of the Grand Final?

I won't even be watching that. Zero interest other than Essendon's winless streak in finals continuing.

Men's basketball World Cup

Australia play Lithuania tonight (Thursday) ...9:30pm AEST .. for top spot in their group

22 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Yes agree Ashes is a priority

NRL is neutral for me Macca with the Dragons cooked

Everton in the EPL 6th at best

GAA All Ireland Football replay in 2 weeks with my boys in blue going for 5 in a row, never been done before 

Been a Patriots fan since the 80s so been a good 30 years,  but all good things come to an end

 

Up the Dubs!!!

have to say i feel for Mayo - my mam is from castlebar and they have been in so many all ireland finals and never won it.  I would be wrapped if they won it one year

100 Point + win to West Coast would be sweet.

Woosha sacked and essendon crocked.  please make it happen!

My final predictions:

Eagles vs Bombers - red wine, pasta, watch cricket

Cats vs Pies - out with fmaily then more cricket

Giants vs Dogs - mow lawn, or if raining, tidy garage

Lions vs Tigers - bbq at neighbours hopefully with TV off

Meth Coke v Essendrug tonight

which Drug Dealer shall prosper?

Care Factor?

Is the footy still going.....how odd