Finals 2021

[BDA 22,751]

8 hours ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Yes well i didnt go to the last Grand Final and i probably wont go to this one (if we somehow made it) so id be watching on the TV anyway....but i would feel for people who really would want to go.

Adelaide would be a good option for ppl who wanted to drive its quite drivable.

Don;t get me wrong. I'd much rather go to the GF as well. But given the times we live i view this as just another covid imposition 

Adelaide is my preference as well. Perth just to hard to get to

[Deemania since 56 6,635]

On 8/10/2021 at 4:07 PM, Jaded said:

Richmond. Ugh. Please no! 

I'd like to play the Tigers in finals ... an opportunity to bury them now that their form is not in the upper echelon. We have a few young ones ideally suited to run them out of further contention and many senior players are coming back to form.

[Deemania since 56 6,635]

9 hours ago, Wadda We Sing said:

Yes well i didnt go to the last Grand Final and i probably wont go to this one (if we somehow made it) so id be watching on the TV anyway....but i would feel for people who really would want to go.

Adelaide would be a good option for ppl who wanted to drive its quite drivable.

Once Port is out of the way, Adelaide Oval would be a good place to stage the GF, if necessary.

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

Teams may hold fears for us as supporters. I doubt it as the players, (sure, they'll do their research) -  they've had months of evidence that they're a solid team, that opponents can throw whatever they want at them, and they typically respond well.

Goodwin and the FD have been preparing the team for this scenario for years. Mature heads, some seasoned bodies, with a game plan that consistently stacks up (or has, less imperfections than other teams in the heat of finals), as well as players that know how to consistently execute their role. 

For Finals, its any team, any where. - and now we've demonstrated that essentially we can do, any team, anywhere -  it's clearly our best chance for 60 years.

Edited August 11, 2021 by Engorged Onion

[Demonland 72,176]

 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,214]

3 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Caroline Wilson added that the AFL CEOs were almost unanimous in wanting the finals to be played in front of crowds, regardless of home ground advantage.

“That question was put to the 18 club CEOs yesterday and all but one said if you can’t have a crowd, you can’t play it at the MCG. Interestingly, Gary Pert the CEO of Melbourne said we would rather play at the MCG, crowd or no crowd,” Wilson said.

Why ask 18 CEO's? Of course the ones who aren't competing would go with finals wherever they have crowds, there not competing and are looking solely at the bottom line. They should have no say.

[old55 23,561]

11 hours ago, Jaded said:

I can’t think of anything worse than Melbourne winning a flag and it being played elsewhere and we can’t attend. It would just top off what has been probably the worst year of my life. 

You reckon? How about if we lose by a point with a Selwood goal after the siren from a "too high" free kick?

Just win the flag!

[Lucifers Hero 39,758]

13 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Caroline Wilson added that the AFL CEOs were almost unanimous in wanting the finals to be played in front of crowds, regardless of home ground advantage.

“That question was put to the 18 club CEOs yesterday and all but one said if you can’t have a crowd, you can’t play it at the MCG. Interestingly, Gary Pert the CEO of Melbourne said we would rather play at the MCG, crowd or no crowd,” Wilson said.

That is because none of the potential finalists have the G as their home ground (unless Richmond make it).  Other clubs know the advantage we would have at the G.

Having said that it would be awful to not have a crowd especially for the GF.  Imagine the players doing a lap of honour to piped faux crowd noises.  Shivering at the thought.

[Jaded No More 68,913]

27 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

You reckon? How about if we lose by a point with a Selwood goal after the siren from a "too high" free kick?

Just win the flag!

Oh man why you gotta go depressing me like that? 

[binman 42,920]

 

12 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I’m not against a Perth hub per se.

However, if the Eagles make September, I have reservations. They’re at least a four goal better side there.

Good thing we are an 8 goal better side.

[Demon17 5,188]

6 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Oh man why you gotta go depressing me like that? 

And if it was against the Dees, the tackler, probably Selwood's tagger Jack Viney, would be cited by the MRP and get the GF double penalty and be rubbed out for 2 weeks, escalated to four for carelss high contact and medium impact.

And Dangerfield, in his capacity as President of the AFLPA would note the following Monday  he thought the act wasn't an in-play act andthus  be deserving of a suspension with the MRP getting '..about right.."

He will have already have been cleared of knocking out Dees playmaker Kozzie Pickett in the first quarter.

Now tell me that's not an unrealistic scenario.

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, binman said:

 

Good thing we are an 8 goal better side.

Add another 2 goals to Matty Nicholls, and the margin for error is too close in my eyes.😎

[Cyclops 511]

You have got to like Goodwins response to the question of where to play the GF. He is not allowing any negatives to cross our players minds.

On the question of chances I like ours as the Dogs have lost talls front and back and Martin underdone.

Geelong are suspect down back and May has held Hawkins for a half until badly but not fairly injured.

Port have a full team to select from and are talented and are a chance but not at the G.

Sydney can win it.

[titan_uranus 25,016]

8 hours ago, A F said:

It takes 12 weeks between first and second dose of AZ. My wife and I as 30 somethings have only just had it opened up to us. This rule would mean I couldn't go as I wouldn't get my second shot in time. You can't do that to young people....

Agree.

Cannot require vaccination for entry given that Victorians under the age of 39 have barely had an opportunity to get one dose of anything, and given AZ is all that's been available, won't have had the opportunity to get two doses prior to the GF.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,817]

10 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Agree.

Cannot require vaccination for entry given that Victorians under the age of 39 have barely had an opportunity to get one dose of anything, and given AZ is all that's been available, won't have had the opportunity to get two doses prior to the GF.

The posters who have suggested this idea of "no jab no entry" are surprisingly fully vaccinated due to their age eligibility and claim that the under 40's have many more opportunities to see a premiership.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,817]

I would've thought the club were craving a week off (physically and mentally due) to the extremely challenging fortnight we've had to endure. 

Meanwhile Geelong stroll into finals with 3 straight games at home.

I prefer the not to have the pre finals bye as it's frankly boring not having footy that weekend, but it would be good to freshen the side up.

[Webber 10,465]

11 hours ago, rpfc said:

I am really coming around to the vaccinated can go if they pass a test within two days of a final… We are going to get to these compromise positions for summer - maybe we can test it out.

It won’t mean me probably - my first shot here in the ACT is Sept 8 but I want my dad and you guys to go.

Our risk appetite is so low tho… sigh.

Agree rpfc, but the govt have no stomach for this at the moment. Despite other countries doing it, the outcry from the unvaccinated (particularly those who’ve actively chosen not to) will be too noisy. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

13 hours ago, Jaded said:

I can’t think of anything worse than Melbourne winning a flag and it being played elsewhere and we can’t attend. It would just top off what has been probably the worst year of my life. 

I don't want to delve into your private life, but didn't you get married in the last year?😀

[Deemania since 56 6,635]

2 hours ago, Engorged Onion said:

Teams may hold fears for us as supporters. I doubt it as the players, (sure, they'll do their research) -  they've had months of evidence that they're a solid team, that opponents can throw whatever they want at them, and they typically respond well.

Goodwin and the FD have been preparing the team for this scenario for years. Mature heads, some seasoned bodies, with a game plan that consistently stacks up (or has, less imperfections than other teams in the heat of finals), as well as players that know how to consistently execute their role. 

For Finals, its any team, any where. - and now we've demonstrated that essentially we can do, any team, anywhere -  it's clearly our best chance for 60 years.

Agreed, almost in full. However, I still cannot fully align Goodwin to the improved execution that we have displayed this year with all of its hurdles and barriers. He has previously had the correct amount of time to achieve these benchmarks prior to 2021.

Like the onfield team/s, the coaching infrastructure and level of expertise and experience have been an integrated, mutually enriching combination this year - alone. I put greater faith in the likes of Yze, Chocko (and even the smaller inputs of Jordan Lewis) taking the levels of expertise, smarts and innovation to a position nearing that mastery for which a team will strive and eventually achieve. 

 

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

Im for no jab no entry policy if it keeps the finals in Melbourne where home ground advantage is preserved. I dont know how we gloss over the 'home ground' advantage over having crowds... the whole concept of the top 4 and finals is built around home ground advantage. 

So if we could only get 40+ into a 50% filled MCG, then as a Melbourne (unvaccinated) supporter, i would be all for it. Yes id be gutted not to be able to attend, but not to the point where a team looses its home ground advantage.

The GF though, is a whole other matter. Im actually open to the idea of it being hosted in other cities - much like the super bowl. So dont care if its in Perth, Adelaide as long as they provide equal access to non-local vaccinated residents. 

[Webber 10,465]

3 minutes ago, CYB said:

Im for no jab no entry policy if it keeps the finals in Melbourne where home ground advantage is preserved. I dont know how we gloss over the 'home ground' advantage over having crowds... the whole concept of the top 4 and finals is built around home ground advantage. 

So if we could only get 40+ into a 50% filled MCG, then as a Melbourne (unvaccinated) supporter, i would be all for it. Yes id be gutted not to be able to attend, but not to the point where a team looses its home ground advantage.

The GF though, is a whole other matter. Im actually open to the idea of it being hosted in other cities - much like the super bowl. So dont care if its in Perth, Adelaide as long as they provide equal access to non-local vaccinated residents. 

Selfless and sensible, CYB.

[Jaded No More 68,913]

30 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I don't want to delve into your private life, but didn't you get married in the last year?😀

That was 2020. Still waiting to go on a honeymoon 🙄

[Superunknown 4,217]

53 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

The posters who have suggested this idea of "no jab no entry" are surprisingly fully vaccinated due to their age eligibility and claim that the under 40's have many more opportunities to see a premiership.

I’m 42, had AZ early (April) and do not support NJNE until next year when everyone - especially those recommended to have Pfizer - have access to the vaccination recommended by ATAGI, and not driven by the political considerations. 

do not support vaccine passports particularly for domestic travel - very dangerous area. 

I’m in NNSW so appreciate the heightened concern around vaccination

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,121]

1 hour ago, CYB said:

Im for no jab no entry policy if it keeps the finals in Melbourne where home ground advantage is preserved. I dont know how we gloss over the 'home ground' advantage over having crowds... the whole concept of the top 4 and finals is built around home ground advantage. 

So if we could only get 40+ into a 50% filled MCG, then as a Melbourne (unvaccinated) supporter, i would be all for it. Yes id be gutted not to be able to attend, but not to the point where a team looses its home ground advantage.

The GF though, is a whole other matter. Im actually open to the idea of it being hosted in other cities - much like the super bowl. So dont care if its in Perth, Adelaide as long as they provide equal access to non-local vaccinated residents. 

How much of 'home ground advantage' comes from 'home crowd'? Our players have often this year stressed the importance of the supporters. So, is an empty MCG as much of an advantage? The greater advantage/disadvantage/injustice issue might be 'home crowds' for 'away' teams at other venues, particularly Port and West Coast (and, gulp, Geelong - or is that now definitely off the table?)

On another thread of this thread, I (no doubt like many others!) was there in 1988 and 2000. It might help the cause that I have to stay away...

[binman 42,920]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I don't want to delve into your private life, but didn't you get married in the last year?😀

Short honeymoon phase?