BDA

Confidence growing again. I think we'll beat the Blues. They are down McKay and Martin (2 important players for them), they went into their shell late in the game v Swans and should have coughed up the game. And we tonked the Swans in rd 23. We have the Blues measure. We have to be switched on from the get-go. I know we pace ourselves and finish strongly but giving up leads and trying to chase down is so draining. Tear into the Blues from the first bounce, don't concede a lead and we will win. And Viney will have a huge game. He's built for finals. The pies game was an aberration for him. He'll be back this week. We'll be better on Friday night and win. Thens it's a PF at the Gabba and who knows. We can still do this.

We're a team that doesn't make things easy for ourselves. Losing the QF and doing it the hard way is just par for the course for us. We'll beat Carlton in a tough slog. Playing away at the Gabba will actually suit us. We'll play with more freedom I think. And then its destiny against the pies in the granny.

Neither of these teams defend well. Kick straight and we’ll beat either.

The number of injuries and disruptions to our forward line has been ridiculous. We managed to cover very well in the circumstances but in finals against the best it’s very difficult to win playing the likes of tmac and smith. It’ll be some effort if we manage to win from here given the forward challenges we’ll have to overcome

you would think so. or maybe more years.

you said he was let go. he wasn't. he was offered a contract. there are comments on here that the FD should have recognised his talent. They recognised something otherwise they wouldn't have offered him a contract. Personally, I don't think that he showed enough. Thats a matter of opinion which we can disagree on He's had a great year. Good luck to him. Many the change of environment was what he needed. A bit like Perter Wright who i didn't think could produce what he did.

he wasn't let go. he was offered a contract but decided to go elsewhere. it was his decision not the FD.

We offered him a contract. FD wouldn't do that if they didn't think he could contribute. Why didn't he stay with us and fight for his place like Chandler did?

it's a footy act dub. Have you not seen a shoulder smother before?

The argument is illogical. He had 2 possible decisions to make. Maintain his smothering action. Or decide to turn his shoulder which he did. Both decisions required the same split second. Why preference one decision over the other? Because he did have time. And being a filthy thug, he decided to inflict damage on Gus. It’s obvious if you ask me. The other nonsense argument is the footy act defence. I’ve never seen the shoulder smother ever before yet apparently it is a footy act.

Christian is just hopeless. full stop.

A lot of hindsight Harry’s in this thread

What is it with all the Bedford revisionism in this thread. He did not show this kind of form when playing for us. And he had chances to do so.

GWS will be a difficult opponent for port or lions. And they don’t seem to mind playing at away grounds. Tough on the inside, great spread, solid defensively and some real method going inside f50. They’re a well coached team and can’t be taken for granted

Good response from the saints. It was looking like it was going to be a rout so fair play to them for getting back into this game

If there are threats of violence fair enough, if you would rather not subject the kids to it fair enough. If your constitution can’t handle feral pies fans being feral then you’re soft as. We need all our supporters there to get behind the team and give them as much support as we can not sitting at home whinging about how feral the ferals are (and they are the worse supporter base out there, I hate them as much as anyone)

GWS far better. Ball movement much slicker. They’re mids on top as well. Could be a long day for the saints

Rowan marchall a very good player

If the afl are serious about protecting the head then Maynard has to get a ban. Not sure they’re serious though. We’ll see I suppose.

I rarely listen to the commentary. Adds very little to the experience and normally just gets on my nerves

If we kick straight, we'll win. If we don't, we won't. I think it's that simple. We'll win all the other stats just like we did against the pies. I don't see Grundy helping our goal kicking. Stick with TMac rusty and all as he is. IF we can get it into his hands he's a much better set-shot. I think spargo should come back in. I'm a big fan of his because he can deliver a pass. He might be able to find Tmac and Fritsch on the lead. He has lost his form badly this year, i acknowledge that, and has rightly dropped but jeez we need his kicking skills and I50 delivery. Worth a punt, i think.

Then get a babysitter and leave the kids at home.

I could not imagine anything sweeter than winning through and beating the pies in the granny. I would die a happy man if that were to happen.

The week off helps, with only five teams – Brisbane in 2003, Sydney in 2005, West Coast in 2006, Hawthorn in 2015 and Richmond in 2020 – losing qualifying finals, then winning the flag

Find this very hard to believe. If you can't be bothered to turn up to a final because of low morale then you're not a supporter to begin with.