Bring-Back-Powell

Further to your post, our final should be at the MCG tonight. Gary Pert formally requested our week 1 final be at the MCG but the AFL caved into Gerard Whaetley who took personal offence that a final be played behind closed doors. I agree with your post. We’ve been given absolutely zilch advantage as the AFL sought a 5,000 Adelaide Oval crowd at the expense of the minor premier’s home ground advantage, and then have given Port a massive leg up by giving them a home prelim. I still think we’ll overcome the adversities and win the flag.

Be a colossal stuff up by Port if they somehow didn’t make the GF for here.

I reckon he planted the seed of doubt in his players by sooking for shortened quarters all year.

Combo of attitude issues and wanted a fat pay cheque.

Said this last Friday but how good a set shot is Ladhams from Port!

I still can’t work out why the back up state option for the grand final is run by the most paranoid man in Australian in relation to COVID 19.

No issue if it’s to be at the MCG in front of nobody (even though it won’t be) Whatever it takes to win a flag.

I checked Ticketek website - can't get it lower than $100. It's usually about $70 for Adelaide Crows home games so not really a surprise.

Beating a side 3 times in a year is a tough call so Geelong would be a massive challenge in a prelim or a GF. Aside from WC over Collingwood in 2018 I can't think of too many sides that have done it. For some reason I have it in my head that Port are shoe-ins tonight.

If tickets are starting at $100 then we're going to get a bush league number crowd tomorrow night. That is disgracefully expensive. What neutral fan is going to turn up at that price? I hope to eat humble pie and we get 15K tomorrow night, but I expect there to be only about 4 or 5K.

A forward that averages 2 goals a game @ 63% accuracy is of severe interest to me.

Andrews ruled it out today without formally ruling it out. I wish you were onto something though....

Based on that information, the only people that should be permitted to go to Perth (and for the GF) are staff members directly involved on game day. No families, No directors, no office or merchandising staff, influential sponsors or past greats. Our CEO probably would get an exemption and that's about it.

2017 was at Subiaco. The game where T Mac kicked the winner with 10 secs left.

I think it's just the two wins: Rd 22 2018 - Win Prelim 2018 - Loss Rd 9 2019 - Loss Rd 1 2020 - Loss Rd 21 - Win Weirdly enough have never played Freo at Optus, and have never played WC away from Optus. On a side note, Port will have a large contingent going over for the GF as South Aussies are free to travel to WA now.

Yeah I would change my mind if Oliver or Gawn got concussed, that's for sure!! But as it stands, it would be nice to keep rolling and not have to wait 15 days between a potential prelim and GF, whilst many of us quite frankly have nothing to do with our lives. On your second paragraph, you need very special permission to attend WA if you're coming from a medium risk state such as VIC in order to even do 14 days quarantine. Suspect there will be some disappointed non footballing staff and VIP's that miss out if McGowan is consistent with his hard border and health stance.

Exactly my thoughts. Absolutely pointless twiddling our thumbs for 2 weeks and it gives the GF clubs a bit more rest before next season, after a shortened break for clubs last year.

The grand final will clearly be played in Perth. I can only imagine the slight hold up to officially calling it is that cases have kind of stabilised over the last couple of days in VIC and they’re giving it one final last crack over the next 7 days. The AGE have got a story online saying that there may be a degree of control over the latest outbreak according to experts. Either that or McGowan has left off a few corporate fat cats, AFL execs and club directors off his invite list and it’s back to the negotiation table.

That’s exactly correct. Low risk means you can quarantine for 14 days in WA for any reason. Medium risk means you must have a special permit to enter. I think there’s going to be some influential Melbourne people that will miss the Gf, as well as the die hard supporters.

If we’re medium risk by GF day, I doubt even the MFC board of directors let alone MFC supporters would even be allowed in.

Single jab would suffice surely with a negative test.

Gil's just confirmed that the grand final will be in Perth or the MCG. So well done Perth.

This game should've been played at the MCG as a reward for our 1st place finish. A qualifying final is a crucial final as winning it is the clear gateway to winning a premiership as opposed to toughing it out for 4 weeks and potentially not having a break since round 14. Brisbane have not won at the MCG since 2014 and have a 9 game losing streak there and lost to Hawthorn of all teams down there last year. Plus they hardly ever play at the G. Tell me that's not an advantage to the MFC! Alas, the AFL caved into the Gerard Whatley's of the world who were visibly offended and upset that a final would be played at the home of footy in front of nobody, and are now going to play the game in front of a whopping 4,000 or so diehards interstate. I'd understand if we were giving up our home ground advantage for a massive money making event where crowds are in the 20,000's or 30,000's, but not for the small crowd that they'll probably end up getting where almost 100% of respective club members can't go (VIC) or won't go (Brisbane fans that have to COVID test every 4 days while in SA). With that being said, I expect to win on Saturday night and win well.

Huge in for Geelong, assuming he's match fit enough. Tuohy would've been really handy for them as well. I give the Cats a white hot chance on Friday night as they'll be stinging from last weekend. Then I can see them making the GF without much fuss.

I assume the pro unvaccinated are happy to live in and out of lockdowns for the rest or their lives and/or be excluded from every day events such as movies, sporting events, concerts, restaurants, pubs etc...