P-man

As a Melbourne fan I am used to watching grand finals as a neutral. I’ve seen grand finals where I’ve preferred one side to win than the other. I’ve also seen grand finals where I’ve been ambivalent about the outcome. This year I’m faced with an uncomfortable scenario: loathing at the prospect of either side winning the flag. Two well supported, well resourced clubs that have already won flags in recent years and whom we know are insufferable in the aftermath of winning. What a fairytale. Pass the tissues cause I’m choking up over here. No wait, it’s bile. False alarm. I can’t bring myself to simply not care. Their fan bases alone are enough to put anyone off the idea. West Coast - a sea of mindless booing drones, all wearing the exact same blue polo and blue cap they received when they upsized their meal at Hungry Jacks. They repulse me in a deep and meaningful way. Collingwood - little need be said. We all know. One of my mates is one. Well, I say mate. He’s more a friend from high school that I’ve never managed to rid myself of. The thought of him tasting ultimate success again fills me with....what’s the opposite of joy? Seething hatred is in the ballpark.. Both teams have their fair share of unlikeable players. Taylor Adams on one side. Mark LeCras on the other. I thought I may have found the tiebreaker with the feel good story of Travis Varcoe. Then I remembered he plays with that tattooed ballbag Jeremy “omg I carry a photo of Bucks in my wallet!” Howe. No luck there. I said in the post match that I’d be barracking for the umpires. On reflection, I think I’ll be barracking for the umpires mutating and going on a zombie feeding frenzy. Mason Cox being chased around the MCG by a zombie Razor Ray. That will placate me. Pretty much anything that spares me from having to watch one of these muppet ensembles celebrating at the final siren, I will gladly accept. If you can see an upside to either of these sides winning a premiership that has somehow escaped me, let me know. If not, wake me up when this one is over. Or when the ground has opened up and swallowed all players and officials in one glorious gulp.

The fumbling and misfired handballs in the first half were so unlike us. We just couldn’t get our ball movement going and the opposition deserves credit for that. They did their homeworkL Fought it out in the second half. Could’ve rolled over. It’s not much but it’s something. The booing of the crowd really is farcical. Barely a braincell between the lot of them. I’ll be cheering on the umpires next week.

At least they haven’t extended their lead. I’ll take that at this point.

The end of this game cant come fast enough.

Lewis saves his worst game for a prelim.

Start the second half off with anither fumble

Oh well. Not ready,

God these peanuts in the crowd are an embarrassment.

Haven’t played this poorly for a while.

That’s what one fumble can do

Shaky start from both sides.

I’m ready. Bring on the booze and the boos.

I knew I’d enjoy it before I opened it. “Fearless, loyal and undaunted, Nathan Jones never changed. At times, in our darkest days, he seemed to turn back into traffic as if to say, ‘‘You can beat us by 100 points but you’re going to get sore doing it.’’ And the fans remember those things.” Amen.

I recorded the SF on Fox and the post match discussion panel, consisting of Roos, McGuire, Brereton and King, is surrounded by Melbourne fans who keep chanting Roosy’s name. I must have watched it twenty times over just to see Roosy’s reaction. The smile on his face is absolutely brilliant. He’s left in no doubt how much the fans love him for what he did for this great club. He’ll be cheering the boys on today just like the rest of us.

He seems to have a lot of “bad nights” for a supposed great. Lost count of the number of times he gets exposed 1v1. He’s a good player sure but the bloke isn’t fit to clean Scarlett’s boots. Annoys me when he gets placed in the same conversation.

Seeing Richmond trudge off the ground sullen faced makes me so very happy.

Forget just current day. He’s one of the most overrated players of all time.

Take away Richmond’s pressure and this is what you’re left with. The same top heavy side they’ve always been.

This is absolutely glorious.

Matchups aside, Fritta has been one of the weaker performers in the finals thus far. I would have dropped Tyson before him as he gets exposed on the outside, but on form Fritsch is not a big loss.

It was only labelled a dive because it was Oliver. If it was the majority of other players it would have gone practically unnoticed.

I’m not sure where the rich stereotype comes from. I asked my butler and he didn’t know either.

I don’t hold a grudge against Chip. Or even Scully. Howe on the other hand can get stuffed after the way he carried on waxing lyrical about his love for Bucks and Collingwood. He showed little respect for the club that drafted him. I wish him no success. Needless to say, Jonesy’s loyalty and resilience is a rare thing. He has the respect of the entire football world and rightly so.

Mate. You started the thread asking if Goodwin was the right guy. In April. And you’re the one saying I told you so? Come on.

Enjoyed this one from the couch. I was doubly happy when the game ended. Firstly because we won. Secondly because I wouldn’t have to keep hearing Bruce pronounce Salem as “Sahlum”. Interesting that every man and his dog was texting me tonght compared to hardly any last week. They can sense we’re coming ??