Pates

Plenty of times we got our heads chopped, pushed in the back, HTB. Seriously they are the worst. Fairly play though there were three critical decisions that went our way. Tyson should've been pinged for HTB on the goal line, and then got a lucky (but there) high contact, then OMac should've been pinged for HTB because he ducked his head but 20 seconds earlier the umpire didn't pay the same thing our way so I took that as a leveller. We also got pinged for HTB with no prior a few times, an unrealistic attempt at a mark when WC did the same thing 1min earlier, and the Spargo HTM one should've just been play on as the WC player was driving straight into him preventing him from getting to the ball.

I want us to win next week, the G is our home and even though it hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us of late that needs to change. Let's start from next week. Ever since round one I've wanted us to face the cats in the finals. I want nothing more than for us to swipe those arrogant smiles of the cats fans faces. They've been lucky too long now, they didn't deserve round 1, and they didn't deserve round 18. Let's take them down when it really matters.

Surely not enough force?

It was the hurdle we needed to get over and were rightfully questioned about it. We've beaten 2nd on the ladder, on their turf, we've finally answered the critics.

He did what was asked of him for the most part, still needs work on settling his nerves in front of goal. But attacked the contest well, clunked a couple and probably should've clunked a couple more. But there were good signs.

I think I was a little bit. It was just a huge relief and it all just came out!

He's had a very poor last 3-4 weeks after having an excellent year. He's not going anywhere.

Can't agree more, I haven't heard a bigger batch of whiners. We got some lucky ones, they got some lucky ones, I would say (for once) it was actually a very evenly umpired game. They're never happy unless they've got 15 more free kicks than the traveling teams.

Although it's unlikely there is still an outside chance of us cocking this one up. Unless there are serious question marks (Hibberd eg grabbed his hammy) we should field our best side and try to get as much momentum for September. Spargo would be the only one I'd drop but I don't know who comes in as no one really did much at Casey.

When Hannan missed and they came at us and hit the front I thought we were cooked, today was the day the team dug deep and found something extra. There was every reason for us to capitulate, it would've been exactly what everyone expected but they fought and scrapped and came through the other side. Thank god we don't have to endure another year of final round craziness. Harmes BOG for me. He was so important and stood up when it counted. Oliver not far behind, he can do things that no one else in the comp can do. How rare is it that that sort of quality plays for us? Hannan totally justified his selection, kicked three and set up a few more. Kent didn't do a huge amount but when it was his moment he took it with both hands. Jones's second half was big, I understand the criticism as he's the captain but he was important to us in the second half and had a cool head. Gawn's a beast, best ruckman in the comp and anyone who argues against that is an idiot. There's more I want to say but I just want to savour the moment. This could be the making of this young side, we've answered the critics, we're in the finals and I think the rest of the teams should have every reason to not want to face us. Today was a final for us, and we won. EDIT: I forgot to add Melksham. He has become one of our top 5 most important players. His delivery and finishing ability is THE BEST in our side.

Kent was good that quarter. Spargo has been garbage, again.

WE need to make every forward entry count, need to get early goal to get a break on them.

We’ve missed targets going inside 59 and it’s cost us.

Tyson extremely lucky.

It’s fair to call it as it is, they missed some chances, we missed some chances. Our whole year is a story of missed opportunities, I think it’s about time we actually took those chances. I agree with most people’s assessment of Spargo, he needs a big second half. Otherwise he can’t surive another week. I’m sure the coaches aren’t oblivious to it and will be giving him a rev up.

I have to admit I was unconvinced about Vanders being in our best 22, now I am. He’s been very important.

They are a special kind of stupid, hell they got the worst free kick (and a resulting goal) in the half from VandenBerg’s fantastic contest.

They missed some pretty easy chances early and we got our efficiency going, but at the end my god we missed some getable chances. Petracca, Weeds, Tyson all shanking fairly standard kicks (though Petracca just didn’t make the distance from 40m). We MUST take our chances when they come, West Coast will come at us. I guarantee it.

My god the West Coast fans are stupid. They keep yelling for free kicks that aren’t even close to there.

That was a guess from the umpire, absolute [censored]. Great contest Vanders.

Start again Dees.

We had a two on one with TMac and Weeds, they needed to work it out. Easy goal opportunity missed.

Intensity was good and ball use early was good as well, but we started falling back to the kick it long idea towards the end. Start lowering the eyes again Dees.

I gotta be honest, I just want a win. It could be the ugliest, worst game of footy and I will still be over the moon. Something ive only really considered recently is that last year we had some mongrel in us, we got suspensions but we had an edge and I feel this year we’ve gone back to the good boys of the comp. We need to niggle and get stuck into them, that vision of Buddy knocking Fritta to the ground and no one coming in to remonstrate was disgraceful and showed we’re lacking passion for each other. Be f***ing Demons!

Oh I ain’t counting a thing! Finals are a massive “if” as far as I’m concerned.