Jaded No More

Very poor weather here in Collingwood (I work about 1.5km from the G). Pouring rain. Grey skies. Sadly this should favour Hawthorn.

0% chance Viney doesn't play. Even at 50% he is better than most on our list.

Our game, should we win, will 100% be on Friday night. No chance West Coast / Pies vs Sydney/GWS will be on Friday night, as both of those games are on Saturday this week and both will have teams travelling. We will play Friday, giving whoever we play one extra days rest, but we will still get a full week. It's pretty fair.

Psychology and nerves will play a massive part in this game. I hope we don't let the occasion overwhelm us. We need to come out strong, make a statement in the first 10 minutes that we are not scared or worried about Geelong's experience, and that this is our final. They are dirty filthy pr*cks who enjoy cheating, just look at their coach, so no doubt will try to ruffle our feathers and hunt our younger players. This is where guys like Jones, Lewis, Gawn, Jetta and Tmac need to stand their ground and lead the way with their physicality. If we can settle those nerves and keep them in check until half time, I back us to come out with a big 3rd quarter and put them away.

I've had such an insane work week I haven't stopped to really think about the game... until the last few hours. And now it's hitting me and I'm nervous as hell! I agree with Murphy, I think this game will be a smashing one way or another. I hope it is us smashing them!

I 100% want Hannan in the side. I just can't see them dropping anyone.

Brisbane came off 3 flags and have the old Fitzroy supporter base. Kind of different.

Correct. GWS have lost a few kids too, but they're doing bloody well. Every club goes through a cycle of losing players. Remember Rivers, Frawley, Howe... the list goes on. The problem is GC will get pick 3 for Lynch, and will end up with another kid who has no desire to play for them and the cycle will start all over again. The AFL have epically stuffed this club up from the start. Let them clean up the mess. As for Lynch, better Richmond than mother effing Hawthorn!!!

My bold prediction is Out: Kent In: Viney I REALLY want Hannan in, but I just don't see them dropping anyone else. Hope it doesn't cost us.

The biggest issue is that he was a nobody. He came in all guns blazing, he made tough decisions (that perhaps needed to be made), but he was a nobody, and as a result, nobody respected him and nobody wanted to a bar of his brazen attitude. Roos made some bloody tough decisions too, but he was Roos. Players could believe him, he was honest and straightforward, and he could back it up. Neeld had no experience, no people skills, and the worst CEO in the history of AFL who believed he was coach, list manager and executioner. The best thing that ever happened to this club outside of Norm Smith, is Peter Jackson. He understood the desperate need to get a successful, well respected PEOPLE manager to get us back on course. He appointed the right person and then he BUTTED out. He gave Roos full backing, and Roos gave our players full backing and belief, even while delisting and trading beloved players. Thank god for Peter Jackson! The next premiership is 90% his doing!

I don't know what is true, I know just that I am so glad we have proper on and off field management now.

Apparently the leadership vote that Neeld was talking about, is a lie. That seems to be the common theme amongst those who have since had a go at him. Putting Trengove and Grimes in charge was apparently a directive from the board, which is pathetic in itself. Why the need to lie about it, I wouldn't know. The 2 guys I feel the most sorry for, are Trenners and Grimes. This move ruined their careers.

Yep. Those three should be ashamed of themselves. Making decisions they had no business making. Ripping the heart of the club. Banishing senior players. Then completely effing up every draft pick. Disgraceful. Three blind monkeys.

Seems unaffected by it all. At the end of the day he has a wife and kids and he is a person. I wish him well, so long as he stays the hell away from my club.

I loved how they wanted to go young and invest in talent, yet [censored] up every draft pick. Lols. God it’s good to be on the other side.

I already want to punch him. I know that’s irrational but he just makes me sooooo mad! I know he had good intentions, but still a tool.

Nice to go into a finals campaign with a relatively healthy list, and some selection headaches. I just wonder how far we could go if we had Lever. I truly believe we could go all the way if he was fit and firing. His loss hurts more than any other player who has gone down this year. We simply can't cover his role well enough.

I believe there’s some NRL crap on at AAMI on Friday night too. Plan your trip. Leave early. Public transport will 110% fail us all!

That. Suck! So glad I’m finally in a senior enough position that I get to dictate when I travel. I still miss games during the season but I try to travel around interstate games where possible. I’m flying to the US for work on Sunday the 30th of September... just in case we make the grand final!

Jesus I’m so depressed reading this. The sheer number of tragic deaths and health issues alone, is enough to make you burn all the ladders and black cats in sight. How far we have come!!!

Gawn is an avid watcher and scholar of all ruckmen. He won't take anyone lightly, especially going into a final. Abbott has nothing to lose, everyone expects Max to dominate and I am sure the Cats are planning to rove to his taps. It's more important how we keep our tactics fresh at every bounce, to ensure the Cats mids don't dine out on Max's tap dominance.

That was one of the biggest pranks in AFL forum history. He most certainly did not get drafted, he was never even in contention. The fact that everyone bought it, was just pure Yze Magic gold!

Agreed. Nobody went into the job wanting to ruin our club. Everyone had the best intentions and there is no denying the love that Stynes and McLardy had for the footy club. They just didn't have the tools to succeed. Neeld was an awful coaching selection, but I am sure he tried his best and did what he thought was right. He just happened to get it so horrifically wrong!

That is absolutely brilliant. Was hoping I could catch it on TV, but it wasn’t televised where I am. What a sensational start to Casey’s final campaign. Absolute credit to Rawlings, he has been great both at getting Casey up and also developing our players. Lets hope the senior boys can get the same result next Friday... no pressure!

I just can’t stand this club. Getting that little egotistical biatch Dangerfield has just topped it off.