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Well, my team might be in mothballs for September, but I'm looking forward to some hot contests during the finals series regardless...
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5 AWST
Fremantle vs Essendon
Subiaco Oval 6:40 PM AWST
Good luck to Freo in its first ever final, and wouldn't it be good to see the side mark the occasion with a win. This team will surely have triumphs to look forward to in future, but I doubt that this will end in anything other than tears for the westerners. The Bombers experienced hard heads are gearing-up for one last hurrah in this finals series and could get all the way to the Preliminary Final if the cards fall their way. The key players for Essendon are all too familiar with the finals cauldron, while the younger Docker stars are likely to be found wanting first time up. Essendon's recent away (outside Victoria) is little short of abysmal, and Freo has been sensational at home over the past two seasons, so the cause is certainly not hopeless for them. Chris Connolly knows Essendon's past history all too well and has been gearing his charges for a full-on Bomber attempt to physically intimidate the Dockers. He knows that his side must outpace the Bombers and win the air battle to win the game, but there's little doubt that finals games are more physical and willing (generally) than home and away fare. It wouldn't surprise me if Freo were to win most of the one-on-one contests, but I can't see them keeping Lloyd, Hird & J.Johnson subdued enough to get over the line. It'll be great to watch Pavlich, Polak, McPharlin & co strutting on the big stage though, in spite of the result... Bombers by 32 pts
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6 ACST
Adelaide vs West Coast Eagles
AAMI Stadium 2:30 PM ACST
The Eagles looked promising early in the season, but have been found wanting during the latter stages. No surprise here, as while the Eagles are a talented side, they have a disturbing reliance on uncontested ball and desperately light-on for key position talent. Essentially, Worsfold's boys have Stumbled into the finals on the back of an enormous home ground advantage, which has been synonymous of all Eagle September jaunts since 1994. Adelaide looked good last week, despite losing the Adelaide derby to Port and should prove far too good for the Eagles here. I was impressed by the Crows in spite of their loss and I still believe that they could take the flag if they could hit top form and sustain it over the next few weeks. The team has a very sound structure and also contains plenty of big game experience, which is a heady mix at this time of the year. Adelaide does get lazy in the midfield though and, for all of its talent in the centre, will not want to countenance giving easy ball to their Eagle counterparts. The Eagles (more than any other side) thrive on, running, soft ball footy and can carve you up if you give them plenty of possession and a free reign down the flanks. By way of contrast, a concerted effort early by the Crow midfield dynamos, with adequate finishing from the capable forwards they have could kill the contest well and truly before half time. I think the latter option is far more likely. ... Crows by 58 pts
Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions
MCG 7:30 PM AEST
This is sure to be the toughest and tightest contest of the weekend. Brisbane is the better of the two sides, all things being equal, but the Lions have enough players on the wounded list to tip the scales toward the home side. Collingwood has enjoyed an awesome run this season, easily the most charmed of any side in the comp. Good luck to 'em, as the game will give you more than enough kicks in the guts... You have to welcome the good fortune and exploit it to the fullest. I suspect that the Magpies will do that here and book themselves direct passage to the Preliminary Final for a second straight year. Brisbane will be working overtime in the lead-up to the game to ensure that they have a plan in place for Tarrant & Rocca, as history shows that if you hold these two players you beat Collingwood, end of story. I'll watch both sides with great interest, given that Collingwood will know that if it can't beat Brisbane here it never will, and Brisbane will be eager to affirm its reputation as a big game side. Don't expect a lot of ingenuity from either side in the game plan, as both sides are acutely aware of what they need to do to win. Brisbane will look to break down Collingwood with weight of quality ball, quick forward line delivery, and hard running burst football; while Collingwood only knows one way in big games -- spoil, harrass andgenerally make the game as untidy as possible to stifle the skilled Lions out of it. Its hard to believe I'm tipping against the Lions here and you can almost guarantee huge games to Voss, Lynch, Black & co in response. I can just feel in the pit of my gut that Collingwood is ripe for this one... Magpies by 15 pts
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 ACST
Port Adelaide vs Sydney Swans
AAMI Stadium 2:30 PM ACST
Port has enjoyed another fine season, but the doubters are out in force again, and the air is rife with choke taunts. I expect the doubters to be put swiftly back into their boxes here though, as the Power should win this one quite easily. The Swans have had a fine year, but lack the scope to go up a gear, as is required in a contest like this. The loss of O'Loughlin couldn't come at a worse time, with Sydney needing all attacking weapons on deck to compensate for the fragility inherent in their defence. Port have a great and very even spread of quality across the park and will be pumped to the max to dispel the choke stigma. Both Hawthorn & Collingwood upset Port at home in the past two finals series by cramming them, playing tight, and tackling hard. Sydney will need to borrow the Collingwood play manual here, with ugly football required if an upset is to be achieved. The Swans have the tackling capability, but Port's superior leg speed and skill level may make it difficult for the red & whites to get close enough, often enough to hurt the Power. A few goals early by Sydney will be a psychological blow, but Sydney has shown a marked tendency for slow boiling early in contests throughout the year. If they stand Port up a start here, the home side's confidence will soar and they'll slip neatly into their high skill running game, which will tear the Swans to pieces. The worrying thing for Sydney is that even tough football may not be enough, as Port has improved markedly in this area during 2003. I doubt that Mark 'Choco' Williams will need to employ the Heimlich manouvre on his charges this time around... Power by 54 pts
Finals football it ain't, but congratulations go out to Hawthorn's Sammy Mitchell who today cleaned-up the Norwich Rising Star award. A fantastic effort for a teenager dismissed by all and sundry as too fat, slow and unskilled to make the grade, less than three short years ago. In an era where clubs have developed something of an unhealthy fixation with athletic prowess, its refreshing to see a good old fashioned, hard at it, no-frills footballer kicking arse!
CyberKev
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5 AWST
Fremantle vs Essendon
Subiaco Oval 6:40 PM AWST
Good luck to Freo in its first ever final, and wouldn't it be good to see the side mark the occasion with a win. This team will surely have triumphs to look forward to in future, but I doubt that this will end in anything other than tears for the westerners. The Bombers experienced hard heads are gearing-up for one last hurrah in this finals series and could get all the way to the Preliminary Final if the cards fall their way. The key players for Essendon are all too familiar with the finals cauldron, while the younger Docker stars are likely to be found wanting first time up. Essendon's recent away (outside Victoria) is little short of abysmal, and Freo has been sensational at home over the past two seasons, so the cause is certainly not hopeless for them. Chris Connolly knows Essendon's past history all too well and has been gearing his charges for a full-on Bomber attempt to physically intimidate the Dockers. He knows that his side must outpace the Bombers and win the air battle to win the game, but there's little doubt that finals games are more physical and willing (generally) than home and away fare. It wouldn't surprise me if Freo were to win most of the one-on-one contests, but I can't see them keeping Lloyd, Hird & J.Johnson subdued enough to get over the line. It'll be great to watch Pavlich, Polak, McPharlin & co strutting on the big stage though, in spite of the result... Bombers by 32 pts
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6 ACST
Adelaide vs West Coast Eagles
AAMI Stadium 2:30 PM ACST
The Eagles looked promising early in the season, but have been found wanting during the latter stages. No surprise here, as while the Eagles are a talented side, they have a disturbing reliance on uncontested ball and desperately light-on for key position talent. Essentially, Worsfold's boys have Stumbled into the finals on the back of an enormous home ground advantage, which has been synonymous of all Eagle September jaunts since 1994. Adelaide looked good last week, despite losing the Adelaide derby to Port and should prove far too good for the Eagles here. I was impressed by the Crows in spite of their loss and I still believe that they could take the flag if they could hit top form and sustain it over the next few weeks. The team has a very sound structure and also contains plenty of big game experience, which is a heady mix at this time of the year. Adelaide does get lazy in the midfield though and, for all of its talent in the centre, will not want to countenance giving easy ball to their Eagle counterparts. The Eagles (more than any other side) thrive on, running, soft ball footy and can carve you up if you give them plenty of possession and a free reign down the flanks. By way of contrast, a concerted effort early by the Crow midfield dynamos, with adequate finishing from the capable forwards they have could kill the contest well and truly before half time. I think the latter option is far more likely. ... Crows by 58 pts
Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions
MCG 7:30 PM AEST
This is sure to be the toughest and tightest contest of the weekend. Brisbane is the better of the two sides, all things being equal, but the Lions have enough players on the wounded list to tip the scales toward the home side. Collingwood has enjoyed an awesome run this season, easily the most charmed of any side in the comp. Good luck to 'em, as the game will give you more than enough kicks in the guts... You have to welcome the good fortune and exploit it to the fullest. I suspect that the Magpies will do that here and book themselves direct passage to the Preliminary Final for a second straight year. Brisbane will be working overtime in the lead-up to the game to ensure that they have a plan in place for Tarrant & Rocca, as history shows that if you hold these two players you beat Collingwood, end of story. I'll watch both sides with great interest, given that Collingwood will know that if it can't beat Brisbane here it never will, and Brisbane will be eager to affirm its reputation as a big game side. Don't expect a lot of ingenuity from either side in the game plan, as both sides are acutely aware of what they need to do to win. Brisbane will look to break down Collingwood with weight of quality ball, quick forward line delivery, and hard running burst football; while Collingwood only knows one way in big games -- spoil, harrass andgenerally make the game as untidy as possible to stifle the skilled Lions out of it. Its hard to believe I'm tipping against the Lions here and you can almost guarantee huge games to Voss, Lynch, Black & co in response. I can just feel in the pit of my gut that Collingwood is ripe for this one... Magpies by 15 pts
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 ACST
Port Adelaide vs Sydney Swans
AAMI Stadium 2:30 PM ACST
Port has enjoyed another fine season, but the doubters are out in force again, and the air is rife with choke taunts. I expect the doubters to be put swiftly back into their boxes here though, as the Power should win this one quite easily. The Swans have had a fine year, but lack the scope to go up a gear, as is required in a contest like this. The loss of O'Loughlin couldn't come at a worse time, with Sydney needing all attacking weapons on deck to compensate for the fragility inherent in their defence. Port have a great and very even spread of quality across the park and will be pumped to the max to dispel the choke stigma. Both Hawthorn & Collingwood upset Port at home in the past two finals series by cramming them, playing tight, and tackling hard. Sydney will need to borrow the Collingwood play manual here, with ugly football required if an upset is to be achieved. The Swans have the tackling capability, but Port's superior leg speed and skill level may make it difficult for the red & whites to get close enough, often enough to hurt the Power. A few goals early by Sydney will be a psychological blow, but Sydney has shown a marked tendency for slow boiling early in contests throughout the year. If they stand Port up a start here, the home side's confidence will soar and they'll slip neatly into their high skill running game, which will tear the Swans to pieces. The worrying thing for Sydney is that even tough football may not be enough, as Port has improved markedly in this area during 2003. I doubt that Mark 'Choco' Williams will need to employ the Heimlich manouvre on his charges this time around... Power by 54 pts
Finals football it ain't, but congratulations go out to Hawthorn's Sammy Mitchell who today cleaned-up the Norwich Rising Star award. A fantastic effort for a teenager dismissed by all and sundry as too fat, slow and unskilled to make the grade, less than three short years ago. In an era where clubs have developed something of an unhealthy fixation with athletic prowess, its refreshing to see a good old fashioned, hard at it, no-frills footballer kicking arse!
CyberKev
