I have fulfilled a dream. The dream to see a game in every single timeslot in a round of AFL in Melbourne. That is: Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Throw into the mix going to watch a friend’s game on Saturday morning and that equals 5 games in 3 days. Life couldn’t be better.
Here’s a rundown of all the games:
Friday night - MCG
Essendon 10.14 (74) def. Collingwood 9.7 (61)
Essendon are fighting to lose the wooden spoon and Collingwood are supposed to be fighting for a top 4 spot to secure their premiership chances. But fight they didn’t. From the start the Bombers beat them for intensity at every contest. The skill displayed from both sides was scrappy on occasions but the tightness of the game and the fact that a bottom side was beating Collingwood was enough to keep me shouting till the end. That and the fact that Collingwood’s supposed star forwards produced absolutely nothing. Feels even better that one of them wanted to leave the Swans to play for them.
Saturday morning - Central Reserve, Glen Waverly
The Collegians 10.6 (66) def. Fitzroy Reds 10.5 (65)
Some might say that suburban footy is better to watch than the professional stuff. For true lovers of the game I believe there is some truth to this statement. I like the fact that you can get close to the action and actually hear everything that is being said on the field. Ahhhh, the serenity.
This game was the 1st semi final between the 3rd and 4th teams in the competition. For the losing team it is season over. It was evident all day that both teams were keen to continue their season another week. In the end I think the difference was the greater sense of urgency from The Collegians when attacking the ball. Too many Fitzroy players waited for the ball to come to them, which resulted in costly turnovers.
Saturday afternoon - MCG
Sydney 14.11 (95) def. Melbourne 10.3 (63)
I arrived a bit late due to the morning game so I missed a quarter and a bit. But I saw enough to make me cautiously excited about September Finals.
Melbourne was without some of their stars, and Sydney exposed that fact. Adam Goodes was at his Brownlow best and some fringe players found some good form at the right time, namely Ted Richards. We also welcomed back Stephen Doyle for his first game back in 16 months. He has been injury ravaged for the last 2 years so we hope he can get some consistent footy under his belt.
The game was close in the first half. Sydney extended their margin at the beginning of the 3rd quarter kicking 3 goals but allowed Melbourne to get 2 back. The 4th quarter started in similar fashion with Sydney dominating and further extending their margin.
Saturday night - Telstra Dome
Richmond 21.16 (142) def. Brisbane 8.12 (60)
Both teams had nothing to play for as their finals aspirations have been over for a few weeks now. Brisbane has one of the longest injury lists in the competition. Most of their team are in their 1st or 2nd seasons with most of their leaders off the field with injury or other reasons.
So it’s hard to say if Richmond was as good as the scoreline suggests or if they just came up against Brisbane at a “good time.” All I have to say is that when you are leading by 80 points at half time, good teams go on with the job and win by 100+ points. Richmond sat back and did enough to maintain their lead, which diminished the spectacle.
At least we had fantastic seats that we didn’t have to pay for, so we made the most of the night by cheering loud. Especially when “RICHO!!!” got the ball.
Sunday afternoon - Telstra Dome
St Kilda 15.13 (103) def. Geelong 11.14 (80)
Geelong, the team with the most to play for put in a performance that you would expect from a team with no finals aspirations at all. They were close up until late in the first half when St Kilda put on consecutive goals to skip ahead. From then on Geelong put up no fight to St Kilda who went on to kick the first few goals of the 2nd half to extend their lead. Geelong never really had a chance.
Highlights
Here’s a rundown of all the games:
Friday night - MCG
Essendon 10.14 (74) def. Collingwood 9.7 (61)
Essendon are fighting to lose the wooden spoon and Collingwood are supposed to be fighting for a top 4 spot to secure their premiership chances. But fight they didn’t. From the start the Bombers beat them for intensity at every contest. The skill displayed from both sides was scrappy on occasions but the tightness of the game and the fact that a bottom side was beating Collingwood was enough to keep me shouting till the end. That and the fact that Collingwood’s supposed star forwards produced absolutely nothing. Feels even better that one of them wanted to leave the Swans to play for them.
Saturday morning - Central Reserve, Glen Waverly
The Collegians 10.6 (66) def. Fitzroy Reds 10.5 (65)
Some might say that suburban footy is better to watch than the professional stuff. For true lovers of the game I believe there is some truth to this statement. I like the fact that you can get close to the action and actually hear everything that is being said on the field. Ahhhh, the serenity.
This game was the 1st semi final between the 3rd and 4th teams in the competition. For the losing team it is season over. It was evident all day that both teams were keen to continue their season another week. In the end I think the difference was the greater sense of urgency from The Collegians when attacking the ball. Too many Fitzroy players waited for the ball to come to them, which resulted in costly turnovers.
Saturday afternoon - MCG
Sydney 14.11 (95) def. Melbourne 10.3 (63)
I arrived a bit late due to the morning game so I missed a quarter and a bit. But I saw enough to make me cautiously excited about September Finals.
Melbourne was without some of their stars, and Sydney exposed that fact. Adam Goodes was at his Brownlow best and some fringe players found some good form at the right time, namely Ted Richards. We also welcomed back Stephen Doyle for his first game back in 16 months. He has been injury ravaged for the last 2 years so we hope he can get some consistent footy under his belt.
The game was close in the first half. Sydney extended their margin at the beginning of the 3rd quarter kicking 3 goals but allowed Melbourne to get 2 back. The 4th quarter started in similar fashion with Sydney dominating and further extending their margin.
Saturday night - Telstra Dome
Richmond 21.16 (142) def. Brisbane 8.12 (60)
Both teams had nothing to play for as their finals aspirations have been over for a few weeks now. Brisbane has one of the longest injury lists in the competition. Most of their team are in their 1st or 2nd seasons with most of their leaders off the field with injury or other reasons.
So it’s hard to say if Richmond was as good as the scoreline suggests or if they just came up against Brisbane at a “good time.” All I have to say is that when you are leading by 80 points at half time, good teams go on with the job and win by 100+ points. Richmond sat back and did enough to maintain their lead, which diminished the spectacle.
At least we had fantastic seats that we didn’t have to pay for, so we made the most of the night by cheering loud. Especially when “RICHO!!!” got the ball.
Sunday afternoon - Telstra Dome
St Kilda 15.13 (103) def. Geelong 11.14 (80)
Geelong, the team with the most to play for put in a performance that you would expect from a team with no finals aspirations at all. They were close up until late in the first half when St Kilda put on consecutive goals to skip ahead. From then on Geelong put up no fight to St Kilda who went on to kick the first few goals of the 2nd half to extend their lead. Geelong never really had a chance.
Highlights
- Sydney defeating Melbourne
- The actions a group ladies had choreographed to the Swans team song
- Essendon defeating Collingwood
- The seats we had at the Richmond game
- The Mars Bar cake at the Retro Café
- The Melbourne Museum
Lowlights
- The heartbreaking one point loss by the Fitzroy Reds
- Geelong’s insipid performance, especially when they had so much to play for
Tips for attending neutral games:
- Pick a player you haven’t heard of and cheer for them
- Don’t inhibit yourself with what you say, let it flow
- Get out of your seat to cheer occasionally – doubles as an opportunity to improve blood flow.
- Be aware of who the people around you support – especially if you plan on hurling insults at their star player
- Have a pie (beer optional) – this goes for all games you attend, it is just part of going to the footy
Other places visited:
- Melbourne Museum – great exhibits for a cheap price
- The Retro Café – try the Mars Bar Cake
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1 comment:
You certainly have a much loved passion for AFL. For those who attended TAC on Sunday, we know which side of the church Tim would have stood when asked if NRL was the main code of football in Australia!!
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