The weekend saw the final 8 take shape with teams needing to win for form and for home finals, which saw a few anticipated matches that did not let us down.
Sorry about the down time of Kick2Kick today.
West Coast Eagles defeated Richmond by 80 points
The season ended as it started for Richmond with a horrible flogging and not many of the players looking at surviving the Tiger cull showed anything, except Cousins.
For the Eagles, it ended a good last month with 4 wins out of the last 5. LeCras kicked 5 goals and Spangher had his best game of his career.
West Coast dominated the game and with straight kicking the margin would have been worse, they had 56 entries into the 50m arc with 40 shots at goals.
Geelong defeated Fremantle by 40 points
Fremantle showed passion on the ground but failed on the scoreboard as Geelong kicked 9 of the first 11 goals of the game.
The promising signs for Geelong was that Kelly, Harley and Ottens all found form and got through the game. Another positive sign was Hawkins who kicked 3 but chased, tackled and provided good spirit & pressure in the forward line.
Mathew Lloyds bump got Essendon into the finals & ensured that the bump talk will again be debated this week.
Essendon defeated Hawthorn by 17 points
This was a great game to watch as it had almost everything that any football supporter loves to watch.
We had Lloyd getting out his ‘velvet sledge hammer’ and whacking Sewell, while people will argue about whether he ’snipped’ or not but you cannot argue that his actions inspired his team and after being four games down they kicked the next 3 to get back into the contest. While Lloyd and Neagle failed to make a goal presence, young CHB Hurley stepped up with 4 second half goals which was the difference.
The Hawks did well to kick as many goals as they did but they where always without a real chance. Essendon kicked 11 goals to the Hawks 5 in the second half. IMO Essendon deserved the 8th spot more.
Brisbane defeated Sydney by 8 points
Brisbane have a poor recent record at the SCG plus Sydney had 3 heroes playing their last game. This however did not stop the Lions as they booked themselves a home final against Carlton.
Sydney at half time was down by 26 points but a much improved second half of 8 goals saw them get within a kick 3 minutes left. However Sherman who has improved out of sight this year kicked his third running goal to be the match winner.
While Sydney missed out on the finals. Their future is more brighter this year than last years.
North Melbourne defeated Port Adelaide by 4 points
In looking at the report of the this game, its safe to say that several players will be missing at the start of next year as both teams let out their frustrating year on each other.
Harvey & Petrie where the best for the Roos and what was even worse than Ports game/ year was their lack of support in their fans turning out to the game.
Expect a clean out (on and off field) at both clubs!
Adelaide defeated Carlton by 72 points
Carlton started quickly by kicking the first 5 out of 6 goals but by half time they where only 5 points up and after quarter time they only managed 9 goals to Adelaide’s 21.
Adelaide needed a big win against another top 8 side and they did it in style with Porplyzia, Knights & Tippett kicking four each plus ‘Birdman’ Burton taking the mark of the year.
Carlton need to get Gartlett & Betts back as no other forward besides Fevola managed to kick multiple goals.
Burton over his knee and buttocks injury to take the mark of the year with this screemer
St Kilda defeated Melbourne by 47 points
I do not care what coach Lyon says about his sides form and injury situations, they are out of form! Save two moments where they kicked 9 goals in two separate 5-7 minute blocks they where well matched by a tanking side, looking for their draft picks.
Yes Riewoldt kicked 6, Kosi had 5 shots at goals and Dal Santo had heaps of the ball, but it took them a bit to get used to outside football on the MCG (first game of the year) and Melbourne where in front for almost half a match.
Western Bulldogs defeated Collingwood by 24 points
This game was another game that everyone watched with anticipation. Both are in good form and the winner would set themselves up against a Geelong side which both clubs would fancy themselves against. The winner, the Dogs by two goals in the last 5-7 minutes set up their 24 point win and 3rd spot.
The Dogs had more goal options than Collingwood with only Thomas and Lockyer kicking 2 each. Swan had another quite games which will worry every Collingwood supporter. Do they bring in Rocca after the forward line struggled?
You would have thought Fraser & Wood would have the edge over Minson & Everitt (Hudson out) but not only did they win more hit outs but they also had more impact around the ground.
Finals Games Week One:
- Adelaide v Essendon – Friday Night AAMI
- Geelong v Bulldogs – Sat Day MCG
- Brisbane v Carlton – Sat Night MCG
- St Kilda v Collingwood – Sun Day MCG
Bottom 8 Ladder
- Hawthorn – 9 wins 92.55%
- Port Adelaide – 9 wins 88.68%
- West Coast – 8 wins 93.30%
- Sydney – 8 wins 93.14%
- North Melbourne – 7 wins, 1 draw 83.37%
- Fremantle – 6 wins 77.34%
- Richmond – 5 wins, 1 draw 74.29%
- Melbourne – 4 wins 74.66%
Round 22 Talking Points
Please give us your thoughts in the comments section below or add your own round 22 talking points. The questions will asked in bold and my response will be un-bold under them.
Your input and comments help us make Kick2Kick a better website, so please express your opinions.
- Would Nathan Brown or Mark Coughlan get a game next year with another club?
- The only team I can see Brown at is Sydney on a minimum wage as they look to rebuild their forward line. Coughlan (27) however could fit at a few clubs like Collingwood, Fremantle, West Coast, Port, Hawks & Carlton.
- How many weeks will Lloyd get? And what is your view on the whole situation?
- Think its very similar as Buddy’s and will get 2-3 weeks.
- Which top four side has the best form coming into the finals? St Kilda? Geelong? Bulldogs or Collingwood?
- St Kilda and Geelong look to be limping into the finals. Collingwood had a good run but most of the game where against bottom sides. Bulldogs look in better form with recent wins against Brisbane, Collingwood and next weeks opponent Geelong.
- Will Paddy Ryder be suspended? and will his suspension be harder to cover than Lloyd?
- Nah just a love tap, should learn to slap like Brown did.
- Should Carlton bring back Betts & Gartlett into their side?
- Yes, Gartlett has shown more than Yarren & Betts is important as they need others to kick goals.
- Are Carlton & Essendon just making up the numbers in the 8?
- Essendon yes, Carlton most likely.
- Who is your favourite for the finals?
- Still on the Geelong bandwagon.
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August 31st, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Lloyd will get some, but not sure how much. They’ll look at the whole incident real close.
Liking the Cats for the flag. Pies will beat the Saints this week.
Ryder & Hodge will get off. Strong word is that they have Campbell Brown on something.
Strong theory is that the Blues saw the result at the ‘G & laid down so they wouldn’t play the Bombers.
craig eyles´s last blog ..Week 4 EPL Picks
August 31st, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The Lions may be without Black, Drummond, Merrett & Bradshaw which will be a few big outs as they look to play Carlton. I doubt Carlton would ‘lay down’ to play at the Gabba instead of Essendon but its a nice theory
August 31st, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Much as I love Mark Coughlan: he’s not come back the same player and his decision making has been thrown out as a result of being out of the game too long, and not having the same confidence in his knees. But if he does manage to make a fist of it at another club you can bet I’ll be cheering for him.
And I reckon anyone putting money on the premiership winner is either privy to more information than I have on hand, or they are kidding themselves. Most open finals series in years, at least before it starts.
Geoff Matheson´s last blog ..Bowden Bowin’ out
August 31st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Agree Coughlan is not the same player as before but think he still has some games left in him at some clubs. Of the list I gave above (minus Carlton & Hawks), I will say why he could play for them.
Collingwood – Midfield looks a bit thin & could be nice to see him handball out to Davis & Didak for the Pies.
Fremantle – Could dominate under Sandilands feet and allow Pavlich to play forward.
West Coast – Give some chop to Kerr to allow him to run more.
Port – Midfield will be light after a clean out.
Although it needs to be reminded that he wont be able to ask for top dollar or expect to go back to his 2003 & 05 form.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
jerm, just wondering how many games the dogs have won since you said that we would not win another game for the year??? keep underestimating us brother…
August 31st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
When did I say you would not win another game Deano? I prob did say that but just do not remember.
btw I think you need to buy an Eagles membership next year (quoted from your comment from the WCE 2009 preview)
Kennedy kicked 30+ along with LeCras kicking nearly 60.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
what about the carlton one???lol
August 31st, 2009 at 7:06 pm
some of your comments after round 19:
# Is this why the Dogs have not renewed Eade’s contract with a worrying trend of loosing games at the end of the season? (Every season Eade has been in charge they have struggled towards the end of the season).
* I am not surprised and I will refrain from saying “I told you so”. Sad day for the Dogs fans…
# Will the Dogs stay in the top 4? Will they win another game?
* BIG PERDICTION TIME: They will not win another game
August 31st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
first of all…funny to see jerm wrong about the dogs again.
lol
second of all it has been revealed that Llyod will receive a 4 week ban if he accepts an early plea, turns out i was right ay jerm
lol
i wouldn’t be suprised to see Ryder and longergan suspended as the AFL really looks to stamp out the melees in the game. So as it turns out Essendon probably aren’t going to have any impact on the finals because 1. they are not that good of a team, and 2. now they’ll be missing a few key players probably.
one question jerm…you say that the saints and the cats have limped into the finals this year but still have geelong winning the flag? i understand your reasons for this however if recent years is anything to go by, teams who limp into the finals quite often don’t win the flag.
personally i think the recent form of the dogs and pies suggest that they are the teams to beat heading into september, however i think collingwood will lose to st kilda. collingwood just aren’t good enough to win the flag, the dogs however…well they could well just take the premiership back to footscray this year. now wouldn’t that be something
one more thing…i find it interesting that will minson had 28 hitouts, and fraser and wood 23 combined. in other words they were smashed. Fraser=one of the most over rated players STILL in the AFL today.
DOGS FOR PREMIERS 09!!!
Mike´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net
September 1st, 2009 at 5:13 am
i love your enthusiasm mike, but there is a long long way to go… the season is only just beginning. it won’t surprise me if any team from the top4 wins it.
September 1st, 2009 at 6:59 am
yeah i know there is a long way to go, but i’m just being really hopeful lol. i will be suprised however if collingwood win
Mike´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net
September 1st, 2009 at 7:45 am
same, how good are reid and ward going?? to think we only had to swap jordan mcmahon for ward!!! best trade ever
September 1st, 2009 at 8:57 am
reid is developing but he is going to be a good player…
ward is incredible on the other hand. i reckon he could be a future leader at our club. he’s playing like a veteran. (interesting to note he isnt one of the favorites for the rising star, would have thought he would be a contender perhaps)
it was a very productive trade. i always liked mcmahon tho, i had a chat with him in perth a couple of years back. i think he would have been fairly upset about being traded. but we did get a better player in return. Everitt showed some good signs on sunday as well.
do you think we can take the premiership this year? Jermayn told me he doesnt really rate the dogs but i’ve got a sneaking suspicion they may make a big impact in the finals this year. geelong and st kilda seem too shaky and out of form for me. the dogs seem to be coming into the finals in the best form out of the top 4. since round 15 we’ve only lost 2 games, one to the saints and the other to the eagles but we can honestly blame poor goal kicking for letting that one slip away.
maybe just maybe the dogs might just have their day, on that one day in september….
Mike´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net
September 1st, 2009 at 10:08 am
@deano & Mike – Yes I was wrong when I said that the Dogs would not win another game after round 19 but im sure I was not the only one who thought that after their loss to West Coast (a team that had not won a game in Victoria for 2 years). The truth though, is that your team got their act together and have beaten Brisbane (away), Geelong & Collingwood and I would have to agree that the Dogs have the best form coming into the finals.
Even though, I do think Geelong will win it. Just a gut feeling, nothing more..
September 1st, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@mike, i like you and every other bulldogs fan have been in this situation many times before only to be let down, to be honest it would be a thrill just to see the boys run out on the ground on GF day, something both me and my father have been waiting a long, long time for. do i think we can do it this year, hard to say but this is the most excited i have been going into a finals series since ‘97 and we all know what happened that year, anything is possible and i think our form in the last 3 weeks has given us every chance to do really well. i also think we are the most talented side in the league but that counts for nothing if they are not all on the same page, i think the team that puts together the best 4 weeks will win and at the moment i think only 4 teams are capable of that…bring it on
September 1st, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Only four teams???
What about Adelaide? Everyone seems to be talking them up after their demolition off Carlton.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
dogs and pies were too good for them(and in Adelaide), geelong still beat them even though they were in poor form and saints were too good for them as well, no doubt they are in huge form and could be dangerous but i still think a fair gulf exists between top4 and the rest.
September 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pm
RE Eagles: credit where credit is due, good get, however, i think even you would admit that no one would have expected LeCras to kick as many as he did otherwise you would have tipped the three boys to kick 100 between them(which they did)!!!
Given that your other prediction(simpson, betts, cloke and yarran to kick 100 between them) failed miserably(total of 62) how about we call it evens!!!lol