As the saying goes, history usually repeats itself and it did with one close game and one cake walk. Unfortunately for West Coast their fairly tale ended with Geelong giving them a finals lesson like wise Hawthorn who endured the heart ache of loosing a close game after playing a brilliant first three quarters.

Dale Thomas celebrates with Luke Ball as he kicked the winning goal for the second time this finals series which gets them into the Grand Final

Collingwood sneaked over the line by playing one quarter of AFL in a Preliminary

I am unsure on what qualifies for game of the season but this will come close if it is not and after seeing the All Australian team and the results of goal and mark of the year I am sure the so called ‘experts’ will disagree with us.

I have questioned over and over Hawthorns football style and whether they could handle the tough finals atmosphere and in the first two weeks I was unsure but my questions were answered in the first three quarters. However in the peoples weekend, it clicked well sort off… It worked for the first three quarters but then they stopped and it all fell apart and ended their year. I am unsure why they stopped and maybe it was they got tired or failed to capitilise on their opportunities when they arose or maybe just maybe they ran into a team that has only lost to one team all year and has been the dominate team all year.

Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury were quiet early but they lifted when needed along with Luke Ball who kicked the winning goal after the decision to continue the third man up in the ruck contest. I understand the reason to go third man up but in every contest and against Leigh Brown and Darren Jolly, they are hardly world beaters. While we are on the discussion of Darren Jolly, will and can he play? Is it wise to play an unfit Jolly against an inform Ottens and West?

Big men win games in finals and Travis Cloke showed us why they are worth their weight in gold. He took 11 marks, had 17 kicks and 6 shots at goals – his last quarter was amazing and while Buddy kicked an amazing last quarter goal the fact is he did not have the same influence as Cloke.

Geelong had the general bye against a disappointing West Coast

West Coast finished last with four wins in 2010 as we all know and much has been said about their rise but it all meant nothing as they came up against a hot Geelong who have planned all year to seek revenge on their Preliminary fall out against Collingwood. Geelong started the game on fire while West Coast started flat and if it was not for Geelongs inaccurate kicking it would have been game over at quarter time.

It was chalk and cheese comparing the two Prelims – the Hawks/ Magpies game was tight with almost no run and carry just contested possession but Geelong exposed West Coasts press and ran the ball throughout the middle. The biggest issue for Geelong is not their game plan, form worry but Steve Johnson… While he was walking after the incident can he do a Buddy and play next week?

Preliminary Week Pub Talk

This is the part that everyone loves some may call it the water cooler talk on a Monday or as some of our readers prefer the pub talk. Whatever we love the banter, me shouting my big mouth off & pretending I know what I am talking about. So the way this works, is I give you some things I found interesting from the weekend and you tell me what you think.

1. Does anyone believe Mike Malthouse that this will be his last game as senior coach?
2. Will Steve Johnson play? Is it wise to play someone who will be half fit or is Steve Johnson someone you would risk it with his natural x-factor?
3. Was the Friday night game between Collingwood and Hawthorn the best game of the year?
4. Was it a surprise that West Coast got flogged against Geelong?
5. Was it a cheap shot when James Kelly crudely kneed Daniel Kerr in the back? Does he have anything to worry about come match review time?
6. Who will win the Brownlow?

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