AFL Finals Buildup/Predictions

[AndyP]

We are one round away from the finals, and it looks like the final eight and positions is almost set, unless there are a couple of upsets in the last round.

The top eight looks like finishing as below:

1. Port Adelaide - Yet another minor premiership
2. Brisbane Lions - Set up for two home finals
3. St Kilda
4. Geelong
5. Melbourne
6. Sydney
7. West Coast
8. Essendon

Which makes the first week of the finals:

Port v Geelong
After another interstate loss by Geelong on the weekend, it is hard to see them winning this one. Although they pushed Port to less than a goal earlier in the year. Would be great to see Port choke once again.

Lions v StKilda
See R21 results.

Melbourne v Essendon
Both teams seem to be a bit flakey, however Melbourne did overcome their Essendon bogey earlier this year. Should be a great game.

Sydney v West Coast
Don't really care about this one. It is a bit unfortunate that one of them could be knocked out, as they are the two teams that really trouble Brisbane. This game might be played at the MCG.

Unfortunately it is hard to see Brisbane not winning the premiership.
Port can't play at the MCG. Geelong are their best at Kardinia Park. Saints have been very good at the Dome, but fairly ordinary elsewhere. Brisbane step up at the 'G' everytime they play there.

Of course, the fact that the MCC won't bend on their right to host a certain amount of finals, could really mess around with finals results.

[Fishman Dan]

Sadly i think you're right, there's not a lot to stop the Lions this year.

Port: GF berth? But not winners this year. PS - Thanks for Nick Stevens.
Geelong: I think they'll get an attack of Port-itis. They'll wake up on the morning of files match and not know what to do next.
St Kilda: See Above. Potential GF team, but they'll get flogged as per their early-90's attempt.
Melbourne: Yeah, right. Did you see them against Carlton?! 0% chance.
Sydney: Surely they can't. But if they play their boring brand of netball tactics they could sneak into contention.
West Coast: Unknown. Likely to win through to last weeks of finals. Also like to get beaten by 150 by the Swans.
Essendon: As per St Kilda - haven't put it together in the 2nd half of the season.
Fremantle: They aren't expected to make it to the finals, so look out.

Games of the week this weekend would have have be;

St Kilda vs Freo - Telstra Dome
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs

.5% between them on the ladder. Both have to win, and win well.. If both lose, and the 'Roos knock the Lions off (at the Gabba...hmm..) then they are in.

[AndyP]

Games of the week this weekend would have have be;

St Kilda vs Freo - Telstra Dome
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs

.5% between them on the ladder. Both have to win, and win well..

Can't see Freo winning their game, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Doggies knocked Essendon over.
I wouldn't write the Roos off against Brisbane either. They have plenty to play for, and they usually put up a good fight at the Gabba. I just can't see them falling across the line.

How about these games:
Geelong vs Hawthorn
Richmond vs Sydney.
Less than 1% between them on the ladder, so neither can afford to get flogged. The race for the spoon isn't over yet.
Richmond play first, so the Hawks will be aware of the equation come Sunday.

[Fishman Dan]

Richmond play first, so the Hawks will be aware of the equation come Sunday.

So they will know how much they can afford to lose by?

[3oneday]

Glad to see u are the only 2 who are into GAYFL, enjoying your chat ???

[Jarro]

Glad to see u are the only 2 who are into GAYFL, enjoying your chat ???

couldn't have put it any better myself Pete =D>

[AndyP]

Richmond play first, so the Hawks will be aware of the equation come Sunday.

So they will know how much they can afford to lose by?

On that, I can't understand the media hype about the two teams hoping to lose yesterday, so they would get the no. 1 draft pick. As if any team would try to lose a match.

How much difference is there going to be between the no. 1 and no. 2 draft picks? The 2001 draft saw Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Chris Judd picked up in the first 3 picks. All three will be superstars.
I beleive James Hird was picked up at something like no. 81. Last year, Aaron Davey (Melbourne) wasn't picked up at all (I think), he got through from their rookie list. He is a great player.

So I don't see what the media's argument is.

Glad to see u are the only 2 who are into GAYFL, enjoying your chat ???

So it's alright to talk about bumsniffing in other threads???
Bugger Off. :P

[Jarro]

So it's alright to talk about bumsniffing in other threads???
Bugger Off. :P

settle petal

.. we was just messin' with ya :smt112

[3oneday]

firey critter

whose bum was sniffing ?? got a serious gas issue I could talk about !!

Pete

[AndyP]

So it's alright to talk about bumsniffing in other threads???
Bugger Off. :P

settle petal

Your moderator power doesn't scare me, mate. You have always been prejudiced against us AFL followers. If I need to, I will take this to the top.

[CobraSS]

Although as a Lions Fan, I agree we are looking good to make 4 on the trott, but I am still worried RE the ruckman situation the Lions are in. Keating and the rookie is what we are down too, and Keating is very injury prone. If he stays healthy we should win it, but if he don't I think we are gone do it tough.

[AndyP]

Although as a Lions Fan, I agree we are looking good to make 4 on the trott, but I am still worried RE the ruckman situation the Lions are in. Keating and the rookie is what we are down too, and Keating is very injury prone. If he stays healthy we should win it, but if he don't I think we are gone do it tough.

Keating always plays come finals time.
I'm so glad the Hawks got Spider Everitt, instead of Keating. He is such a cripple.

[gazgolf1]

Although as a Lions Fan, I agree we are looking good to make 4 on the trott, but I am still worried RE the ruckman situation the Lions are in. Keating and the rookie is what we are down too, and Keating is very injury prone. If he stays healthy we should win it, but if he don't I think we are gone do it tough.

Keating always plays come finals time.
I'm so glad the Hawks got Spider Everitt, instead of Keating. He is such a cripple.

Now you have to be kidding Andy
Spider Everitt is'nt fit to carry Clark Keating's bag.

The guy's a fruitloop that gets more tatts than kicks
Jeez being glad to get Spider Everitt,I'll see if Mark Jacko Jackson feels like pulling on the Brown & Gold.

[AndyP]

I'm so glad the Hawks got Spider Everitt, instead of Keating. He is such a cripple.

Now you have to be kidding Andy
Spider Everitt is'nt fit to carry Clark Keating's bag.

The guy's a fruitloop that gets more tatts than kicks
Jeez being glad to get Spider Everitt,I'll see if Mark Jacko Jackson feels like pulling on the Brown & Gold.

Fishy, can you have your say on this one, obviously we are biased towards our own teams. Although I rated Everitt above Keating when he was at St. Kilda.

In my opinion there is no comparison, Everitt can take control of a game and win it himself, and is an all-round better player. He is one of the league's premier tap-ruckmen and is pretty menacing up forward also. I would be surprised if he was not picked for All-Australian this year.

I can't even think of an argument for Crackers Keating.

[markTHEblake]

1. Port Adelaide - Yet another minor premiership
2. Brisbane Lions - Set up for two home finals

You have tipped Port to win their first final which means Brisbane wont get two home finals. The system means that Lions prelim will be in Melbourne.

If Brisbane makes the GF they will win against all comers.
As much as i hate to say it, Port Adelaide will be premiers if Brisbane dont make it that far.

despite the Port-i-chokes they now have the finals 'experience' to take it one further as long as they are playing against one of the other finals bunnies, of which most in the 8 are apart from Lions.

In any case I will be barracking for the Lions and whoever is playing the PaP smears.

[Fishman Dan]

You league fans have got to be joking.

Tonight was the final game in the AFL for 2 teams that have no chance of making the 8, and over 60 000 people came and saw a traditional slug-fest.

Your game is banning players for 1/2 a season at a time, and meanwhile over at Stadium Australia a game with a team on the fringe of the finals looked like a stadium in Athens to watch shameless display of "roll-over, good boy".

By the way - i won't get too gee'd up and carry on, i know the Pies supporters at this forum will be hurting enough..

("Know"/"hope", same diff...)

GO THE MIGHTY BLUES!!!

[Jarro]

i hope that's not the emotion of a rare Carlton win talking there Fishy

[Fishman Dan]

You bet it is

[Jarro]

well that's OK then

.. 'cos we all know the Rugby League is a far superior game :P

[AndyP]

.. 'cos we all know the Rugby League is a far superior game :P

Like hell it is.

Onya, Fishy.
BTW, I tipped this. Hope Judge didn't.

It seems the Swannies have almost guaranteed that the useless Tigers get the spoon they deserve.

[Fishman Dan]

Went to the Parra vs Penrith game on the weekend - a local derby and all the fans came out - all 14 000 of them

I've gotta say that in a league hot-spot (Parra Stadium) it's good to see families coming out, and a lot of eager kiddies, but as a spectacle NRL doesn't weigh up.

[McMw]

woo hoo....

eagles are in, dockers are out!!!

\/

[Jarro]

just give the cup to the Lions now ..... from the little AFL i've seen this year, looks like they're head and shoulders above the rest

[AndyP]

just give the cup to the Lions now ..... from the little AFL i've seen this year, looks like they're head and shoulders above the rest

That's what we have been saying.

Finals Draw (Week 1):
Brisbane Lions v St Kilda (Gabba - Fri night)
Melbourne v Essendon (The 'G' - Sat)
Sydney v West Coast (Homebush - Sat night)
Port Adelaide v Geelong (Football Park - Sun)

I'm sure Essendon and Melbourne are both happy about the team they are playing in the first week. On current form, neither of these two teams deserve to make the second week of the finals, but one of them will.

If we assume all of the favourites will win in the next two weeks. The Prelims will see St Kilda travelling to Port Adelaide, and the interesting one; Brisbane playing Geelong at the MCG due to one Prelim having to be played there.

[Fishman Dan]

Brisbane playing Geelong at the MCG due to one Prelim having to be played there.

That wouldn't be so bad, but i think the AFL are talking about 'owing' that final at the MCG for another year.