Murray MiddletonFinals - Week Three
September 21st 2008 15:55
1. Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs put up a brave performance on Friday night. Last season they finished thirteenth. This season they made a preliminary final and narrowly lost to one of the best teams of all time. There is a clear improvement. The Bulldogs got the jump on the Cats but were slaughtered in the second quarter. Halfway through the third quarter they launched a series of dangerous attacks on the far wing. Jarrod Harbrow played the game of his life. Brian Lake was almost best on ground. Adam Cooney had a disappointing game and appeared to be suffering the effects of illness. Josh Hill - the only teenager on the ground - played an immature match. For the Bulldogs to win, they needed everyone to contribute.
The performances of Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson were a concern. Both players were recruited over the summer for their finals experience. Welsh was soundly beaten by Matthew Scarlett. Ben Hudson was soundly beaten by Brad Ottens. Captain Brad Johnson also struggled. There is no way that the Bulldogs will retain both Johnson and West next season. Their older players are clearly in decline. The likes of Tom Williams, Andrejs Everitt, Josh Hill, Jarrod Grant and Callan Ward must take the next step in 2009. These five players are all early draft picks and have all shown glimpses of talent at senior level. It will be interesting to follow the Bulldogs during trade week.
2. St.Kilda
The Saints finals series resembled North Melbourne's 2007 campaign. They snuck into fourth position, won one final and were comprehensively beaten by the two grand finalists. The Saints simply weren't in the same league as Hawthorn. Luke Ball was a late withdrawal. He was replaced by Aaron Fiora. The Saints lost arguably their hardest player and replaced him with the softest player in the competition. Fiora's performance was predicatably deplorable. If the Saints are to go anywhere in the future, they must delist the likes of Fiora, Gardiner and Birss and focus on developing younger players.
Robert Harvey did not get the fairytale end to his career. It was sad watching the Saints champion leave the field. He played for twenty-one seasons and didn't win a grand final. The blame should not be placed with this year's team. They simply weren't good enough. It is an indictment on the club that Harvey never achieved the ultimate success. If ever a footballer deserved it, it was Harvey. In retrospect, his best chance was in 2004. The Saints possessed the perfect blend of youth and experience when they narrowly lost to Port Adelaide in the preliminary final. If only Fraser Gehrig hadn't kicked his one hundredth goal...
3. Hawthorn
The Hawks plight shows the benefits of bottoming out. At the end of 2004 Hawthorn changed coach and set about re-developing their list. They exercised great patience by trading good players and showing a willingness to be down for two or three seasons. The Hawks used their early draft choices wisely and are now reaping the benefits. Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, the other two teams who were down with the Hawks, have made slower progress. It is strange, considering that these two teams secured the master coaches - Eade and Wallace - while the Hawks opted for the untried Alastair Clarkson.
It should be an interesting week for the Hawks. They are facing a crucial decision with their ruckmen. Renouf, who has displaced Taylor in recent weeks, had a quiet game against the Saints. Campbell is assured of his position in the team. One of the other two ruckmen will be unlucky. A number of Hawks are carrying minor injuries, such as Hodge, Brown, Bateman and Croad. All are likely starters for the grand final. Croad matches up well against Mooney. Gilham matches up well on Lonergan. Tom Murphy, who was a late withdrawal last week, shapes as another heartbreak story if he misses selection.
4. Geelong
Geelong had a much more physical contest than the Hawks. Hawthorn has had two one-sided contests. Geelong were challenged by the Bulldogs and were able to withold the pressure. A number of their big names had quiet games. Cameron Mooney doesn't often play two bad games in a row. Darren Milburn was beaten early. Tom Lonergan was comfortably beaten by Brian Lake. The Cats defence was rock solid on Friday. They conceded only seven goals. Out of every forward line in the competition, Hawthorn's poses the biggest threat to the Cats. Harley should take Roughead. It will be interesting to see whether Scarlett or Taylor gets Franklin.
For the second successive year the Cats have a tough selection decision to make. Paul Chapman is likely to come back into the side. The Cats really missed his toughness against the Bulldogs. Travis Varcoe was considered the early favourite to be dropped. However he played a great game on Friday. Varcoe was unlucky to miss last year's finals series. He deserves to play this year. James Kelly played a servicable return game. David Wojcinski also played well. He is the most likely candidate to be dropped, although it may upset the balance of the side. Max Rooke and Matthew Stokes are outside chances to be dropped. The Cats deserve to go in as favourites.
It promisese to be a great grand final. Hawthorn will go in with a lot of confidence. They pushed the Cats last time. They have won their last two matches comprehensively. The Cats have barely put a foot wrong all season. The scenario is reminiscent of the 2001 grand final. Can the team who has been dominant for the last two season prevail? Or will the youthful challenger rise to the occasion?
The Bulldogs put up a brave performance on Friday night. Last season they finished thirteenth. This season they made a preliminary final and narrowly lost to one of the best teams of all time. There is a clear improvement. The Bulldogs got the jump on the Cats but were slaughtered in the second quarter. Halfway through the third quarter they launched a series of dangerous attacks on the far wing. Jarrod Harbrow played the game of his life. Brian Lake was almost best on ground. Adam Cooney had a disappointing game and appeared to be suffering the effects of illness. Josh Hill - the only teenager on the ground - played an immature match. For the Bulldogs to win, they needed everyone to contribute.
The performances of Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson were a concern. Both players were recruited over the summer for their finals experience. Welsh was soundly beaten by Matthew Scarlett. Ben Hudson was soundly beaten by Brad Ottens. Captain Brad Johnson also struggled. There is no way that the Bulldogs will retain both Johnson and West next season. Their older players are clearly in decline. The likes of Tom Williams, Andrejs Everitt, Josh Hill, Jarrod Grant and Callan Ward must take the next step in 2009. These five players are all early draft picks and have all shown glimpses of talent at senior level. It will be interesting to follow the Bulldogs during trade week.
2. St.Kilda
The Saints finals series resembled North Melbourne's 2007 campaign. They snuck into fourth position, won one final and were comprehensively beaten by the two grand finalists. The Saints simply weren't in the same league as Hawthorn. Luke Ball was a late withdrawal. He was replaced by Aaron Fiora. The Saints lost arguably their hardest player and replaced him with the softest player in the competition. Fiora's performance was predicatably deplorable. If the Saints are to go anywhere in the future, they must delist the likes of Fiora, Gardiner and Birss and focus on developing younger players.
Robert Harvey did not get the fairytale end to his career. It was sad watching the Saints champion leave the field. He played for twenty-one seasons and didn't win a grand final. The blame should not be placed with this year's team. They simply weren't good enough. It is an indictment on the club that Harvey never achieved the ultimate success. If ever a footballer deserved it, it was Harvey. In retrospect, his best chance was in 2004. The Saints possessed the perfect blend of youth and experience when they narrowly lost to Port Adelaide in the preliminary final. If only Fraser Gehrig hadn't kicked his one hundredth goal...
3. Hawthorn
The Hawks plight shows the benefits of bottoming out. At the end of 2004 Hawthorn changed coach and set about re-developing their list. They exercised great patience by trading good players and showing a willingness to be down for two or three seasons. The Hawks used their early draft choices wisely and are now reaping the benefits. Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, the other two teams who were down with the Hawks, have made slower progress. It is strange, considering that these two teams secured the master coaches - Eade and Wallace - while the Hawks opted for the untried Alastair Clarkson.
It should be an interesting week for the Hawks. They are facing a crucial decision with their ruckmen. Renouf, who has displaced Taylor in recent weeks, had a quiet game against the Saints. Campbell is assured of his position in the team. One of the other two ruckmen will be unlucky. A number of Hawks are carrying minor injuries, such as Hodge, Brown, Bateman and Croad. All are likely starters for the grand final. Croad matches up well against Mooney. Gilham matches up well on Lonergan. Tom Murphy, who was a late withdrawal last week, shapes as another heartbreak story if he misses selection.
4. Geelong
Geelong had a much more physical contest than the Hawks. Hawthorn has had two one-sided contests. Geelong were challenged by the Bulldogs and were able to withold the pressure. A number of their big names had quiet games. Cameron Mooney doesn't often play two bad games in a row. Darren Milburn was beaten early. Tom Lonergan was comfortably beaten by Brian Lake. The Cats defence was rock solid on Friday. They conceded only seven goals. Out of every forward line in the competition, Hawthorn's poses the biggest threat to the Cats. Harley should take Roughead. It will be interesting to see whether Scarlett or Taylor gets Franklin.
For the second successive year the Cats have a tough selection decision to make. Paul Chapman is likely to come back into the side. The Cats really missed his toughness against the Bulldogs. Travis Varcoe was considered the early favourite to be dropped. However he played a great game on Friday. Varcoe was unlucky to miss last year's finals series. He deserves to play this year. James Kelly played a servicable return game. David Wojcinski also played well. He is the most likely candidate to be dropped, although it may upset the balance of the side. Max Rooke and Matthew Stokes are outside chances to be dropped. The Cats deserve to go in as favourites.
It promisese to be a great grand final. Hawthorn will go in with a lot of confidence. They pushed the Cats last time. They have won their last two matches comprehensively. The Cats have barely put a foot wrong all season. The scenario is reminiscent of the 2001 grand final. Can the team who has been dominant for the last two season prevail? Or will the youthful challenger rise to the occasion?
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Comment by J Gastev