Murray MiddletonFinals - Week Two
September 14th 2008 14:42
History has shown that the top four teams at the end of the home and away season usually play in the preliminary finals. This season has proved to be no different. For the majority of the season the top three teams have been set in stone. While there were a host of contenders for fourth position, St.Kilda were the fortunate team. Their opponents on the weekend, Collingwood, were forced to travel interstate in the opening week of the finals. They endured a hard-fought final which they deserved to win. In contrast, the Saints' clash with Geelong was over by half time. Both sides rested players in the second half to prepare for their next matches. It would have taken another great effort for the Pies to get up on the weekend.
Both matches on the weekend went to script. The first half of the Bulldogs/Sydney match was a dour struggle in which the game was played mostly on the Swans' terms. In the second half the Bulldogs ran over the top of the Swans. Rodney Eade said after the match that his team was happy for the first half to be a tight contest because they believed in their ability to run over the top of their opponents. There is no chance that they will be able to do the same this week. One tough win does not make up for eight weeks of mediocre football. The Bulldogs will go into this week's match against Geelong as rank outsiders. It is a tag that they deserve.
No Bulldogs forward took the game by the scruff of the neck on Friday. The likes of Hahn, Murphy and Welsh all made valuable contributions, but none threatened to blow the game wide open. No Bulldogs forward oozes class like Steve Johnson. There is every chance that Dale Morris will get the job on Johnson this week. Morris has endured a strange finals series. He was comprehensively beaten by Lance Franklin in week one, yet beat Adam Goodes on Friday night. Goodes was clearly not at peak fitness. If he was, there is little doubt that Paul Roos would have thrown him into the midfield. For the Bulldogs to stand a chance, Morris must contain Steve Johnson to less than ten possessions.
Hawthorn will be confident of earning a grand final berth. The Saints have won the last two encounters between the teams. Yet both matches were played at Telstra Dome. The wide wings at the MCG often force the Saints into producing one extra kick when going into attack. They need a third marking option up forward. Charlie Gardiner has been tried and found wanting. Jarryd Allen lasted ten minutes on Saturday night. Matthew Ferguson, who has played only two matches this season, looms as a smokey at the selection table. Much has been said about Franklin and Roughead for Hawthorn, but they have also had Mark Williams as a marking option up forward. Michael Osborne also has a fantastic vertical leap. Add Cyril Rioli to the equation and the Hawks seem to have a much more potent mix up forward than the Saints.
The Hawks midfield is their main advantage. Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Sewell and Crawford are all footballers who love the physical contest. The Hawks have three ruckman (Campbell, Taylor and Renouf) who are all servicable. This is the one area where a good team might be able to expose them. Unfortunately for the Saints, Steven King is unlikely to do much damage. King's endeavour cannot be doubted, but his mobility can. King's ruck partner - Justin Koschitzke - should be cleared by the match review panel on Monday. If the Hawks can make it through to the grand final there is every chance that Brad Ottens will be able to hurt them. Ottens has proven his credentials as a finals ruckman and is playing his best football for the season.
Much conjecture has surrounded team selection throughout the finals. This week will be no different. Trent Croad and Luke Ball's every move will be analysed on sport bulletins every night. Geelong have an interesting decision to make on Thursday. There is little doubt that Brent Prismall will be replaced by James Kelly. This move will improve their structure. Paul Chapman is no certainty to play on Friday night, which should open up a spot in the team for a forward. Ryan Gamble is the most likely candidate. Travis Varcoe will need to put in a solid performance against the Bulldogs to sure up his position for the next week (if there is one). And Mark Blake should be able to rest easy this time around.
Four teams remain. It is going to be difficult for anyone to beat Geelong. They have only lost one game all season. They are a magnificently-drilled team who play a fast, selfless brand of football. Although some teams have tried, none have been able to replicate the Cats' brand. The Cats have beaten every team who is left in the competition. Disaster can always strike on match day. This alone will help to keep the Cats on their toes. They are as hungry as ever. They are almost unbeatable. It seems not even sentiment - the Robert Harvey fairytale - can stand in their way. Or can it?
Both matches on the weekend went to script. The first half of the Bulldogs/Sydney match was a dour struggle in which the game was played mostly on the Swans' terms. In the second half the Bulldogs ran over the top of the Swans. Rodney Eade said after the match that his team was happy for the first half to be a tight contest because they believed in their ability to run over the top of their opponents. There is no chance that they will be able to do the same this week. One tough win does not make up for eight weeks of mediocre football. The Bulldogs will go into this week's match against Geelong as rank outsiders. It is a tag that they deserve.
No Bulldogs forward took the game by the scruff of the neck on Friday. The likes of Hahn, Murphy and Welsh all made valuable contributions, but none threatened to blow the game wide open. No Bulldogs forward oozes class like Steve Johnson. There is every chance that Dale Morris will get the job on Johnson this week. Morris has endured a strange finals series. He was comprehensively beaten by Lance Franklin in week one, yet beat Adam Goodes on Friday night. Goodes was clearly not at peak fitness. If he was, there is little doubt that Paul Roos would have thrown him into the midfield. For the Bulldogs to stand a chance, Morris must contain Steve Johnson to less than ten possessions.
Hawthorn will be confident of earning a grand final berth. The Saints have won the last two encounters between the teams. Yet both matches were played at Telstra Dome. The wide wings at the MCG often force the Saints into producing one extra kick when going into attack. They need a third marking option up forward. Charlie Gardiner has been tried and found wanting. Jarryd Allen lasted ten minutes on Saturday night. Matthew Ferguson, who has played only two matches this season, looms as a smokey at the selection table. Much has been said about Franklin and Roughead for Hawthorn, but they have also had Mark Williams as a marking option up forward. Michael Osborne also has a fantastic vertical leap. Add Cyril Rioli to the equation and the Hawks seem to have a much more potent mix up forward than the Saints.
The Hawks midfield is their main advantage. Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Sewell and Crawford are all footballers who love the physical contest. The Hawks have three ruckman (Campbell, Taylor and Renouf) who are all servicable. This is the one area where a good team might be able to expose them. Unfortunately for the Saints, Steven King is unlikely to do much damage. King's endeavour cannot be doubted, but his mobility can. King's ruck partner - Justin Koschitzke - should be cleared by the match review panel on Monday. If the Hawks can make it through to the grand final there is every chance that Brad Ottens will be able to hurt them. Ottens has proven his credentials as a finals ruckman and is playing his best football for the season.
Much conjecture has surrounded team selection throughout the finals. This week will be no different. Trent Croad and Luke Ball's every move will be analysed on sport bulletins every night. Geelong have an interesting decision to make on Thursday. There is little doubt that Brent Prismall will be replaced by James Kelly. This move will improve their structure. Paul Chapman is no certainty to play on Friday night, which should open up a spot in the team for a forward. Ryan Gamble is the most likely candidate. Travis Varcoe will need to put in a solid performance against the Bulldogs to sure up his position for the next week (if there is one). And Mark Blake should be able to rest easy this time around.
Four teams remain. It is going to be difficult for anyone to beat Geelong. They have only lost one game all season. They are a magnificently-drilled team who play a fast, selfless brand of football. Although some teams have tried, none have been able to replicate the Cats' brand. The Cats have beaten every team who is left in the competition. Disaster can always strike on match day. This alone will help to keep the Cats on their toes. They are as hungry as ever. They are almost unbeatable. It seems not even sentiment - the Robert Harvey fairytale - can stand in their way. Or can it?
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