I think they nutted out Essendon's plan but also the frenetic pace that Essendon played at was not sustainable.  When they dropped off a touch and started to hang on to the ball, Cats clicked into gear as that's how Geelong prefer it.  They set up ahead of the ball, create turnovers on slow play and cut you up on the way back.  The majority of Geelong's scores come from turnovers; I think this is in part due to having most of their ruck division down, thus limiting clearance effectiveness, but it works a treat. 

If Geelong played a team that could play the way Essendon played in that second quarter for a full game, they'd lose by some margin.  Fortunately, that is near impossible. 

North did it to Geelong for a half and only poor conversion stopped Geelong clearing out by 5 goals or so, but the Hawks are the best team they've played thus far.  They are consistent throughout a game and don't play in patches like most teams.

Anyway, I'd say the Bombers need more out of Goddard.  He needs to be the distributor off half back a la Bartel for Geelong.  Putting the ball in the hands of the right man once the ball is turned over is critical.  He looks to be playing more of a midfield role to mine eye but I haven't watched them much.

Interestingly, the team that likely stands between us and Hawthorn of the 80s is in fact Hawthorn.  If they somehow rolled us in another GF I think I'd just about pack it in and go to live in a log cabin in the Pilliga.

Freo are my dark horse.  After what they did to Collingwood, I'd wager they won't lose at home again and will be a pain away besides.  Carlton don't play finals football, haven't for years.  When the pressure is on in finals, their smaller, lighter, faster bodies are found wanting IMO.  They need the Swans' Kennedy to be able to go deep into finals.  Anyway, speculative.  North have a good mix, strong bodies around the ball and some quality tall players.

Dons were very good vs Pies and if they can replicate that often enough, they should finish top 4 and be trouble for most teams.

I know.  Good thing it wasn't on FTA.  They might fold by the next rights deal.

Oh yeah.  Video review for a goal that may or may not have been touched.  Can't find video so I'll have to describe it, but latorz as I am now in haste.  It was a joke though, embarrassing.  Some brilliant games still, great season thus far.

Also, we have a charity screening of The Great Gatsby going on at the Palace Westgarth on Tuesday 4th of June. get in.

I know, you get a reasonably priced ticket to see what should be a cracking movie at one of the best cinemas in melbourne and HH makes some money. Sounds terrible.

Essendon's season over. Beaten by thugs of brisbane.

Goodes is a classy player the way he handled that.

Geez her "apology" on the news seemed so genuine....

This should explain it.  The word 'ape' was used apparently.

heh. It was pretty funny. Gotta be messing with heads, but also a fitness issue.

Also, another dingbat in the croud being a moron at the collingwood game. It's somewhat interesting that it's been all collingwood fans over the course of all these incidents. (Right back to Winmar.)

Skerret wrote:

If Bigfooty is representative of a substantial portion of the population, may dog have mercy on us all.

I've never visited that cesspit and I believe that may be for the better (at least for my sanity). Occasionally I'll visit bomberblitz, until The Lid gets glued back on for another year.

yeh not them

Skerret wrote:

If Bigfooty is representative of a substantial portion of the population, may dog have mercy on us all.

lol, i read a post where some guy theorised that Goodes had orchestrated the whole thing to deflect from his knee slide the other week and to have his own legendary Winmar moment.

Facewon wrote:

heh. It was pretty funny. Gotta be messing with heads, but also a fitness issue.

Was a bizarre last five minutes.  not sure if it was a coaching issue of the players just going to water, but they had a couple of great opportunities to play keepings off and take the win, even with ~1 minute left on the clock.  No one running for a cheap unconested mark, no one dropping back into the defensive 50.  As much as I lost it at the end, how the hell did this happen?  I'm not complaining of course!

 

PS

Way to lead from the front, Ed.