FEARLESS 2019 – Finals Week 1: Ten teams do the Mad Monday shuffle

 

WEST COAST v ESSENDON – OPTUS OVAL Thursday 5/9/19

Despite disliking the whole concept of Thursday night finals, let alone football, it appeared the concept wasn’t going away. West Coast qualified 5^thand therefore hosted an injury-riddled and undermanned Essendon. Resting 6 players might not have been the Dons’ normal pre-finals routine in round 23…it didn’t really matter as their competitiveness lasted for the first half. A 30pt lead at the half morphed into a 55pt win for the West Coast Eagles at home, their only home final before they head east. Rumours abounded as to how many Bombers were operating below full strength. The Eagles were at close to full strength and the result followed. Nic Nat Noo even played and had his dreadies pulled…is it a sandpit with 5yo’s? Bombers head on Mad Monday!

 

GEELONG v COLLINGWOOD – MCG Friday 6/9/19

Last minute team changes borne of weather forecasts can sometimes work. And sometimes they don’t. Friday night at the MCG it didn’t work for the Cats, who dropped ruckman Rhys Stanley believing the night would be wet. It wasn’t on the weather apps. Menegola came in, leaving no player above 6’5 on the old scale. The Pies capitalised immediately on full back Blicavs starting in the ruck. A 3 goal lead at qtr time was a touch of déjà vu from 2018 for the Cats. Collingwood had ripped a hole thru the Cat defence. Ordinarily that is a lead that could’ve been overcome. However, despite the efforts of Danger, the top-of-the-table Cats couldn’t find their winning touch. The Pies, however, couldn’t do wrong and mastered the occasion better. Adams led well as did Jeremy Howe. Tomahawk, Dahlhaus and Rohan led a dysfunctional forward 50 for 1.6.

Cats cough up a big chance and now face sudden death against the Eagles. Pies 10pts.

 

GWS GIANTS v WESTERN BULLDOGS – Giants Stadium Saturday 7/9/19

Spite. Pure and simple. Dating back to the recruitment of Callan Ward from Footscray…through a few stoushes..the AFL world waiting for the next instalment. And they got it. In spades. Toby Greene is a player that every club would want and every opposition supporter would loathe. The Bont, on the other hand, is a ball player. However, the Giants out-physicalled the Dogs after half time. A close game at half time saw a 10pt GWS lead blew out as the Giants consolidated an advance to the 2^ndweek of the finals, winning by 58pts. Fi Fy Fo Fum…look out Lions here the GWS come!

 

BRISBANE LIONS V RICHMOND – Gabba Saturday night 7/9/19

Dusty kicks 6 and the Lions nervous re-entry to the finals capitulates into a 47pt loss. The Gabba roared to life as did the Lions in the first qtr. However wayward kicking soon harmed the home side’s chances. Finals experience is only gained by the lessons learnt. What soon became obvious to the crowd and tv audience is that the Lions will be better for Saturday night’s errors and lesson in finals’ intensity. Charlie Cameron will need to master Dylan Grimes and might need some tips from Allan Christensen who has climbed the mountain. The Lions can redeem themselves by chopping down the beanstalk. The Tigers, meanwhile, a fortnight to recharge for the Preliminary Final.

 

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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