Grand Final – West Coast v Hawthorn: As good as it gets

Kasey Symons, a West Coast Eagle of Melbourne, managed to secure Grand Final admission. Here she tells a cracking tale of hope, pride, anticipation and loss [Wonderful fan-writing – Ed].

Grand Final – West Coast v Hawthorn: A Victorian Abroad

Victorian Tony Moon has spent half his life in north Queensland. But, says Mulcaster, it hasn’t changed him. [A classic description of Grand Final tradition – JTH]

2015 Grand Final – Hawthorn v West Coast: They’re the Mighty Flying Hawks

Like ’em and loathe ’em, there is no denying that Clarko and the Hawks are among the greats. [And doesn’t miss the Eagles on his way through, either. – Ed]

Carlton Drought; a brew for the ages

As we prepare to get the 2015 finals series off to a fly tonight at Subi, Jeff Dowsing takes a look at the AFL’s wheel of fortune. It might turn slowly, but when it does, it turns with some pretty hefty force – viz: Carlton, Essendon, Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood (in the wake of 1990). [Shouldn’t have too much trouble getting on the course on GF Day if the need should arise old mate! – Ed]

Finally

Rick Kane laments some of the sad happenings that arose during this “sorry Home and Away season”. On the other hand, he lauds the refreshing Final 8 teams that 2015 has thrown up.

Traditional or Americanised AFL Grand Final?

Is a Super Bowl style AFL Grand Final the way to go asks Yoshi ? Does it need to, or is the occasion itself enough for the hard-core fans?

Neutralssmeutrals

Trucker Slim with some words of advice for neutrals and their neutrality.

Follow that dream: the fairytale of Jonathan Simpkin

Ron Wells now lives far away from the penetrine and orange slices of yesteryear and wonders why he still cares about grey Melbourne winters and football. On Grand Final day, he contemplates the dreams of players, the lamentations of fans, and the fairytale of one neglected player who lived his dream.

AFL Grand Final: The Price You Pay – A Fairytale

It was the fairytale the public weren’t expecting, the Cinderella Hawks. Rick Kane argues that there were two standout periods that made this Grand Final great.

AFL Grand Final: It is spelt R.E.L.I.E.F.

The aftermath of the Grand Final was euphoric celebration. It was all clapping, cheering and elation but most of all, for Armin Richter it was relief. This was the Grand Final that Hawthorn just couldn’t afford to lose.

AFL Grand Final: Fearless – Like Highlander, there can be only one!

Finally, the football club once synonymous with flaky was now a force. The Dockers’ faithful started the migratory patterns east towards the code’s September mecca, the MCG. Would it be the start of a Purple Reign? (Spoiler: No.)

AFL Grand Final: Three-time loser

Ross Lyon is a three-time loser who keeps creating unfortunate history. Matt Watson looks at why the margin flattered the Dockers.

AFL Grand Final: Purple Prick or Poo and Wee?

Priceless tips on Grand Final day etiquette from Tom Watson. Not a bad tipster either. He reckons he wrote it before the game. I’m wondering if the Trans Australia Bank will accept the same argument for these tickets I have here?

10 Ways to Deal with Losing the Big One

Our Tibetan correspondent Rinpoche Jeff Dowsing provides sage consolation about impermanence to fans of tomorrow’s losing team. He also advocates wearing brown trousers and drinking yourself into a stupor. But then again he is a Collingwood man. Read on for all sorts of unexpected enlightenment.

AFL Grand Final – Preview: A tale of two philosophies

We all know who will win on Saturday because of the tea leaves; how they beat your mob; or how your Grandma once went out with a bloke from…….. Adam Ritchie is having none of this. He has all the stats and analysis you need to settle every bar and backyard argument in the lead up to the big one.

Holy Grail: A tired bogan sporting anthem, or something more?

Channel 10 turned Hunters and Collector’s Holy Grail into a sporting anthem. Now, in the prism of a Hunters and Collectors reformation, Brutas Mudcake believes the time is right to re-evaluate the song.

AFL Grand Final: The Pride of the North London Lions

It is AFL Grand Final eve and Peter Flynn arrives at the North London Lions presentation night.

Footy Short Story: The Test

by Matt Zurbo
A wedding is scheduled for Grand Final day.

Haiku Bob: Rising Moon

Haiku Bob’s reflection on the Grand Final.

The battle for Melbourne’s soul: Sporting Capital or International City of Culture?

AFL Grand Final day 2009. A young Japanese tourist wandered down Spring Street, Melbourne, dressed in a fashionable clinging top with blue and white horizontals. She was quickly surrounded by Geelong fans, vying to have their photo taken beside her. An observer described her as “utterly, utterly perplexed”.