What could have been

[barry]

I dont think its going out on too much of a limb here to say that the Swans could easily have beaten the rocca-less pies today if we had made it.

If only we had hit the front against Brisbane before 3/4 time, and came out switched on in the last quarter.

A few big If's there, but it really shows how close we were.

[boroboy]

Yep - have been thinking that all weekend - we were really only a quarter away from immortality....

The wobbles were always going to choke on Saturday - I must have been one of the few people tipping the Lions by 40. The Swans would have run all over the Pies - make no mistake....

Hats off to the Lions - they just don't know, or ever think that they're going to loose - once the Pies first thoughts of self doubt crept in on Saturday (20 minute mark 1st quarter) it was game over.

[Rob-bloods]

I cannot believe the Melbne media (yep, the Swans knockers) had them home all week, soft draw, no injuries touch of rain...it was acually set right up for them and guess what?

They were hopeless........such a shame.

[Ruda Wakening]

And just as many thought things couldn't get any worse in Pie Land . Now they're fighting each other yet again. The infighting that has become almost public since the GF, only shows that there will probably always be - a team within a team at Collingwood.

[boroboy]

Malthouse slamming his players won't have helped - got to say as a player I'd be pretty cheesed off hearing his comments. So much for Eddies cry of we win and loose together...

They won't be back next year. The only one I feel sorry for is Buckley, great player, captain and dignified - unlike most other people connected with the Pies.

[Steve]

Brisbane just toyed with us all year.

During the middle of the year it was pretty obvious that they were pacing themselves to try and peak at this time of the season. They had to - it's just impossible to be so dominant for that long.

When I say it was obvious I still thought they would eventually stumble in the finals - just shows what a magnificent effort it was.

They toyed with Adelaide and then just blew them away in the last quarter. Same thing against us.

The difference b/w Brisbane and Collingwood is that Brisbane can deliver.

On reflection it seems Malthouse got so wound up in the 'it's our destiny' crap and almost tried to turn it into a fairytale:

• Fraser as the sole ruckman - 'what a heroric effort to carry the ruck load by himself against their two'
• Cloke at CHF (despite playing all of his footy as an unaccountable spare man in defence) - 'what an effort to stand up and counter the loss of Rocca in such a big game'
• Playing Walker - 'a fairytale for a player in his first season'
• Playing Leon Davis - 'it was so good for him to exorcise the demons of last year with such a great performance'

Not that is was Malthouse's doing, but lining up for that 'Collingwood premiership side - 2003' photo before the game really summed up the mentality of the two clubs.

In summary, whether we could have beaten Collingwood is academic - we needed to beat Collingwood AND Brisbane, and the Lions had everyone else's measure all along.

[Ruda Wakening]

Originally posted by boroboy
They won't be back next year. The only one I feel sorry for is Buckley, great player, captain and dignified - unlike most other people connected with the Pies.

I admire Buckley as a player, but i'm afraid thats where my admiration ends .

[Triple B]

Not that is was Malthouse's doing, but lining up for that 'Collingwood premiership side - 2003' photo before the game really summed up the mentality of the two clubs.

Steve, both sides lined up for photos.

[Steve]

OK, didn't know that - obviously one of the things about relying what is included in the coverage.

Just seemed typical of their thought process throughout the week.

Just give me a sec and I'm sure I can come up with another swipe at them to replace that one

[Ruda Wakening]

Originally posted by Steve
Just give me a sec and I'm sure I can come up with another swipe at them to replace that one

Howabout, only one team will be able to sell them

[Steve]

I must defend myself by passing the buck and stating that I had it on good advice that Collingwood were the only side to line up for those photos.

I guess all coaches must hate those sort of things creeping into footy - a bit like the Port move to sell those non-refundable 'options' on GF tickets so early.

They're commercial realities of the sport, but it just looks shocking from an outside perspective to see clubs doing those sort of things.

Perhaps that's where experience really kicks in - Brisbane's ability to let those things go on in the background, and sides like Port and Collingwood being swept up in them.

[plumber dan]

When I read in yesterday's Sun Herald that Buckley was a bit peeved at having to share the Brownlow, it made Brisbane's win all the more special, I hope Collingwood never win another premiership.

[Bron]

Originally posted by Steve
I must defend myself by passing the buck and stating that I had it on good advice that Collingwood were the only side to line up for those photos.

I guess all coaches must hate those sort of things creeping into footy - a bit like the Port move to sell those non-refundable 'options' on GF tickets so early.

They're commercial realities of the sport, but it just looks shocking from an outside perspective to see clubs doing those sort of things.

Perhaps that's where experience really kicks in - Brisbane's ability to let those things go on in the background, and sides like Port and Collingwood being swept up in them.

I have a bunch of photos that I've sent to Des of before and after than game (he must hate me!) that include a photo of the Lions team photo. They had a bench out there ready and waiting for them. The Pies had their photo later and didn't have the bench.

[desredandwhite]

Yep - I got the photos, Bron!! I'll get the report etc up as soon as I can get half an hour together.. hopefully some time tomorrow

[j s]

Originally posted by Bron
I have a bunch of photos that I've sent to Des of before and after than game (he must hate me!) that include a photo of the Lions team photo. They had a bench out there ready and waiting for them. The Pies had their photo later and didn't have the bench.

Looks strangely like a bench to me Bron?