Grand Final predictions

[Cheer Squad mbr]

How the heck does one predict the unpredictable?

[Robbo]

Hawthorn were absolutely raped by the umpires today. The maggots gave Geelong 5 goals. They were lucky to be in it at half time.

I'm glad Geelong lost. They're arrogant as @@@@.

[Cheer Squad mbr]

The Cats were terrible! I know a lot of people will say the Hawks didn't allow them to play at their best, but Geelong played their worst game of the year at the worst time of the year.

Totally agree. I was dissapointed with the game by the 3rd quarter. I'd hoped we were gonna watch an epic classic to make up for last year's debarcle (which it somewhat did).

[Nico]

I thought the result opened up the competition for 2009 by showing that Geelong are not invincible.

The so called experts in the media who had Geelong as the best team of all time got it wrong again. It is very hard to go back to back, and we only missed by that much.

In 2009 Harley, Scarlett and Milburn are all 30+. Nothing stays the same in this comp so for the Swans in 2009 hope springs eternal once again.

I thought Stokes, Lonergan, Taylor, Kelly, Blake and Varcoe were pretty ordinary for the Cats.

Stokes didn't like the hard stuff, Lonergan was spent at Q time, Taylor fumbled all game and was out of his depth, Kelly was pretty soft and found it too hot in the kitchen, Blake had a bit of the "Chambers" and really was awful and Varcoe almost seemed stage struck and made a couple of horrible turnovers.

Chapman was ineffective and you would have to question his match fitness with so much time out of the game in the last 6 weeks.

Harley is clearly the leader and when he went off so did Geelong.

Hodge best on the ground? I thought he got a lot of stats in the last Q so it will be interesting to analyse the papers tomorrow. Ablett had 34 possessions and for mine played 4 solid quarters but of course they wouldn't give the NS medal to a losing player, well they did in 2005 which just goes to show "what's in a name". Ablett worked his backside off to keep them in the game.

Now Johnson, he also had 34 stats but most were very ineffective and Hawthorn constantly pushed him wide to the boundary and upfield. On Johnson, I can't believe a player would stage for so many frees in a GF.

Hawthorn on the other hand had a very even team effort and I couldn't see one passenger for them.

[AnnieH]

The team that puts their arms around each other during the national anthem ALWAYS wins!!

I said exactly the same thing to my bestie just before the match. the team that hugs together wins together.
Cats are arrogant tools.

[Xie Shan]

It's way too early to make predictions for next year, but Essendon were never quite the same after they missed out on back-to-back when they lost to Brisbane in 2001.

[NMWBloods]

It's way too early to make predictions for next year, but Essendon were never quite the same after they missed out on back-to-back when they lost to Brisbane in 2001.

True, but I expect Geelong to challenge for the flag again next year.

[SwanJoel]

Hawthorn, the only team in the league that has the capabilities of going with Geelong and what a day to do it an excellent performance. The game reminded me of aspects of three past grand finals, 1989,1998 and 2001. 1989 for it's hardness and physicality, 1998 for the dominate teams inaccuracy and the opposition made them pay in the 3rd quarter, and 2001 because the underdogs defeated a side who had dominated for 2 seasons in a possible changing of the guard.

[CureTheSane]

Hawthorn
21 points
Sam Mitchell
95921
Buddy
McLaren

Result

Hawks
26 points

Thank you `

[NMWBloods]

Hawthorn, the only team in the league that has the capabilities of going with Geelong and what a day to do it an excellent performance. The game reminded me of aspects of three past grand finals, 1989,1998 and 2001. 1989 for it's hardness and physicality, 1998 for the dominate teams inaccuracy and the opposition made them pay in the 3rd quarter, and 2001 because the underdogs defeated a side who had dominated for 2 seasons in a possible changing of the guard.

I kept thinking of '98 during the game. North did come back and win in '99.

[Damien]

Was I too drunk today? I was really shocked that Hodge won the Norm Smith. I had Bateman as a certainty!

I thought Dew (who looked SOOOO fat) really made a telling contribution especially in the 3rd quarter and I thought Rioli was fantastic until half time.

Great win and I agree with Robbo, I thought the Umps really did give the Hawks a hard time today.

[anniswan]

INHO, Dew should have won the NS Medal.

[NMWBloods]

I thought Hodge was the only Hawk with a 4-quarter game. Did some fantastic defensive work as well as great rebound. Dew and Sewell were both really good in the third quarter but Hodge was pretty critical when when Geelong was attacking in the second quarter and his efforts in the second half were really good.

[shaun..]

Does anybody know the reasoning for the downfield free kick to Johnson after Ablett got decked? Aside from the fact the umps have a love-in for Geelong..

It's funny how Geelong can generally fend well (bar today) but fall over like a bunch of soccer stars when nudged a little..

[Cheer Squad mbr]

Does anybody know the reasoning for the downfield free kick to Johnson after Ablett got decked? Aside from the fact the umps have a love-in for Geelong..

It was just another one of those mystery calls.