Who should win and why

[perfectionist]

One of the pieces of luck that contributes to a premiership team in any year is the quality of the opposition in that year. Our teams of 2004 and 2009 were both of significantly higher quality that either of the two teams competing today, or the last two premiers for that matter. In 2004, we caught the cusp of one of the great teams of all time - Brisbane. They were on their way down, as Port showed in the GF but, at home, still a formidable foe. We finished third that year, and needed to have finished second to avoid two interstate finals. Last year, Richmond also finished third and, despite more interstate teams in the final 8 (5) than in 2004 (4), they avoided all interstate clashes. Luck. In 2009, we managed to catch another of the great AFl teams - Geelong - this time in the midst of their reign. Despite that, our early inaccuracy, a point that was called a goal and a missed free, conspired against us. Perhaps even more so, a champion who played although he was injured ruined our hopes. Richmond found that out again last week. We were not good enough to make the finals during Hawthorn's recent great years, but that's the only solace.

Neither of today's finalists have anywhere near the overall skill level of those Brisbane, Geelong or Hawthorn teams but, you can only play the opposition that you have - not the one that might be.In almost all of the grand finals that I have watched (I used to enjoy watching non Saints GFs once - alas, not anymore), the team with the best backline has triumphed. There are, as always, exceptions to this rule, not least of all the Saints team of 1971. In my book, the best measure of backline ascendancy is the number of contested marks taken, especially in close games. No greater evidence of that can be seen in the last few seconds of the 2005 GF or, indeed, the 1966 GF. Throughout the year, Richmond has had the best backline (as they did in 2017). However, they are out and the next best is West Coast. So despite the home state advantage, which isn't as strong in a GF as in earlier finals because of the ticketing system, West Coast should win. Having said that, and although it pains me to say it, I have great admiration for Nathan Buckley in the way he has rebuilt his team in such a short period. He has churned many (some good ball getters) who butcher the ball and has now a reasonably skilled team. But, I don't think they will be good enough.

[Scollop]

Who gives a f*** and f*** their supporters and f*** both teams and their power clubs

[SaintPav]

If the filth get the next goal, it’s game over..

[dragit]

West coast are softer down hill skiers than Melbourne... I wish we'd drawn such a soft opponent when we were playing in grand finals.

[SaintPav]

West coast are softer down hill skiers than Melbourne... I wish we'd drawn such a soft opponent when we were playing in grand finals.

That’s why they were such classic GFs.

Jamie Cripps is a terrible player.

[BenLong#21]

Game on!

[SaintPav]

Yep. I called it.

[CURLY]

Umpires have given Collingwood the lead they are so biased.

[The_Dud]

Umpires have given Collingwood the lead they are so biased.

*facepalm*

[The_Dud]

Umpires have given Collingwood the lead they are so biased.

Umps didn’t pay the obviously blocking free for Collingwood that lead to the mark and winning goal for WCE.

The game was umpired great.

You and your constant ridiculous umpiring conspiracies are absolutely pathetic.

[Saint 58]

Yeeeeeeeesssssssssss !!!!!!!
Fxxx you Collingwood
Fxxx you Buckley

Now we get Harvey to our coaching panel
Bring on The Trade Period
Bring on the Draft
Bring on 2019

Gooooo Saints !!!!!

[skeptic]

Wheeew what a game.

Happy with the outcome, thought the umpires were brilliant.

The lesson again is about class and competing

[SaintPav]

I really really feel sorry for Eddy and his two boys.....

















Not....

[saynta]

Hahahaha.

f*** you Eddie.

f*** you Collingwood.

Now you pricks know how we felt in 2010.

[The_Dud]

Gotta say, I haven’t laughed as hard as I did watching the Pies banner fall apart in a long time!

[saintadamski]

LMFAO
Eat a dick Eddie!!
Go Eagles!!!

Revenge for 2010 with the replay debacle that should have been extra time instead ...is complete!!!!

I FEEL INCREDIBLE!!

[BenLong#21]

Umpires have given Collingwood the lead they are so biased.

Ffs

[dragit]

Pies reamed in that last passage.

[CURLY]

Umpires have given Collingwood the lead they are so biased.

Umps didn’t pay the obviously blocking free for Collingwood that lead to the mark and winning goal for WCE.

The game was umpired great.

You and your constant ridiculous umpiring conspiracies are absolutely pathetic.

Forget the holding the ball on Howe and so many missed the balls against Collingwood.

[CURLY]

Umpires have given Collingwood the lead they are so biased.

Ffs

I think the umpires ran through the Pies banner.

Anyway justice is served for the umpiring v GWS.

[SaintPav]

Gotta say, I haven’t laughed as hard as I did watching the Pies banner fall apart in a long time!

That’s not very nice..

[saynta]

Their banner blew apart, lost the toss and then the game.

Brilliant trifector.

That f***ed banner was a bad omen.

[SAAD]

Who gives a f*** and f*** their supporters and f*** both teams and their power clubs

Post of the year! F the lot of them!

[skeptic]

People know they lost a GF in 2011 right...

Hardly revenge for anything

[SaintPav]

Long trip home for the Americans..oh,well...