Prelim Final Discussion

Scrads · September 22, 2015, 09:11:19 PM

Great win by the boys on Saturday, but attention has already turn well and truly towards this Friday night's big clash with Freo.

Prospective changes: Gunner will be tested during the week, from what I can tell basically it's a 50:50 at this stage and in the event he gets up, I think Schoey is going to have to come back out for him (despite the fact that I liked what he was able to do coming in).

We have plenty of players pressing their case for Box Hill, but unfortunately for them (and a good thing for the team in general however) is that it's almost impossible to pick players from the side to come out for them. In Box Hill's prelim, Whitecross had 32 touches and 12 marks, JOR had 25 touches and 7 marks, Langford had 19 touches, 5 tackles and kicked the winning goal, Anderson had 18 touches, 6 tackles and 2 goals, Spangher had 9 marks and kicked a goal, Sicily kicked 3.2 and Simpkin had 34 tocuhes and 6 marks.

Unfortunately Big Cegs was ill and couldn't play, which is a shame for him because if he had a strong game I'm sure he would have been putting a mountain of pressure on Hale this week (who between our 2 finals has combined totals of 9 touches, 2 marks, 1 goal and 17 hitouts, admittedly that's from 1.5 games because he's been subbed at 3QT both times).

Side note from the weekend, how good was it seeing Frawley in the backline instead of the forwardline??? And he performed as well! Good on him for bouncing back, let's hope he can do the job again this week.

As for Freo, they are always going to be a tough opponent but I don't see any reason why our best footy won't get us into the big one. McPharlin out hurts them, Crowely is lurking but honestly I don't know whether him playing would be a good or bad thing for us. We've beaten them 5 out of the last 6 times and 10 of the last 12, including this years demolition (albeit in Tassie). Momentum and form can swing out of nowhere (see our transition from QF to SF!), let's hope Clarko has the boys switched on and ready for the challenge at hand.

Regardless of the result of this game, 5 prelim finals in a row is quite an achievement. Fun fact which I'm sure all of you will remember anyway: all of the previous 4 have been decided by UNDER A GOAL. Is that a sign for what's to come this weekend too? That remains to be seen.

Mr.Craig · September 23, 2015, 01:11:38 AM

For a team that were minor premiers Freo don't exactly look formidable. There's the recent losses to PA, NM and WC. Then you have a last five average of 78 compared to Hawthorn's 106. It's not a home run, and history is against teams who have lost the qualifying final but there are good reasons why we can win.

Scrads · September 23, 2015, 04:46:14 PM

Gunston confirmed to miss again, think that means it's highly likely we'll go in unchanged.

henry · September 26, 2015, 12:22:14 AM

Great win tonight by the boys, 4th granny in a row.

hard to pick a bad player, great team performance. Duryea :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

Mr.Craig · September 26, 2015, 12:56:02 AM

Duryea has been in beast mode for a while now. So beautiful to watch.

11th GF as a supporter. Far out. Living the dream lads.

JBs-Hawks · September 26, 2015, 07:45:35 AM

When Duryea spoiled Ballantyne on that lead he joined Hodgey as my favourite!

Ricochet · September 26, 2015, 02:19:14 PM

Well done last night boys. Your finals experience clearly showed