Sturt vs Centrals Grand Final Review Thread

[ORDoubleBlues]

Left Footy park yesterday and went straight to a restaurant on Unley Rd to meet friends for dinner. A few double blue balloons on stobie poles but otherwise dead quiet. A bit sad really...

Fair enough but you've got to remember that there's a lot of residents there these days that don't care too much for the Sturt Football Club plus I'm sure there would have been a fair few at ETSA Park, which is where I would have went myself If I hadn't been working this morning.

[Dogwatcher]

What a wonderful, wonderful day.
I spent the whole of the game at the Northern End and enjoyed it immensely.
I knew from the first quarter we were on. A six goal start was always going to be tough to pull in.
Loved the last quarter and was far from "punching the card" as Zip Zap recorded others doing. This one meant a heck of a lot to me and my cousins who were at the game - being the 10th anniversary of my grandfather's death. I visited him yesterday morning and left the front cover of yesterday's sport section there for him to read. He'd have loved to have seen this dominance.
As for "thumbing the nose at authority" that was mentioned by Zippy - sure the flares went off - but that noise was pure joy from a bunch of supporters who love their club, because it plays to win, unlike what we used to do in the past. I can understand why it may have looked that way though.
You grow up in a place like Elizabeth and you know what goes on around you amongst some of the population but you get tired of being painted with the same brush. The dominance of our football club over the past decade has been a way of us saying "hey look mate, some good can come from this place".
Right now, I'm as proud as punch and will continue to be for a long time to come.

A quick g'day to Duncs, WHUFC and Royal City, all of whom I bumped into yesterday.
Sorry I missed SMAC, FC, CP and Zip Zap (we did get a message from Mrs Zip Zap).

Also, nice work in leading the 'ockestra' after the match UK Fan. Looked like you were having a ball.

[Dogwatcher]

Also, to Cennals, I'm glad the surprise return paid off for you! Great stuff.

[UK Fan]

What a wonderful, wonderful day.
I spent the whole of the game at the Northern End and enjoyed it immensely.
I knew from the first quarter we were on. A six goal start was always going to be tough to pull in.
Loved the last quarter and was far from "punching the card" as Zip Zap recorded others doing. This one meant a heck of a lot to me and my cousins who were at the game - being the 10th anniversary of my grandfather's death. I visited him yesterday morning and left the front cover of yesterday's sport section there for him to read. He'd have loved to have seen this dominance.
As for "thumbing the nose at authority" that was mentioned by Zippy - sure the flares went off - but that noise was pure joy from a bunch of supporters who love their club, because it plays to win, unlike what we used to do in the past. I can understand why it may have looked that way though.
You grow up in a place like Elizabeth and you know what goes on around you amongst some of the population but you get tired of being painted with the same brush. The dominance of our football club over the past decade has been a way of us saying "hey look mate, some good can come from this place".
Right now, I'm as proud as punch and will continue to be for a long time to come.

A quick g'day to Duncs, WHUFC and Royal City, all of whom I bumped into yesterday.
Sorry I missed SMAC, FC, CP and Zip Zap (we did get a message from Mrs Zip Zap).

Also, nice work in leading the 'ockestra' after the match UK Fan. Looked like you were having a ball.

It was an honour I can assure you.

Hello to Cennals05 great to have you back in Oz supporting your beloved dogs.

[Dog_ger]

[The Apostle]

<deleted>

[lesthemechanic]

Well done Bulldogs, too good at this time of the season again. Their skills were awesome yesterday, everything went their way, the ball even bounced the right way for them!! ...it was that kind of great game for them . They pretty much dominated us all over the ground, it was an even performance from them.

To Sturts credit, they kept going to the end of the last quarter & not once did I see a head hanging, well done Blues.

You Bulldogs fans are very lucky to be following a club that is so successful. Treasure it, who knows when it will end ( not that I can see that happening soon ). The powers that be up there have done an excellent job, and the rest of us need to learn from them . Congratulations to all.

Great crowd , a lot more than some pessamists on here were predicting.

I thought both teams looked spent about a third of the way into the final quarter, they gave it all.

I thought the umpiring was quite good until the last quarter & a bit, not that it was one sided or affected the result. Maybe they got tired too.

Just a side note, get rid of the flares/firecrackers/smoke bombs. There is no place for that in our game, I am sure the Centrals administration would like to see the back of it too.

I look forward to next season now, bring it on.

[rod_rooster]

I'm not having a go but did she seriously go to the club? I think that's great if she did but i'd be surprised. Once again i'm not having a go but most high profile people would have personal security wherever they go, did she? (this is not suggesting going to Elizabeth requires security, i'd be asking the same if she went to any SANFL club).

I like to state the following (and most of these apply to my friends and family and most Central Supporters too):

1. I was conceived and born in wedlock.
2. I've had the same fulltime job now for nearly 8 years.
3. Don't take drugs, i'm a social drinker, and have the occasional punt.
4. Currently privately renting, looking to own soon.
5. Only been in a courtroom once...for a year 11 Legal Studies excursion.
6. I am highly regarded by the police...so much so they regard me as a fit and proper person to own over a dozen firearms (A, B and H Class).

Finally...

7. There are worse places in Adelaide than Elizabeth (some depending on the time of day) and I personally feel safe living in Elizabeth (North). I'm not saying that the place doesn't have it's problems (graffiti and a few ratbags) but personally I feel safe walking thru Elizabeth whether it be day or nighttime.

I think you may have missed the part of my original post that i have i have bolded and enlarged above. For what it's worth i think it is fantastic that she went back to the club and even signed autographs for people. Top effort.

[zipzap]

[

As for "thumbing the nose at authority" that was mentioned by Zippy - sure the flares went off - but that noise was pure joy from a bunch of supporters who love their club, because it plays to win, unlike what we used to do in the past. I can understand why it may have looked that way though.

You grow up in a place like Elizabeth and you know what goes on around you amongst some of the population but you get tired of being painted with the same brush. The dominance of our football club over the past decade has been a way of us saying "hey look mate, some good can come from this place".

The noble sentiments in your second paragraph are undone by the twits in your first IMO. I got a new respect for lots of Centrals people around us yesterday who were sensible, fair and didn't seem to have that chip on their shoulder which translates to violence. Those supporters will be the positive force for change Elizabeth is looking for, not the nongs letting off smoke bombs and flares.

[Voice]

Congrats to the Doggies on a thouroughly deserved win and also congrats to Sturt for making it to the GF with such a young squad. I'm sure taking away the big one will happen in the not to distant future for us.
On the way out to walk around to the members to get the banner I made a point of walking up to every Central supporter that was walking past, shaking their hand and congratulating them. Only encountered a couple of dickheads on my trek around and just ignored them and moved on to the next person.
The vast majority were respectful and appreciated my congatulations which is the way it should be and being someone who grew up in Elizabeth, I certainly don't paint all you guys with the same brush as all clubs have a few idiots.
The flares really do have to stop though guys. It's dangerous and unnecessary and only set off by a few knobs trying to get some attention. Your club and all the good supporters on here and that I've met over the years should make a point of trying to stamp it out.
Other then that it was a great day and a great crowd although, as I said in the preview thread, Sturt supporters need to show up instead of waiting to see what happens up to half time. We were well outnumbered but to those that were there, you showed some great passion and voice.

[whufc]

My head hurts

I agree the delivery was poor to Chambers but the biggest problem was Chambers injury meant he couldn't create his own oppurtunites if the delivery wasn't perfect.

Central brilliant on the day players such as Jace Bode and Bowen who were so arrogant at Unley earlier this year, shat themselves on the big stage and proved they were front runners.

Game was over at quarter time Sturt being a bunch of frontrunners, plus having a 10% fit Chambers were never going to catch an on-fire Dogs team in a GF.

For me this was the sweetest premiership behind 2000 mainly due to the Sturt supporters that were at Unley earlier this year, they know who they are and they were WRONG as Mark Williams said.

[Voice]

My head hurts

I agree the delivery was poor to Chambers but the biggest problem was Chambers injury meant he couldn't create his own oppurtunites if the delivery wasn't perfect.

Central brilliant on the day players such as Jace Bode and Bowen who were so arrogant at Unley earlier this year, shat themselves on the big stage and proved they were front runners.

Game was over at quarter time Sturt being a bunch of frontrunners, plus having a 10% fit Chambers were never going to catch an on-fire Dogs team in a GF.

For me this was the sweetest premiership behind 2000 mainly due to the Sturt supporters that were at Unley earlier this year, they know who they are and they were WRONG as Mark Williams said.

I know you're not talking about me there whufc but I think our celebrating at Unley was just us enjoying a big win against the benchmark of the comp. I know that some Sturt supporters got ahead of themselves though.
As I said above, I was quite happy to shake as many Central supporters hands after yesterday and the majority appreciated it.

[whufc]

My head hurts

I agree the delivery was poor to Chambers but the biggest problem was Chambers injury meant he couldn't create his own oppurtunites if the delivery wasn't perfect.

Central brilliant on the day players such as Jace Bode and Bowen who were so arrogant at Unley earlier this year, shat themselves on the big stage and proved they were front runners.

Game was over at quarter time Sturt being a bunch of frontrunners, plus having a 10% fit Chambers were never going to catch an on-fire Dogs team in a GF.

For me this was the sweetest premiership behind 2000 mainly due to the Sturt supporters that were at Unley earlier this year, they know who they are and they were WRONG as Mark Williams said.

I know you're not talking about me there whufc but I think our celebrating at Unley was just us enjoying a big win against the benchmark of the comp. I know that some Sturt supporters got ahead of themselves though.
As I said above, I was quite happy to shake as many Central supporters hands after yesterday and the majority appreciated it.

It definetly wasn't you mate i spent that day on the members side wing around the half forward line at the northern end.

I will admit all Sturt supporters i met before and after the game yesterday were brilliant and plenty of great friendly banter was had.

And Voice the Sturt cheersquad looked great yesterday and added plenty of colour to AAMI stadium.

[Voice]

Cheers mate, I must say that I'm envious of the noise your mob can generate. When your players run out on to the field while i was out on the ground still with the banner your mob scared the shit out of me with that roar. Was a great feeling being surrounded by that even though it wasn't for my team.
Nice to get some positive feedback on the cheer squad as some on here seem intent on trying to bag us all the time. I know we were pests in the past but it is going really well now.

[whufc]

Cheers mate, I must say that I'm envious of the noise your mob can generate. When your players run out on to the field while i was out on the ground still with the banner your mob scared the s***t out of me with that roar. Was a great feeling being surrounded by that even though it wasn't for my team.
Nice to get some positive feedback on the cheer squad as some on here seem intent on trying to bag us all the time. I know we were pests in the past but it is going really well now.

Yeah no problems from me personally with the Sturt Cheersquad despite having a reputation, many young lads in the Sturt CS which has to be good for the league, we need as many young 18-20 something supporters we can get going to games no matter who they support.

[EasyE]

Can i be the first one here to say that im actually not surprised that Trent Goodrem was named best on ground. I think our success this year had a lot to do with the performance of our second tier players more than our guns. The likes of Goodrem, Spurr, Dutschke, Hayes and O'Hara have really stepped up at various times during the year and i thought it was great to see one of them get some recognition. The guy tackled hard all day and it is these 1 percenters and chasing that is the key to the dogs success in finals. We were discussing amongst ourselves who we thought would win the medal (My betting slip had Chad O'Sullivan on it so i had no hidden agenda) and a heap of names were mentioned but we couldn't think of a single player who stood out above all others. So no problem at all with a great team man winning the medal in an even team.

A really enjoyable day out yesterday and it was great to see a game at footy park with some real genuine atmosphere and not the contrived cr@p that happens at Cr*ws matches. We had some great banter with the Sturt supporters around us, which really added to the experience. Im still on a high and as i left the family day this afternoon, i was already looking forward to round 1 next season.

Bring it on!!!!

[Simon_A]

I'm not having a go but did she seriously go to the club? I think that's great if she did but i'd be surprised. Once again i'm not having a go but most high profile people would have personal security wherever they go, did she? (this is not suggesting going to Elizabeth requires security, i'd be asking the same if she went to any SANFL club).

Umm when she arrived, she had as security her mum. Infact the club security rushed out when she arrived, to get photo's with her. No private security was seen, and we were sitting just inside the club where she came in. Only problem was a horde of people wanting her autograph.

[Dogwatcher]

Oh yeah, a highlight for me was when I was walking back to the car and a guy, obviously misunderstanding me showing some sympathy to a young Sturt supporter and thinking I was having a dig who yelled from the bus "How's your missus and my kids".

My reply: "How's your premiership cup Rod Marsh?"

I couldn't remember who actually made that famous sledge and Marsh's name was first to come to me.

What a cracking insult!

Also worth mentioning was that I saw a little girl in a wheelchair at Grand Central this morning wearing a premiership medallion. I was told by my cousin that it was given to her by James Gowans on Sunday night.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Oh yeah, a highlight for me was when I was walking back to the car and a guy, obviously misunderstanding me showing some sympathy to a young Sturt supporter and thinking I was having a dig who yelled from the bus "How's your missus and my kids".

My reply: "How's your premiership cup Rod Marsh?"

I couldn't remember who actually made that famous sledge and Marsh's name was first to come to me.

What a cracking insult!

Also worth mentioning was that I saw a little girl in a wheelchair at Grand Central this morning wearing a premiership medallion. I was told by my cousin that it was given to her by James Gowans on Sunday night.

Don't like hearing stuff like that. How can I continue hating them???

Nah, good stuff. I've only ever heard good reports of what they're like off the field.

[whufc]

Oh yeah, a highlight for me was when I was walking back to the car and a guy, obviously misunderstanding me showing some sympathy to a young Sturt supporter and thinking I was having a dig who yelled from the bus "How's your missus and my kids".

My reply: "How's your premiership cup Rod Marsh?"

I couldn't remember who actually made that famous sledge and Marsh's name was first to come to me.

What a cracking insult!

Also worth mentioning was that I saw a little girl in a wheelchair at Grand Central this morning wearing a premiership medallion. I was told by my cousin that it was given to her by James Gowans on Sunday night.

Yeah heard the same story today as well, top stuff and yes the Gowans are legends both on and off the field.