FlyingHigh wrote:I reckon Glenelg's only chance is to turn it into a shootout, especially now without Proud.
Sturt are going to kick their 15 goals regardless of what happens, which they did in the second semi without it feeling like they were scoring that many.
And Glenelg have only just got over lesser opposition without kicking many goals.
Try putting the pressure back on Sturt, may as well risk losing 25 goals to 13 whilst trying to win 20 goals to 18.
Apart from the qualifying final, which was wet as and low scoring was assured, the Bays have scored 8 goals in each of the 2nd-Semi and Prelim. Average for during the minor round was 101 points, so this team can score, and score big. Also have had an average of 66 points against, so the defence can stand up.
Yes, the Bays have had a tough finals journey, but are battle hardened and have won 7 of their last 8 finals. Of course they’ll look spent after a hard final, no point leaving something in the tank in a final.
Sure, Sturt have the best for and against in the comp, and have had a much easier run to the GF. They have won 3 of their last 7 finals, including losing 2 of the last 3 against that Bays.
The Bays were 18 points down at the 23 min mark of the last in the 2nd-semi, when McBean opted to not take an easy mark on the goal line which instead hit the post. That would have made it 12 points. Yep, Sturt kicked the next 4, but the point has been made.
Max Proud will be a huge loss, the guy is an absolute champion and was playing some of his best footy, but there’s a bloke called Jonty Scharenberg who lead the backline magnificently yesterday, a BoG effort.
Could the Bays be too battered up? Maybe, but they know how to win big finals when the going gets tough, whilst Sturt biggest effort was the 2nd-semi in the last 3 years.
There were glimpses in the 2nd semi when the Bays changed course to stifle the run of the Blues, especially after the first 10 mins, when it looked like the game could have already been lost.
Sturt have some finals scars that need to heal. They made brilliant headway in the 2nd Semi, but that means nothing if they fail on Sunday.
Perversely, despite being the dual Premiership team gunning for a 3rd in a row, the Bays are seemingly the massive underdog. Some think Sturt just need to turn up.
Will the Bays be able to win? Dunno, but I do know that if they apply enough hard pressure to the body, be aggressive and not hold back, it may create enough doubt to crack Sturt.
Pressure is an amazing thing, the Bays thrive in it … I guess we’re about to find out whether Sturt can do the same.
If they do, then congrats and well played, you deserve it.