by Q. » Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:10 am
Can depend on whether you think the best team for the year should win, or the team that prepares and handles the 1st GF the best?
In 2010, clearly St Kilda were less awestruck by the occasion and were better prepaed mentally for the 1st GF.
For the replay, the lead up was low key, lacking distraction, hype and scrutiny, and the Collingwood players went about business as usual, played accordingly and demonstrated why they were the best team during the minor rounds.
A replay alters a LOT of factors. Extra-time is a mere extension of the build up. I think it's hilarious to call yourself a purist because you don't want to change the rules. True purity lies in extra time, because the GF isn't just about the four quarters, but also about being able to stay focused during the biggest week of football.