2008 League GF review

[bulldogproud]

i was wondering.......is it just a case of hu hum, yep we have done it again?
for a long suffering bay supporter this being my 13 granny for 10 losses, i find it hard to comprehend any win would be the ants pants for me, yet u guys 7 in 9 years,

i musta done something wrong in a previous life

Stampy, it will never be a case of 'ho hum, yep we have done it again'. No premiership is easy to win and this was perhaps our hardest. Our admiration goes out to the boys each and every year. Other clubs are raising their standards now too. It will not be long before the wheel turns, as Apache says. In the meantime, we will appreciate every effort the boys put in. Mind you, we will appreciate their efforts also in years when they don't win the flag. We know they will give their all each and every year, it is just that there will be years when other teams are better.
Cheers

[Wedgie]

34,128 FANS FLOCK TO SANFL GRAND FINAL

A record 34,128 footy fans attended today’s SANFL ‘be active’ Grand Final at AAMI Stadium, making it the best Grand Final crowd since 2002.

The attendance for the big day was 12 per cent up on last year’s crowd of 30,493.

Overall, the 2008 SANFL Finals Series (including the Elimination/Qualifying Final, First/Second Semis, Preliminary Final and Grand Final) attracted a massive 86,367 supporters in total – easily the best cumulative attendance in a decade.

In comparison, last year’s overall Finals attendance was 64,567.

SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker said the healthy crowd numbers signalled an impressive end to the 2008 season.

“Throughout this season, we have seen South Australians come out in force to support League football and today has been no exception,” he said.

“It is encouraging to witness so many people enjoying League footy, complete with all of the excitement on and off the ground.”

The strong figures come off the back of an overall 6.8 per cent increase in minor round attendance this year and an 18.4 per cent increase in football participation across the state.

A recorded 83,809 South Australians were involved in a football program spanning six weeks or more this year, a boost from 70,774 last year.

While traditional areas like school and junior club football recorded modest increases, the significant growth areas were programs targetted to female, multicultural and indigenous players.

[Apachebulldog]

You are right Stampy sometimes i have doubts i just do not know how this club does it i am gonna savour this dynasty till the day i die i do not think this sort of phenomenem will happen again but who knows i could be wrong !!!!!!!!!

I said to my son today you have witnessed history in the making.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Apachebulldog]

To all my safooty friends i am signing off, my throat is absolutely stuffed could be from all the drinks or from all the chanting today, had the pleasure of shaking hands with Roy the man back at Grand Central what a legend !!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pag]

Congratulations to Centrals, an amazing side.

I just want to raise one thing. I was sitting behind the southern goals, and once the siren went a female Centrals supporter started having a go at a female Glenelg supporter on the fence about 5-6 rows in front of me. The female Glenelg supported pretty much stood there and didn't do anything, while the female Central started throwing punches, eventually at almost anything, with a friend trying hold her back. This stupid mole continued on and as a result of her pathetic behaviour, hit an innocent two-year girl sitting behind her across the head.

This detracted from the post-match celebrations for the people sitting directly in my vacinity, and this 'lady' should never be allowed back into a SANFL match again. Horrible.

But again, congratulations to Centrals. An unbelievable effort.

[johntheclaret]

did anyone see the brainless twits in the last q that thru not one but two flares into the crowd........the second one done was thrown right into the glenelg supporters behind the goals were a lot of children and older people were sitting bit of a let down that some of their so called supporters can do something soooo irresponsible....did take the gloss off a good win by cdfc. mind you we had our bags searched and wasnt allowed to take s***t in but clowns got in with flares again......english soccer houligans,.......

Just catching up on this thread.

gothebombers, what rubbish Tell me wtf does a Centrals supporter at an Aussie Rules grand final, on the other side of the planet, have to do with English Soccer. And btw it's spelt Hooligan.

Have a rant about the flare by all means, but keep the steroetyping to yourself. For the record, there are no flares at English soccer games. Maybe you should have posted "Turkish soccer hooligans"

[johntheclaret]

Whilst I agree JAS that it is pretty stupid to throw a flare, we built our stadium out of concrete and it's hardly likely to turn out like those you mention. Some reality should be applied.

Hysel and Hillsborough were also built of concrete smaccer. Jas is referring to the painc aspect. Hysel is a perfect example, but Hillborough was about people being crushed because of the overcrowding.

[Rik E Boy]

Congratulations Doggies. What an amazing club they are, they have earnt that winning formula through hard work and excellent management. For you Bays fans out there, as a fan of the Cats and also the Sydney Roosters I know exactly how you feel today.

regards,

REB

[Ian]

Congratulations Central, another awesome display.

Commiserations Glenelg, you will be disappointed as we were last year, but life goes on.

[stan]

Well done to Centrals. You really have to admire the way that centrals go about there football, they wanted it more for the first final that they played, they came to play like they do everytime. Well done to them!

[CK]

Not much more can be said. Glenelg worked really hard in the first half and were throwing the ball around (high handball to kick ratio compared to Central) to create run, but at half time, it seemed the ominous feeling that Central were poised ready to put the foot down. Many of the younger players took their chances - full credit to Brayden O'Hara. Many other players in his position may have looked for another club, after waiting for so long to get his chances, but he stuck it out and shone to be one of the best afield. James Gowans unlucky not to get his second Jack Oatey, but Mackenzie's work in the third term was a huge catalyst for Central winning so many clearances.

It just looked one year too early for Glenelg, but they will gain plenty from it. Bode tried his heart out in his last game, Murphy and Fisher had their moments and Mules led from the front, but just got swamped. A lot for Tigers fans to take from the season, and plenty of positives to look to for next year.

I said it a few weeks back and again - whatever club allegiance anyone may have, I don't see how anyone can not admire Central District for what they have produced this decade. We will never see such dominance from one team in the SANFL again in our lifetimes. For me, they are one of the best teams to watch for the amazing self-belief they have, the ability to keep producing the goods when it counts, and the ability to extract the absolute most from their group. I, for one, honestly feel privileged to see a team like this in my lifetime, in so far as discussing the all time great teams of SANFL. I didn't see Port in the 50's, or Sturt in the 60's, but will tell my kids about what Central were like in the 00's.

Well done to the Glenelg U19's and the Sturt Reserves. The U19's, in particular, was a thoroughly entertaining match from start to finish (yes, it was a long day at AAMI!), and while they don't seem to award a medal for BOG in this match, Glenelg's Jack Redden was head and shoulders BOG for his work at the clearances and winning so much contested footy to send them into attack repeatedly. Sturt's Paul Cahill had plenty of it up forward, but sprayed some critical shots at the wrong time.

While Sturt held sway for the second half of the Reserves, the Eagles were great for staying with the Reserves benchmark for so long after a fairytale run. Angus Kurtze's hanger in the last minute worthy of highlights reels, and while Brodie Martin was a worthy Lee Medallist for BOG, there was surely a strong case for Eagle Adam Klun to defy history and win it on the losing team. A sensational match to close out his SANFL career.

[FlyingHigh]

As a nuetral observer the game never reached any great heights - tight in the first half then one-sided after that. I felt Glenelg had the run of play for a big part of the second quarter but didn't convert their chances. When it was Central's turn to have the run they nailed the game in about 10 minutes in the third quarter and game over.

Other observations:

- Central's pressure AA+++
- the Gowans twins semed all over the place and rarely made a mistake
- Central play finals footy like Port used to it seems. Simple but tough and accountable footy all day.
- Bays seemed to over-use the footy and didn't get it down there quick enough so Central had time to get their players back
- Grima didn't get good delivery but didn't seem to work hard enough to get into the game despite it (maybe I'm being harsh)
- can't believe the flares

Well done Centrals very well deserved win and congratulations on continuing arguably the greatest era in SANFL history

Spot on hondo, other than I thought it was a reasonable game of footy.

Centrals, just like Port used, make sure they execute the basic skills right when they get their opportunity with the footy.

For all the great work Mickan and everyone involved with GFC have done over the last three years, their game plan has to be questioned. So many times through the midfield when they had the opportunity to go forward, one extra handball messed them up, which is not what pressure games are all about. Could also have been because their forwards weren't creating a target. Easy to do on the small Bay oval where one decent kick puts pressure on the opposition defence, but on the bigger FP, the half-forwards etc need to work harder.

Sherwood, Kirk were reasonable, thought Rudolph was too. Backwell disappointing. McKenzie and Dutschke, especially early, good for the Dogs.

Those stories about the flares are an absolute disgrace and beyond comprehension. Should they be banned from the footy? They should be banned from society

[catchisthecry]

Fisher's kicking was terrible.
The amount of times he turned the ball over coming off half back was embarrassing.

[Big Phil]

Great post CK, well said mate...

[FlyingHigh]

And of course, congratulations to the Dogs to win from third spot and time their run like they did despite not being top of the tree during the minor round, again like Port a number of times, and what the Eagles weren't able to find a way to do even once between 2000-05.

[Dutchy]

Dogs too good, well done CDFC an awesome effort.

The bays sucked up the pressure for 80 minutes but then the floodgates opened, a mate of mine mentioned Roy said it was the best 3rd 1/4 they have played in a GF.

The Bays had no realy system going forward in both the Semi and yesterday, long bombs is what the Dogs love....

Anyway was a good year for the Bays and hopefully one we can look back on as the platform for success in 12 months time, well done Bodey a class act.

Was a good mood down the Bay last night probably about 3000 people, great to mingle with fellow supporters, past and present players and reflect on a "good" season but not "great".

Also well done on the Bay fans turning up yesterday, fantastic to see the Black and Gold everywhere and outnumber the Dog fans (which I was very suprised on the low numbers, do they just turn up to the celebrations these days?)

While Bodey has gone Forrest seems is going to consider going around again.

Thanks to UK Fan for getting my son a touch of the cup (which he wanted no matter who won!) and I cant believe I actually shook one of the Gowans's hands

Anyway look forward to a nice break over summer and buckle up for hopefully another great ride for the GFC in 2009

[am Bays]

What I admire about the Centrals players is that when it is their turn to put their body on the line they do it. Classic example was Thomas I think in the 3rd qtr outnumbered two to one with the ball in dispute he he got down low and hard won possession of the footy and forced a ball up - Centrals won the clearance.

This was when if we got the ball away with the two on one another goal would have brought it abck to 3 goals and we had a sniff again...

The same happened with James Gowans ealier in teh quarter he showed greater desire than one of our players to win the ball and he managed to get it out and two handballs later a shot on goal IIRC.


You've got to admire the CDFC for that

[CENTURION]

can i say it in a nice way.................u centrals winers PISS ME OFF!! what my family woulnt give for one of those ts hill trophys, it just aint right

Come up to The Club today for a drink & to meet The Players & you just never know, you might start to "evolve", Dutchy is starting to (even though he won't admit it)!

[blueandwhite]

Congratulations to the bulldogs on yet another premiership. Richly deserved, 7 in 9 years is a terrific effort from not only the players and coaches but obviously some excellent administration.
It goes without saying that the club I love and support has not played in a GF in 29 years and has not won a Premiership in 44 years. What we would not give for just 1 flag.

[CENTURION]

Congratulations to the bulldogs on yet another premiership. Richly deserved, 7 in 9 years is a terrific effort from not only the players and coaches but obviously some excellent administration.
It goes without saying that the club I love and support has not played in a GF in 29 years and has not won a Premiership in 44 years. What we would not give for just 1 flag.

It's the best feeling, be patient, one day.