Booney wrote:My musings on the GF :
Keeping in mind the AFL was hamstrung in regards to the entertainment available they didn't do a bad job. With international artists unavailable it was down to local artists only, whilst it didn't do much for me, or anyone for that matter, it was another example of the AFL just getting it done in 2020.
If a night Grand Final floats your boat because some lights flash and look cool you're either a moth or one of those people who think flares at the soccer look cool, sure, it was probably spectacular at the ground but on TV it was nothing special and it can't be the reason the AFL want night time GFs.
What an opening 5 minutes! Vlastuin was out and out, Ablett looked like his shoulder was out and so was he, what a remarkable effort to return to the field in the state he was in, clearly hampered by the injury you could question what was his value out there? With Grimes blanketing Dangerfield the Geelong forward line was a 1 man show in the second half. Ablett injured, Dangerfield blanketed, Rohan chasing Leon Davis, Grymblehebehe Miers hacking it up on the wing and O'Connor river dancing or something.
While Geelong had the better of the second quarter it wasn't as though Richmond were conceding much, it was 1.1 to 3.3 for the quarter and the Cats looked like they'd fired their shot, you knew Richmond had more in them.
At the other end everything Taylor touched turned to shit, he even copped an out on the full just running past minding his own business. Once Lynch cooked him the Tigers took over, Lynch and Riewoldt got a handful of touches but more importantly they broke the Geelong defence up and the likes of Stewart and Henderson couldn't get to the contest to help out. Game over.
Ablett, what a pleasure it has been to witness his career.
Martin, what a pleasure it is to be watching him at the peak of his powers.
Congratulations to Ablett and Taylor on their careers.
Good summary Boon.
In terms of the half-time show, half the Gabba crowd didn't watch it anyway as the line up for the toilets (even males) was ridiculous. Dunno how that joint goes on Day 1 of a test match but it was hard work. Kids would've loved it, but I didn't pay the money for Sheppard, I was there to watch footy.
Well done to QLD government and the AFL for putting it on at all, but 2.30pm EST at the G next year please.
Commend Ablett for playing on. Could tell he was hampered but if the game was close in the last five-ten mins the extra rotation for the previous three and a half quarters may have been the difference.
Felt like the second quarter was just as important as the third and fourth. Could tell we were under the pump for the majority of it, but to only give up three goals, and then snatch one back late was a massive win. The last five mins I felt we had got the game back on our terms and I was optimistic going into half time. Had a lot of the 2019 prelim about it.
I have been stoic in my Alex Rance love, he was the best player I've seen wear a yellow and black jumper in my lifetime. But it's hard to say Dusty hasn't gone past him now, I was in awe of how easy he made it look at times.
I am so proud of my footy club. We were an absolute basket case for a long time. Got the right people in the right places by 2010, took a few years of pain, made the finals three years in a row to be knocked out horribly. Fell away terribly in 2016, could've thrown Dimma out the door and thought about starting again. Backed him and the list in, added in a couple of key cogs (Prestia, Nankervis etc) and here we are. I've gotten a bit over the 'you play all your games at home' and 'you get the GF at home' schtick from people, hopefully they can now realise they best team wins it anywhere.
The good times won't roll on forever, but I'm going to enjoy every bit of them while they last.
