Amazon exiles discussion

Mine:

Cats x 13 (I still don't trust Port in Finals)
Dogs x 10
Swans x 9
Lions x 15

Well Val you are very wise. As I go to bed you have been proved to be right

Hope your Swans prediction is as accurate!

Tonight's result:

Port Adelaide Power (available) v Geelong Cats (available)
3.4.22 (Q1) 3.7.25
6.7.43 (Q2) 9.9.63
6.9.45 (Q3) 14.16.100
7.12.54 (Q4) 20.18.138

Yes, the Cats dominated but Port just gave up. No one would have predicted an 84 point blow-out.

Wow!

I've been away from home for most of Friday and today so apologies for late update. I only saw the second half of last night's game but the Dogs had no answer for the Hawks' sheer exuberance. I would almost say no one would begrudge them going all the way - they must be favoured to take on Port after Port's dismal showing on Thursday night.

Friday's result:

Western Bulldogs (on hiatus) v Hawthorn Hawks (available)
4.1.25 (Q1) 2.1.13
5.4.34 (Q2) 7.3.45
6.5.41 (Q3) 11.11.77
9.8.62 (Q4) 14.15.99

Today's result:

Sydney Swans (Anita) v GWS Giants (Duke)
1.4.10 (Q1) 2.5.17
4.5.29 (Q2) 7.8.50
7.6.48 (Q3) 10.9.69
13.10.88 (Q4) 12.10.82

When I left the theatre at 5.00pm (and yes, Carousel was glorious!) the Giants were up by 20 points having led all day. By the time I got home (6.15pm) they were up by a goal with 4 minutes to play. And then the Swans drew level. And then the Swans scored again. Tim must have no fingernails left. I hope he's treating himself to a stiff drink tonight.

Brisbane v Carlton now in progress.

What I saw of the game it was as though neither side could be bothered trying to win. Not a great game.

Brisbane Lions (on hiatus) v Carlton Blues (available)
5.5.35 (Q1) 0.0.0
9.7.61 (Q2) 2.1.13
10.12.72 (Q3) 5.2.32
14.15.99 (Q4) 11.5.71

Finals Week 1

Tim - 3 (129)
Val - 3 (134)
Philip - 3 (140)
SussexWelsh - 3 (142)
Anita - 3 (155)
Duke - 2 (146)
Sj Brooke (Steve) - 2 (154)
Suzy - 1 (169)

Tim is our winner (spot on with his Lions margin) and earns $15.00 for the Koala Hospital at Port Macquarie. Well done!

A stiff drink doesn't even begin to cover the emotions I went through.
Let's start by saying GWS were magnificent in defence all game and Swans were very poor in that area. However the umpiring was dreadful. The Swans had to tackle 3 times as many as GWS to get any holding the ball decisions and when it came to high tackles there was a different definition of high in place if you had a red shirt on. The commentators did allude to this several times saying the Swans were being harshly treated but no one made a big deal. All I can say is that for some reason I always thought we would win even when 28 points down. We kept bringing the margin down to single points then GWS would blow it out again.
In the end the last 10 minutes were brilliant if a Swannie. Heaney was incredible all afternoon. Took 2 of the best marks of the season and again emphasised how much it is so tragic he has missed out on the Brownlow. Amartey did absolutely nothing all game except kicking the winning goal with the nonchalence he did not deserve with 90 seconds or so remaining. And that was the first time they had been ahead since the first minute.
And as for Papley. GWS fans must hate him. Just very annoying for the opposition in every way butcif a Blood just wonderful. Has his heart on his sleeve and never gave up.

Good old swans.
Thanks Tim,I always read your comments about the SWANS with interest.

Thanks Anita. It was hard to watch at times but the boys never gave up. Wished I had flown down for the match. One of Heeney's marks was a one handed catch as he was diving. He scored from that mark so absolutely incredible. It has to be said though that GWS missed some sitters from in front of the posts.

I don't rate Papley myself, especially how he spat at Toby during that game, no need for that at all....very uncouth behavior. I expected the Swans to close the gap in that final quarter, it's become their signature style of play, come back kings, just as the Pies were in the last season. Disappointing for my boys, i still think they deserve to win that game....but they need to strengthen their final quarter defence and pressure. GWS are one of the best pressure teams in the comp as we saw in the first 3 quarters, just fell short in the last few minutes.

One query i have is that had Heeffe kicked that goal, then it would've ended in a draw, so how does AFL decide who wins in a finals playoff draw?

They play extra time.
GWS should have won they missed at least 3 sitters. I agree about Papley. I do not think he is one of the nice guys in AFL and the opposition know that. Toby Greene is similar and there is no love lost between him and Papley.
That was the coaches first defeat in nearly 30 games when GWS had been leading at 3 quarter time. That is unbelievable but that stat came up in the commentary.
I think GWS will beat the Lions and go on from there to the Cats but that would be away, but better for the opposition, it would be played at the MCG. It is hard to win in Geelong in front of the loudest supporters in AFL. It could still be an all-Sydney final.

However, I really do not think the Swans have the frontmen to win the Premiership.

Predictions for next weekend
Giants by 16
Hawthorn (Port look out of it to me) by 18

Just checked Duke. I knew they played extra time but was not sure of the length. It is 2 periods of 3 minutes plus usual time added on. I have not seen that happen but sure it must have happened. Many believe it should happen during the normal home and away season, but I think a draw is all part of the game and should stand.

Week 2

Friday, September 13, 7:40pm
Second semi final
Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval

Saturday, September 14, 7:30pm
First semi final
GWS vs Brisbane at Sydney Olympic Park

Let's be having your tips plus margins before the bounce on Friday - that's around 10.30am your time.

I didn't see the spitting incident but if that happened it's to be deplored. Having said that, any team in the league would kill to have Tom Papley playing for them. Similar story for Toby Green. They're both a bit like annoying mosquitos - just won't go away. My particular bete noir is Luke Parker - I've never forgiven him for his taunting of Dylan Shiel back in 2022. The game doesn't need those sort of on-field antics. Amartey really needs to offer more up front as does Logan McDonald. The Swans shouldn't have to rely on Heeney, Mills et al for their goals. They must now have the confidence that they can go all the way to the Premiership. I can't see Geelong turning on the show they did on Thursday. Brisbane looked half-hearted last night. The Giants will need to regroup fast and put yesterday's game behind them. And the Hawks are just having fun!

Tim wrote: "Just checked Duke. I knew they played extra time but was not sure of the length. It is 2 periods of 3 minutes plus usual time added on. I have not seen that happen but sure it must have happened. M..."

Thanks for that Tim....doesn't sound like a lot of time to get a goal or two though....so you know what my next question is, don't you?! In international football, after extra time it goes to penalties.....i'm assuming in AFL, if it's still a draw after extra time...then is it the first side to score a winning goal?

Val wrote: "I didn't see the spitting incident but if that happened it's to be deplored. Having said that, any team in the league would kill to have Tom Papley playing for them. Similar story for Toby Green. T..."

Toby Greene used to be a bit of a wild gun in his earlier days, but he has come on leaps and bounds since becoming captain...i obviously rate him a lot more over Papley!++As for the young Hawks...would'd have thought they make finals at the beginning of the season....very much the dark horse of the comp...and possibly a GF contender. I think they'll make short work of Port.....as once again, Port have failed to live up to expectations in the finals games....they always seem to fluff it up, don't they?!

I'll be rooting for the Hawks...hope they win, and my lads too....ought to be one of the easier sides for GWS to take on.

Hi Duke, I cannot find out what happens if the teams are still tied after extra time. There have been 3 Grand Final draws, but all resolved in extra time. The 3 minutes has been set since 2016. At one time it was 5 minutes but remember 3 minutes in AFL with time added on for stoppages can easily equate to 5 minutes.
I would assume they would play on until someone scores but not sure.

Hawthorn + 19
GWS (Duke) + 15

Hawks by 17
giants by 17

Port Adelaide x 10
Brisbane x 30

Semi Finals:

Hawks - 32
GWS - 12

Cannot believe Swans captain Callum Mills has pulled a hamstring in training this week. Out of the Prelim final next weekend. A huge miss.

There is a lot going on inside the games this weekend. Fascinating contests between individuals everywhere. Will Port stick with Charlie Daniels? Will Toby Greene get back to form? I think the answer to the latter is a resounding yes. It's great I can look forward to both matches without worrying about the Swans this weekend. Good luck to Giants supporters but really think they will do it. And Hawthorn. If they fail this weekend at least their fans know they are back and will be up there next season.

I can see how you might mix up Charlie Dixon



with Charlie Daniels



The latter might have more of a contribution if he weren't deceased. I reckon leave big Charlie out and reinstate Todd Marshall.

I'll be barracking for the Hawks tonight just to hear the Port crowd silenced.

Bad luck about Callum Mills - apparently he played in the 2022 Grand Final with a hamstring issue. At least your club has good depth. Taylor Adams has Grand Final experience and is a tough nut.

A right mess up. It was early!

They do have a little depth and Adams has been unlucky to miss out on last few weeks. I agree with playing Marshall. A far more flexible option which they will need against the Hawks.
A good point on the crowd but from a Swans point of view I am sure they would rather play Port next week. However, to see that crowd leaving early would be good. They do not care much about opposition.

Suzy's tips:

Port by 7
Lions by 7

My tips:

Hawks x 10
Giants x 2

Where's Sussex??

Hawks by 13
Giants by 18

Apologies for my tardiness, Val and thanks for the reminder

Tonight's result:

Port Adelaide Power (available) v Hawthorn Hawks (available)
2.3.15 (Q1) 0.2.2
5.6.36 (Q2) 4.3.27
7.8.50 (Q3) 7.3.45
11.9.75 (Q4) 11.6.72

A very tight game in the end and a tough one too. Tim, you'll be thanking the Hawks for softening up Port Adelaide for you. Georgiades looked as though he was hobbling a bit, Jones went off clutching his ribs? arm? and why was Horne-Francis helped off near the end? I still don't think Zac Butters is 100%. Bad luck Hawks (Sam Frost was missed) but you had an amazing season and now to build on it for next year.

Hawks will be very good next year. Very promising after a few very tough seasons. Bet Ginnivan is none too popular with team mates after his tweets to Brodie Grundy. Sam Frost was a huge omission
Port did seem to pick up a few injuries. They hung in well to win at the end. Most of us did not pick them and it was very close

Tonight's result:

GWS Giants (Duke) v Brisbane Lions (on hiatus)
5.3.33 (Q1) 3.5.23
8.7.55 (Q2) 4.10.34
14.8.92 (Q3) 9.13.67
15.10.100 (Q4) 15.15.105

I don't know if Brisbane won so much as the Giants just let it slip away. The final quarter was like looking at a car crash in slow motion when you know there's nothing you can do to stop the inevitable. It was last week all over again. I don't think that the Lions even thought it possible - their body language did not exude positivity. But that's the final result and the Lions will move on to play the Cats next week.

Finals - Week 2

Suzy - 2 (6)
Philip - 2 32)
Val - 0 (20)
SussexWelsh - 0 (39)
Anita - 0 (41)
Sj Brooke (Steve) - 0 (42)
Tim - 0 (43)
Duke - 0 (52)

Suzy wins $15.00 for Friends With Dignity - she's killing it!!

Well done Suzy
Well what can you say. Last week it was a 28 point lead and this week 44 points. I feel for them. They have contributed so much this season and to go out like this must be unbearable. I was looking forward to that all Sydney final as well.
I really think that decision for the deliberate knocking out of play which led to Daniher's first goal of the 2 he scored in the last 5 minutes was a disgrace. The ball came off the back of an arm and in no way could be called deliberate. If I was a Giants fan I would be fuming.

I agree with all you say Tim. No way was that a deliberate out of bounds. Once again, a wrong umpiring decision turns a game. And, as usual, Joe Daniher does little all game but gets the credit for the two goals that won the game. Both he and Hipwood are major disappointments as forwards. Their small forwards work harder and often carry the team. An all Sydney final would have been a fitting wrap of the season and an exciting game to boot. I hope your team wins next week (hopefully without umpiring controversies) and that your players come through without mishap. The Swans really deserve that cup.

Well.....i guess i better back the Swans as well then. GWS deserved to lose imo...they just cannot deal with final quarter pressure....they looked spent towards the end, whilst the Lions just kept on coming. Ah well....there's always next season! Giants will get that trophy one day.

AFL 2024 FINALS FIXTURE - WEEK 3 - Preliminary finals

First Preliminary Final: Sydney Swans [1] vs Port Adelaide [2]
Friday September 20, 7:40pm at the SCG

Second Preliminary Final: Geelong [3] vs Brisbane Lions [5]
Saturday September 21, 5:15pm at the MCG

Tips in by 10.40am Friday but earlier if you can.

Sydney Swans (Anita) +23
Geelong +5

.
.
Swans by 25
Cats by 22

Swans by 18. Hopefully my flight back from Townsville (working up here this week and next) will get me home in time for the first bounce. If we do make it there will some rapid changes to my flight home the following Friday!
Lions by 5. Do not believe this but just have a feeling. Cats not so dominant at MCG

Good timing with Swans at SCG. There is a NRL final at the stadium next door at the same time between Cronulla Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys who are from Townsville. Infact my room here this week looks straight into their new stadium.
When I say next door, they are literally on the same site. Madness.

Just as well you're not going to the Preliminary Final - if all the Cowboy fans are flying to Sydney, airfares will be exorbitant.

Very true but from what Cronulla were saying they wanted to switch the match to their stadium as they do not expect a crowd to warrant using Moore Park.
Air fares up here are horrendous anyway. Glad my company were paying as flight up Monday on Virgin was nearly $700 from Brisbane.
I thought Virgin had a deal with the AFL to give fans cheaper fares, but I have seen no sign of this.

SWANS BY 17
LIONS BY 17