Alpine Opinion

Game of the century

Posted in AFL footy by Ray Dixon on 5 July, 2009
stkildavgeelong

Kicks off at 3.10 pm, live on Channel 7.

Blog ‘the big one’ here on A.O. (not on the Herald Sun!)

There hasn’t been a more anticipated home & away AFL game in living memory. Two sides undefeated after 13 rounds – and they hate each other! Naturally I want St Kilda to win but most of all what we want to see is a great contest. Don’t miss it. Feel free to make your pre-match predictions and your thoughts on the game as it progresses.

41 comments

41 Responses

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  1. Don said, on 5 July, 2009 at 10:18 am

    I’ve tipped St Kilda as part of the million dollar tipping contest at SportBet, and considering I don’t follow the footy I’m doing pretty good. May even watch this game.

  2. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 10:53 am

    I tipped the Saints too and have no idea who will win. I’ll be next door with my neighbours – one is a Geelong supporter and his wife St Kilda.

    I just hope it’s a good contest and not like Friday.

  3. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 10:55 am

    I reckon the Saints @ $2.40 are a good bet. I would have thought this was even money. Although the bookies are saying it’s not a big betting game so I guess they’re prepared to take a punt. They’ll probably lay off with each other just so they come out neutral. I don’t think you can say either side is favourite here and a lot is going to depend on who gets the better start.

  4. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 10:58 am

    I’ll be next door with my neighbours – one is a Geelong supporter and his wife St Kilda.

    And they’re still together? My God! Fortunately my partner is right into the Saints (she’s actually ‘in love’ with Justin Koschitzke, not me).

  5. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:03 am

    A touch of the Nick Naitainuis? I’m sticking with Paul Roos.

  6. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:10 am

    Leanne reckons Paul Roos needs to see a hair stylist. I told her, “well it was worse when he played, he had the world’s biggest mullet.”

  7. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:12 am

    Where are the Geelong supporters, Baldrick et al? Too worried to comment?

  8. Dave from Albury said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I will don my Saints scarf while Mrsdave sits at the other end of the couch and barracks for the Catters.

    Trouble brewing indeed.

  9. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:20 am

    What do women see in Geelong players? I mean, Ablett, Johnson, Scarlett, Harley, Mooney, Chapman … and the list goes on, are not exactly movie stars. Not exactly chick magnets.

  10. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Leanne reckons Paul Roos needs to see a hair stylist.

    Hair stylist? Mr Rox cuts his own. I’m used to low styling standards. We’re not talking Warwick Cappers here.

  11. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:30 am

    I have a soft spot for fellow ranga Ling.

  12. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 11:56 am

    You couldn’t like that face of his, surely Rox? I forgot to add Ling to the list above – he’s at the top of the uglies.

    Now let’s see: He cuts his own hair, he doesn’t follow footy and he thinks Naitanui is ‘hot’. Are all men in Tasmania like that?

  13. clubwah said, on 5 July, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    Is it on delay on 7 at 3.10 or have they put the game back to be shown live?

  14. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    They put the game back, Wah. Channel 7 wouldn’t budge. Good luck.

  15. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    “Are all men in Tasmania like that?”

    He’s from Victoria. Ours are worse. I had a look at Koschitzke, and I have to say Leanne has a point.

    It seems as though blogging has staged a bit of a revival.

  16. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Not a Grods – it’s tailed right off.

    Yeah, I reckon Kosi is about Australia’s most eligible bachelor. He keeps a low profile too.

  17. clubwah said, on 5 July, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Good luck to you Ray. I don’t have much to say at this stage. I have no idea how this game will pan out.

  18. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    It seems as though blogging has staged a bit of a revival.

    Some of us are trying!

  19. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    Wah, I reckon the first quarter will tell us how it is going to go. If one side gets a jump it’ll probably stay that way.

  20. Dave from Albury said, on 5 July, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    That 50 to Abblett was bullshit.

  21. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    You beat me to it, Dave. Saints should be further in front. They should be 7 goals to 1. Good start though.

  22. Bertus said, on 5 July, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Couple of lucky ones in the 1st qtr – #2 involved a no-bounce run of about 25 metres through the middle and #3 came back off the post didn’t it?

    Nevertheless a great first half.

  23. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Saints deserved those first 5, Bertus, and more. It’s evened up a bit though. Nervous !!!

  24. David Davidson said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    happy deleting

  25. Dave from Albury said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    More soft frees to the Cats. Umps wearing blue and white today.

  26. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Yeah, we got a rough ride there, Dave. Ten points up. Dunno if it’s enough. I can’t watch.

    Yes, David Davidson, I deleted your abusive comment. First one you’ve made here and it’s abusive. That’s why.

  27. Dave from Albury said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    That free to Bartel was absolutely pathetic. Obviously the AFL want to keep it close.

  28. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    Draw? Can they hang on?

  29. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    SAINTS !!!!!

    And they deserved it.

    What a game by Gardiner!

  30. roxannatas said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    One of the best games I’ve ever seen.

  31. Bertus said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    Well! That was some finish. What a mark from Gardiner! Whoo.

  32. clubwah said, on 5 July, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    How’s your heart Ray?

    To say the Cats got the better of the umpiring is bullshit. The trouble is you don’t notice the ones that go against them or when stupid umpires pay advantage when the ball is being turned over.

    A great game.

  33. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    Well I won’t whinge about the umpiring but there were about 3 or 4 frees right near goals in the last quarter that St Kilda should have received. Still, the right side won.

  34. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    It means not much of course. Next time they meet it’s anyone’s game.

  35. Bertus said, on 5 July, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    As an impartial observer, I thought the umpiring was a bit ordinary for both sides. There was an “advantage” paid to Geelong, on their half-fwd flank, with scores tied and about two minutes to go…I don’t know how it was an advantage. It should definitely have been brought back. But then there were similarly dodgy decisions against the Saints.

  36. Baldrick said, on 5 July, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    Right. Well done Saints, best team in the comp and I’ve been saying that for weeks and weeks. We were competitive after being smashed. Not mentioining Stevie J as that would be making excuses but you know what he would have done.

    Agree with wah, there were extremely dodgy decisions that went unnoticed or not commented on above. We now prove we’re the second best team in the comp. And now the Saints are the measuring stick. Finally we won’t be talked up.

  37. clubwah said, on 5 July, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    Baldrick, this definately showed Geelong’s weakness up front. Hawkins just didn’t cut it. When a defender like Milburn has more success as a tall forward after twisting his ankle you have to wonder.
    Ottens will be very important on his return. I wonder if they could play him as a forward while leaving the ruch to Blake and Mumford.
    And I wonder if Geelong would ever consider getting Barry Hall?

  38. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Take Hall at your peril, Wah. Yeah, there’s no doubt that Riewoldt, Koschitzke and Gardiner made the difference. They can take marks in the forward 50 and kick goals, it’s that simple. Well in Kosi’s case he kicks them from outside 50 too.

    That’s what I said in the tips too – Geelong’s weakness is its lack of key marking & running forwards. Although your midfield of Ablett, Bartel & Chapman were unbelievable. Apart from Lenny Hayes I think Geelong beat St Kilda there, so it got down to the defences & attacks. Also, I thought Gardiner had a massive impact around the ground and when he was rested in the 3rd quarter Geelong got those 3 goals and caught up.

    Don’t forget St kilda didn’t have King & Hudghton either so I think that at least balances the Johnson omission.

    I won’t say any more about the umpiring but I’d watch the replay on Austar (Fox) and look at that last quarter again.

  39. Baldrick said, on 5 July, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    Today didn’t prove too much. Both sides worthy 1 and 2. I suggested a week ago that the talls for St.Kilda would be the difference and so they were. Those two marks, Riewoldt’s and Gardniers were magnificent. But that Bartel, isn’t it weird how it takes a massive match to bring on Brownlow form.

    Hawkins is raw and needs another two seasons. Is he 20 yet? I was relatively happy with Mooney. It is clear that when he needs to kick through the ball he is far more effective.

    As for Hall, the Geelong hierachy are intelligent. We wouldn’t be where we are now if they weren’t. Hall can go to Port Melbourne.

    We do have a top three. Fantastic to see Footscray do so well. Roll on the competition.

  40. Baldrick said, on 5 July, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    Raymond, how close was I at picking up those 3 points for a draw?

  41. Ray Dixon said, on 5 July, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    Three points? Well it was obviously close to being a draw but I still think the side that won today deserved to win. They took the match on from the start and held the upper hand almost right through.

    At 3/4 time I felt it was anyone’s game but the Saints started the final quarter better and at no stage in that last quarter did I think they’d lose it, even when Geelong drew level. You could see it in their eyes and their determination to push forward.

    And then … ‘that mark’. Pity about Taylor’s head but it was accidental contact in the contest. Best game Gardiner has played for about 6 or 7 years!


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