The 2009 premiership race has ended with my Cats winning the 2009 Grand Final against the Saints. Here is a look at my top and bottom fours for one last week in 2009.
THE TOP FOUR
1. A GAME THAT DELIVERED – What a game the 2009 Grand Final turned out to be. The two best teams during the season met on the last Saturday and did not disappoint. The Grand Final was one of the best in recent memory and will go down as one of the best in history. The Cats ended up winning the game by a final margin of 12 points, which happened to be the highest margin for the whole game. Both clubs players and supporters can hold their heads high after such a great Grand Final, good speeches, and functions after the match and on the whole a well behaved crowd.
2. COURAGE UNDER FIRE – Three players on the weekend really showed what they are made of playing through injury during the Grand Final. Brendan Goddard played with a broken nose and also a broken collar bone after a clash with a team mate. Paul Chapman played through a hamstring injury to win the Norm Smith medal while Harry Taylor played with a broken hand sustained in the first quarter and still managed 15 spoils for the match.
3. TWO OUT OF THREE AINT BAD – Geelong after the weekend have now cemented themselves as one of the greatest sides to play the game. Their record over the past three seasons speaks for itself and now with a second premiership the team goes up a further notch. There is still work to be done if they want to move up the list of great teams but they are well and truly on their way.
4. JERSEY ANTHEM – Being at the game on Saturday as a Cats supporter I witnessed the best anthem I think I have ever heard at the football. The guys from the hit musical Jersey Boys recited the anthem and it was simply awesome. The anthem at the start of the game is one of the biggest moments and should stay at this quality. The pre game entertainment also was a step up for me as I enjoy seeing acts like Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham at such events.
THE BOTTOM FOUR
1. THE UMPS – Was always going to be talked about after the Grand Final after a few contentious decisions. Obviously the goal given to Hawkins was wrong and shows the need for some form of technology in the game. The double goal against Milburn highlighted interpretation from umpires, personally I believe it was a big penalty in such an emotionally charged match. I think that the decisions in the end evened out across the day so the Umpires did well not to impact the result more heavily. Does show the need for consistency and also common sense in big matches however.
2. WHY FEVOLA? – Brendan Fevola’s future as a Carlton player is now up in the air after a week I think he would rather forget. My earlier article (Bad Boy Fevola) aired most of my grievances toward the star forward however it just goes to show that no-one is untouchable in the football world. Old habits die hard but let’s hope the one Brendan Fevola can learn from his mistakes. The tarnish is now off a great season from Fev who won the Coleman but ended with not attending his own clubs best and fairest.
3. STRAIGHT KICKING IS GOOD FOOTY – The Saints learnt the hard way just like the Cats had one year earlier, if you don’t take your opportunities on Grand Final day and miss easy chances the game will slip away from you. The Saints looked so dominant in the first half of the Grand Final but paid the price for bad goal kicking. We all know the culprits and it just shows how our game is often so simple, kick more goals and you will more often than not win the game.
4. WHO CARES? – Two issues get a mention under this heading. The fact the Max Rooke kicked a goal after the siren at the Grand Final. Really who cares that he did? It was his choice to make after taking the mark to essentially end the Saints chances so let him be. Secondly the Blake and King saga that has boiled over after the game again who cares? Me for one does not want to hear about the grudge these blokes have against each other… Move On!!
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