AFL Elimination Final 1 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Sydney

[Baggers]

Pretty crook with a bit of cold last night but still went to the game. After waiting so long not much would have stopped me. Another surreal atmosphere. So one-sided was the crowd that the noise was deafening when we scored and dead quiet when they did. Got home and watched it all again. Went to bed but this cold is getting me up early. Due to collapse soon but while I'm still coherent my thoughts on players games, for what it's worth.
Acres - Would suggest the difference between winning and losing this game. TWO on the line touches and kicks the match winning goal. Pretty decent output and under some duress I think. Also had his mandatory OOF. BOG
Cerra - Really close to BOG. Probably 2nd. Just does so much work and so hard at it.
Cincotta - Solid game.
Cottrell - One of the best. Massive work rate, kicks goals has really improved over the years.
Cripps - Relatively quiet by his standards and I think his ribs aren't quite right but he kicked a bloody goal! A couple of is turnovers were shocking as well. Hopefully each day his body gets a bit better. Need him big time next week.
Cuningham - Not a great game by Davie. His form has been down of late and may be under pressure to retain his spot next week, but he DID kick a goal!
De Koning - A really good game by TDK and probably could have kicked a couple but for some slack umpiring. His effort in the last to instigate our only goal was fantastic.
Docherty - OK without being outstanding. Played on Gulden at times which wasn't ideal, but was thereabouts.
Fogarty - Applies pressure and gets a run on the ball a fair bit. Voss obviously values him.
Hewett - Pretty damn good game by George. He been building well since his return to the team and is showing his old form. Let's hope he stays fit.
Kemp - Another solid backman and apart from one MAJOR stuff-up did well.
Marchbank - Surprised by how well he played. On that form he stays.
Martin - So very important to the team. If you had to rely on someone kicking for goal he'd be first cab off the rank. His last quarter defensively play was enormous (bar the ball rolling through his legs for the swans last goal). Hope he gets off but doubt it.
McGovern - Some good work by Mitch but he also had a major stuff-up that cost us a goal.
McKay - Had the first 2 goal assists of the game and I thought this could be his night but alas was not meant to be. Still think he is in our best 22 but the yips are proving to be extremely problematic.
Motlop - Zero impact, Which was disappointing given the conditions. Know he wasn't on for long but Paddy Dow does heaps more in similar circumstances.
Newman - Couple of crucial plays and when he took that last mark, the euphoria was overwhelming. Apart from one MAJOR stuff-up did well. Common theme here.
Owies - Only highlight for this bloke was his insane decision to try and handball while running into an open goal. Yes Vossy, WTF was he thinking. Only Motlop was less effective than he.
Pittonet - Hmmmmmm, battled hard. That's all I can say.
Saad - GREAT. One of his best games for quite some time and couldn't come at a better time. One of the only backmen who DIDN'T have a major stuff-up
Walsh - Really, really good game by the kid. I will say however at times he did choose the wrong option which concerns me but I'm probably a bit too critical.
Weitering - Probably the coolest of cucumbers in the chaos. When so many were panicking his class stood out.

Overall another great relief, but how many more of these can we all take? Funny, listening to the radio in the car on the way home there were multiple Swine supporters complaining about the umpiring? Couldn't see it myself. Wonder if Parket gets cited for his elbow to Newman's head in the 3rd that eventually resulted in a goal. No mention I can see. Funny that.
Our composure under pressure was terrible and that's a concern, but I think dry conditions suit us best so next week we'll hopefully be better.

Nice summary, Mr Balboa. And wish you a swift recovery from your cold.

Finding a way to win in the 2nd half when the Fluffy Ducks came and came hard at us, was a very good sign of maturity/mental toughness. But... we'd want to clean up on those errors in the 2nd half. Reckon it was only our above the shoulders resolve that got us over the line, along with some very special moments from the blokes that Mr Balboa mentioned.

I was concerned with being top-heavy during the week and it came to pass, not helped by H just simply being out of form. With H being ineligible for the Go Dees game it does make way for JSOS if he's fit and ready to go.

Was a little disappointed with Cunner's game. Has to impose himself more, there is too much skill there to not be on display. Still did some very nice things, but more needed.

50/50 on Martin. I've watched the replay of the incident and it could be reasonably argued that when Martin's arm hit Blakey's shoulder it assisted/caused his fist to reflex into Blakey's face. Careless? Probably. Reckless? Possibly. Intentional? No. Will be a considerable loss if suspended. Kennedy a good replacement? Yep.

Kudos to the Fluffy Ducks. So disciplined and relentless. 90,000 Bluebaggers + 18 players against them and only played one bad quarter, which was enough for us to win. Their finals experience sure did help in the 2nd half. Kudos to us for not letting them get in front at any stage, despite some ugly and mistakes ridden footy (in the 2nd half when under real heat).

Charles will not be held to a modest contribution two weeks in a row.

A valuable experience for our boys.