Ablett the key to 2009 flag

acker says:

07:21am | 21/09/09

Take it from me a long suffering Western Bulldog fan, Gary Ablett Jnr is an exeptional player who gets a lot of ball and deserves a brownlow. But the guy who silently slices you up like Jack the Ripper is Jimmy Bartel, he doesn’t get as much ball as Ablett but his touches realy hurt you.

Owen De Seinz says:

09:29am | 21/09/09

You haven’t heard of Clint Jones, Julie? He’s the AFL’s number one tagger in 2009 and kept Ablett in check in round 14 when the Saints defeated the Cats. I’d suggest Riewold’s the key to this one. He’s putting together a Carey-like September.

Dave says:

10:31am | 21/09/09

Was at the game Saturday and Ablett was magnificent. The cats most important player is Joel Selwood. His grunt work in the middle and defensive pressure as well as to a lesser extent Jimmy Bartel allows Ablett and Corey to run foward and generate pressure and Stevie J to lurk foward where he is at his most dangerous rather than having to push up the ground . As for the saints while everyone focuses on Riewoldt they need Kosi to fire.  If he competes strongly and wins first hands on the ball it will bring Milne and Schnieder into the game. Also Gilbert crucial as he is the one who is third man up and will chop off Geelong’s foward entries.

Joe says:

11:17am | 21/09/09

What is it with sporting journalists? Many, even 12 months later, haven’t woken up to how the the 2008 Premiership was won. Firstly, Geelong’s poor kicking meant that Geelong had the flag won everywhere but on the scoreboard by half time. Secondly, Stewart Dew’s running and accurate kicking burnt the Cats in the third quarter and won the flag off his own boot. It could be said that it was Dew’s flag rather than Hawthorn’s. Thirdly, Hawthorn’s “Whatever it takes” mentality, the hallmark of any Grand Final win, built on Dew’s feats and enabled them to employ a loophole in the rules (which has been patched but not repaired) by walking the ball over the scoring line to concede behinds rather than goals.
Now journalist can’t see that Collingwood’s capitulation and lack of commitment in the last quarter and half of Saturday night’s game reveals little about Geelong’s prospects in the Grand Final. Collingwood had an obligation to fans and to St Kilda to pressure Geelong for the full game. Not doing so has disadvantaged St Kilda and misleads fans. Further Collingwood is not being brought to account for their poor performance and lack of fibre.

Carl Palmer says:

12:21pm | 21/09/09

Don’t know about the pies next year with the likes of the Hawks, Crows, Dogs, St Kilda and Geelong and you can add the Bombers & the Lions. They have a bit of work to do.

As I stated in a previous article, the Cats had to win by a large margin, they had the easier of the 2 games and they seem to be peaking at the right time.

Gary A is a superstar and I love to watch him but he is still stoppable, it will be interesting to see who get the job on him. Both sides have quality everywhere however Nick’s knee is a real worry for the saints. Having said that I sat in awe watching him against the Dogs – no wonder he was AA Captain.

IT should be a real hum dinger of a game and I really hope that it is close and if it is a few supports will no doubt have heart palpitations.

My head says the Cats but my heart says the Saints – go the Sainters by 7 points!!!!!!

Bob Isaacs says:

12:30pm | 21/09/09

I watched Collingwood turn up for their thrashing but worse than that was the behaviour of 50,000 supporters who couldn`t be bothered staying until the final siren to congratulate Geelong for making sure this bunch of boofheads wont be gracing the hallowed turf of the MCG next week. I was at the 1966 GF and the last thing I wanted to see was black and white there again therefore guaranteeing a more colourful spectacle.  I have a sneaking suspicion the saints will win again by a similar margin to the 1966 win.

stephen says:

01:31pm | 21/09/09

Gary Ablett’s best when the ball is close to the ground, so I reckon the Cats’ll win if it’s wet. (But I hope not)

Ross Hill says:

03:11pm | 21/09/09

Go cats!

Greg Roberts says:

04:12pm | 21/09/09

Cats have a shocking grand final record in the AFL era. 1992, 1994, 1995, 2008 - these memories still haunt the underachieving Kittens.

Julie Tullberg says:

11:34am | 22/09/09

Well done on Gary Ablett winning the Brownlow medal. However, Ablett wants to win the Grand Final more that the Brownlow. You can tell the way he plays. We won’t see him again until he walks out on that hallowed turf on Saturday. To the critics ... after Saturday, I hope to say ... I rest my case.

Owen De Seinz says:

01:06pm | 23/09/09

Ablett is selfish. He has to be told by is teammates to put the medal away! Tim Watson said he was selfish too!

Stu Dew says:

01:10pm | 23/09/09

I think with the prediction of inclement weather the backman of both sides will be more critical than ball carriers such as Ablett and forward supremo St Nick. I say the likes of Scarlett, Ling and Fisher will have the biggest impact on this game, Julie. Your thoughts?

Darren Parkin says:

01:33pm | 23/09/09

I think the rucks will give Saints prime movers first use thus nullifying Ablett. An unfit Ottens and er, Mark Blake aint on the same par as Gardiner - who has GF vindication on the mind - and King - who will lord it over his ex-Geelong teammates. Julie, did you consider this?

Julie Tullberg says:

09:38am | 24/09/09

Hi Stu Dew, I am with you on your assessment. I have no doubt that Geelong’s backline is the best in the league. If it is wet, I think the Saints’ big men would struggle. Having said that, Darren, I am convinced that the game will be won at ground level, which is why I rate Ablett so strongly. Rucks can swing a game but it’s the ball carriers that often give you a significant number of opportunities up forward.

Darren Parkin says:

02:57pm | 24/09/09

Julie,you should note that St Kilda’s set a 40-year defensive record for least scores concede. You need to reevaluate your incorrect assertion that Geelong has the best defence in the AFL.

Darren Parkin says:

03:13pm | 24/09/09

My comments never get posted Julie. Just coz i diagree that’s poor form.