AFL Grand Final

The Brisbane Lions staked their claim to be the greatest team in the
last fifty years by winning a third consecutive Grand Final, the first
time it's been done since Melbourne in 1955-57. Following a tougher
season than the previous two, the Lyin's saved their best for last with
an emphatic, comfortable victory over the abject Pies. Collingwood let
themselves down with a poor performance, but some pre-game graphics
comparing the two teams emphasized how young and inexperienced this
Magpie side is compared to Brisbane. The Poise didn't have Anthony Rocca
either, duly suspended for biffing Brendon Lade last week. No-one to
blame but 'Pebbles' himself. Then there's Tarkyn Lockyer, who did a knee
early in the season. They'll be back. Incidentally, the result made it
one premiership from Collingwood's twelve Grand Final appearances since
1958. Be sure and tell your office Pie supporters.

A few more retirements last week, Sydney back-flanker Daniel McPherson
(111 games) and Hawk pair Kingsley Hunter (100 games - 51 for Fremantle,
47 for the Bullies, 2 for Hawthorn) and Simon Cox (93 games split
sort-of evenly between the Bulldogs and Hawks). Despite their exit from
the finals Poor Tadelaide continued to provide entertainment to the end
of September by turning upon each other in an axe-wielding frenzy.
Players Stephen Paxman, Adam Kingsley, Che Cockatoo-Collins and Brent
Guerra were told to look for a new club while Adam Morgan and Paul
Koulouriotis asked to be traded 'home' to a Victorian team. Then the
club's major sponsor, Alan Scott, told a Mt. Gambier radio station Port
would never win a flag with Mark Williams as coach and the entire board
ought to be sacked. Port's rather useful Nick Stevens is also strongly
tipped to depart for Melbourne. Hawk Jade Rawlings and Bulldog Nathan
Brown are also looking for new clubs.

Grand Final at the MCG:
Brisbane     5.5   11.7   14.12   20.14.134
Collingwood  3.3    4.7    9.7    12.12.84

Never a contest really, the Lyin's attacked the ball harder, used it
better, smothered their opponents and were well in control from a very
early stage. A great effort after a tough season for the Lyin's, in
which they'd experienced some injury trouble and appeared in decline
during the second half of the season. The Lions came in with a 7-5
record from their last twelve games, a run started by the horrendous
hiding dished out by West Coast at the Gabba back in round 12. But the
Brians' performance here reminded everyone just how good this team is.
Pie coach Mick Malthouse apologised to Maggie supporters afterwards,
adding he felt "embarrassed" by the Poise efforts. And although Mick
made no specific reference to himself, he didn't have a great game
either. Collingwood's build-up was dominated by the Rocca saga, his
rightful two-match penalty upheld on appeal. The Pies were less
histrionic than with Jason Cloke's suspension last year, suggesting in
Rocca's defence that his elbow had struck Lade's shoulder first and
'slipped'. Rubbish, Rocca's momentary madness is the only explanation.
Malthouse called the suspension a "life sentence". Tristen Walker was
called up to replace Rocca, the Poise only team change from last week.
Many folks were surprised that ruckman Steven McKee wasn't recalled
instead (or as well). The Lyin's had a fitness query over Nigel Lappin,
who'd copped a knee in the ribs last Saturday night from team-mate Shaun
Hart. Lappin played wearing a chest-protector. Just one change for the
Lions, silver fox Marcus Ashcroft returning from a knee injury at the
expense of Tim Notting.

In the preceding 12 hours Melbourne and the 'G had been lashed by
squalling winds, driving rain and hail; it had been 6 degrees when the
TAC Cup Grand Final commenced at 9 AM. Luckily the weather had cleared
and brightened considerably by the time the game started. The ground was
damp but perfectly alright, if a bit slippery. The contestants in the
Grand Final Sprint had trouble with their footing, save Fremantle's
James Walker who streeted the field. The usual pre-game faff-about, then
the teams for the Big One lined up; the Pies attempted to cover Rocca's
absence by deploying Tristen Walker at full-forward and regular backman
Jason Cloke at half-forward. The Lyin's had captain Michael Voss
starting on the field this week, otherwise they were in usual formation.
Last year we had to wait twenty minutes for the first goal; in 2003 the
opening major was fifteen seconds in coming, Lisbon ruck-rover Simon
Black won a free-kick at the opening bounce and punted long, Alastair
Lynch shunted Shane Wakelin aside for a chest-mark and goal. The cameras
missed Black's free-kick as they focussed on Lyin' CHF and Pie bogey-man
Jonathan Brown, he'd been flattened at the start by rugged Pie Scott
Burns. Folks recalled the Mark Yeates/Dermott Brereton collision of
1989. Except Brown, while shaken, was alright. The Maggies continued to
target Brown for some physical attention, but were unable to get hold of
the ball. Brisbun controlled it but scored a behind only in the ensuing
minutes, before Pie hero Buckley found Ben Kinnear with a nice kick.
Kinnear dished off to Shane O'Bree, he passed to Shane Woewodin in the
pocket. 'Woey' converted to have the Pies a point down. Brisbun ruckman
Clark Keating was thrashing Pie Fraser in hit-outs. Keating won a free
at the centre-bounce following the Woewodin goal, he chipped a pass to
Nige Lappin whose kick forward was marked by Dan Bradshaw. Goal to
Bradders. Lyin' Jason Akermanis, giving Brodie Holland the run-around,
hooked a shot on-the-full and the Maggies moved the free-kick
end-to-end, their Paul Licuria stabbed a low kick for Josh Fraser to
mark in the goal-square and punt truly. Pies a point down again and they
were going okay (no better) at this stage. The Lyin's replied quickly,
Jon Brown chipped a short pass for Akermanis to mark and thump home from
50m. Their Craig McRae missed a shot but the Pies lost possession on the
kick-in, Shaun Hart punted the ball back and it bounced perfectly for
McRae to gather and snap accurately this time. Akermanis missed a shot
from 20m, the Pies' Heath Scotland turned-over from the kick-in and the
Sherrin returned for a ball-up in the Lyin's goal-square. Pie Walker
tapped it straight to Lyin' Blake Caracella, who gratefully snapped the
sausage. The Lyin's led by 20 points and the Poise were a little
worried. With less than a minute remaining in the opening stanza some
excellent Pie pressure forced a Lyin' turnover; Alan Didak, Ben Kinnear
and Brodie Holland forced the ball forward, Buckley collected Holland's
handpass to snap a goal. Lyin's by 14 points at the first change.

Few changes for the second term, Walker replaced Fraser in the ruck for
Collingwood and Ben Johnson replaced Holland as Akermanis's opponent.
Akermanis had managed 9 disposals and a goal in the first quarter and
Johnson didn't have any immediate impact. Akermanis collected a pass
from Lappin, had a bounce and slotted a very good goal from in front of
the MCC Member's Stand for the opener of quartier du. The Pies won the
following centre-clearance, Didak's long shot bounced into the post.
Chris Tarrant probably could've marked but let it go. A few minutes
later Keating grabbed a throw-in and launched a long, aimless handpass
forward, fourth-game Lyin' Richard Hadley gathered the loose ball and
snapped a terrific left-foot goal. Brisbun had kicked out to a 25-point
lead now and Collingwood were really struggling, unable to win the ball
in any contested situation. They had some relief when Tarrant led and
marked on the boundary-line, his mongrelled punt fell into the arms of
Didak who booted a needed Magpoi goal. The Pies won a free from the next
restart, to Jason Cloke. He dished off to Buckley whose long shot was
wide. Things were tight for a while and a brief, heavy shower drenched
the players and patrons. Lynch and Pie James Clement missed shots before
Lynch led out to mark on the 50m line. He passed towards Justin
Leppitsch, who would've marked if not clouted by Fraser. Free-kick and a
goal to the carroty Lyin' defender. The Pies had an opportunity to clear
the restart but some weak efforts from Holland and Woewodin blew the
chance, Michael Voss collected the ball instead and delivered to leading
Lynch. Goal. A minute later Pie backman Rhyce Shaw was running outta
defence, he attempted to baulk around Lynch but fumbled and dropped the
ball. Lynchy pounced, gathered and steered through a tremendous
tight-angle shot. The Lisbon Brians led by 36 points now and the Pies
were in deep poo. The Cloke-as-a-forward experiment had failed, he
returned to defence and Heath Scotland was sent back as a loose man. It
slowed the Lyin' advance for a while, during which time an angry Jon
Brown punched Rhyce Shaw in the head. Could be a video report. With
thirty seconds remaining in the quarter Lyin' Caracella collected a
throw-in and dished a handpass to Ashley McGrath, on to Simon Black who
slotted a cool goal from 45m. The Lyin's led by 42 points at the long
break.

The Pies mounted a slight challenge at the beginning of the third Mario.
Assistant coach Terry Daniher had suggested the Pies needed more
"running with the ball in-hand" and they did so in the early third, led
by Scott Burns and Nathan Buckley. James 'Arnaud' Clement pushed forward
and found Josh Fraser with a nice pass. Fraser's shot went across the
face of goal but Burns managed a tough pack-mark and hooked it through.
A few minutes later Tarrant led onto the flank and kicked long, Burns
roved the pack and fired a handpass to Walker. The young Pie giant
centered the ball nicely for Alan Didak to mark 20m out directly in
front. Didak's major reduced the Pie deficit to 30 points. The same
Didak had a chance to reduce the margin further, but caught in two minds
he hooked a dreadful kick on-the-full. Brisbun knuckled down and
following behinds from McGrath and Luke Power, Shaun Hart drove 'em
forward again where Voss gave a handpass to Simon Black, onto Akermanis
in the pocket for a major. Lappin won the ball at the subsequent
centre-bounce, he found Akermanis again but Aker's shot was off-target.
Brisbane supporters started chanting "Lions, Lions" as they led by 40
points. Caracella roved a throw-in and was clothes-lined by Shaw,
free-kick and goal to 'Harry' Caracella  - Lyin's by 46 points. The Pies
clung on, Scott Burns was spoiled by Lappin as he attempted to mark, but
Burns hared after the ball, baulked cleverly around Lappin and slotted a
good goal. A Lynch point wasted superb work from Mal Michael and Martin
Pike before Burns was involved again, his handpass setting up a sausage
roll for Chris Tarrant. The Pies trailed by 35 points and Brizbun had
the answer, Pike roving a contest and snapping a great tight-angle goal
- followed by fist-pumping gestures to the Pie cheer-squad. Late in the
term Heath Scotland was twice involved in a move ending with a goal for
himself, the Pies had won the quarter with 5.0 to 3.5 but still trailed
by six goals overall. You could get very good odds about them. The
Lyin's didn't give them a sniff. A few scoreless minutes elapsed in the
final stanza for 2003. A goal-square scramble took place with Brisbun in
attack, Al Lynch forced the ball clear. Akermanis gathered running away
from goal, twisted one way then the other before snapping an excellent
major. The Pies exerted a bit of pressure, forcing the Brian backmen to
rush a couple of behinds. Pie 'Neon' Leon Davis missed a set-shot and
Tarrant postered before Caracella roved a throw-in and kicked forward
for Old Al Lynch to mark over Wakelin and boot his fourth goal. The Pie
fans started to leave as a rout ensued. Jonathan Brown, beaten most of
the day by Prestigiacomo, marked Hart's high kick by the point-post and
hooked it through. Akermanis burst clear of a pack and speared a
right-foot sausage - Leigh Matthews was caught celebrating as Brisbun
moved to a 57-point buffer. McRae had a shot go cross-face but a weak
effort by Ben Johnson allowed Akermanis to keep the ball in play, his
handpass made a goal for Shaun Hart. Caracella's long kick set up a
with-the-flight mark for Brown, who played on and stabbed it through
from point blank. The Lyin's led by 69 points and started celebrating.
Voss, who'd been benched early in the term, returned to much acclaim.
The Pies were allowed three late goals, Didak a 60m set-shot and majors
direct from centre-clearances to Davis and Licuria. But there was one
emphatic winner on the day and a team which is indisputably the best
around.

The Norm Smith Medal for best afield went to Brisbane's ruck-rover Simon
Black, a deserving winner as he gave the Lions a clear edge around packs
with 39 disposals (16 kicks, 23 handpasses), 9 tackles and a goal. Black
also has a Brownlow, one of four leeg best-and-fairests playing in this
game. Close up in voting was Jason Akermanis, the motor-mouthed Lyin
forward bagged 5 goals from 20 possessions (18 kicks) in an excellent
display. 'Aker' fulfilled nearly all the Lyin's media commitments in
Grand Final week, a risky strategy but ultimately successful. Clark
Keating gave Brisbane a huge advantage with his ruck-work, helping Black
and other damaging Lyin' midfielders like Michael Voss (18 disposals),
Shaun Hart (21 touches, a goal) and Blake Caracella (16 touches, 2
goals). Veteran Martin Pike played well again for 16 handlings and a
goal, this was Pike's fifth Grand Final and fourth victory, although he
also likes to remind folks he played in a Fitzroy team which won three
games in two years. In the Lyin' back-line Chris Johnson (15 disposals)
and Mal Michael (7 touches) were very good, Nigel Lappin (19 possies)
also played well - there were plenty of decent Lyin's. Thirty-four
year-old spearhead Alastair Lynch kicked 4 goals from 8 marks and 12
disposals, another Lion winner. Jonathan Brown was quiet most of the day
but had a big last quarter to finish with 2 goals. The Pies had few
winners, their best player was ruckman Josh Fraser. While Fraser
struggled in ruck contests he was very good in general play with 23
possessions, 7 marks and a goal. Of the Poise only Nathan Buckley (24
disposals, a goal) had more of the ball, but Bucks was under constant
pressure from Lyin' tag-team Hart and Robert Copeland. He didn't have
much influence. Scott Burns (22 touches with 14 handpasses, 2 goals) was
tough, aggressive and committed as usual, Simon Prestigiacomo (9
touches, 4 marks) beat Brown. Chris Tarrant (6 marks, 12 touches, a
goal) battled away and Alan Didak did his job I suppose, booting 3 goals
from 13 touches. But there were some poor efforts from many Pies, who
demonstrated the traits of front-running and made mistakes or hesitated
when the pressure was on - Rhyce Shaw, Richard Cole (a shocker), Ryan
Lonie, Shane Woewodin, Brodie Holland. Full-back Shane Wakelin had a
poor game too. At least Shaw, Cole, Lonie and young big man Walker can
use inexperience as an excuse.

Interviewed on TV after the game, Mick Malthouse said "There's desire,
there's hunger and levels of hunger. I'm sure our boys were hungry to
win, but Brisbane were hungrier. They won every contested ball, we were
second to the ball all day. I want to apologise to our supporters for
that effort, it wasn't good enough and certainly nowhere near what we've
produced for most of the season." Quoted in the paper, Mick expanded in
a similar vein. "I don't care if you get beaten, so long as the word is
you had a go. I'm not saying we didn't have a go, but we had far too
many players that when the ball-on-the-line-thing was there to be got,
we didn't get it...We have embarrassed ourselves and paid a high
penalty, with new players coming into the side, playing in their first
Grand Final who, unfortunately...we had too many that didn't fire a
shot. We were gobbled up by a highly professional organisation that has
been there, done that and knows how to win. When Tristen Walker is
twenty-four, twenty-five, he will be a better player because he has
played in this game and the same goes for Lokan, Cloke, Shaw, Lonie,
Cole, Davis, Didak and Johnson. That is the reason why I go into next
year thinking we can do something with this team. I would be mortified
if I was mentioning names of blokes in their thirties...I would like to
think we can fight back. How long that is going to take, I don't know,
but we certainly have to do it through youth."

Leigh Matthews had a slightly different attitude. 'Lethal' had set some
sort of obscure record for the longest time-span between GFs, he'd first
participated in one (as a player with Hawthorn) in 1971, 32 years ago.
"I kind of had this foreboding that we were limping in a bit today, as
was well publicised (he's referring to the injuries carried by Voss and
Lappin) but behind the scenes we were limping a bit too." Matthews later
revealed the club had used eighteen vials of injectable pain-killer
before the game, compared to the normal two or three - you can already
imagine the Pie supporters whinging about "the Lions won on drugs". And
no doubt Eddie will start up about the salary cap again. Anyway, Lethal
continued. "To come out and have the game they did, they are a very
special group. The group has changed a little bit over the three years
but the core of the group, the majority of which have been there the
three times, are very special players...As far as our place in history,
you can't compare eras and I think 'best' is not the right term. 'Best'
is a very subjective term, I think. It really is very cut-throat in the
finals, it's a little bit cruel when you think about it, you can be
undefeated until preliminary final day and if you lose the preliminary,
you don't make the Grand Final. So through that system, to find a way to
survive and triumph three years in a row now is a testament to their
consistency and effort and talent and attitude...Simon Black's was a
monster performance...it was above and beyond. I thought he had his own
ball out there..." Could they win it again next year? "The challenge of
a competitor is that you've got a very short memory...you are only as
good as your most recent performance. The pleasure that you get is about
what just happened, it is like those fresh feel-good pills (aha!) so the
Vosses and the Blacks and the Browns, all those competitors, the fact
that they've had a really good week is not going to make Simon any less
determined to have a good game in round one next year because you live
in the present. The prize I feel we get out of winning the premiership
is that we've won the last game...and we don't have to test ourselves on
the field for five months." A fatalistic view perhaps, but hey - he's
got three flags in a row.

TAC Cup Grand Final:
Calder Cannons      6.4   10.7   14.8   16.14.110
Murray Bushrangers  0.0    0.1    0.3     2.6.18

Goals: CC: Clifton 4, Kent 2, JD Smith 2, Castello 2, May, McLean,
Goullet, Betts, Ezard, Bentick.
       MB: Cosgriff, Schilg.
Best: CC: McLean, Castello, Clifton, Ezard, Goullet.
      MB: Gayfer, Bloom, Oswald, Tenace, Taylor.

That's it for another year, thanks once again to David Layton and Darryl
Harvey at Footy Tipping Software - if you want to go on tipping, have a
lash at their Rugby World Cup comp (www.footy.com.au). Thanks once again
to everyone who e-mailed during the year, again I apologise for
responding tardily or not-at-all, I'll do better next year. I promise.
Speaking of which...GO TIGES. I'm sure we'll draft some of those
powerful Bushranger forwards.