And there it was. The final siren of the 2010 home away and season and North were coming away winners. Did I care? Not all that much. Don't get me wrong, very few things are better in this world than watching the Roo-boys win but we're talking big picture here. Why play finals when your team will probably lose to Sydney 75-65 in a rain soaked ANZ stadium in front of 17,000 people? It's big picture folks.
Some fans don't get it. Finals does not mean anything unless your team will actually DO something when they get there. (Finals should be 6 teams, I hate duds making the finals. And Sydney should be banned from playing. In case Sydney makes it the next best team should play unless Sydney can guarantee they will score more than 100 points.) Not making the finals is far from a failed season. And sneaking in isn’t quite a success. It’s about context and its almost always about where a team is in its re-building process.
So my point is: how did your team go this season in the grand scheme of things? Did they perform above expectations? Below expectations? Did you at some point in the season consider a killing spree at your team's next board meeting? The amount of thoughts that go through a typical supporters head during a season is truly staggering. (“We’ve got it together this year!” “Fire the friggin’ coach!” “We’re in the finals for sure!” And my favourite “We are so pathetic that I am ripping up my membership on national TV 45 mins into the first game!”)
I've spent probably 15 minutes thinking of each team’s season. For the most part I have no idea what I'm talking about. (I'm the same guy totally convinced that Geelong were finished after losing to Fremantle. And I hate to say it now, I considered Brisbane genuine premiership contenders. C'mon, I thought Fevola was finally getting it, know what I mean? Yeh I don't know what I'm on about either.) So here it is. From Collingwood to West Coast, how I think your team's season went.
Collingwood
I must've missed something cos I had the Pies finishing from 3rd to 8th. But full credit to them. They're on top of the ladder. I'm not totally convinced that they're the best team (Remember when Port were minor premiers as Brisbane won 3 flags in a row) but they have definitely outperformed most people's expectations. Can they keep it up for the next 2-3 years? Maybe. All I know is Collingwood fans are happy and that is not a good sign for the rest of us.
Geelong
These guys and their coach have reached a point where nothing matters until finals. They were probably on self-preservation mode for most of the year. Not sure exactly when they are going to crash but they've gotta be extremely satisfied with their 2010 season.
St.Kilda
Not the greatest year by their standards but maybe most of us were comparing them to the all-conquering Saints of last year. (Should've won it last year. My God they should've won it last year! I saw Ross Lyon at a pub once. I was about 3 drinks away from telling him my theories on how they should've played . . . and getting my ass kicked.) Some Saints fans would be feeling a little uneasy right now.
Western Bulldogs
Once again it has been proven that the pre-season means absolutely nothing. The Doggies have been up and down all year. Sure they finished top 4 but they are some ways away from their fellow contenders. To be fair, luck hasn’t been on their side. The Aker thing finally imploded, Johnno’s injuries, and that illness thing really derailed their season. The window is slowly closing.
Sydney
It seemed that they just eked their way through the season and still managed finals. A home final no less. Unfortunately it is an aging list and they are just coming off the tail end of an extremely successful era. Massive retirements at the end of the season. Although having a NAB rising star should really help in their re-building process.
Fremantle
They were really rolling earlier this season. (I blame them for my crappy tipping this year. And Hawthorn.) They quickly fell apart with the Barlow injury, and couldn’t quite get it all together again. I gotta say though, massive steps forward this season and they’ll be looking for a solid finals campaign before re-launching again next year. (Full props to Pavlich for staying. I would’ve abandoned ship years ago. Yes, pun intended.
Hawthorn
I had Hawthorn as my pre-season premiers and their early season form made me feel like a fool. They had injuries early on and lacked confidence, but I think the Hawks are coming. And at the right time too. This is their premiership window but missing the top 4 is definitely not ideal. Don’t worry, they’ve probably got a few more years in ‘em.
Carlton
Is this the best the Blues can be? They followed big wins with puzzling losses. Their midfield should be peaking right now but I’m not sure what’s missing. It’s a cliché but it could be that they lack . . . heart. (Yes I vomited a little.) I sincerely hope that have a long finals campaign. This can’t be their peak, right?
North Melbourne
The Roo-boys' young brigade doesn’t get the same amount of attention as the Demons and Tigers kids but believe me they are really good. Still lacking offensively but most supporters would feel encouraged by this season. (The worst thing this season would have to be the attendances. We’ve never had a huge supporter base but I think the lack of TV coverage has prevented fans from seeing what Brad Scott is building here. Now it seems we’re playing in Tasmania next year.)
Port Adelaide
The Power may not be on the bottom of the ladder but they are definitely bottom in everything else. Unfortunately Port went nowhere this season and I can’t see them going anywhere anytime soon. If there was one positive it would have to be that Primus is a pretty good coach. Good luck to him, seriously.
Adelaide
I’ll say it. I would sack Neil Craig. Adelaide has done nothing in his tenure. Top 4 is nice but where’s the silver? Now they’re losing players. The sad thing is, they’re best players are the same players from 10 years ago. That being said, there are a few exciting youngsters in their team. It has been a strange season for the Crows. To be honest with you, I have no idea where the Crows are at right now. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Melbourne
They made a profit blah blah blah. Their young players are unbelievable blah blah blah. Jurrah blah blah blah. The thing is all of these are true. Scully’s game against the Bulldogs in the wet was awesome. Could he be the next Harvey, or Buckley? Good season this year for the Dees and another solid pre-season should work wonders for their young team. (By the way, North beat them twice this year. I’m just saying.)
Brisbane
Before we pass judgement, let’s remember that the Lions were absolutely flying earlier this year. Voss had his recycled players up and about and Brown and Fevola were in love. (Did you see them hugging and groping each other this year. My God.) Then injuries started and now here we are. I get what Voss was trying to do and I respect him for it. But did he really think he was gonna win a flag in the next 2-3 years? Unfortunately he’ll probably get fired and Brown will be too hurt to carry on.
Essendon
This is probably not the time but I don’t agree with Knight’s sacking. I hate Essendon with every fibre of my being but I don’t think they’re that bad. They had injuries, young guys lost confidence and we probably didn’t quite understand that massive hole that Lloyd’s departure has left. Now with Knights gone would they have to re-build again?
Richmond
Jack Riewoldt blah blah blah (Ok I’ll stop now.) After a shocking start (was it nine losses in a row?) they finally got it together and Jack won the Coleman. I gotta say out of all of the young teams, North, Dees, Richmond, and maybe Essendon, the Tigers probably have the highest ceiling. Richmond fans have gotta be happy with this season.
West Coast
I had no idea that the Eagles had lost that many games at Subiaco. Not a great side yet but Woosha may be onto something. First thing’s first LeCras is an absolute gun! Second, Natanui is a dud. Say what you want I will be in my grave before he learns to play footy. Third, um, I got nothing. Gotta turn Subiaco into a fortress again.
Well that’s it. If you’re lucky enough to be following a good team, good luck this September.
If not, oh well, it’s only sports.
