Lloydy Takes His Medicine Post by: Hamish McLachlan 1 September, 2009 - 9:09 PM

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1. Ali and Frazier... Brown and Lloyd

I am not going to comment on the incident, nor the specifics of the comments by Browny other than to say it was refreshing to hear a footballer actually say what he thinks, whether it be right or wrong, rather than the standard vanilla responses that have become the norm.

The game is so professional now, and there is so much at stake as the clubs have a heap of stakeholders and sponsors that can't be jeopardized, and the players are part of the team and can't be seen as individuals. The result is players are forced to play it from "mid on to mid off" and follow the team rules. Browny is different and whether you agree with what he said or not, it was just nice to hear the honesty rather than a sanitized version of what he wanted to say.

2. Crows Forward Line Dangerous

Called the Crows against the Blues on Saturday arvo. The Crows have a really dangerous front 6. In fact, they might have the best forward line in the competition. Porpoise is a star. Accurate, good hands, great balance and fast. Knights is accurate, fast, strong and doesn't waste his chances. Tippett is a flat out jet. He might just be the next genuine match winner, he has a bit of Riewoldt and a bit of Carey about him. Kick it near him in the air and he just seems to maul it in.

Gold Coast will be all over him and it will be tough to keep him. The two knee men in Brett Burton (more on him later) and Trent Hentschel are bloody useful too. They might just terrify a few sides after they have smashed the injury/suspended Bombers this weekend.

3. Burton Mark of the Year

Let's be honest, it was the Mark of the Year bar none, and in reality, can be debated as to who has ever taken a better grab. Ever. 3 deep, over the top, clean grab and a perfect dismount. Shaun Smith and Gary Moorcroft's were awesome grabs in recent history, but for me, this was just one of the greats.

A man that has had a reco shouldn't be able to jump like that. Brilliant to see - it will never fail to get people out of their seats and cheering - regardless of who they barrack for. That sort of a party trick is admired by all.

4. Long Off Season

Not sure what day the players who's seasons ended will start to sober up this week/month, but I reckon it will be a long wait til 2010 watching the finals unfold for some. A few of the sides (Hawks and Power) will be wondering why they are not there, and be pretty angry they aren't, and for a few others (Eagles and Roos) they will be hoping 2010 sees a season where it doesn't end after the home and away section. March will seem a long way away for a few of them that have left opportunities behind them all year.

5. Pick a Winner

Don't try - it's impossible and that's why this year is the best finals series we have had in years. Just look at the betting... nothing separates 3 of the 4 games this weekend. And nothing separates the top 3, and bugger all the top 5.

You cant back anyone with confidence. Pies beat the Crows and vice versa, Crows beat the Blues, Dogs beat the Cats and vice versa, Saints have beaten everyone but lost 2 of the last 3... stay tuned. It will be a big weekend and a great 4 weeks of finals

Has your opinion of Matthew Lloyd changed after his hit on Sewell?

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• Donza Keb says

  What a blow! Train and play so hard and then in a one silly moment you miss the biggest part of the year.

  Posted Tuesday 1 September, 2009 9:13 PM
• Misha says

  You would think that someone of Matthews experience would be able to contain that emotion and not lose control. Shows what a passionate game it is and in the heat of things silly things can and do happen.

  Posted Tuesday 1 September, 2009 9:15 PM