For Aussie or Aussie Rules Fans

[Guest Prime Time Andrew Doyle]

For people who follow Australina Rules Football or know of it, No other name is as well knowen as the Collingwood Magpies. For the first time in 12 years, the team has made the Grand Final against last years winners the Brisbane Lions.

 

Collingwood suprassed(sp?) most peoples expectations when they beat Port Power 3 weeks ago at AAMI stadium and than defeated the Adeliade Crows at the MCG last Saturday. The side is full of young up and comers, who many people have likened to Kevin Sheedy's Baby Bombers of 1993. Since 2 time Premiership coach Mick Malthouse took over at the helm, the Pies rose from the bototm 8 of the ladder in 1999 to finishing in the top 4 this year. They didnt even have to rely on the double chance which many people were predicting they would have to.

 

The Lions however have continued on from last years form to make back to back Grand Finals. With Leigh Matthews and the Fab Four midfield, they are a daunting oponnent in the Home and Away season and downright scary when it coems to finals time.

 

Saturday is shaping up as a great clash. Wtih Collingwood going in as the underdogs and the Lions with the last two Brownlow medalists in their team looking unstopable, the odds look to favour Brisbane.

 

However, the Pies team have showen that they are up to the task after knocking Brsibane over at Colonial Stadium in round 8 by 3 points. One wonders if the Magpies key players, Nathan Buckley, Chris Tarrent and Anthony Rocca fire that they would roll over the top of Brsibane.

 

Rocca showed last week that he was a worthy Vice Captain to Buckley when he unleashed a 70 metre plus goal to the delight of the 80,000 lus crowd and fired up his teamates. And Buckleys form after having a 5 weeks break due to injury trouble showed in the seocnd half why he was the captin for the Magpies, and if Tarrent, Nick Davis and 'Neon' Leon Davis all play to their full potential, they could cause a Grand Final upset.

 

Not many people were suprised last week when Brisbane soundly defeated the Minor Premiers Port Adeliade. Comign of a hard fought victory against Essendon, the Power played their hearts out, but couldn't match the Lions toughness.

 

The Lions only just were pipped as Minor Premires this year after a loss to Port in round 22, the final of the Home and Away season, they woul be eager to take home the Big One and win the Grand Final back to Back, the first since Adelaide in 1997-8.

 

As a Victorian and as my family are Collignwood suporters, I would like nothing more for the Magpies to triumph, However I am a realist and would not be suprised to see the Lions take it back to the Gold Coast for 2 years running.

 

Time will tell all on Saturday 28th of September at 2:30pm. Can the Magpies overcome Brisbane like they did to all othe top 8 teams or will they fall to the wayside like all other teams before them.

 

Well thats what I think, but why dont you post who you think will win and take home the Grand Final cup