Grand Final - CDFC v WWTFC.

[am Bays]

Fully agree Cicca and Cooper were miles ahead of Skipworth..who the hell voted on the medal?

Messrs Craig, Reid and Trigg got to improve his trade value somehow, the wheeling and dealing starts tomorrow....

Could be an interesting phone call tomorrow or Tuesday, "G'day skippy, hows the beers going, good yep, well pack your bags and say Goodbye to your eagles mates your off to......"

[mal]

And who was the Idiot who started that thread on Grand Final jokes

My best, not joking were

Thugworth
and
Cicaloosingtocentralsingrandfinalslello.

Lets not forget Knights, Colville, Rugolo and Vince who missed out today.

[spell_check]

Well, I think mals' comment above just shows how much sweeter this win is.

We are no longer the joke of the competition, the years of pain are over!!!!!

Pretty much everyone on here does not realise just how I felt two weeks ago, and I didn't feel much better last week either.

But this week, it was just plain relief when that final siren went, and also I don't think it has really sunk in yet a) we won and b) how it was won.

This has to be the best win in this clubs 16 year history, easily, considering the circumstances over the past 6 seasons.

I really feel badly for Gavin given that he has been there longer than any other player, he made the call that he wasn't fit, a true team player who so much deserved to be in that side - at least he got to hold the Trophy up with Cica, but to him, it's just not the same.

That said, it is very ironic that he - the 219 game veteran withdrew to compliment a fit 21 - then early in the match the player with the least experience Paul Stewart would go off early in the first quarter to reduce the side to 20 anyway.

That sinking feeling began in the first quarter when we register the first four scores - all behinds, had all the play, then the first time Central enter the forward 50, they goal. It was a good goal by Westhoff, but a very weak effort by the defence; I just thought that would be the start of it.

But what a different side it is this year; the pressure was so intense right up until the last few minutes of the match; I have said before that the CDFC just appear to have a totally different side come finals time - today I just can't believe it - they looked like just another team in the competition. They were made to look that way by a side driven by hunger; passion for the ball and just the will to win.

In the third quarter as each goal was registered the cheer got louder; not as loud as of course by an early Centrals goal but suddenly it seemed like we had more support there; was great to see.

Westbrook; what a mark in the third; the highlights just keep going on and on. But I think around the time when Cicolella had the ball in his hands after receiving a soft 25 from James Gowans (who had started to lose it at this stage), I could see a wry grin on his face that the knew that the game was won and that he had won the mind games on the field. I knew then we had it won.

He should have won the Jack Oatey, for sure (perhaps Adelaide FC might have told them to give it to Skipworth to up his trade value??? ) But Skippy played very well in his own right. I could name every player, but in particular - Jarrad, Grocke, McKenzie - what a totally dependable player he is - Symmons, Cooper, and of course the players who took mark after mark in the backlines in the third like Lindsay, Pedler etc were my standouts.

After slapping every players hand in the lap of honour - I stopped Lomas just so I could touch the Trophy All the players made sure to acknowledge the fans - they knew how much our support means to them and now it has paid off.

Of course I went to the Club afterwards for the player presentations and to get a few souvenirs - I'll be there on Tuesday as well with my camera - I'm sure there will be heaps of shots on here afterwards between us, Wedgie!

Nearly shed a tear as well after final siren; just a fantastic feeling to see us no 1 for a change!

[spell_check]

Geez, when the Eagles win a GF, they really bury the opposition...

When we lose a grand final we do it in style, never a close loss

If my memory serves me right, the opposition have kicked the first goal in all of Centrals GF losses and Centrals have kicked the first goal in all of their GF wins.

Spelly can you confirm this please?

I can only confirm that the last three years are what you have said.

[am Bays]

Well done spelly, hope today and the next few days are all that you hope they would be. Glad to see them win it for supporters like yourself, CD and Diss.

[spell_check]

Well done spelly, hope today and the next few days are all that you hope they would be. Glad to see them win it for supporters like yourself, CD and Diss.

Thanks. I still can't believe that it was the same Eagles who played two weeks ago; I'll say it again, just hasn't sunk in yet.

[mal]

Just got back from the celebrations, rather subdued.
Peter Fiacchis rendition of Wild Thing on stage was terrific.
Snuck into the rooms after and watched the players watching
the replay, a couple of players that wore single digit numbers
had some interesting things to say about, CD players and supporters.
Weslo security had a quiet night.
The CD celebations are a bit more racious that I have been to.
At footy park today several CD barrackers were evicted..........
Give CD supporters credit they were still chanting yoooooou dawgs deep
into the last quarter.

Remarkably in the AFL/SANFL 2005/2006 premierships, the same
4 teams competed and 4 different winners.

SPELLY the jokes can now be recindered.

The eags reminded me of Rocky Balboa in the Rocky movies, hit hard
and often but continue to get up and fight fight fight, persevere and succeed.

PS this may be stating the obvious but the players do read our posts, according
to an Eagle official.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Just got back from the celebrations, rather subdued.

How unlucky are the Eagles fans? Someone told me last night that the last time we played the SANFL Grand Final without a public holiday the next day was 1993. Guess who won that year?

This Eagles win reminds me so much of the Norwood win in 1997. Clearly the better team over the season, got a huge wake up call in the 2nd Semi Final, tough Preliminary Final win, then full of running in the match that matters most. I couldn't believe all the people not willing to give the Eagles a genuine chance in this game. One day people will realise GFs are won on the day, and everyone who plays has a chance.

Congratulations Eagles, you earned this one.

[dash61]

Fully agree Cicca and Cooper were miles ahead of Skipworth..who the hell voted on the medal?

Well done the eagles

Skippy and the above 2 were all about even i thought and Powells tackling eas outstanding

[TroyGFC]

Fully agree Cicca and Cooper were miles ahead of Skipworth..who the hell voted on the medal?

Prehaps someone like Rucci who only knows players of AFL. Cicca BOG by miles.

[spell_check]

Just got back from the celebrations, rather subdued.

How unlucky are the Eagles fans? Someone told me last night that the last time we played the SANFL Grand Final without a public holiday the next day was 1993. Guess who won that year?

That's because it was the last GF to be played on the Saturday.

[cennals05]

Just got back from the celebrations, rather subdued.

How unlucky are the Eagles fans? Someone told me last night that the last time we played the SANFL Grand Final without a public holiday the next day was 1993. Guess who won that year?

This Eagles win reminds me so much of the Norwood win in 1997. Clearly the better team over the season, got a huge wake up call in the 2nd Semi Final, tough Preliminary Final win, then full of running in the match that matters most. I couldn't believe all the people not willing to give the Eagles a genuine chance in this game. One day people will realise GFs are won on the day, and everyone who plays has a chance.

Congratulations Eagles, you earned this one.

The 2000 Grand Final was the last GF played without a public holiday. It was played in mid september because of the Sydney Olympics.

[Wedgie]

The 2000 Grand Final was the last GF played without a public holiday. It was played in mid september because of the Sydney Olympics.

Yep, September 10th and there were 34,819 spectators there that day, where have these 9000 people gone?

[Dogwatcher]

And who was the Idiot who started that thread on Grand Final jokes

My best, not joking were

Thugworth
and
Cicaloosingtocentralsingrandfinalslello.

Thanks Mal, I'll take credit for Justin Cicalosintocentrals.
But that all rings a little hollow today.

He played bloody well.

[Dogwatcher]

Well done to all involved with the Eagles.
Superb effort yesterday - I had a feeling from before the game that it was to be your day, and apart from Westhoff's early gola, where I had faint hope, that feeling remained. Actuallyit just grew to be a rock in my stomach.
From a Doggies perspective it was a horrible day - we were never in the hunt.
The passion and aggression with which the Eagles played suppressed our skill, unity and experience.
We never managed to make a break all day without an Eagle running us down or at least providing pressure on the ball or up ahead. It showed in our skills execution and usually crisp decision making, which was shattered
And I knew that there was going to be no miracle comeback in the third quarter that when Matt Slade took a mark just outside 50 (on one of the rare occasions we managed to string together three possessions) and didn't have the confidence to aim for a target at the top of the square.
Further confirming that news was when Adrian Wilson bounded down the Eastern wing, bounced several times and then kicked low straight to an Eagle.

However, contrary to an Advertiser report in today's paper - Doggies supporters didn't leave with their tails between their legs. The crowd I left with, after the final siren, had their heads held high. We know that we have been involved in something special over the past seven years, and it's all a memory that will live on for a long time yet.

And we're set to be a force for a long time yet. Bring on 2007.

[CedeNullis]

Well done Eagles. Totally destroyed the Bulldogs. Out played, out muscled, out coached. A flag, which was at least 6 years in the making...enjoy it.

[JK]

To CD, Diss, Spelly, Phil and all other Eagles following supporters on this site, congratulations on a fantastic victory, and burying those ghosts of the PAST!

The Eagles were awesome, and completely dominant with the scoreboard not reflecting the true gulf between the teams yesterday until late in the 3rd quarter.

Had many Eagles mates their yesterday and I'm stoked for all of them as I've seen the misery they have endured ... To the Centrals lads (and all the Dogs fans I saw actually) I as talking to in the Crows Tavern in the final quarter who were most gracious in defeat, kudo's to you lads aswell!

[mighty_tiger_79]

well well well, that was a complete and utter shock to the system.

I could not believe how hard the EAGLES went in and attacked the ball and the body, ive never seen them do that to often before. they beat centrals at their own game.

i think the EAGLES need to be drug-tested, 2 weeks ago they couldnt get a kick, last week they fell in after trying to save a game and yesterday it was if they were playing centrals u/9's!!!!!!!

they were clearly the best team all year.

it was funny with the supporters abusing eachother.

eagles fan 'bury the scum, they are losers etc etc etc........'

doggies fan 'oh well we cant win them all 1 out of 5 aint bad................'

[JK]

Was talking to my Eagles mates prior to, halftime, and during the last quarter and pointed out some similarities to Norwood's last flag (in 97'), whereby we:

- Finished top, but got beaten in the 2nd Semi
- Lead comfortably in the prelim but just fell in against a fast finishing opponent
- Kicked with the Breeze in the first quarter of the GF, and lead narrowly at 1/4 time
- 2nd quarter, the win was setup by outscoring the opponent into the breeze
- 3rd quarter and the confidence grew with every goal, establishing an unassailable lead at the final break
- 4th quarter building up a massive lead in partytime before late goals reduced the margin a little by the opposition
- Snapping a premiership drought of 13 years

[Dogwatcher]

Mighty Tiger - That was pretty much the mood.

I didn't mind losing too much, but I did mind a few Eagles supporters getting in my face about it.
All I could do though was hold four fingers up on one hand and one up on the other - just a gentle reminder.

But the winners can do as they please.

My wife copped a bit of a rough time from some Eagles supporters - females no less.
They were sitting behind my wife and her family (I'd gone off to sit behind the goals), and they started firing abuse at her.
My wife's a fairly intelligent, quiet soul. Fairly petite as well - and these seven Eagles girls (who all looked dressed for a night club appearance) were giving her lip and calling her all sorts of names. I think 'Feral' got a bit of a run. She responded by telling them to watch the footy.

She later heard one saying something to another about "feral Dogs supporters" to which the girls mate replied "why don't you say it louder" to which the original girl who made the comment said "I would, but i'm too scared I might get stabbed." Ahhhh perceptions - hilarious.

Their abuse stopped when I happened to walk up towards the end of the game and said "G'day, I'm here to sit with all the ferals".

Was a funny little experience. And I'm not recounting the story to denigrate Eagles supporters. It was actually quite funny to hear these well dressed young ladies acting like this and calling my wife's family "ferals". Which they are far from.

I think the key as a Centrals supporter for much of the day was to walk around with a smile on your face - even though we were getting pumped. As I noticed the surly or grumpy looking supporters were targeted for abuse or extra special chanting in their direction.