2009 Grand Final - Central vs. Sturt @ Football Park

[shanghaied]

Given CD's form and one week break I'd have to say they'd be pretty confident. Will the string of tight games mean that the Blues will run out of legs, or will it give them the edge if it goes down to the wire? Blues weren't given much of a chance in 76 or 02 yet still prevailed. Should be a cracker of a game, lots of interest across the board and bound to get a good crowd (just wish I could get there too... )

[Heart2Heart]

The field umpires for the big game are:

Tim Pfieffer
Tony Dey
Corey Bowen

emerg: Theron Philp

for the ressies its:

Craig Fleer
Curtis Deboy
Andrew Crosby

emerg: Mark Hardham

[BenchedEagle]

shouldnt it be Centrals vs Sturt as they are the Higher ranked side. and got in the GF through the Second Semi not the Preliminary.

And it should read Central Vs Sturt....... not Centrals.. geez that really grinds my gears!

[purch]

...I can't wait till we play them (Sturt) next year...

how about next week?

Oh I get it..the Bays have got this one IN THE BAG!

So I take it the Doggies have this one IN THE BAG too? I certainly hope so

[birdmanptr]

You would think Central have it in the bag perfect prep 2 finals week off

However there have been upsets in GFs or the Fav has lost it rather than a team winning it

75 Glenelg short priced fav perfect year won the 2nd semi on the bit
77 Port .Sturt won a close prelim Port a super side Sturt just took them on
78 Sturt Should have won Kicked themselves out of it
84 Port Norwood had to come from 5th
90 Glenelg better prepared than any of Barts Melb cup horses
02 Central primed to the second
06 Central almost in the same postion as this year Eagles given no hope

It can be done but Sturt wont win Centrals will lose it

[whufc]

You would think Central have it in the bag perfect prep 2 finals week off

However there have been upsets in GFs or the Fav has lost it rather than a team winning it

75 Glenelg short priced fav perfect year won the 2nd semi on the bit
77 Port .Sturt won a close prelim Port a super side Sturt just took them on
78 Sturt Should have won Kicked themselves out of it
84 Port Norwood had to come from 5th
90 Glenelg better prepared than any of Barts Melb cup horses
02 Central primed to the second
06 Central almost in the same postion as this year Eagles given no hope

It can be done but Sturt wont win Centrals will lose it

I think in 06 people forget Central were very ordnary throughtout the H&A season, we played well in the qualifying final and second semi BUT we just held on for third spot, were smashed by about 100 points by the Bays who finished 4th/5th had lost a couple of times to both North and the Eagles. Also the Eagles finished minor premier so really i don't think it was to much of an upset.

I honestly believe we over achieved in 06 and personally i was just proud the lads made it in their, similar to this year with our late form and injuries im proud as punch to say we are playing in our 10th GF in a row. UNBELIEVABLE

[wycbloods]

The field umpires for the big game are:

Tim Pfieffer
Tony Dey
Corey Bowen

emerg: Theron Philp

for the ressies its:

Craig Fleer
Curtis Deboy
Andrew Crosby

emerg: Mark Hardham

No Richard Williams?

[messenger.news]

Messenger will be live-blogging the grand final.

http://paper.messengernews.com.au/messenger/grandfinal.php

You can go to the page now to set an email reminder for the event.

Here's a link to yesterday's liveblog of the Sturt v Glenelg game.

http://paper.messengernews.com.au/messenger/liveblog.php
Cheers.

[Dogwatcher]

I think in 06 people forget Central were very ordnary throughtout the H&A season, we played well in the qualifying final and second semi BUT we just held on for third spot, were smashed by about 100 points by the Bays who finished 4th/5th had lost a couple of times to both North and the Eagles. Also the Eagles finished minor premier so really i don't think it was to much of an upset.

I totally agree. 06 wasn't one that got away, unlike 96 and 02.

[Grahaml]

You think the weeks break would be a huge advantage for us. With Hayes and Callinan (and Griffin if fit?) to come in fully fit and ready to fire I think we're the better team. Just got to make sure we go into the game firing and execute properly. Sturt have had 3 weeks of tough finals and no doubt apart from those we know are hurt and in doubt they would have a stack of others carrying injuries. If we can break clear early and establish a 3-4 goal break in the first half we might be able to break their spirit somewhat, and our fresher legs coupled with our general fitness advantage should see us able to really run the game out. Worry will be if Sturt can tough it out early and hang on.

Hopefully given the close matches so far we go in thinking we need to take all our chances and play at our best.

Dogs by a couple of points at the half and the easing away later to win by about 20 points. Some of the older guys may be talking about 2002 as motivation for the game, but also the chance for some of the new guys to get their premiership.

[whufc]

here's a list of players who know doubt will be talked about either playing or not playing due to injury or selection.

central
-I.Callinan
-A.Hayes
-J.Griffin

sturt
-B.Chambers
-T.Thurstans
-A.Kurtze
-Vassal

[SnappyTom]

Agree, GrahamL with much of your post.
I wonder if Roy (who has sprung the odd surprise for finals before) is looking to spring a surprise to expose Sturt's defence - especially if Chambers (a tall goes forward) and Thurstans (sore, and a tad risky I suspect) don't make it in.

Who gets dropped for Kurtze, if he returns - for instance? Do they take he extra midfielder out, which might be a tad risky with Callinan returning to the side.

Will certainly be an interesting selection week for both clubs - for vastly different reasons.

ST...

[SnappyTom]

here's a list of players who know doubt will be talked about either playing or not playing due to injury or selection.

central
-I.Callinan
-A.Hayes
-J.Griffin

sturt
-B.Chambers
-T.Thurstans
-A.Kurtze
-Vassal

I think there might even be a fourth to add to that list, Whufc...

ST...

[Kahuna]

here's a list of players who know doubt will be talked about either playing or not playing due to injury or selection.

central

-J.Griffin

I would be happy if they stick with Giles.Does more around the ground and is a handy target if needed.

[SnappyTom]

here's a list of players who know doubt will be talked about either playing or not playing due to injury or selection.

central

-J.Griffin

I would be happy if they stick with Giles.Does more around the ground and is a handy target if needed.

Noone said Giles would be out for Griffin coming in, if he does front up.

ST...

[sjt]

You think the weeks break would be a huge advantage for us. With Hayes and Callinan (and Griffin if fit?) to come in fully fit and ready to fire I think we're the better team. Just got to make sure we go into the game firing and execute properly. Sturt have had 3 weeks of tough finals and no doubt apart from those we know are hurt and in doubt they would have a stack of others carrying injuries. If we can break clear early and establish a 3-4 goal break in the first half we might be able to break their spirit somewhat, and our fresher legs coupled with our general fitness advantage should see us able to really run the game out. Worry will be if Sturt can tough it out early and hang on.

Hopefully given the close matches so far we go in thinking we need to take all our chances and play at our best.

Dogs by a couple of points at the half and the easing away later to win by about 20 points. Some of the older guys may be talking about 2002 as motivation for the game, but also the chance for some of the new guys to get their premiership.

I think advantage, yes, but not huge. I'm sure the doggies would much rather have had the week off, for the reasons you stated. But, roll back a fortnight when the Bays had had the week off. I thought the last quarter their "fresh" legs would be the difference (and with Sladey just back from a hammy), not to be. Finals footy, different game. With a Grand Final there's no "one week at a time" or keeping anything in the tank. But geez I hope you're right.

[damian]

here's a list of players who know doubt will be talked about either playing or not playing due to injury or selection.

central
-I.Callinan
-A.Hayes
-J.Griffin

sturt
-B.Chambers
-T.Thurstans
-A.Kurtze
-Vassal

Don't think Chambo will play.

[doggies4eva]

I don't think "fresh legs" are the issue. Roy Laird is a master at getting the players to peak at finals time. We start slow build up and then in the latter part of the season due to hard yaers at training. It may mean the add draw to a glenelg or a loss to Norwood but when they get to the finals they are cherry ripe. That is why the dogs have a track record of running over sides in the last quarter. The week off prior to the GF is more of a help to allow recovery from injuries and avoiding the risk of injuries from the Prelim. I think the team that runs out on Sunday will be the strongest and fittest team we have fielded all year. And that's not good luck its superb planning and coaching.

[Jimmy]

very nervous about this one....clearly the underdog and up against it with the tough games in the past few weeks and the dogs having the week off to rest sore bodies and get players back from injury

i have always enjoyed this tag and am looking forward to the week and the big game on the radio.

[csbowes]

shouldnt it be Centrals vs Sturt as they are the Higher ranked side. and got in the GF through the Second Semi not the Preliminary.

And it should read Central Vs Sturt....... not Centrals.. geez that really grinds my gears!

I can't even contemplate how anyone could possibly give a stuff about that...