“…Here comes the rain again. Falling from the stars. Drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are. As my memory rests, but never forgets what I lost. Wake me up when September ends.” Green Day’s hit from 2005 so eloquently sums up footy fans presently. For some, September is filled with optimism. For some, disappointment at another season without premiership success. For others, the conclusion of the 2023 AFL season couldn’t come soon enough.
We’re only two rounds away from cementing the top 8 teams for the 2023 finals season. For those 10 teams who failed in their bid for September action, it’ll be a case of what might have been. It’s incredible to think that we’re no closer in knowing how the first week of finals footy will look in about four weeks’ time. Who will fill those last top 8 slots? Is it possible that both grand finalists from 2022 will miss the finals? Yes, it is. The Swans play Adelaide away and Melbourne at home. The Cats face off against the Saints away and the Bulldogs at home. These four games alone will have a mighty say in the finishing positions of the teams in 2023.
If Geelong fail to make the finals, they will look back at missed opportunities throughout the season. Yes, they have been hampered by injuries but so has every other team. Losses against GWS and Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium are likely to be the nails in the coffin. It didn’t help that I watched them lose both their games in Queensland this season. Is it Uncle Oyster who is responsible for the demise of the 2022 Premiers? Unlikely but as any passionate fan, who is ridiculously superstitious like me, would tell you that anything is possible.
Collingwood Magpies continue to play footy which suggests they are on track for the final game of the season come the last Saturday of September. Their fast movement of the footy from their backline and sublime hand and foot skills is holding up under pressure. I still think that Melbourne Demons will be their opponents. This will be an absolute cracker of a game. Collingwood have been the best side all year. Coach Craig McRae has been a revelation the two seasons he’s been in charge. McRae, another coach who was heavily influenced by former coach and mentor Lethal Leigh Matthews during his time as a three-time premiership player for the Brisbane Lions. Their high pressure footy is hard to match up against. Will injuries curtail their chances? Time will tell.
Will Port Power and Brisbane Lions challenge? If they have home finals game maybe? Brisbane do struggle winning games at the MCG, which is rather important isn’t it? The real question is this. Will someone out of the top 4 have a 2016 Western Bulldogs-esque run towards the 2023 Premiership? It all depends on who ends up making the top 8. The Adelaide Crows have shown time and time again that they can match it with any team on their day. Their clash against the Magpies was contender of game of the season but they fell just short. If the Cats do make it, they potentially can make a run deep into September.
So, what about those teams who failed to make it towards the pointy end of the season? Which coaches will face the axe after an underwhelming performance during the regular season? Surely Adam Simpson will fall on his sword after an injury plagued, yet insipid West Coast Eagles display in 2023. Whatever happens in the next two weeks, the rollercoaster ride isn’t over yet so strap yourself in, say a few quiet prayers to the footy Gods and enjoy the ride. You see readers, footy fans are gluttons for punishment. We’ll wait in hope for a more successful 2024 and forget the pain and misery our beloved footy team puts us through. If our team wins the premiership in 2023, we hope that it’s the beginnings of the next footballing dynasty.
For the record, I still think it’s going to be a Magpies vs Demons Grand Final on that last Saturday in September. If my beloved Cats stumble like I think they will and miss the top 8, wake me up when September ends. Brodie Grundy for the Norm Smith! You heard it here first ladies and gentlemen.
Until next time, may the footballing Gods be your favour. If only to stretch out your pain and anguish as a fan for a few more weeks at least!
Oyster
#77
Wake Me Up, When September Ends!
“…Here comes the rain again. Falling from the stars. Drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are. As my memory rests, but never forgets what I lost. Wake me up when September ends.” Green Day’s hit from 2005 so eloquently sums up footy fans presently. For some, September is filled with optimism. For some, disappointment at another season without premiership success. For others, the conclusion of the 2023 AFL season couldn’t come soon enough.
We’re only two rounds away from cementing the top 8 teams for the 2023 finals season. For those 10 teams who failed in their bid for September action, it’ll be a case of what might have been. It’s incredible to think that we’re no closer in knowing how the first week of finals footy will look in about four weeks’ time. Who will fill those last top 8 slots? Is it possible that both grand finalists from 2022 will miss the finals? Yes, it is. The Swans play Adelaide away and Melbourne at home. The Cats face off against the Saints away and the Bulldogs at home. These four games alone will have a mighty say in the finishing positions of the teams in 2023.
If Geelong fail to make the finals, they will look back at missed opportunities throughout the season. Yes, they have been hampered by injuries but so has every other team. Losses against GWS and Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium are likely to be the nails in the coffin. It didn’t help that I watched them lose both their games in Queensland this season. Is it Uncle Oyster who is responsible for the demise of the 2022 Premiers? Unlikely but as any passionate fan, who is ridiculously superstitious like me, would tell you that anything is possible.
Collingwood Magpies continue to play footy which suggests they are on track for the final game of the season come the last Saturday of September. Their fast movement of the footy from their backline and sublime hand and foot skills is holding up under pressure. I still think that Melbourne Demons will be their opponents. This will be an absolute cracker of a game. Collingwood have been the best side all year. Coach Craig McRae has been a revelation the two seasons he’s been in charge. McRae, another coach who was heavily influenced by former coach and mentor Lethal Leigh Matthews during his time as a three-time premiership player for the Brisbane Lions. Their high pressure footy is hard to match up against. Will injuries curtail their chances? Time will tell.
Will Port Power and Brisbane Lions challenge? If they have home finals game maybe? Brisbane do struggle winning games at the MCG, which is rather important isn’t it? The real question is this. Will someone out of the top 4 have a 2016 Western Bulldogs-esque run towards the 2023 Premiership? It all depends on who ends up making the top 8. The Adelaide Crows have shown time and time again that they can match it with any team on their day. Their clash against the Magpies was contender of game of the season but they fell just short. If the Cats do make it, they potentially can make a run deep into September.
So, what about those teams who failed to make it towards the pointy end of the season? Which coaches will face the axe after an underwhelming performance during the regular season? Surely Adam Simpson will fall on his sword after an injury plagued, yet insipid West Coast Eagles display in 2023. Whatever happens in the next two weeks, the rollercoaster ride isn’t over yet so strap yourself in, say a few quiet prayers to the footy Gods and enjoy the ride. You see readers, footy fans are gluttons for punishment. We’ll wait in hope for a more successful 2024 and forget the pain and misery our beloved footy team puts us through. If our team wins the premiership in 2023, we hope that it’s the beginnings of the next footballing dynasty.
For the record, I still think it’s going to be a Magpies vs Demons Grand Final on that last Saturday in September. If my beloved Cats stumble like I think they will and miss the top 8, wake me up when September ends. Brodie Grundy for the Norm Smith! You heard it here first ladies and gentlemen.
Until next time, may the footballing Gods be your favour. If only to stretch out your pain and anguish as a fan for a few more weeks at least!
Oyster
#77
