2016 AFL Premiership Season

Bulldogs were the better side yesterday, want to make that clear. Bulldogs can thank their lucky stars the bye was brought in other wise they would have been nowhere near the Grand Final. Win four finals without a bye like Adelaide did in 1998 then talk to me. An absolute joke it was brought in in the first place and it has helped them win the flag.

To see 7th win the flag makes glad football leagues in Europe don't have finals series; the best team for the year always wins, that didn't happen yesterday. I'd say that if the Lions ever win another flag and come from 7th to do it. Best team for a month known as the best team in the competition doesn't sit right with me

The umpiring played a part too I feel. 20 free kicks to the Bulldogs 8 to the Swans. Cannot cop the idea the Bulldogs were that angelic, and the Swans were that bad when it comes to discipline. Umpires got sucked into the pro Bulldogs media sentiment from the Victorian biased media. I'll admit the Swans got away with come stuff too but that free kick coins was dodgy to say the least.
 
For Sydney though managed to sneak a flag four years ago in the best grand final of the last five years but as minor premiers and favourites, they've fallen short twice. If they won, Josh Kennedy would have been a certainty for the Norm Smith medal. Would have been a blowout win for the Bulldogs if he wasn't there.

Tippett and Franklin with only one goal between them. Nowhere near enough output from the pair of them in front of the sticks. For them to make a grand final giving 8 players their debut though is certainly a positive. Wouldn't be shocked if they have a bit of a fall next year.
 
In fairness Mitch, the doggies have received more free kicks than any other this year so I don't think the count was reflective of the media love in for the previous week.
I know. The count in the Adelaide game in round 7 was farcical too. I'll say this about the count. If it was Hawthorn receiving a free kick count in their favour like yesterday, there would have been an uproar. Or if Sydney had won with that free kick count their way there would have been an uproar as well.
 
Really pleased for the Dogs. Made sweeter that Buddy and the Swans missed out again (yes, still bitter about 2012 and Buddy leaving). I thought Boyd deserved the Norm Smith, but Picken was good too. I thought JJ turned the ball over a little too much.

Parker, Tippett and Rohan have a habit of disappearing in grand finals now. McVeigh was also bad but I guess that he may not have been 100%. Dale Morris playing the finals series with a broken back :eek: - crazy courage. Thought the moment with Bob Murphy was a nice touch too. Good day all around.
 
Kennedy was freaking good for the swans.

Picken, Boyd and him robbed of a norm smith.

Tippett needs to play ruck and buddy as a forward for the swans to work
 
Chris Fagan set to be named as the new coach of the Brisbane Lions this week having beaten John Barker for the role. Fifth straight season in which somebody has left Hawthorn to forge their own career as a senior coach.
 
Crazy to think that six of Clarkson's assistants, or in this case our Football Manager, have moved on for senior gigs.

That's literally a third of the entire league.
 
No doubt it is helping with equalisation as well. All that intellectual property has certainly helped Carlton, GWS, West Coast and the Bulldogs.


Richmond less so...
 
Brisbane have been given a priority pick at this year's draft on the back of three straight bottom four finishes. Also, Ben McGlynn has called time on his career. Unlucky not to be part of Sydney's 2012 premiership win after pulling a hamstring against Adelaide in the qualifying final. In the Brisbane media, Luke Bruest has been linked with the Lions. Next to no chance of happening mind you.