Sometimes, you can sit and look at a fixture on Tuesday or Wednesday and you can immediately identify the game of the round. Other times, it is a bit more difficult, but when it came time to allocate games amongst the Mongrel team for this weekend, the clash between the Bombers and Crows was right at the top of my list.
As if there wasn’t enough riding on this game in terms of ladder position, both sides were fighting against the old enemy – perception.
It was the perception of many that Essendon are going to make up the numbers in the finals, if they get there. After seeing where this club was 12 months ago, their transformation under Brad Scott has been incredible, and if there are those out there making “it’s been x-amount of days since…” jokes about this team, they may want t make hay while the sun shines. With the win over the Crows, the Bombers looked like the real deal.
As for the Crows, well… there was the perception that they cannot win away from home. And this game, I suppose, proved that to be true again. Adelaide have just one win on the road this season, and given that it is looking very much like they’ll have to travel if they make finals, it is likely a situation that will plague them into September.
If they get there.
So, there was a heap on the line in this one, and I expected a banger of a game – I was not disappointed, with both sides giving themselves every chance to win and playing some fast, furious, and bloody exciting footy on the way.
Forget the Big Questions – let’s jump into The Mongrel’s Big Statements from the game.
Oh, what the hell? A Mongrel paywall? Yep, I believe my work is worth twenty cents per day. If you don’t, that’s fine. Don’t complain, though. Sometimes, I open these reviews up after 24 hours or so. Sometimes, I don’t. There is no favouritism… I just don’t. Want to join us and access the members’ game reviews, as well as columns like the Wingman of the Year, Recruit of the Year, and other nonsensical stuff HB comes up with each week?
