Well, week one of the 2024 Finals Series is out of the way, and so are the Blues and the Dogs. Amazing to think that there were points during the season that these teams looked like the “it” teams, and in the end, we just added a “sh” to them
Anyway, time to jump into HB’s real winners and losers from this weekend.
WINNERS
ISAAC HEENEY
Just what the Swans needed from their 2024 Superstar. He may not have been the MVP, he may be unable to win the Brownlow, and resting him in the final round of the season may have cost him the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, but far out… what a way to demonstrate your value to a team!
Heeney put the Swans on his back to keep them in the game against GWS. At one point, it was basically the Giants versus Heeney, and he was keeping them in touch.
As the last quarter commenced, it was once again Heeney providing the spark that lit the fire under his teammates, and this time, several of them caught fire, as well.
Thai was the game of a champion player – the best the season has had to offer. And whilst taking nothing away from Nick Daicos, Marcus Bontempelli, and whoever walks away with the Brownlow, THIS is what an MVP looks like in full flight. Awesome game from Heeney.
DAYNE ZORKO
It must be tough for the critics of Dayne Zorko to watch him play, at the moment. Maybe time for a welfare check? I mean, according to some, all he ever was, was an antagonistic little bastard, that relied on getting under the skin of his opponents. Of course, those people were ignoring his five best and fairest awards – it made it easier to denounce him, you see?
In the first half f the Lions’ win over the Blues, Zorko set the table for his team, picking up touches like Jon Bon Jovi at Santa Fe Gold back in 1995. I was there – I saw what happened.
I’ve added this as part of reviews, but it deserves a spot in here – Zorko is a man with no conscience when it comes to kicking the footy. Tough kick? Not according to Dayne – he looks up, sees a target in traffic, trusts his skills, and pulls the trigger.
And you know what? He hits the damn target more times than not!
There are a plethora of good half-backs in the league, but I would back his kicking skills over any of them. Not only does he take on the tough kicks, but he nails them, as well.
Just like Jon Bon Jovi nailed plenty back in 1995. He is so lucky there were no camera phones back then…
MASSIMO D’AMBROSIO
Plenty to choose from in that Hawthorn team, but I loved the game of D’Ambrosio, as much for where he’s come from as what he was able to do in this game.
Imagine being in his shoes last year? Borderline best-22 at Essendon. Not really considered much of anything by Brad Scott, and managing just eight games.
And now?
Well, now he is racking up 30+ in a final and cutting the Dogs to shreds with his foot skills.
The Hawks are using him brilliantly, always making sure he has room to assess and find a target. At stoppages, they play him as the release man out the back of the contest, and the Hawks mids know either he, or Karl Amon are there to use their skills to get them out of trouble – it is a wonderful setup to maximise the talents of Massimo, and he is delivering in spades.
ZAC GUTHRIE
Oh no… Tom Stewart is out of the side… what shall we do?
Fear not, my Blonde Bellarine Mafia… the man who was once considered the lesser Guthrie is here to save the day.
Can Zuthrie win the Cats’ best and fairest this season? After being a whipping boy for so long, the last two years have seen him emerge as one of the best intercept players in the game. But to call him that devalues his genuine defensive efforts – Zuthrie actually takes on responsibility for his man, as well. So many of the best interceptors like to zone off and freelance in defence.
Not Zuthrie – the Cats are getting the best of both worlds with him in defence, currently. He will lock down on an opponent, AND he will win his own footy.
No Tom Stewart?
No probs.
Zuthrie has it under control.
THE WIZARD
Answering your critics in a final is the best way to do it.
Earlier this season, plenty of people were making jokes about Nick Watson being kicked out of Hogwarts. They don’t admit people who are almost wizards, you see?
Well, it may have taken Nick a little while to work out which end of his wand to hold, but seeing him slot four big goals as the Hawks ran over the Dogs… it is safe to say that he has been readmitted on a full scholarship.
The post-game scenes, with The Wiz sitting with the adoring, wizard-hat wearing Hawthorn fans were fantastic. The game needs more of that. I don’t know when the Hok-Ball bubble bursts, but until it does, I am enjoying the hell out of this.
LOSERS
MICHAEL VOSS
Imagine being in charge of a team that dishes up that shitful performance in the first half?
I could have had en Hinkley in this spot, but he has another chance this coming weekend. This is a massive wasted opportunity for Michael Voss and his Blues – a wasted season where they went out with a whimper.
We have to remember, this team was close to premiership favouritsm at one stage (maybe discounting Sydney). Names like Cripps, Walsh, Curnow, McKay, Weitering… teams would kill for a nucleus like that.
And now the Blues are sitting out the remainder of the finals. Their coach must be devastated.
I know their supporters are.
CHARLIE DIXON
I feel this might be a bit harsh, because the efforts of the midfield to deliver the footy to him and Esava Ratugolea were pathetic, but there are times a big forward has to will himself into the contest… and I don’t think Charlie can do that anymore.
The mid is willing, but the body… it just can’t.
I am hoping Dixon has one last stand in him and has a great game this coming weekend. Against a defence that has just lost it’s underrated key defender, Sam Frost, Port are going to need something special from their big bloke. If they get another result like this past weekend from Charlie, they’re cooked.
JACK MACRAE
His fall from grace at The Kennel has been extraordinary.
Three All-Australian blazers, an ability to find the footy that is uncanny, and yet, the best Macrae could conjure was a spot as the sub in a losing effort.
The writing is well and truly on the wall at the Whitten Oval. There are many ways a player can be told his services are no longer required, and I reckon Jack Macrae knows full well this is the case with him. He is 30 years old, has a couple of good years left in him, but he will need to play footy elsewhere to get the best out of himself.
He is contracted until the end of 2027, so the Dogs will likely ask for overs for him, but they’ve demonstrated where his value is at – you don’t pay overs for a bloke that is not best 22.
TOBY GREENE
This one hurts – as you may be aware, I am a massive Toby Greene fan.
However, he was well beaten by Dane Rampe on the weekend, and wasted his opportunities in front of goal, as well. His missed shot on the run in the first quarter was so far removed from the player Toby Greene is, that it was as though aliens from the planet Daniher came down and swapped out his talent for theirs.
Greene is a warrior. He is a leader and a champion of the game, but he had a poor one this week. In a game that was decided by a kick, I reckon this one will weigh on the captain. I have my fingers crossed he bounces back.
CONNOR ROZEE
You’re the captain of a proud football club.
Time to play like it. I’ll leave it at that.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. It is a labour of love for me, and having you guys as members of the site basically keeps me going. So sincerely… thank you – HB
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