It was another thriller between the Pies and Dees on the public holiday celebrating the birthday of someone who does not live in this country, and whose birthday it actually isn’t.
Sadly, my petition for a HB’s Birthday clash has been put on the backburner yet again by the AFL. They have no sense of occasion…
Anyway, it was the King’s Birthday clash at the MCG, and the two teams provided a ripping contest, complete with the standard controversial finish.
The big story will revolve around what unfolded in the final moments of the game. We saw Max Gawn shank a last-gasp kick in defensive 50 which landed in the lap of Will Hoskin-Elliott, who one of of writers described as the player who most looks like your mate, and also your mate’s mum. It all but sealed the deal for the Pies. Moments later, there was a heated exchange between Gawn and another club leader, Steven May, which saw Gawn in no mood to converse, pushing his teammate away.
However, that should not detract from what was another close win by the top-of-the-table Magpies. The Dees had their chances, and wasted plenty, but when the chips were down and the game needed someone to take the responsibility, the Pies looked to their old heads again…
… and they delivered.
Dad’s Army put the cape on in the final minutes, with both Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury providing pivotal moments, whilst the resolute defence of Isaac Quaynor, pushed the Pies over the line.
Many were also talking about the umpiring, but please… don’t give me that. As a neutral, Melbourne had their chances to win this game, and they blew some pretty important lines. I’ll get into the hows and whys of it all, but this will not be degenerating into a whinge about umpires. If the game is there to be won, and you fail, I’m sorry, but that’s on you. Not them.
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