A fight of good and evil for final
THIS is good or evil; fairytale or nightmare. That’s how the AFL grand final appears to the average punter.
In the good corner, the Western Bulldogs: downtrodden, blue-collar battlers from suburban Melbourne, seeking just their second premiership, and first since 1954.
In the evil corner, Sydney: the silvertail Swans, perennial finalists who steal star players from rivals, chasing a sixth flag — and third in 11 years.
Every sport needs heroes and villains. And the AFL showpiece delivers them. It’s not Sydney’s fault that everyone, bar their own supporters, want them to lose.
The same fate would have befallen any club who played the Bulldogs in the decider.
The underDogs are in their first grand final since 1961. The Swans are contesting their fifth since 2005.
And the Swans, with Hawthorn and Geelong, have shared nine of the past 11 premierships. Neutral fans cherish a break.
The outsiders, the underDogs, have come from seventh in this finals series.
The favourites, the Swans, finished top.
The underDogs play with dash and dare, attacking in a style which captivates the neutral supporter.
The Swans strangle opponents with an often dour defensive-first mantra. Respected? For sure. Loved? Nup.
The Swans have shining stars everywhere. There’s Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, two players Sydney pinched from rivals on multimillion dollars deals.
There’s premier midfielders Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy, renowned defenders Nick Smith and Dane Rampe; there’s the brilliance of Isaac Heeney and Gary Rohan.
Just how can the underDogs contain them? By doing what they have done all through this finals series. Play on the edge. Attack the ball and opponents with the ferociousness of, well, a starving Bulldog eyeing its next meal.
The opening looms as decisive. Can the good hold sway against the villains?
Or will the fairytale rapidly turn into a nightmare?