Don’t count out the Cats
Demons looking dangerous as finals approach, but ... ELIMINATION FINAL
THE saying ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it’ has never been so apt in AFL circles.
It is difficult to recall a season as even as 2018 has been, and while past years have produced major upsets in finals — look at the Western Bulldogs in 2016 — there is a genuine case to be argued for each team in the eight as to why they can challenge for this year’s premiership.
That evenness has mostly been among the top sides as there is clearly still a significant gap between the contenders and those at the lower end of the ladder, who seem a long way away from pushing for September action.
But when you consider that Adelaide ended the season in 12th spot with 12 wins — a figure that would have seen them finish seventh last year — and that only three games ultimately separated second from eighth, it highlights how level the playing field is.
So often it is only after the first week of finals that early eulogies are written for the beaten qualifying finalists at the same time as fans and commentators laud the victors in the elimination battles.
But before a ball has even been bounced it is evident that a side from outside the top four could conceivably go all the way in the next four weeks.
Melbourne’s case for winning a first flag in 54 years is supported by its style of play and the fact that it has seemingly found the ideal blend of youth and experience with a list full of talent.
The Demons are the best centre clearance team in the that irrespective of how far it might fall behind, it is never out of the contest.
The Demons will invariably have moments throughout the match where they will be in control, but how they handle things when the Cats respond remains a query.
It is probably one of the last questions Simon Goodwin’s men have left to answer, but there is nothing surer than Geelong being there to find out.
Chris Scott has maintained all year that he just needed the Cats to qualify for finals and for them to be in the best form when they did.
His wish was granted, and he has said there are no excuses — if Geelong loses, it won’t be because of the health of its list or things beyond its control, it will have been beaten by a better team on the night.
Given the two games these two teams have played have resulted in such close finishes, as well as the fact that their respective percentages are so close, just who is the better team is a question that can only be answered on Friday night.
The loser will be left to wonder ‘What if?’ but for the winner, the possibility of advancing to a preliminary final is oh so real.
After all, you’ve only got to be in it to win it.