and that's it. We are officially done for 2023 in football regards. It's all over.
Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions, 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final // 90-86 Magpies W
COLLINGWOOD ARE THE 2023 AFL PREMIERS
I'm going to be completely honest, that was the best grand final, I think I've ever seen. 2018 was damn good, but I think this one pips it with how close it was all day long. It was so refreshing to have a close grand final after the absolute smashings we've had over the last few years. And Collingwood probably deserved it, given it was only really close thanks to their own goalkicking woes, kicking 12.18 in a goalkicking performance the Melbourne Demons could be proud of. That being said, that advantage call toward the end of that game was completely and utter garbage and should have been recalled. I will stand by that vehemently. Even if it might not have won them the game, they still deserved their rightful chance. Most of them didn't even realised there was a free kick being given before the umpire called advantage. Other than that, I don't really see why people are so upset at the umpiring here, I didn't really think it was that bad, but maybe I'm just blind in that regard. Bobby Hill was a very, very deserving Norm Smith Medalist and I'm just thankful it wasn't Naicos or else the commentators would have torn buildings down in celebration. 4 goals and a handful of touches is an inspired performance, especially for someone in the GWS engine room not 12 months ago to be coming here and winning this medal. May I remind you, Collingwood finished 17th just 2 years ago, so to be here, standing on the podium in the last Saturday in September is something to be proud of, and against the best of my emotions, I am okay with this. It's better than some of the potential outcomes. 2023 is now wrapped and done football wise, and that... kinda sucks. This blog has been such a constant for me since May, and to have it off til March is not great, but we will be back. I know we will. I also considered doing this again but for the Big Bash League, but that structure doesn't lean well into this, because there's 1-2 games every day, rather than the weekly format of the AFL. Nevertheless. Predictions for 2024, you ask? I reckon Tony Lockett to come out of retirement and kick 100, St Kilda to win the flag, Port Adelaide to finish last and Billy Frampton to become a runner for Collingwood, because at least that way he'd be useful. Seriously, one of the all-time stinkers in a grand final with a 2 touch performance and a shut-down job on Harris Andrews so bad, he practically had an "open for business" sign hanging around his neck. Oh, and Errol Gulden and Caleb Serong to tie for the Brownlow. That one's at least half-serious. So long as Serong doesn't king hit anyone in the back of the head.
Final verdict: channel 7 had the audacity to call the word "collywobbles" the "c word" on live national television the absolute children
And this one's for the AFL:
Goodbye Gil, and hello Dil. I look forward to more questionable-but-then-kinda-turned-out-better-than-I-expected-and-it-was-ultimately-okay grand final pre-match entertainment. My favourite.
Final verdict: see you in 2024.