cats_09
Otters United
- Jun 21, 2011
- 65,574
- 137,389
- AFL Club
- Geelong
- Moderator
- #1
Well umm, yeah - last Saturday night sucked and just like in season 2015 it was St Kilda who ended our season prior to finals and for only the 2nd time since 2007. So yeah sure it sucks, but let it sink in that from the past 16 seasons this is only the 2nd time we won’t be seeing Septembe action, and just how many other teams & fans would love a record like that - Carlton are playing finals for the first time in a decade, though we need to remember that their last finals campaign in 2013 was a year they actually finished 9th & a win behind the 8th placed Port Adelaide but due to Essendon enjoying a few side activities they got bumped into the finals in their place
And speaking of Essendon, September 4 2004 or 6926 days since Essendon last won a final and that’s something which won‘t be changing this year - that number likely to extend to at least 7307 days before they are presented with that chance - and just think of this, in the 19 years since Essendon last won a final, we’ve played in 16 finals series, we’ve faced off in 6 grand finals and are 4 times premiers
So yeah, this season sucks but it’s been such a ****ing fun ride along the way - so maybe one era ends as season 2023 draws to an end but with that it means season 2024 presents the opportunity for a new era to begin
But before we get to that, we’ve got one last game to look forward to and one that still has the potential to impact the finals race because as it stands, the Bulldogs in 9th spot could still pinch that last finals position but to do so they have to do something they’ve been unable to acheive in the last 20 years and that’s to win at Kardinia Park
So while there’s a bit on the line for our opponents and somewhat less on the line for us, it is the chance to finish our season on a high in what will likely be a farewell match (at least in the Hoops) for a few AFL champions & much loved players - Issac Smith in his 280th & final game, a champion at 2 clubs with 4 premierships & a Norm Smith medal, but surely it would be a surprise if he was the only one. Zach Tuohy with a record 270 games as an Irish import, the mature aged selection of Sam Menegola and 100 gamer Jon Ceglar who during his time at 3 different clubs has witnessed 4 premierships without having played in one himself, have been a few of the other names thrown around as potential retirees. Saturday night may present the opportunity for Sammy Menegola to play his first game for the season in what could also act as a farewell
But along with farewelling a few much loved players, it may also present the opportunity to see the something of the changing of the guard with youngsters being given a chance and maybe even a debut or 2, especially as Round 23 continued the trend this season of injuries & even a suspension taking out further premiership players
So whatever happens this coming Saturday night, as farewell some greats & maybe even see the end of an era, let’s also remember the joy & happiness that this Club has bought us over the past 16 years with 4 Premierships & 3 Brownlow medalists, we’ve seen more players reach the 300 game mark for the club during this time than 100 years before, including club legend Joel Selwood who is our current games record holder & most games captained in the AFL. AND if we do see a few more of our Kittens named in the team on Thursday night, let’s also look forward the begining of a new dawn as we get a taste of what they can bring
And speaking of Essendon, September 4 2004 or 6926 days since Essendon last won a final and that’s something which won‘t be changing this year - that number likely to extend to at least 7307 days before they are presented with that chance - and just think of this, in the 19 years since Essendon last won a final, we’ve played in 16 finals series, we’ve faced off in 6 grand finals and are 4 times premiers
So yeah, this season sucks but it’s been such a ****ing fun ride along the way - so maybe one era ends as season 2023 draws to an end but with that it means season 2024 presents the opportunity for a new era to begin
But before we get to that, we’ve got one last game to look forward to and one that still has the potential to impact the finals race because as it stands, the Bulldogs in 9th spot could still pinch that last finals position but to do so they have to do something they’ve been unable to acheive in the last 20 years and that’s to win at Kardinia Park
So while there’s a bit on the line for our opponents and somewhat less on the line for us, it is the chance to finish our season on a high in what will likely be a farewell match (at least in the Hoops) for a few AFL champions & much loved players - Issac Smith in his 280th & final game, a champion at 2 clubs with 4 premierships & a Norm Smith medal, but surely it would be a surprise if he was the only one. Zach Tuohy with a record 270 games as an Irish import, the mature aged selection of Sam Menegola and 100 gamer Jon Ceglar who during his time at 3 different clubs has witnessed 4 premierships without having played in one himself, have been a few of the other names thrown around as potential retirees. Saturday night may present the opportunity for Sammy Menegola to play his first game for the season in what could also act as a farewell
But along with farewelling a few much loved players, it may also present the opportunity to see the something of the changing of the guard with youngsters being given a chance and maybe even a debut or 2, especially as Round 23 continued the trend this season of injuries & even a suspension taking out further premiership players
So whatever happens this coming Saturday night, as farewell some greats & maybe even see the end of an era, let’s also remember the joy & happiness that this Club has bought us over the past 16 years with 4 Premierships & 3 Brownlow medalists, we’ve seen more players reach the 300 game mark for the club during this time than 100 years before, including club legend Joel Selwood who is our current games record holder & most games captained in the AFL. AND if we do see a few more of our Kittens named in the team on Thursday night, let’s also look forward the begining of a new dawn as we get a taste of what they can bring
