Tigers and Magpies strengthen for all-Victorian grand finalGreg Denham, Stephen Brook
The Australian
2 July 2018An all-Victorian grand final for the first time since 2011 moved a step closer to reality thanks to the wins by Richmond and Collingwood.
The two famous Melbourne inner-suburban clubs sit one-two on the ladder for the first time since 1977 and appear the best-placed Victorian clubs to repel premiership challenges from interstate rivals currently in the top-eight: West Coast, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney.
The most recent all-Victorian grand final was won by Geelong over Collingwood seven years ago. Another grand final between traditional VFL clubs would ensure the continuation of recent success of Victorian clubs, who have won the past five flags and 10 of the past 11. Sydney in 2012 prevented a clean sweep since 2007.
The boundaries have changed markedly since the AFL became concerned over the future of Victorian clubs when their interstate rivals Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Sydney and West Coast, won six straight flags between 2001 and 2005.
The Tigers, with 11 wins this season, finished round 15 a game and percentage clear of four clubs — Collingwood, West Coast, Sydney and Port Adelaide — all on 10 wins.
Losses by the severely undermanned Eagles to the Crows, and the Swans to the Tigers, cost them a share of top spot, while Collingwood have risen dramatically on the back of six straight wins.
The Magpies will have their second crack at the Tigers this season at the end of the month in round 19. Collingwood have come a long way since they were thrashed by Richmond by 43 points at the MCG in round six, but a case can be made that the Tigers too are now a more professional and rounded outfit.
The Magpies beat up on easy beats Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday by 39 points, but cost themselves a valuable percentage boost as they were almost 10 goals ahead in the third term.
“I thought we played as good a footy in the first two-and-a-half quarters as we have played,” coach Nathan Buckley said.
The decimated Eagles showed in their final-quarter meltdown against the Crows that they cannot sustain form for four quarters without either key forward Josh Kennedy or Jack Darling, or both.
Neither will be back for Sunday night’s crucial contest against the Giants in Perth. West Coast are looking down the barrel of four straight defeats, while GWS are on a roll and aiming for five wins on the trot.
Port Adelaide host St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night in search of a fifth straight win after overcoming a scare from lowly Carlton at the MCG, where the Power were held scoreless in a quarter (the third) for the first time this year.
The Blues, who showed improved endeavour for a second straight week without winning, got to within two points at three-quarter time despite less inside-50s — 26 to 49 — before losing by 21 points.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said he has noticed progress and maturity within his group that was missing for a lot of last year.
“We weren’t overly impressive,” he said. “We know that. But then you get a bit disrespectful to the opposition because there were a couple of players out there that were pretty good for them.
“Always in this caper, you’re just happy to get the four points and look for some positives, you look for some growth and that’s what we’ll do again this week.
“I suppose we’ve been really consistent for a good period of time, which is good.
“With every game you play, you don’t always get it the way you want it, but we’ve been able to find ways to win, which is really important.”
Hinkley described Port’s scheduling at the MCG as not being ideal.
They beat Collingwood and went down to Melbourne at the MCG last year from two games, and their only other home-and-away contest at the venue this year will be against Collingwood in round 22.
“We take every opportunity we get though, it’s good to get here and play, we’ve got one more game here before the end of the year so we look forward to that opportunity, everyone does,” Hinkley said.
“Everyone loves coming to the G and playing football, no matter what side you’re on.”
The biggest losers of the round were Geelong, defeated by the lowly Bulldogs, and who now need to beat the Swans at the SCG on Thursday night to remain in contention to play finals.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-tigers-and-magpies-strengthen-for-allvictorian-grand-final/news-story/8420caf30008b8d4645aeeae5c2675be
