Feast of footy sets up some stonkers

SEMI FINALS week is usually a low-key affair, as there are only two measly games that can be dissected, analysed and freeze framed. Media outlets look for anything to fill the pages and sports segments, and usually resort to doing features on ‘big fans’ that happen to be farm animals. This year, six months worth of content was compacted into five days, with each breaking story juicier than the last.

In summary, the following occurred: Fev blamed spewing all over a pub floor on a ciggie, Campbell Brown got arrested in Thailand, Tom Scully joined GWS for a small Polynesian Island, someone called Neil was given the head coach job at the Dees, Brian Lake needed suppositories in order to face the day, Mark Harvey was given the arse by Freo only to be replaced minutes later by Ross Lyon, who had given the Saints the arse. Suffice to say there was a fair bit of cheek action to be had. All this before an umpire had even recalled a bounce.

Luckily, the actual footy was top shelf. Hawthorn were too classy for the never say die Swans and the gamble to hire a Shaman to work on Buddy’s knee paid off…although Jason Dunstall has been missing for several days now. The Hawks were as brutal as they were elegant as they cruised into a Prelim showdown with the Pies. West Coast and Carlton was an absolute corker and it had it all. Hospitalisations, stupidity, silky skills, blind courage, goals kicked from you know where (Arse week) and heart attacks galore in the crowd. Three points in the Eagles favour was the result, as well as consigning the Blues to another narrow finals loss.

It has to be said though; this was Finals footy as its best. And accordingly, the blokes from the West will play in a Prelim against the Cats, for a chance at a Premiership. Now, this is a team that was considering a Waco style Christmas party last year after taking out the spoon, so to be where they are now is truly remarkable. Enjoy these last few games, because soon we will be counting down the months to next season!