West coast classic reignites AFL passion

Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles clash in their Perth derby. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)

‘CONSIDERABLE margins’ were the order of the weekend as nearly all of the games ended up with one team questioning the others will to live. All games except for the one played in the West. Yep, Western Derby XXXIV ended up being one to remember. After the Eagles kicked away in the last to go four goals up, the Dockers were looking to the bench to see when it was their go in the comfy chair. But after they got a goal back, the coaching staff did some trigonometry and calculus on the whiteboard and got the message out: ‘yeah, it’s possible’. This sprung the lifeless Dockers in to action and after surviving a purple tsunami, the Eagles with a few minutes left, were doing their best to keep it interesting by purposefully aiming for the posts. With seconds left and the Eagles two points up, the umpire wanted to cash in on a $5 bet he had laid (‘shortest player to kick winning goal after siren from outside 50’) and gave Hayden Ballantyne the chance to be a hero. The little man pumped his Hobbit right foot into the Sherrin and it just cleared the 100 or so pack of players to hit the stick, handing the Eagles an epic one point victory.

The final eight is now harder to get into than Cadel Evans’ Lycra and it’s all or nothing for most clubs out of it. North and Carlton should be a ripper with both coming off nice wins, Geelong host Melbourne down at the Cattery and this game could get an MA rating. It’s the Saints turn to travel to the Gold Coast and they have sent a please explain as to why this game wasn’t scheduled during schoolies. The Dogs season goes on the line against West Coast, the Pies should account for the Bombers even though Eddie has named himself as a sub. And in Adelaide, it’s the ‘Showdown’! Although the AFL doesn’t really care who wins, just as long as all records and vision are destroyed afterwards.