I remember that feeling now. Out of winning and losing, I choose winning. Remarkable too when you think about it that I don't think anyone at the game was surprised we won, or by the margin.
Sandi continues to continue which is a danger sign for the AFL. Pav was at his best with the boots this week, Luke continued an ultimately futile push for AA honors, and Taz was again the player we hoped for.
In the rankings this week I thought I'd try something a little different. For the top 8 teams I have commented on them the way Hackdorn or the Worst might if that team were actually Freo.
For the bottom 7 I have commented in the same vein, but this time as if they were Wet Toast. The bottom team has its own unique theme this week.
1(1) Geelong - A good win against an undermanned Port who finished stronger than the Cats in the last which is a real worry going in to the finals. Ablett looking to leave at the end of the season.
2(2) Hawks - Franklin's kicking is almost as big a worry as his constant visits to the tribunal. Not sure what they'll get for Roughhead in a trade but he is gone come seasons end.
3(3) Bullies - Another lazy last qtr as the dogs just fell in against Brisbane who were without some of their best. Its about time Brad Johnson retired.
4(4) Synnie - They should make sure Goodes spends all his time up forward; or down back; or in the middle; at least wherever he didn't play this week anyway. Coach Roos is feuding with senior players about not playing Hall more in recent weeks. Hall set to head home if they don't make the finals.
5(9) Carlton - Recent good form is hiding major structural flaws in that they have nowhere near enough respect for me or my employees. Watch for Judd to demand a trade come seasons end.
6(6) Adelaide - Massive loss on the weekend which shows exactly why they can't now, or ever, win a flag. Exactly what it showed, I mean the substance behind my comments, is best left unsaid. Maybe because I don't know, maybe because I DO know and want you to think of it for yourself. Oh and there is no way that van Berlow will put up with anymore rubbish from Neil Craig, he's history.
7(5) Brissie - A lack of effort on the weekend which shows how flawed this club is from top to bottom. This all started when they let Ackermains go which is Leigh Matthew's fault. Voss to replace him next year or Luke Power will head to Sydney.
8(6) Collingwood - Absolutely gutless display against the worst team in the comp. Trouble brewing between the coach and President over pay and conditions. Rocca set to move to North.
9(13) Freo - Perhaps the greatest win this club has had outside finals games. Destroyed a top 8 team with hard run and a hard attack on the ball. Midfield was slick, backline was stingy and dangerous on the rebound, forwards were potent and the coaching was flawless.
10 (8) North - Hung in all day even though they were seriously undermanned. Coach Laidley was impressive in his press conference and showed great courage in his matchups. Kids like Harvey and Simpson show the future of this club is awesome.
11(12) RFC - Richo is in Brownlow form and the Tigers were relentless in their dismantling of a strong Deomns team. Terry Wallace is a freakin genius...and boy is he tough too.
12(10) Port - The genius that is Mark Williams was on full display on the weekend as Port flew home against the reigning Premiers. Only a lack of time stopped there from being a boil over.
13(11) Saints - Riewoldt continues to amaze and is in Brownlow form. Only just missing out on the upset despite missing 20 players from the Saints last premiership team.
14(15) Bummers - Destroyed the Premiership team from only 2 years ago in a masterful display of attacking football. Winners all over the ground and Lloyd back to his inspirational best.
15(14) Demons - Poor umpiring and the ridiculous rules of the AFL that allowed the other team to have better players meant the D's had no shot in beating Richmond. Never the less, Coach Bailey gave them a huge scare.
16(16) - Escobar Lives FC - These guys get the above treatment every week. So in this Special edition of the rankings I have penned a Haiku for their coach. The proper structure of this ancient Japanese poetry is often argued, but I have gone for a western variation on the syllable layout and strucure as deemed appropriate by Webster's. here we go...
Worsfold Whatta knob
Worsfold Worsfold
Whatta knob
Worsfold Whatta knob