ROOSTERS GO BACK TO BACK

 

There is nothing like wrapping the hands around a premiership cup

It was a crying shame only 14 000 people turned up to see Gerard FitzGerald's Roosters go back to back in the grand final at Etihad Stadium. Although the crowd was bigger than last year it must surely be the last grand final at Etihad. No matter how good a venue Etihad is it's almost impossible to generate atmosphere when a ground is only one third full.

Cloke goals in the second quarter

As the barren seats that greeted Cameron Cloke's third quarter goal confirm, the VFL has no option but to return to Prince Park, or for real atmosphere, Port Melbourne, in 2010. The fact that our (Coburg's) back to back flags against Williamstown were played in front of the same crowds at Windy Hill in 1988/89 shows how difficult it has become for the VFL to draw crowds, in the face of an ever expanding AFL.

The backs, including Michael Searl, Shannon Watt, Marc Greig and the prostrate Shaune Moloney discuss tactics at half time.

As always the Roosters back six, assisted immeasurably by ruckman Orren Stephenson drifting across half back, were supreme. In the cold light of day Bullants coach David Teague will ponder why he didn't assign Sam Jacobs and Shane Neaves a run with role. To be fair to Teague however, such was the pressure being experienced by his backline he must have been worried about leaving the Roosters with too open a forward line.

Two men down and the coach is tense

There can be no doubting FitzGerald's attention to detail and the preparedness of his players to follow the rules.

The vanquished. Teague and Pike contemplate what might have been.

The Bullants had a great year and at times looked capable of turning the grand final into a thriller, however questions will be asked about a number of AFL players. Adam Hartlett might have passed a fitness test but he never looked right and made a couple of costly mistakes early when the heat was on. And Teague genuinely needed more from Brad Fisher, Joe Anderson and Chris Yarran if his side was to challenge the Roosters.

Opponents Josh Smith and Cameron Cloke share the moment.

Those who caught my interview with (ABC HD) Kangaroo Josh Smith after the match would have quickly grasped what the premiership meant to him. Excited about the win and full of praise for coach FitzGerald and Roosters teammates Smith now has two premiership medals on the sideboard.

Telling a story for the television broadcast from the rooms at half-time.

Th anecdotal evidence only confirms what I thought would be the implications of the decision to telecast the match only on ABC HD. So many people who listened to commercial radio during the week were left with the impression that there was no live telecast. 'You'll get it live here....' How many times did I hear that on radio!

Once a feature of Melbourne and Victorian life the VFL grand final risks becoming an appendage of the AFL grand final unless it reverts back to the Sunday before the big game. Change the name back to VFA and bring back Sunday!