If you live in America and you’ve ever been curious about the Australian Football League — and really, if I haven’t fueled your curiosity by now, clearly I haven’t done by job — get yourself to a pub that carries Setanta Sports on Saturday night. Assuming their satellites don’t get hit by meteorites again this week, Setanta will be showing the Geelong Cats v. Port Adelaide Power match at midnight ET on Sunday morning, or 9:00 PM on Saturday on the west coast.
Geelong has one 15 straight and clinched the Minor Premiership (i.e., the regular season AFL title) last week, but they’re being verbally harassed by a Port Adelaide team fighting to clinch a Top 4 bid. Both teams are approaching this as a statement game, which might have big implications for the Finals Series, which begins in two weeks. You’re going to see Aussie rules played at a very high level here.
By the way, a Geelong win means the West Coast Eagles, who climbed over Port into second place after beating St. Kilda last night, will clinch a Top 4 spot heading into the Finals Series. The Eagles managed this without Daniel Kerr, who may be lost for the season after undergoing hand surgery this week. That’s a rather huge blow for West Coast, a team that knows something about blow.
Other AFL games of note:
Brisbane Lions v. Adelaide Crows. The winner of this one will leapfrog St. Kilda into the 8th and final postseason spot.
Collingwood Magpies v. Sydney Swans. Both these teams should make the Finals, but the winner of this one could have a legitimate shot at the Top 4. If Sydney wins and Hawthorn beats the Western Bulldogs this weekend, the Swans and Hawks will square off for the final Top 4 spot in the final regular season game.
Of course, that assumes the Kangaroos don’t beat Fev-less Carlton by about 150 points. Hey, it’s been known to happen…
5 responses so far ↓
1 Greazy Tony // Aug 25, 2007 at 9:06 am
As an American who’s a Geelong supporter I know all about staying up late to experience Cats games. I listen on Triple M normally since I don’t have Setanta, and I’m always looking for a place to watch the Grand Final. Next year I’ll be in Skilled Stadium watching the Cats in person in May, but till then, it’s net radio.
As for this game, I’m almost hoping the Cats drop one before the finals. All I can think about is last year’s SD Chargers and how hot they were going into the playoffs only to get bounced in the first round. I think Bomber can keep them on point even if they keep winning, but it would be nice if they had something new to get them fired up. Go the Cats!
2 Dave // Aug 25, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Yes, but if the Cats lose in the first round, they won’t get knocked out of the Finals. So that’s one thing they have on the Chargers.
3 Larry McAllister // Aug 26, 2007 at 10:52 pm
From Name: Larry McAllister
From Email: Links-Sports-News@Site-Reviews.biz
From: Website: http://sports-news.site-reviews.biz/
Dave,
I would like to send you a private email.
The email address you left on your “About” page is:
dave[AT]davesfootballblog[DOT]com
It does not work .
100% of the emails it receives are returned to the sender.
I’ve tried sending you emails through 3 different ISP accounts that I have located in three different states.
The problem is in your DavesFootballBlog.com domain email server.
Could you please provide me a different email address so that I can send you an email that does not route through the DavesFootballBlog.com domain?
Thank you.
4 Jeff // Aug 26, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Completely off-subject, any ideas where one can watch the Rugby World Cup on TV here? (Or AFL playoffs for that matter?)
5 Greazy Tony // Aug 27, 2007 at 9:10 am
It ended up being a great game. I almost jumped out of me seat when Cassisi kicked, and almost fell on the floor when he goaled. Oh well, it the cats can have a good showing vs the Lions that should get them ready for the finals.