Oh.

Kept the papers full.

Uh, kept everyone talking about it.

Not that they really need to this week, it is grand final week, but, uh, it all adds to the, uh, to the drama and the intrigue.

So I agree with you.

I, look, I, I think [laughs] we all thought that he'd, he'd get off last night in some shape or form.

He did.

Mm.

Is there too much star power in that Brisbane side? Or have Fremantle got the players to nullify that?

Yeah, Fremantle got the players to go with Brisbane.

My personal opinion is that I think the Lions will win comfortably tomorrow.

I just think they're... they've been there the last three years they've won the last two they produced the great escape on uh well last saturday against a very good team in hawthorne

i

just think they've got so many stars that have been there uh on on grand final day they know what's required and to be honest i think the dockers even though they've been the best side this year i think they've their form is not as good as it was during the home and away season and i do think that they've I don't want to use the word choke, but they certainly tightened up over the final series.

They were ordinary against, they got smashed against Hawthorne.

And

Is there going to be inflationary measures we hear of, but deflationary measure about the Swans' performance this weekend? Is that a danger for them, given the hype and just emotion that went into that Brisbane win a couple of weeks ago? Or is it too far gone, too far separated?

Well, I was expecting this question, and I actually gave this some thought this morning.

And I believe having the week off will give them the respite and the rest that they needed to not only physically recharge, but mentally recharge.

I thought if they had to front up again the next week, I thought, oh, could they do it two weeks in a row? But given the fact they've had a fortnight off and they can reload...

I don't see any reason why they just cannot play the same way they played against Brisbane.

I really do believe that.

And I believe if they play like that again, they'll win.

The AFL will never come out and say that they're hoping for it, but the industry as a whole, does it matter down then? It's happened before, the two out-of-towners playing the biggest game of the year, or does everyone need Hawthorne to get through here?

Where do you think Hawthorne are at? They impress me so much, but as a fan and a commentator, where do you think they are placed to attack the second half of the year?

I certainly think they're one of five teams that can win the flag.

It's all going to come down to injuries and suspensions and whatever at the end of the year.

But they're certainly in the mix.

Look, they're a midfielder short.

We all know that.

Will Day coming back makes a ginormous difference.

The Bont, Richards, Kennedy, Frazier, they've got some class there.

do you think Hawthorne are at? They impress me so much, but as a fan and a commentator, where do you think they are placed to attack the second half of the year?

I certainly think they're one of five teams that can win the flag.

It's all going to come down to injuries and suspensions and whatever at the end of the year.

But they're certainly in the mix.

Look, they're a midfielder short.

We all know that.

Will Day coming back makes a ginormous difference.

How exciting is he watching this? He's one of the smallest players in the comp, but I think one of the most exciting players I've seen for a long while.