Round 20 Recap: Eagles Have Too Much Heart for Cats, Umps; Sore Loser Scott Continues Family Tradition

That was a great win! The game may have been the most frustrating I have ever experienced (for at least 6 days) but we found a way to grab the vital 4 points against all the odds.

We started well before slipping a few goals behind. But, throughout the entire game the Cats were playing incredibly defensive, boring and reactive football. They weren't really interested in trying to win the game themselves (because let's face it they couldn't have) but instead they were trying to stymie us, kick goals on  the break (mostly umpire assisted of course) and generally be annoying. But we stuck to the task and we had the game won with a few minutes remaining despite the scoreboard. It really was exhilarating (mainly in a good way) and my hopes for this season are (probably temporarily) revived. Sort of.

It was nowhere near a perfect performance by us. Darling, as has been the trend recently, couldn't take a mark to save his life. But neither, it seemed, could many others. There was one passage where we moved the ball from one end to the other without taking a clean mark. Needless to say I was on the verge of losing my mind. Others despite Darling also didn't have great games such as Hill, Hams etc. (in fact the forward line in general was poor) but it was the spirit, intensity and perseverance that I absolutely loved in this one. It's been missing recently, but it was great to see some steely fight by the guys.

It was led by no other by 30 year old Dean Cox, who again was superb with 3 goals, 23 possessions and 8 marks. Oh and a few hitouts...45.  His partner in excellence was also dominant with 18 possessions (16 contested), 2 goals, 5 marks and 4 tackles. He also got the final clearance that ended any hope of a Geelong miracle. They were the difference and it serves the Cats right for thinking that the big 'O' (does it stand for orifice?) could stand up to our guns. The midfield was far better than late as well with Kerr, Shuey and Priddis having big games with 4 goals between them.

Look, the commentators and others might make a big deal over the Cats injuries, but I couldn't care less. We have played without some of our best players (definitely our best forwards) all season. We got on with the task.

On to the umps and they were...disgraceful. It was the worst umpired game I can remember. The deliberate decisions (9!) were ridiculous. It really was getting farcical towards the end of the game. But even more than that they missed several obvious frees to Darling and others, especially in the second quarter. They actually deserved the ritual booing they received when they left at the end of the game. Pathetic.

But the real villain of the night was one of the evil Scott twins. I don't know which one, they're both evil and they both are clearly delusional and sore losers. Scott questioned whether Subiaco was safe for ten year olds. He referenced the Hawkins concussion and the crowd reaction which was utterly....positive. If there was people booing or whatever it was probably a couple of drunks. They have those in Geelong I'm sure (outside of the ones that play for them of course) So essentially he seemed to be saying that the crowd was too 'loud' or 'raucous'. Put it another way, his team lost, the crowd loved it, little Scotty's bottom lip began to quiver and he pooped his pants. He needs to grow a pair and stop embarrassing himself and his team.

The Scott Family Sigil

But enough about losers. We showed great spirit and won a game we had to win. Great performance, great crowd, great win.

Now come on you Swannies! (I hate you!)