I am sure all supporters are still shaking their heads in amazement after the stunning final quarter produced by Michael Long last Sunday against Adelaide. I know I am.
Longy was just fantastic and he produced something special when we needed it. His five goal last terms was inspirational – it was vintage Michael Long at his match-winning best. Set shots, snap shots, evasive skills, it was all there and I’m certain Bomber fans enjoyed every minute of it.
As I suspected the Crows took it right up to us last week and really gave us a fright. The Adelaide side is full of experience and talent and we looked to be in a shade of trouble midway through the third quarter.
But we stuck to our guns and our last quarter was terrific. We persisted, never panicked and it paid dividends in the long run. Ten wins to start the season is an excellent effort.
Most of the players’ mothers were in attendance to watch the game as part of the club’s Mother’s Day tribute.
They were taken around the ground on a hovercraft pre-match and my mum said she enjoyed it although she nearly flew of the front when it ground to a sudden halt at the end of the ride.
I must say it was somewhat unusual to have hovercraft flying around while you are practicing goal kicking. But all the boys were thrilled with the club’s gesture and from all reports the mothers had a great day.
As has been the case for the past few weeks, the media are trying to beat up our winning streak with some even suggesting we will go through the season unbeaten.
I would be astounded if we didn’t get beaten – there are plenty of good football sides in this competition and I believe the ladder is a bit misleading at the moment. I don’t believe the gap between the top sides is as far as the ladder suggests.
The reigning premiers – the Kangaroos – are an awesome outfit when fit and firing and we know what Carlton did last year and they look to have improved.
Melbourne is looking very good and its midfield can make life tough for any opposition while Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Hawthorn and West Coast are also playing very good football.
So suggestions that this year’s premiership race is over and that we will be unbeaten are ludicrous.
By the same token, we certainly don’t go out expecting to lose or thinking we are due for a bad one. The result of the next week’s match is completely independent of what has gone before it – all that matters is what we are confronted with that particular day.
And this weekend we are confronted by Geelong – a side which is playing extremely good football this season.
There is no doubt the Cats were a better side than their results showed last year and under Bomber Thompson they look to have got things back on track.
I thought they played the better football in difficult conditions at Football Park last weekend and were probably unlucky to draw the game.
They are a very quick side with the likes of Peter Riccardi, Dale Spriggs, Brad Sholl and Adam Houlihan. Garry Hocking and Glenn Kilpatrick always supply these players with plenty of the ball.
We will need to work very hard in the midfield and across the half forward line to curb their running game.
It’s hard to believe that this Saturday night will mark the halfway point of the home and away season.
It has passed very quickly and I hope Bomber fans have enjoyed season 2000. Your support has been fantastic and I sure that will continue to be the case for the remainder of the year.