Now, this is just a bit sneaky:
"Possibly the biggest home and away match in the history of the AFL."
Gerard Healy, On The Couch
Really, Healy?
He was, of course, whipping up to within an inch of its frenzy, this week's Gee Long v Saint Kilda match at Jihad.
Such a claim, when taken with a grain of pepper, is bold. I mean, the biggest game since 1897 - depending on whose calendar you use, 112 years for some, 113 years for the AFL who celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1996 - is a big statement, even for a Big Statement.
Today you can put your hard earned magic beans on the fact assorted nuffies are out there passing on Healy's spin: "Didja see On The Couch last night? Dude! Gerard Healy said the match is the biggest home and away match, like, ever!"
The thing is, despite Healy's obvious intention to give the impression it's the biggest game since 1897 - "history" is the giveaway: no one thinks of 1990 as "history", it's simply 19 years ago - were he quizzed he could always don his smug face and say: "Well, actually, the AFL has only been going since 1990, 1997 in its current form, if you want to be pedantic."
So, if anyone asks you to rate this week's match give them the big sell: "It's the biggest home and away match since 1997, as far as I'm aware."
It brings up the question of what "big" means in this context. What embiggens a home & away match? If it's a crowd, then this match hardly qualifies under the 55k dome. It's certainly the first match between two 13-0 teams, but neither are in the Big Four.
I don't think it's even bigger than the 99/100 game last year.
Posted by: m0nty | 30 June 2009 at 15:45
monty beat me to it.
Even though I know 2/5ths of SFA about football, even I know it's at the indoor rink behind Spencer Street near the Wonky Wheel and that the arena holds a lot less than the MCbloodyG. So how can it be biggest.
sad part for me is only one can lose. I'd like to see them all humiliated. Or at least to play out in the open in the rain and hail like real men. Geez at the oval up the corner from me there's skinny young 10 year olds shivering from hyperthermia each Sunday morning "for the love of the game"
Posted by: fxh | 30 June 2009 at 17:41
It won't be as funny as Melbourne/Richmond R22, 1998 that's for sure.
FUNNIEST home and away match in history.
Posted by: Adam 1.0 | 01 July 2009 at 09:00
Well I am biased as a Saints supporter and do agree that to call it "the biggest home & away match in the history..." etc is no doubt stretching the elastic and taking a long bow to the French at Agincourt,..
BUT as it is indeed the first (and surely the last) time that 2 teams will meet each boasting a 13-0 record...
Then it is pretty spesh.
If Geelong win comfortably it's the status quo and The Saints are pretenders.
If The Saints win comfortably it's a potential new world order / new kids on the block with Geelong as the only serious challengers.
If it's a closely fought tussle the debate will still rage until Septemeber - and would this be a good result for football??
Presumably not for the other 14 teams and their supporters but certainly for Saints fans who are long used to false dawns, would-be messiahs and shattered hopes.
"He's not The Messiah... he's Nick dal Santo!"
I think The Saints have more to gain from a win than Geelong, who are the competition yardstick despite last year's GF hiccup.
"The biggest home & away match..." - I don't think so.
But as something unusual that is taking on increasingly surreal proportions to us Saints (and possibly Cats) supporters - you bet.
Posted by: The Greener Man | 02 July 2009 at 02:31
If this year's fixture is replicated next year, this weekend's Gee Long Saint Kilda fandango will be dwarfed by the infinitely bigger "biggest home and away game in history" when undefeated Melbourne play undefeated Carlton in round 21.
Posted by: Tony T | 02 July 2009 at 13:33
Massive win for mine and TGM's Sainters.
Means nothing to both sides in terms of the ladder/season but for the Saints supporters (like me) who thought we were gone 10 times during the game (like me) and still thought we were in trouble AFTER Gardy's Grab(TM) (like me), to win gives us a much sought after but short in supply quantity of belief.
And I don't care if Stevie J was out - a win is still a win, even in a supposed nothing game. I also don't care if it sounds like we are getting ahead of ourselves - Saints supporters don't have the words "front" and "runners" in our vocab.
Posted by: Adsy | 05 July 2009 at 23:20
Well, I tipped the Saints, so that's good.
I also reckon last year's grand final choke screwed the Catters' mojo; they will not win the flag this year.
Posted by: Tony | 06 July 2009 at 13:56