No team’s theme song gets played and all the fans in the crowd go silent because they don’t quite know how they should react. It’s strange because nobody really leaves the stadium feeling that satisfied.
Last Saturday night’s draw with Essendon was particularly conflicting because both teams probably had chances to win the game.
The overwhelming feeling from last week’s draw is disappointment because we didn’t achieve what we set out to do - and that was winning. We also believe we had the ascendency early in the final quarter but didn’t capitalise on our opportunities.
On the other hand, we could be considered lucky to escape the match with at least two points after Essendon led by eight points in the dying minutes.
Browny’s effort to cause a spoil in the final 30 seconds and then find Braddy in the goal-square with five seconds remaining seemingly stole victory away from Essendon.
So while no one is pleased with the outcome, realistically a draw is better than a loss.
After having a few days to digest the result, it turns out the draw has actually done us a few favours. Losses to the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Adelaide has kept us well entrenched in the Finals race and even gives us a shot at a possible double chance.
Quite simply, we are back in control of our own destiny.
The draw against Essendon was the third I have been involved with at the Club. I played when we drew to Richmond at Docklands back in 2007 and was also there when Browny booted that 60m goal to force a draw with the Swans in that same year.
Much has been said about whether draws should remain or whether the AFL should introduce extra time like they do in the Finals.
As much as I probably would have voted for the latter at 9:50pm last Saturday night, I don’t think we really need to change the current system.
It doesn’t happen regularly enough for it to be a major problem I reckon.
We haven’t won a match now for two weeks which makes this Saturday night’s match against the Bulldogs at the Gabba critical from our perspective. A win will guarantee a Finals berth and also lift us into the top four.
But the Doggies are a quality opponent and will be eager to bite back after being upset by West Coast at home last weekend.
