Even us so-called experts have very little crystal-ball predicting expertise.
Maybe it is my experience as a coach that influences my attitude. While I might have confidence in knowing the factors that will decide the contest, tipping the actual result is more educated guesswork.
Having said that the Friday night semi final looked predictable with Geelong, the short-priced favourite, against the emphatic underdog Fremantle.
The proven champions at full strength with the home-state advantage against the youthful challenger with much of their playing weaponry either missing or restricted by injury.
A big-margin win to the Cats looked likely and when they had an eight-goal to one first quarter the pre-game script never required alteration.
The second semi final by comparison was more unpredictable, with the Bulldogs sneaking home by five points in a thrilling finish.
When the Swans led by five goals midway through the second quarter the Bulldogs looked gone. Over the last few weeks the Bulldogs have looked like a racehorse that has trained off and needed a spell.
The energy and athleticism to run and spread into space was again missing and the resultant pressured kicks into their forward 50 meant either Barry Hall marked it or the Swans' defence launched counter attacks on the rebound.
Their moment of inspiration, which seemed to change the psychology of the game came when first-gamer Andrew Hooper received a soft free-kick and kicked the last goal of the second quarter to reduce the margin to 16 points.
The post-goal celebration was the spark that pumped a vital rush of adrenalin, the body's natural upper, into the Bulldogs' team. They went to the half-time break with a gettable margin and renewed hope.
The Bulldogs' pre-game coaching theme that the Swans would fade after a six-day break from their physically brutal last-man-standing elimination final win over Carlton was further encouragement.
The Swans' second half inaccuracy, scoring a wasteful 2.8, ultimately cost them the game.
In a game-style sense, as the game wore on, the Bulldogs found some run and carry link play through veteran Nathan Eagleton and half backs Jarrod Harbrow and Lindsay Gilbee. The move of Robert Murphy from defence to half-forward was also significant. This quartet provided the ball movement, quick play on and classy finishing that meant the ball was being more precisely delivered into the Bulldogs' forward 50.
It would be an exaggeration to say that the Swans were overwhelmed because the match could easily have gone either way.
The Swans lost so it was their retiring captain Brett Kirk who was forced to endure the sadness and loss that jumps on a player's back when leaving the field for the last time. I doubt Kirky's heart was smiling as he made that unwanted journey, that eventually confronts all players.
It could have easily been his Bulldogs counterpart Brad Johnson, who has also announced his retirement after the Dogs' next loss.
While we might envy physical talents and abilities it is the enormous competitive character and good-bloke qualities of Kirk and Johnson that has earned them both universal respect and admiration. They are fantastic role models that make us proud we are part of the same sport.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
