Crowley wins battle, Mitch wins war

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RYAN Crowley won the battle, but Sam Mitchell won the war.

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The AFL's No.1 tagger claimed another scalp on Saturday, keeping Mitchell to just 12 possessions.

Read that again: 12 possessions.

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Mitchell hasn't been so quiet since he had 11 touches against Sydney in Round 2, 2009.

All the pre-match talk had suggested that if Crowley were to shut Mitchell out then the Dockers would go a long way to winning the game.

He did, but at 5.10pm yesterday Mitchell was the one smiling from ear-to-ear while Crowley sat desolate, on his own, at the Punt Rd end pondering what might have been.

The popular consensus was that Crowley would go to Mitchell, but then again, would that be too obvious?

Crowley said at the Grand Final parade ``you'll find out pretty quick'' who his opponent would be.

And we did.

So noticeable with a white sweatband on each wrist, Crowley stood right in the middle of the MCG at 2.29pm and waited for his prey.

He sidled up to Paul Puopolo at the first bounce, but that was just a ruse.

With a push straight to Mitchell's chest Crowley announced that he would be running with the former Hawks skipper, and the 28-year-old didn't leave his side all game.

But for all the pre-match hype and suggestions that Crowley could be sent home in an ambulance, the match-up we all wanted to see was conspicuous only for its lack of fireworks.

Lance Franklin, potentially playing his last game in brown and gold, showed his loyalty to the cause by being Mitchell's major support outlet in the early stages.

"Buddy'' gave away the game's first free kick after cannoning in to a stationary Crowley's back on Hawthorn's forward flank.

While Cameron Sutcliffe was Crowley's best wingman in the first quarter, putting body-on-body on several occasion, most notably when he sat Mitchell on his backside as he and Crowley ambled through the middle of the 'G with the Hawk.

As hard as Mitchell ran off the ball to get to contests he just couldn't exert himself, but conversely Crowley wasn't having an influence going the other way.

They both had four first quarter possessions, Crowley went 10-6 in front at half time and led 12-10 at the last break.

Fittingly Mitchell had his most telling stat when he was standing next to Nat Fyfe, not Crowley.

It was a hack out of mid air from a centre clearance midway through the third quarter that led to Jack Gunston kicking his fourth goal just two possessions later.

As the Hawks got on top in the last term via the likes of Luke Hodge and Brian Lake, Mitchell failed to touch the ball.

He had a zero possession quarter _ and gave a free away for a high tackle on his direct opponent _ just eight days after he collected 38 disposals in an immense preliminary final performance against Geelong.

Mitchell sought Crowley out a couple of minutes after the final siren.

His embrace was warm and we can only assume he acknowledged that Crowley had had the better of him.

Mitchell won't look back on his personal performance with any fondness.

But as he said after the game, "I don't really care, I got a medal''. And that's all the matters.

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Player Ratings: Fremantle

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FREMANTLE midfielder Nathan Fyfe starred while Hayden Ballantyne had a stinker. We give every Docker a mark out of 100.

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NICK SUBAN - 46
Obviously has the WWE series linked at home given his bizarre fish-hook gouge on Mitchell in the first term. That was ordinary, much like his game. Missed an easy shot on the run from 45m.

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MATT DE BOER - 50
Like vanilla ice cream, he was just OK. Showed terrific poise with first touch to create Freo's first shot at goal. Just a participant after that.

HAYDEN BALLANTYNE - 34
Copped an overdose of his own medicine, with the game's chief rattler, rattled. Dropped a sitter 30m out, slipped in the middle of the ground when Freo were away and didn't score from from 40m and 30m with set shots. Didn't handle pressure.

TENDAI MZUNGU - 75
Kicking the Dockers opening goal in the second quarter and never gave up the fight. Not recognised as one of the club's biggest names but he can hold his head high after Saturday's performance.

ZAC DAWSON - 38
Just ugly. Bullied by Gunston in first half to such an extent Ross Lyon's anger bubbled over before half time. Repeatedly outbodied; this was the player who left Hawthorn, not the new and improved version.

Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne is rag-dolled off the play. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

NATHAN FYFE - 83
Inspirational. Carried his side when the chips were down in the first half with 18 touches and only a lack of polish stopped him from completely owning this contest. Ran out of puff, but hard to blame him. Did all he could.

DANYLE PEARCE - 48
Butchered it more than those Indonesian abbatoirs. Normally so composed, he shanked running shots ands dropped easy marks. Won points back for running back with flight with supreme guts in the second term when he was poleaxed by Birchall.

MICHAEL WALTERS - 59
Slower to get going than the half-time entertainment and that's saying something. Got Guerra and got well beaten. Kicked two big goals in the third quarter to give the Dockers a chance, but was otherwise anonymous.

MICHAEL JOHNSON - 63
Dogged by a calf injury in lead-in and kicked like it too. Usual precise foot skills abandoned him on big stage. Better defensively helping keep Hawthorn forwards to 11 goals for game.

LEE SPURR - 45
A bit like the two-year old jar of your nanna's relish that sits in the back of your fridge all summer. Hard to identify but was OK keeping Rioli to one goal. Limped through second half. Unsung hero for Freo, just not on Saturday.

Dockers forward Michael Walters stretches out in an attempt to stop Hawk Ben Stratton. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

DAVID MUNDY - 85
Undies were being ripped off everywhere in Freo loungerooms as he led a procession around the stoppages in the third term. Lifted enormously winning hard ball. Had the better of Brad Sewell.

CAMERON SUTCLIFFE - 30
Turned the screws on Hawthorn's small forwards but offered little offensive. Will appear in the highlights albeit when was on the end of a superb don't argue from Gunston.

ZAC CLARKE - 35
Provided the game's only real 'turtle head' moment when he ducked in a contest in the second term. Bit overawed and largely ineffective. At least he kept Pav happy with a Joe the goose handball in the goalsquare in third.   

AARON SANDILANDS - 63
Had more taps than a bathroom decorator but it meant stuff-all when he hit it straight to Luke Breust for the decisive last quarter goal. Tallest bloke since Lurch could only manage one mark.

LUKE MCPHARLIN - 65
Decent performance manning Lance Franklin but turned the ball over on the rebound. Should have taken responsibility kicking a goal after long run down the wing in second term. Skipper not happy.

RYAN CROWLEY - 81
Should post a signed pair of his sweatbands to the All-Australian selectors after shutting down the opposition's biggest danger man, Sam Mitchell, for the umpteenth time.

Sam Mitchell lays a big tackle on Docker Ryan Crowley. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

CHRIS MAYNE - 43
Down day for the bloke who loomed as the difference maker in the Freo forward line. Attacked the contest off the back of the square like mad man in third term but was otherwise blanketed by Josh Gibson, mainly.

MATTHEW PAVLICH - 54
Not a lot of 'wharfie time' from the skipper. Came to life in third term but stinker of a first half will haunt the greatest figure in Dockers' history. Missed set shot from 35m out in second quarter a howler. 

MICHAEL BARLOW - 68
Built up a lot of credits in enormous season but the thing that kept him in the VFL all those years – average foot skills – cost him on the big stage. Hauled Freo off canvas in third but half his touches went down the drain.

LACHIE NEALE - 45
Tried to spark the Dockers coming off the bench as the substitute with seven touches but unenviable task when the game looked gone. One to watch for all the SuperCoaches next season.

STEPHEN HILL - 68
Won't want to rekindle September memories sitting across from his brother, Brad, at Christmas lunch. Put head over the ball but butchered it by foot early, sapping confidence.

PAUL DUFFIELD - 67
A better defender than what many will give him credit for. Only gave up one goal to Jack Gunston in the second half but was invisible offensively.  Didn't win the loose ball or hit up teammates on the wing like normal. Some big tackles, including a huge hit on Ben Stratton, helped his cause.

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Player Ratings: Hawthorn

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HAWTHORN defender Brian Lake was best on, Isaac Smith provided a spark late while Luke Hodge was at his inspirational best. We give every Hawks a mark out of 100.

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LANCE FRANKLIN - 69
A second flag, but how long until his first falafel in Sydney's west? Smashed Crowley twice early and then got down to business. No highlights - just a solid contributor.

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BEN STRATTON - 72
More serene than a rural day spa in a first half in which he did what he liked. Only one brain fart in the third term when he tried to take on the world and turned it over. Late chase down of Crowley epitomised result.

LIAM SHIELS - 62
Started on the bench, but played his role on Stephen Hill when he came on. Did his bit, used it well and tackled particularly well.

PAUL PUOPOLO - 61
The small man who delivered a small performance. Saved one of his least influential game's for last, but still pressured like a maniac which has to be admired.

JONATHAN SIMPKIN - 30
Subbed on at three quarter-time for Bailey for a second premiership in seven days. Not bad for a three-club journeyman.

Hawk Cyril Rioli wraps up Docker Michael Barlow in a chicken wing-style tackle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

CYRIL RIOLI - 77
Memories of 2008. Tackled, tackled and tackled again. The man who admitted he froze in last year's GF stopped the Dockers in their tracks. No silk, but his blue-collar work generated several critical Hawk goals. Clever.

MAX BAILEY - 50
Anihilated in the hitouts, as expected. But he managed to break even with Sandilands and Clarke around the ground, which was crucial. Subbed at three quarter-time and not his greatest performance, but will he give a stuff? No.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD - 71
Couldn't have got a kick in a streetfight in first half when beaten at both ends. But two key goals in third term steadied Hawks and he was mighty in the final term.

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JORDAN LEWIS - 80
Went almost unnoticed early, but his numbers and damage in packs were enormous. Will at the contest and ability to stop Dockers' flow in packs was huge – and deadly.

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SAM MITCHELL - 51
Modelled the latest range of full-body Crowley leggings and couldn't exert his normal influence. Dangerous in space, but it was as rare as Christmas Day snow in Alice Springs.

JOSH GIBSON - 69
One of the best in first half and his composure was exemplary. Battled to keep pace with Pavlich when he exploded in third term, but maintained uncanny knack to be effective third man up.

SHAUN BURGOYNE - 62
Dockers tried to expose him in air against taller opponents, but he was good on the burst. Great defensive pressure on Pearce and Ballantyne and rarely misused it.

BRADLEY HILL - 61
Won cup and bragging rights at next family lunch after having better of his big brother when they crossed paths. Amazing awareness for second-year player.

BRAD SEWELL - 59
As rough and tough as hessian undies. At foot of every pack, but didn't slice Dockers when he got his hands on it. His normal exit routes were blocked and with it his impact.

GRANT BIRCHALL - 84
So much for the outside player some have criticised him for being. Still damaging on outside, but didn't mind mixing it when he had to. Huge numbers at halfback in first half.

LUKE HODGE - 80
Just like Chickenman, the skipper was everywhere. Stood on Zac Clarke at fullback, mixed it in the middle and along with Lake was impenetrable in final term.

Hawk Isaac Smith celebrates a long goal in the second half. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: HeraldSun

ISAAC SMITH - 65
Made amends for shocking miss in first term with massive goal at key time from downtown. Wasn't his best game, but had some really important touches in last term.

BRIAN LAKE - 89
Like Stuart Dew before him in 2008, proved his mettle on the biggest stage to win the hearts of his new club. About as far removed as possible from the Portsea polo.

JACK GUNSTON - 88
Best game ever. Might have led Norm Smith at halftime. Smashed Dockers on lead; wrestled like an MMA warrior and his field kicking was absolutely sublime. Only goalkicking blemish an audacious banana attempt.

DAVID HALE - 61
Like a heart surgeon in an emergency ward, did his best work to keep the team alive when it was most needed. Unsung hero throughout finals and did a lot of little things that won't be on stats sheet. 

LUKE BREUST - 64
Flat first term, but became dangerous as game progressed. Made his name by kicking goals, but made his GF impact by doing team things. Even split a pack wide open when inspired.

BRENT GUERRA - 58
Did some nice things across half-back. Several telling marks in the second half snuffed out Fremantle's attacking forays and helped create counter-attacking opportunities for Hawthorn.

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Grand Final barbecue guide

What will you be cooking at your Grand Final barbecue? Source: Karen Dodd / News Limited

EVERYTHING you need to know to make the most of Grand Final day.

PACK A BROLLY?

Forecast for Saturday:

Partly cloudy with scattered showers.

Min 9C Max 16C

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PLAN YOUR DAY

9am: Blackwoods North Melbourne Grand Final breakfast - live and exclusive on Fox Footy

10am: Replay of last year's Hawks v Swans Grand Final on Fox Footy

12.40pm: Grand Final sprint heats and final

1pm: Fox Footy GF countdown with team including Paul Roos, Gerard Healy, Jason Dunstall, Brad Johnson, Dermott Brereton and David King

1.40pm–1.55pm: Preliminary teams warm-up opportunity

2pm: Pre-match entertainment including retiring players motorcade

Every Grand Final player rated

2.12pm: Umpires enter arena

2.14pm: Fremantle players hit the field

2.17pm: Hawthorn enters arena

2.26pm: Tina Arena sings the national anthem

2.28pm: Toss of Coin

2.30pm: Bounce of the ball for 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final

3.40pm (approx): Halftime entertainment including bands Birds of Tokyo, Hunters and Collectors and footy favourite Mike Brady. Fox Footy war room analysis

5.15pm (approx): Game finishes and presentation of the cup and Norm Smith Medal. Former Sydney, Geelong and champion Greg Williams will present the Norm Smith and Kevin Sheedy will give the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach

5.30-8pm: Gates open to public for free premiership party at the MCG, with Birds of Tokyo and Hunters and Collectors live on stage

6.30pm: Grand Final replay on Fox Footy

8pm (approx): Premiership team presented on MCG stage.

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TRUE COLOURS

Hawthorn will wear its home uniform of brown and gold stripes with brown shorts.

Fremantle will wear its away strip of white guernsey with purple "v", white shorts and white socks. The Dockers were given a choice by the AFL of what jumper to wear but given they were ordered to wear white shorts, they have opted for the all-white ensemble.

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WHISTLEBLOWERS

Matthew Nicholls (No.15), Simon Meredith (No.21) and Brett Rosebury (No.8) were selected as the best field umps of the season and will be in charge on Saturday.

It is Rosebury's sixth straight Grand Final, Meredith made his GF debut last year and Nicholls is umpiring in a Grand Final for the first time.

Nathan Doig, Robert Haala, Michael Marantelli and Michael Saunders will run the boundary.

Luke Walker and Adam Wojcik are the goal umpires.

AFL Grand Final Umpires (from left) Brett Rosebury, Simon Meredith and Matt Nicholls. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: HeraldSun

BEST BARBECUE TIPS

PRE-HEAT the grill and don't flip steak too often. Once the meat is cooked through let it rest on a plate under foil for a few minutes to let the juices, and flavour, really sink in. Get more tips for cooking a perfect steak here.

PREPARE a few salads the night before so you aren't running around like a headless chook on Grand Final morning.

STOCK the Esky with ice and drinks. Remember to cater for designated drivers.

BEFORE your mates arrive check your barbecue and gas bottle is in good condition - use soapy water to check the hose for leaks. Ending up in hospital (or worse) is no way to spend Grand Final day. Click here for more barbecue safety tips from the MFB.

DON'T forget the tomato sauce.

BUY a couple of veggie burgers. Not everyone likes eating something that used to look back at you.

HAVE a footy (and a pump) on hand for halftime kick-to-kick. But keep it away from the barbie.

A perfect steak on the barbie. The chef outfit might be pushing it, though. Source: HeraldSun

SUPERCOACH FINAL FLING

Need to add some extra healthy competition to your Grand Final get-together? Start by printing out our Grand FInal sweep, then make sure everyone has picked a SuperCoach team.

It only takes a few minutes - pick a side of 11 players from the two Grand Final sides. You need three defenders, four midfielders, one ruckman and three forwards - the only condition is they have to fit under the $3.7 million salary cap.

Pick one player as captain to score triple points, and a vice-captain to score double.

There are no emergencies or breakevens to worry about - just cheer your players home and compare your final scores at the end of the day. To make it more fun, set a prize for the winner before the bounce.

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SIDE NOW

THE TEAMS

HAWKS
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Luke Breust, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge
I/C: Liam Shiels, Jack Gunston, Bradley Hill, Jonathan Simpkin
Emg: Shane Savage, Taylor Duryea, Matt Spangher

In: Jonathan Simpkin
Out: Brendan Whitecross (knee)

DOCKERS
B: Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB: Lee Spurr, Luke McPharlin, Danyle Pearce
C: David Mundy, Ryan Crowley, Tenday Mzungu
HF: Cameron Sutcliffe, Chris Mayne, Nathan Fyfe
F: Zac Clarke, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Matt de Boer, Stephen Hill
I/C: Hayden Ballantyne, Nick Suban, Lachie Neale, Michael Barlow
Emg: Alex Silvagni, Jack Hannath, Tom Sheridan

No change

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LATEST ODDS

$1.68 Hawthorn
$2.25 Fremantle

The line
$1.92 Hawthorn -7.5 points
$1.92 Fremantle -7.5 points

First goalscorer
$7.50 Jarryd Roughead
$8.50 Lance Franklin
$9 Matthew Pavlich
$10 Michael Walters
$10 Jack Gunston

Norm Smith Medal
$7 Nathan Fyfe
$8 Sam Mitchell
$8.50 Luke Hodge
$9 Michael Barlow
$12 David Mundy
$13 Shaun Burgoyne
$15 Matthew Pavlich

Odds: sportsbet.com.au

Hawthorn fans Rachel Mcinerney and Irene Mcinerney and Dockers Mitch Ashley and Christopher Henderson prepare for the Grand Final parade. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: HeraldSun

SING ALONG

Hawthorn theme song
(sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle Boy)

We're a happy team at Hawthorn
We're the Mighty Fighting Hawks.
We love our Club, and we play to win,
Riding the bumps with a grin (at Hawthorn).
Come what may, you'll find us striving
Team work is the thing that talks,
One for all and all for one
Is the way we play at Hawthorn.
We are the Mighty Fighting Hawks.

Fremantle theme song
(sung to the tune of the Song of the Vulga Boatmen - seriously)

Freo way to go
Hit 'em real hard send 'em down below
Oh Freo give 'em the old heave ho
We are the Freo Dockers
Freo way to go
Hit 'em real hard send 'em down below
Oh Freo give 'em the old heave ho
We are the Freo Dockers
We're the rollers
We're the rockers We're the mighty Freo Dockers
We're gonna roll 'em and we'll rock 'em
We're gonna send 'em to the bottom
And if they get up, we'll do it again
The Dockers stop at nothing – nothing
Freo way to go
Hit 'em real hard send 'em down below
Oh Freo give 'em the old heave ho
We are the Freo Dockers
Freo way to go
Hit 'em real hard send 'em down below
Oh Freo give 'em the old heave ho
We are the Freo Dockers

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Who to barrack for in the GF

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HAWTHORN or Fremantle? It's enough to make supporters of the other 16 clubs sick. But if you had to pick one...

Read on for a guide on which team supporters from each club should support on Saturday.

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ADELAIDE: (Freo)
Any Adelaide fan who reckons they didn't barrack a little bit for Freo when super megastar Tony Modra left West Lakes for Western Australia is probably lying. You've done it once, you can do it again. Get on the Mod Squad.

BRISBANE: (Hawks)
Hawthorn gave you Leigh Matthews, who gave you three premierships in three years. It's as simple as that. Haw-forn.

CARLTON: (Freo)
Remember back in the 1980s when you had to share your home ground with that disgusting mob from the leafy east? What a bloody disgrace that was. Don't move on. Dig up the old grudge and embrace it.

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COLLINGWOOD: (Freo)
James Clement. Brodie Holland. Paul "The Feral Kid" Medhurst. Leigh Brown. Freo rejects you adopted as your own and grew to love. You're halfway there, so throw in the fact that you can't beat Hawthorn and take joy in watching someone else do it instead.

ESSENDON: (Freo)
Do you recall Adam McPhee? Started his career at Fremantle before he came to your club. Thankfully, Freo agreed to take him back. For that you should be eternally grateful. Repay that gratitude with your support today. You know it makes sense. Not to mention the hate-hate relationship with Hawthorn that dates back to the 80s.

GEELONG: (Freo)
Just a few weeks ago you stood at the ballot box and voted, not for the political party you loved the most but for the one you hated the least. It's exactly the same scenario today. Freo. At a pinch.

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GOLD COAST (Draw)
The only thing better than watching the Grand Final at, let's say, the Mermaid Beach Surf Lifesaving Club while drinking icy cold $2.50 schooners of Victorian beer in stunning weather as we shiver down south, is doing exactly the same thing again next week. Lucky buggers. Back the draw.

GWS: (Freo)
My buddy Pauline from Essendon has a son, Jeremy, who barracks for GWS because he likes the orange on their jumpers. Freo used to have orange on their jumpers, so I know he'd pick them over Hawthorn's poos and wees outfit. You should too.

MELBOURNE (Freo)
Fre-o, rhymes with snow,
Only know the numbers not their names you know.
Got my ski lift pass and love the Alpine Road,
I am a Melbourne Docker.

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NORTH MELBOURNE: (Freo)
In the past you worshipped Josh Gibson. Now you think he's just a one-dimensional turncoat Hawthorn hack who gets exposed in finals because the only thing he can do is spoil. Crack a bottle of Shinboner Spirit right over his head today. Go Freo.

PORT ADELAIDE (Freo)
Visualise Kochie. Imagine Hawthorn is Mel Doyle – you know, been around a while, had a good go but getting a bit drab and in need of a service and a paint job. Suddenly Samantha Armytage appears like a breath of fresh air. Think Fremantle. Kochie wants you to.

RICHMOND: (Freo)
Q: Why did the Irish get the potatoes and the Arabs get the oil?
A: Because the Irish had first choice.
2004: AFL draft, pick four. Richmond takes Tambling. Hawthorn gets Franklin at pick five. You wear that draft disaster like a badge of honour. Anchors away.

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ST KILDA: (Hawthorn)
When Ross Lyon was your coach, you played finals. You strangled sides. You were really good. Almost great. Now look at the bloody joint. It's a rabble. Shambolic. A disgrace. But don't blame yourself, blame Ross. It's his fault. He left. Go Hawks.

SYDNEY SWANS: (Freo)
Thought beating Hawthorn last year was fantastic? Then imagine watching the best team of the home-and-away season implode on the big stage on the same day again this year. Dock on.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: (Freo)
You're a Bulldog. You don't believe in fairytales. They suck. Don't get seduced by all this Brian Lake romanticizing bulls***. EJ wouldn't stand for it. Get down to a $2 Shop in Barkly St, buy an inflatable anchor and STICK IT RIGHT UP 'EM!

WEST COAST: (Hawks)
You're probably already in the car heading north to Geraldton, or Broome, or Darwin, busting to get out of the place. Just in case. At least the flights out of Perth will be cheaper next week if things go wrong and Fremantle wins. Pray for Hawthorn.

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A-League ambushes AFL GF

Harry Kewell (L) and Archie Thompson's images will be paraded around the MCG. Source: Stuart Milligan / News Limited

FOOTBALL Federation Australia will risk the ire of the AFL on Saturday by sending a promotional truck into the Grand Final precinct publicising the opening of the A-League season.

With 100,000 people set to descend on the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the AFL decider between Hawthorn and Fremantle, the FFA will devote eight hours circling the ground with a vehicle displaying Melbourne Heart recruit Harry Kewell and Victory superstar Archie Thompson.

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The A-League season opens with the Melbourne Derby on October 12.

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"I'd be surprised if the AFL saw this as ambush marketing," said FFA Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Kyle Patterson. "We're not in direct competition with the AFL anyway, they finish as we start.

"This is a sign that football is in the mainstream. We have a great story to tell and we're not shy about telling it.

"The A-League season rolls into the FIFA World Cup in Brazil when millions of Aussie fans will get behind the Socceroos. We're banging the drum to get everyone on board."

The 2012 AFL Grand Final between Sydney and Hawthorn drew 99,683 spectators to the MCG. The game, won by the Swans, drew a national television audience of 4.05 million viewers – the highest posted by the AFL in six years. It was the most watched sporting event in Australia for 2012.

The FFA and the AFL have endured a rocky relationship over the years, most notably over the issue of stadium availability during football's unsuccessful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The deployment of an FFA-sponsored promotional truck to the AFL's showpiece event could further fray tensions. 

The FFA is hoping to build on the success of the breakthrough 2012-13 season A-League season with a sizeable promotional blitz before kick-off.

The Heart's signing of Kewell after an unhappy stint with cross-town rivals Victory will be a key feature of the messaging in Victoria.

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VIDEO: Tigers earn body paint stripes

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WESTS Tigers players including captain Robbie Farah were stripped down and covered in body paint for a new advertisement.

Promoting the club's 2014 membership drive, the painted players were then let loose on the unsuspecting public in Balmain coffee shops and pubs.

The commercial took all day to shoot.

Each player had three artists working on them for 90 minutes to apply the body paint in the team's Concord changing rooms.

The Tigers are hoping for a far improved performance in 2014 following a disappointing 15th-place finish this year.

Much of the pressure will fall on young gun Luke Brooks, who features in the commercial and will take over as key playmaker from Benji Marshall, who has left the club to play Super Rugby with the Auckland Blues.

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When did you last cry at the footy?

This Collingwood fan lets it all out after a Magpies loss. Source: News Limited

Finals footy is an emotional time of the year.

It can make you cheer, it can make you curse, and win or lose it can make you bawl your eyes out.

As part of their lead up to Saturday's grand final, AFL360 is asking you the fans when the last time the footy made you shed a tear, be it an outpouring of joy or a collapse of despair.

You can take part by sharing your best blubbing stories on Twitter before 8pm tonight, using the #360ASKS hashtag, and we're sharing the best so far below.

Mark Robinson and Gerard Whately will reveal their favourites live on the show tonight, with the ultimate winner able to earn themselves a match ball and the top five going into a draw for grand final tickets.

Watch AFL360 tonight at 7.30pm on FOX FOOTY to find out who wins. Competition Terms & Conditions.

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'Singapore a race to forget'

Ricciardo had a dismal Singapore GP, making a poor start before crashing. Source: James Moy / AAP

Well, that wasn't the Sunday we were after.

Singapore's a great place to come to, I love the city and think the track is great – but that's definitely a Sunday to forget.

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Things started going wrong the moment the lights went out. The car didn't get off the line at all well. We were swamped and back from ninth on the grid to fourteenth as things shook out after the first corner complex. I'm still trying to go over some stuff with the guys about what happened; they've got a few readings from the clutch data that don't match what's supposed to happen, so we'll see where that goes.

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It's a shame to do the work over the weekend and then see it all unravel in a few seconds. That put us on the back foot for the first part of the race – but you take it on the chin and set about trying to recover the position.

I don't think we were particularly quick in that first stint but we weren't particularly slow either. Singapore isn't a track that makes overtaking easy so it was clear that to get back up into the points we'd need something a little exotic. We tried to extend the first stint a bit to make a two-stop strategy work but nothing was going particularly well. The pitstop was a little slow, then the prime tyre was taking a long time to get going. It wasn't a disaster, and our times were definitely starting to improve as the tyres came in – and then I hit the wall.

I was pushing very hard because we were out of the points and didn't particularly have anything to lose. I locked up the left front at the wrong part of the track. There's very little room for escape at Turn 18 and if you go in too deep, it's game over. And it was.

It's disappointing. Of course it is. Despite the position I was getting a hell of a lot out of driving the Marina Bay circuit. Street tracks are great anyway but doing this one under the lights is really cool – and how often to you get to do something like this?

At the same time, it's not something that's going to get me down. When you push on a street circuit you won't always get away with it. There's an acceptable level of risk and this time it got me. It's my first crash for a while, and while it's not something I plan to make a habit of, you're going to have these moments. Had I done it while running in the points, that would be disappointing – but that's not what this was.

The positive to take away from the weekend is the good work we did on Saturday. To get into Q3 again was really good. It's a pat on the back for us that we're making this a regular thing as the season progresses.

Anyway, next stop Europe. We've got a bit of work to do before going out to Korea but basically the world tour continues at pace. Korea's been a good circuit for Toro in the past and we've got high hopes for another good performance because it should suit the car much better than Singapore has. Hopefully Jev and I can both score some points and boost the team's spirits after a pretty poor Sunday here.

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Osieck: speculation 'out of order'

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SOCCEROOS coach Holger Osieck says media speculation over his job security is "a little bit out of order'' and that he has no reason to believe Football Federation Australia hold doubts about his tenure after being thumped 6-0 by Brazil.

Osieck delivered Australia to a third consecutive World Cup after taking the reins in 2010, but pundits were quick to question if he is the man to guide the squad at the tournament after a shambolic performance against the host nation earlier this month in Brasilia. 

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With the World Cup kicking off in under nine months, FFA would want to find and sign a successor quickly if they decide to axe Osieck - who is contracted until the end of the 2014 tournament.

The German opened up about the self-proclaimed worst loss of his coaching career on Tuesday, but seemed genuinely taken aback when questions about his future were raised at the squad announcement for next month's friendlies against France and Canada.

"I'm not informed of what has been said or written. And so far, I think there has been not any necessity to talk about it,'' Osieck replied when asked if he's sought assurances from FFA.

Oliver BOZANIC, FC Luzern
Mark BRESCIANO, Al Gharafa,
Tim CAHILL, New York Red Bulls
David CARNEY, New York Red Bulls
Jason DAVIDSON, SC Heracles Almelo
James HOLLAND, FK Austria Vienna
Brett HOLMAN, Al Nasr Sports Club
Jackson IRVINE, Kilmarnock FC
Mile JEDINAK, Crystal Palace FC
Josh KENNEDY, Nagoya Grampus
Robbie KRUSE, Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), B.V. Borussia 09 Dortmund
Matthew LECKIE, FSV Frankfurt 1899
Matthew McKAY, Brisbane Roar FC
Mark MILLIGAN, Melbourne Victory FC
Lucas NEILL, Omiya Ardija
Tommy OAR, FC Utrecht
Sasa OGNENOVSKI, Umm Salal SC
Tommy ROGIC, Celtic FC
Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, FSV Frankfurt 1899
Mat RYAN (gk), Club Brugge KV
Dario VIDOSIC, FC Sion
Luke WILKSHIRE, FK Dinamo Moscow
Rhys WILLIAMS, Middlesbrough FC

 "I sense where you're coming from, but what's the rationale behind it?

"We're in the early stages of preparing for the World Cup.

"We made the major step and we are already there and a lot of great football nations are still struggling and maybe won't even get there.

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"So to question me then, that's a little bit out of order.''

Osieck outlined several mitigating factors for the terrible loss to Brazil, making it clear they were "explanations, not excuses''.

He highlighted the fitness levels of players based in Australia and the Middle East were not up to scratch due to the fact they were in the middle of pre-season training, and that many from Europe were not playing regular first-team football.

"In retrospective, it was premature to go there,'' he said of the lesson dished out by Brazil.

"As long as I've been in coaching, it's more than 30 years, I never got a defeat like that.

"It hurts you all. How I personally took it, it was probably a lot tougher than what people say.'' 

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The man behind Manly's steel

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HE stands in the shadows at Brookvale but is the man consigned to halting the giant South Sydney forward pack.

Sea Eagles forwards coach Brad Arthur was on Tuesday identified as the man who put the steel into Manly's forwards this season.

Manly prop Brent Kite claimed Arthur - the former interim Parramatta coach - has the Sea Eagles pack "firing".

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Arthur is being considered for the vacant North Queensland coaching position.

"He has us forwards firing. Like a lot of good coaches, his best stuff is behind-the-scenes working with individuals," Kite said.

"Brad is a bit old-school. He has a belief what the forwards can bring to a game and that is something we all like.

"We may be a bit smaller (than Souths pack) but we have had a pretty good year.

"We have had Brad specialising with the forwards this year. That has made a massive difference.

"He is our forwards coach so will we do lot of our stuff with him. Skills at the start of the session, video sessions where we focus on ourselves."

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Manly's forwards will to be at their very best to contain the rampaging Souths pack, led by the Burgess brothers.

"Brad has come into a new club and I have to commend him on what he has done," Kite said.

"He has the respect of the guys. Not ranting and raving but just having integrity and following through what he says he is going to do.

"He also keeps us to account. I also like his humility. You never see him talk over the head coach."  

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Bomber backflip on coaching job

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MARK Thompson has backflipped on his coaching aspirations and is a contender for the Essendon coaching position.

With the Bombers hopeful of making an announcement by the middle of next week, Thompson could yet be named senior coach.

Thompson's premiership teammate Mark Harvey could also be named as an assistant coach at the embattled club.

Leppitsch to be named Lions coach

Harvey will meet the Bombers coaching subcommittee this week which is headed by board director Chris Heffernan and chief executive Ray Gunston.

Heffernan refused to comment today.

Thompson's backflip came after considerable pressure from club officials.

It's known former coach James Hird has urged Thompson to fill the breach until he returns.

Still angry with the AFL's decision to fine him $30,000 for his role in the 2012 supplements scandal, Thompson told the Herald Sun two weeks ago he would not pursue the position.

Recent talks, however, have changed his mind.

People close to Thompson have spoken of his fierce passion at the club in recent weeks as he helps prepare for the national draft and trading period.

Thompson has also admitted on Fox Footy's AFL360 his love of the game has returned.

A Thompson-Harvey combination with Simon Goodwin and Matthew Egan to remain as assistant coaches would be seen as ideal by Bombers fans reeling from the penalties handed down by the AFL.

Thompson and Harvey, who will catch up tomorrow with former Bombers teammates, started on the interchange bench in the 1984 Grand Final.

They also played in the 1985 premiership team.

The Bombers had hoped to announce the new coach on October 2, the night of the club's best-and-fairest count, but that is now unlikely.

Meanwhile, head of football Danny Corcoran starts his four-month suspension on Monday and his role will be covered by football manager Steven Alessio and recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro in his absence.

Corcoran was suspended for his role in the 2011-2012 supplements program.

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Live: 2013 Brownlow Medal

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JOIN the live chat from first red carpet arrivals to the last vote with pics, video and more.

Tonight the AFL crowns its best and fairest player for 2013, and the players' partners get their night in the spotlight on the famous Brownlow red carpet.

And we're right there on the red carpet with our team from Confidential, fashion editor Kim Wilson, and guest blogger Nadia Coppolino, girlfriend of Jimmy Bartel and editor of the ChroniclesofNadia.com.au.

LATEST NEWS, PICS PLUS EVERY VOTE LIVE

Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett is favourite to win his second Brownlow, but he is expected to face tough competition from Cat Joel Selwood, Hawk Sam Mitchell and Magpie Scott Pendlebury. And there's always the chance a roughie could take the medal home.

Get set for the big night with our Brownlow punting guide, and don't miss out on the fun of Brownlow Bingo - our new interactive Brownlow game.

Watch every vote as it happens and follow all the action on our Brownlow Tracker.

Stay with us all night to see every vote as it happens plus the best photos, video and analysis.

Enter your name to join the debate.

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Red Bull: booing Vettel is wrong

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RED Bull boss Christian Horner lashed out at the fans who continue to boo Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel and suggested they were hurting the young German's feelings.

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Horner said it was "unfair" to boo Vettel, who has suffered repeated ill-treatment this year and was again subjected to loud chants and heckles after winning Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old star did his best to shrug off the jeers but Horner said the booing, blamed on a particular group of fans, might be getting under his skin.

"There is a small collective group and it is like a pantomime, but it is so unfair because it is not sporting,'' said Horner, according to Autosport.com.

"The boy today has driven an unbelievable race. What you have witnessed today is one of the best drives that I have seen him produce in terms of raw pace, and I just don't think it is sporting to see a driver who has put a performance in like that not get the reception he deserves.

"He is a great kid. He has a great sense of humour. He has a big heart at the end of the day."

Booing erupted after Vettel's wins in Belgium and Italy, and surprisingly at the less partisan circuit of Singapore, as Vettel moved closer to a fourth-straight world title.

The opprobrium has been put down to plain boredom from fans, as the German has won more than half the races this season and already has one hand on the championship trophy.

On Sunday night, he led from pole position to the chequered flag in an astounding, if not terribly viewer-friendly, demonstration of uncatchable front-running.

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But there is also residual anger after Vettel controversially ignored team orders and passed team-mate Mark Webber to win the Malaysian Grand Prix in March.

While Vettel apologised to Webber at the time, he later struck a defiant tone and insisted he would do the same again. Webber has announced his departure from the team at the end of the season.

Horner said he didn't know what was behind the booing but "for sure Malaysia did not help".

"It's been done, there has been an awful lot written about it and there were circumstances that were involved in that," he said.

"When you have a guy who is becoming almost a serial winner, it becomes like when people watched Mohammed Ali, they wanted to see who would beat him," he said.

"That is the case at the moment; people want to see who is going to beat Sebastian."

The team principal added: "He has got a broad set of shoulders but like anyone he has feelings and I don't think it is right."

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Dees miss priority pick

Melbourne doesn't look likely to receive a priority pick. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

THE AFL Commission has rejected a request from Melbourne to receive a priority pick at this year's national draft.

The AFL announced on Monday afternoon that no club would be granted special compensation at the 2013 draft, meaning the struggling Demons won't gain any extra compensation under the league's Special Assistance Rule.

Melbourne's first pick will be selection 2 - after Greater Western Sydney - with Paul Roos' men to then receive a second-round pick as normal.

The rival 17 clubs were in violent opposition to the prospect of Melbourne receiving a priority pick before or after the draft's first round.

When rejecting the Demons' request for an extra pick, the Commission had considered Melbourne's recent on-field performances, coaching, recruiting, administrative programs and the amount of young talent on the club's list.

The 2014 debut of dominant 17-year-old Jesse Hogan also likely counted against Melbourne.

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Earlier this month The Herald Sun revealed that Melbourne had put in an official submission for a priority pick, believing it would help them swiftly turn about their on-field fortunes.

While Melbourne's pick was the most controversial topic to be discussed, the club's financial future was also in focus.

The AFL announced that it would grant the Demons a one-off payment of $1.45 million.

Of that $1.45m amount, $1 million is a grant and $450,000 is subject to the club raising an equal amount of money.

The club also has the ability to borrow an additional $500,000 on its facility, which the AFL has guaranteed.

Melbourne is also likely to declare a loss of $2 million or more this year.

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Pressure firmly on Roosters: Noddy

Mitchell Pearce celebrates. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

IN his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on the semi-finals action in the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

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Sea Eagles v Sharks at Allianz Stadium

The game never reached the level of physicality I thought it would. I expected a brutal arm wrestle but it seemed as if Manly were trying to show everyone they could score points after being held to nil against the Roosters last week. It was like they had to keep the ball alive and try and wear the Sharks out. Manly were extremely tough, very disciplined and super fit, but sometimes they became their own worst enemy. The forward battle ended equal but the halves - Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran - were the difference. Cherry-Evans came up with a result on every play and every kick. His kicking game was the key and made him the star of the match. Cronulla were very brave, as they have been all year. To finish the season so well after all the dramas they faced this season showed the character of the players and the club. The Sharks were unlucky on a number of occasions. Jorge Taufua may or may not have lost control of the ball when scoring a try but he was still able to ground it and there was an unfortunate incident where Paul Gallen scored, but John Morris interfered with the marker. Michael Gordon has been Cronulla's best signing and a shining light for a club that deserve a massive pat on the back, having finishing better than they did last year.

Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs preview:

I think Manly will place South Sydney under some pressure because the Sea Eagles can handle the Rabbitohs physically and athletically which not many sides have been able to do this year. Manly will have a very aggressive defensive line which may unsettled the Rabbitohs, however by being that aggressive in defence they have vulnerable edges. If the Rabbitohs are able to execute their long shifting plays with Greg Inglis chiming in, they could cause concerns for the Sea Eagles. I expect this match to come down to the last five minutes with whoever comes up with the correct decision to win it. This time last year Adam Reynolds broke down when the Rabbits were leading the Bulldogs. He is the key to the victory more so than Inglis. Reynolds has to put Manly under pressure because if he doesn't Manly will march forward and Cherry-Evans will put them away.

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Storm v Knights at AAMI Park

Saturday was a wonderful coaching display from Wayne Bennett. From the first tackle Newcastle showed they didn't want to get in the arm wrestle with Melbourne. They had lost their last nine in Melbourne and there should have been fear going down there but they refused to let the Storm intimidate them. On tackle one, two and three, they moved the ball around and their outside backs got their sets off to a great start. I thought that was the key to keeping Melbourne from getting into that grinding kind of football that they like. Willie Mason, who has been a revelation, made some big metres while Danny Buderus used his nous out of dummy half. A lot has been said of Jarrod Mullen's maturity under Bennett but Tyrone Roberts was outstanding. 12-4 at halftime, they were able to score again and the Storm looked like they were gone. Newcastle's defensive line speed was rushing the Storm until a brilliant individual effort from Cooper Cronk got them back in the game. They got to within two points through Jesse Bromwich but in the end no-one made a mistake to lose the game. The Knights had belief, jumped out to a good lead and in the end were defensively great. They have been the best defensive side in the competition throughout the last month of football. They may be old in age but not in enthusiasm. 

Roosters v Knights preview:

Newcastle are going to have nothing to prove on Saturday night. The pressure will come from Sydney saying the Roosters should not only win but win comfortably. The Knights will be expected to lose. I am interested to see how the Roosters will handle the occasion. Newcastle were able to slow Melbourne down with a grinding style of football. They have certain players in their side who put pressure on ball playing opposition. I expect Jeremy Smith, Beau Scott and Danny Buderus to place plenty of pressure on Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney. It will be interesting to see which outside backs come up with the best plays. The Roosters rely on their backs for a lot of metres to start the sets and score the points at the end of the set, similar to how Newcastle played against Melbourne. There could be an upset on the cards come Saturday night.

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Roar young guns outclass Sydney FC

Brisbane youngster Kwame Yeboah bagged a double against Sydney. Picture: Stuart Quinn. Source: News Limited

BRISBANE Roar have recorded a fourth successive pre-season win over A-League opposition, downing Sydney FC 4-1 at Barlow Park in Cairns.

Young gun Kwame Yeboah scored a brace as the Roar ran rampant against the outclassed Sydneysiders.

The win followed on from trial victories over Melbourne Victory (1-0), Central Coast Mariners (2-1) and Melbourne Heart (3-0).

The Roar complete their pre-season campaign next Sunday against NPL Queensland champions Olympic at Goodwin Park.

Sydney are also in action again next Sunday when they host Perth Glory at Kogarah in their final hitout before the start of the A-League season on October 11.

They will want to start better against the Glory after conceding in the opening minute of the match, with Brisbane grabbing the initiative through Yeboah.

Fellow youngster Corey Brown doubled the Roar's lead less than 10 minutes later.

Brisbane started the second half with similar intent, and lead 4-0 by the 51st minute thanks a Besart Berisha's goal and Yeboah's second.

Sydney's grabbed a consolation goal with 20 minutes remaining through substitute Joel Chianese.

The only scare for Brisbane was a knee injury that forced midfielder Luke Brattan off in the first half.

The crowd of 4707 who had been hoping to see Sydney's Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero in action left the venue disappointed, with the former Juventus star watching the entire 90 minutes from the bench.  

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Lynn's secret weapon: a titanium box

Chris Lynn's titanium box looks like a sturdy piece of work. Source: Supplied

CHRIS Lynn has become the Brisbane Heat's Man of Steel.

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Well, Man of Titanium to be precise.

The Heat batsman was in excruciating pain for most of last season after being forced to undergo complex testicle surgery when he was struck a sickening blow by a Doug Bollinger delivery.

Lynn, who was at one stage concerned about his long-term prospects of becoming a father, has been taking no chances with his precious "crown jewels" ahead of his return to big-time cricket.

Rather than wearing a traditional plastic cricket box, Lynn has purchased a titanium box off the internet and is wearing it into battle in the Heat's Champions League T20 campaign in India.

It might not create quite the same stir as when Dennis Lillee walked onto the WACA brandishing an aluminium bat in an Ashes Test in 1979, but Lynn is hoping it will save him from watery eyes and more pain in the future.

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Click here to read Ben Dorries' full preview of Brisbane Heat's Champions League T20 campaign.

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It has already survived its first big test when Lynn was recently whacked a blow in the groin while batting in the nets, yet he hardly felt a thing and the titanium box emerged unscathed.

"I have changed my box and I got a titanium one off the net - they are about $30 and it is probably the best $30 I have ever spent," Lynn told The Courier-Mail.

"I recommend everyone should have one ... the titanium is as light as ever and as comfortable as ever.

"I got hit wearing it in the nets recently and the guy was bowling a decent pace and it didn't faze me too much.

"Last season I was totally wrecked, I was in a world of hurt and it was a struggle to get through each day to be honest."

Lynn, 23, is regarded as one of Australia's brightest young batting prospects but has never quite been able to bridge the gap between potential and performance.

But that was hardly his fault last season as his injury kept him from the playing field, and he also didn't have a competitive hit-out in the off-season as he recovered from surgery.

"I just went for a surf, went to the pub on a Friday afternoon, had a bet on Saturday and put the feet up on a Sunday, just the sort of thing that young fellas do," Lynn said.

With the Heat kicking off their Champions League campaign against Trinidad and Tobago in Ranchi on Sunday night, the big-hitting Lynn knows he will have to have a bumper tournament for the depleted Heat team to be successful.

"If I feel like I can hit it for six then I'll have a go - if I get out, I get out," Lynn said.

"If I can score a few runs in India I can put my name forward. And personally and financially it will be rewarding."

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