Its almost summer . The " Grannie " is over , and fans are either jubiliant or disappointed , by their AFL Team' s , 2011 , Seasons performance .

demons improved

carlton got close

The AFL trade period is on, new coaches have been appointed , and assistant coaches are being re - shuffled . The Rugby World Cup Finals continue in New Zealand , and the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival , has commenced. Cricket is on the not too distant horizon , as are the various  Yacht Races.

It begs the question , does the football jumper , jersey , guernsey , go on summer holidays ? For most fans the answer is no . It will be given an airing at other sporting fixtures , and is a popular piece of favourite apparel, seen gracing beaches , bbqs and other social functions during the " off season ".

baby lions jumper for summer

Saints have new Coach

A slightly bedraggled looking, Collingwood Magpies , footy jumper , was even spotted at yesterdays Caulfield Cup . Has it been doing the rounds since 1st October ? or was it pinched from the St Vinnies donation bag , outside the Malthouse Mansion ?

No Saints this year

Parts of Melbourne's  CBD will be closed for todays AFL Finals Parade . A cavalcade of Geelong and Collingwood players , will travel down city streets , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .The predicted cold , showery weather , will prevent some fans from attending the parade , and stop the players from walking the meet and greet .

Tigers for 2012 Parade ?

Further cold weather is forecast for Saturdays Grand Final with low temperatures ,  rain and hail expected . Those Fans , lucky enough to get seats , albeit out in the open at the MCG , will need to wear waterproof football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .
Can Collingwood go back to back ? Or will the Cats take the Cup home to Geelong ?

The Brownlow medal is up for grabs tonight .

Can Goodes make it no 3 for Swans ?

Mars on White Blues Jumper

Questions are

Can Juddy or Goodes make it number 3 ?

carlton on a winner

Judd's Carlton Jumper

Which WAG will wear the most revealing / and or tasteless dress ?

Has Bec ( aka Mrs Judd) lost her baby bump yet ?

Whose turn is it to get the most drunk , a la Brendan Fevola .

Can Andrew Demetriou , AFL CEO , make an even more boring speech than last year ?

Oscar Judd's baby blue jumper ?

carlton get brownlow ?

What disgrace / scandal will occur on the night ?

All will be revealed  . Stay tuned for an excruciating night of entertainment , as the AFL warms up for its long , last week of September celebrations , culminating with the GF on Saturday  .

Royal Melbourne Show ? What Show  ? There's only one show when the AFL are in town . Excited fans ,  wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , are watching , waiting , and revelling in the entertainment .

West Coast were soundly defeated by Geelong , at the MCG , in Saturday afternoons Preliminary Final . The meteoric climb from 2010 bottom of the AFL ladder , to fourth spot at the end of the 2011 season , seemed to take its toll on the tired Eagles .

geelong

wce eagles

That , and two trips interstate , plus two bruising finals matches , saw them unable to beat the  Cats . There were flashes of brilliance from the Eagles , with Natinui working the clearances doggedly, and Waters standing up well in defence , but the Cats overran the Eagles and posted a good victory .

swans

Blues

The Cats are into the AFL Grand Final against last years Premiers , the Magpies . Fans wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , were treated to two vastly different Preliminary Finals . Fittingly , the top finishing team is playing the second finishing team on the AFL ladder . Geelong have a history of beating Collingwood in both their matches this year . Both teams are now preparing for Saturday's match . May the best team win !

The four AFL teams , that finished in the top four spots on the AFL ladder,  are challenging , in Preliminary Finals  . The winners of the two matches , will play off in the 2011 Grand Final . 2010 Premiers , Collingwood , who finished on top of the ladder , play third finisher Hawthorn . Second placed team , Geelong , play fourth place getter , the West Coast Eagles .

geelong flag

carlton

At the weekend , the Hawks overpowered the Swans to progress to the next final . In a thriller in WA , the Eagles were lucky to defeat a fast finishing Carlton side .

wce footy jumper

Great footy action, is promised by both Preliminary Finals matches , and all teams will be striving to win a place in the Grand Final . Footy Fans , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , will be willing their team to win .

Friday nights second semi final , at the MCG , between the Swans and Hawks , treated fans to some great footy action .The ' Buddy magic ' show had come to town and the 55,000 fans , in attendance , many wearing their football jumpers, jerseys , guernseys ,enjoyed the spectacle . The Swans were defeated by the rampaging Hawks , much to the delight of the parochial crowd .

blues traditional jumper

eagles home jumper

In WA,  Ross Lyon , STKFC 's defecting coach, faced the WA media . His departure  has launched a facebook and twitter furore from  saints fans ,  including Molly Meldrum , who says he brought boring footy to the club .

Elsewhere in WA , the Blues trained in their baby blue football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys . Does this mean they will tackle the Eagles tonight in the non traditional , baby blue coloured football jumper ?

With the first week of the AFL  Finals Series , being played out over the weekend, fans were treated to some competitive action .

CFC

carlton jumper

The Cats overpowered the Hawks on Friday night at the MCG in a thrilling final . Hawthorn star Buddy Franklin , suffered a possible season ending injury , much to the dismay of Hawks fans , and football lovers alike.

.2010 Premiers , Collingwood , beat last years wooden spooners ,the Eagles on Saturday afternoon at the MCG . The Saints , despite playing at their home ground of Etihad Stadium , were outplayed by the  Swans on Saturday night . Similiarily , over 90 , 000 footy fans , witnessed the  Blues thrash the Bombers by more than  10 goals , in blustery conditions , at the MCG on Sunday afternoon .

In the second week of the Finals , Hawthorn and the Swans play on Friday night  at the MCG . The Blues travel to WA , for Saturday night's clash against the Eagles . Both games promise much excitement , and fans will be watching , wearing their  football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

swans jumper

wce jumper

This weekend is the last round of the 2011 AFL Home and Away Season .

Saints + win

white carlton jumper

The top eight teams are decided , now all that remains is for the various placings, in the eight , to be finalised .

Can Collingwood continue their unbeaten record , or will Geelong , reeling from last weekends surprise defeat , cause an upset victory at friday night footy ? Hawthorn , currently third on the ladder , is poised to steal second spot if they defeat the Suns , or they could be tipped down to fourth spot if they lose and the Eagles win .

Tigers in 2012 ?

wce to fly ?

Carlton and Essendon, will hold fifth and eighth spot respectively , as Essendon have a bye this week and Carlton will retain fifth spot , win, lose , or draw. St Kilda and Sydney have tough games , with the Saints playing the Blues , and the Swans playing the Lions . Their spots in the eight could be reversed , but both are up for a hard finals campaign .

The rest of the teams in the competition will play their last game for the year , with a mixture of pride and regret , and will look foward to a holiday break , followed by a frantic trading period , then training for a 2012 campaign .

Its a bittersweet weekend for many fans , and all will be watching , to cheer their teams to victory , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

Swans in finals

Vintage Demons

Three AFL coaches have been sacked in the last month , and there are only three rounds of games , to play in the AFL, 2011 footy season .

swans

Blues

Friday night footy at the MCG saw the Hawks hold off a fast finishing Blues side .It was a low scoring , fiercely contested tussle between two top four teams .This weekend sees the Saints , Bombers , Bulldogs , Lions , Freo and Crows travel interstate whilst the Magpies , Gold Coast , Power , Eagles , Swans and Kangaroos host visitors at home . Geelong score a rest and in a battle of co-tenants at the MCG , Melbourne play Richmond on Sunday afternoon at the MCG .

Much jostling for the top eight spots , particularly 5th , 6th , 7th, and 8th spots , will play out over the weekend . Off field media posturing is also occurring ,whilst sledging is rife , between opposition club coaches and players . Conjecture as to who will coach which team , and who will play off in the finals is also receiving much media attention .Faithful fans will get to matches , expecting great entertainment  , wearing their teams , footy jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

Its 3 to go and counting .

wce

AFL players , and fans can behave badly . AFL Coaches should not . Sorry , its a little word , say it , and move on Mick .

STKFC

Elsewhere , fans are girding their loins and donning their football jumpers  , whilst watching games , and asking the question ,  will we make it ? Watch the footy over the next few weeks , and enjoy some spectacular action,  as teams , desperate for a place in the Finals , play some truly inspirational footy .

Mick's old Jumper