The unbelievable has happened,  with the  Collingwood Magpies versus St Kilda Saints , Grand Final match  , last weekend , resulting in a draw .

A rematch will be played on October 2nd , at the MCG , at 2.10 pm .

It is only the third grand final replay, in VFL/AFL history.

Both teams played valiantly but were denied an outright win. It wasn't the easy match , with Collingwood dominating, that most predicted .The Saints proved they are a force to be reckoned with , and almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat .

Adding further drama to the day, was the flooding of both teams change rooms , with a sewerage leak from a broken pipe,  making the rooms inaccessible after the game .

Most spectators ,shocked and disbelieving at the final siren will be back next week , same time , same place , same combatants .

Fans will be there wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys ,hoping for a result in favour of their team .

VAFA Saints Colours JumperVAFA Saints Colours JumperRoosters Jersey

Whilst the AFL stands to gain a huge financial windfall , from the rematch, there will need to be some hasty rescheduling of other sporting events , eg the VRC ,Turnbull Stakes Day, at Flemington racecourse , on 2nd October will probably be moved, to Sunday the 3rd October.

Luckily ,the NRL Grand Final between the St George Illawarra Dragons , and the Sydney Roosters begins at 5.00pm. It won't clash with the AFL Grand Final , which should be over by then . However the two minor NRL finals ,NSW Cup Grand Final , and the Toyota Cup (NYC) Grand Final,  scheduled to play at 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm respectively, will be on at the same time .

Sydney Roosters jersey

Its finally arrived , the AFL Grand Final .

Fans,  have slept out for 3 days at the MCG, so they can get one of the coveted MCC,  members seats.

The Grand Final Parade, through Melbourne City streets,  is done and dusted . Nick Maxwell,  the Collingwood Captain , wearing sunglasses, held the Cup aloft , with Saint Captain, Nick Riewoldt  .

Record numbers of fans, wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , were there to cheer their respective teams .

Supporters, roamed the streets of Melbourne last night, wearing the red , white and black of St Kilda , or the black and white , of Collingwood.

Houses , in suburban streets, are decorated in the colours .

Melbourne Town

Some loyalties are divided . If your team isn't playing do you support the unlucky Saints? Or do you put your voice behind, the mighty Magpie army?

Its a cool day in Melbourne , just a hint of sun. Perfect conditions for the Big Game .

AFL Football, has been plaqued with lots of headlines this year , dramas both on, and off the field . Injuries , rivalries , superhuman feats , notorious personal dramas , sacking of coaches , sex scandals, its all part of modern day footy .

Putting all this to one side ,today is the day , when fans everywhere, get to watch the greatest Match of all , between those judged the two great sides, in the competition.

Richmonds Home is the MCG

Saturday Looms as a great contest , between the St Kilda Saints, and the Collingwood Magpies .

Record crowds,  have turned out to watch Collingwood train, at Goschs paddock , resulting in road closures .

There are well publicised pleas from ex-players , fans and family , for Steven Baker , St Kilda's tough defender to play .

Must be Grand Final Week .

Collingwood , the new glamour side of the AFL , are tipped to win .

St Kilda, will try and on their day are very, very good , and could just pull off the miracle many are hoping for .

Collingwood Town Hall , is festooned with 2 banners that are the first two verses part of the theme song , and read, "Good old Collingwood Forever , they know how to play the Game ".

In stark contrast , the St Kilda Town Hall,  is adorned with three small red , white and black panels , that are transparent by night light .

The quiet underachievers,  or flashy show ponies ? I know who my money is on .

AFL football fans will be out in their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys, cheering their team onto victory .

May the best team win !

The Underdogs

The might of Collingwood ,stopped Geelong' s assault on the flag, last night at the MCG .

In an impressive display of AFL football , the Magpies overpowered the Geelong Cats  .

Geelong , seasoned veterans of two premierships , and successful finals campaigns in recent years, had no answers for the marauding Magpies .

Fans were out , in their football jumpers, jerseys , guernseys, to watch the Game . The Collingwood army, were present with their legion of fans , voicing the low rumble " collingwood ' , through much of the night .

The Saints , take on the Western Bulldogs, in the second preliminary final, tonight at the MCG. Another epic battle , is predicted between these two mighty clubs . Both teams share a spectacular lack of Finals success , and  are set for a feisty competition .

Its Magpies season . Even walking the dog at the local park ,prompted an unprovoked attack from a native magpie .Was he protecting his nest, or did he spot the Saints dog collar, and just decide to stamp his authority?

Time will tell who the ultimate victor is. Love em" or hate em ' , Collingwood to use that afl commentators , hackneyed cliche , are definitely " up and about" .

Magpie Army

The AFL , has scheduled both Preliminary Finals , for night-time @ 7.45pm Friday , and 7.20pm Saturday .

Collingwood for 2010 Premiers?

Collingwood , play Geelong , on Friday night at the MCG .

St Kilda , play the Western Bulldogs,  on Saturday night at the MCG.

Lots of things, about the 2010 Finals Series, seem familiar .

Collingwood, walk the walk and talk the talk,  but are they capable, of winning the Premiership ?

Geelong ,  the reigning Premiers are quietly confident , as they present for another Finals series , and are a good chance for the Flag.

Western Bulldogs , the battlers from the West , are playing an exciting brand  of football , with the luck of Julia Gillard on their side .

The Saints , sentimental favourites of many, are poised to re-write history, and win only their second premiership, in their illustrious history .

Some questions abound .

Have the Pies , peaked too early ?

Will Geelong win , yet again?

Can the Bulldogs , get across the line,  carrying a  number of injuries , to their key players?

Will the Saints , finally hit paydirt?

Whatever the outcome , of this frenetic round of preliminary finals , of two things, you can be certain .

A record numbers of fans , will be out cheering their teams to victory, wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys .

That Molly Meldrum ,has already painted his fence in the red , white and black of the Saints. Is he a jinx?
Sit back , relax and enjoy . We're in for a bumpy ride to watch AFL Football at its finest.

Geelong Cats, rebounding from defeat , at the hands of the Saints, put an end to the Purple Haze , on Friday night. The westerners , ( Freo ) riding into town, fell at the hands of the easterners, at the shrine of AFL football , the MCG , in front of many imported fans .

Similiarily , the dogged Swans,  were ground down by the relentless Doggies, on saturday night at the " G .

Retro Footscray

Julia , and 40,000 barking doggies fans,  cheered their battle scarred warriors to victory .

Both the interstaters , were seen off by the Vics with a sniff of victory for  a local Flag , they have set tilt at the Holy Grail of the AFL , the 2010 Premiership Cup .

66' revisited for Saints ?

The big Cats take on the might of the Magpies,  on Friday night .

In a sense of deja vu " , the Saints battle it out with the Bulldogs , on Saturday night , at the MCG.

Both Games, promise much .

The AFL,  is delighted with this Finals Series,  which has provided much for fans , all wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys,  willing their team to victory.

Geelong and Collingwood , worthy combatants in a do or die Final .

St Kilda and Western Bulldogs ( aka Footscray ), both teams plaqued with a lack of Finals success , are sentimental favourites in many hearts .

Who will succeed? There won't be a man left standing , nor a dry eye in the house,  on the conclusion of both games.

May the best teams win !

Can Collingwood win the ultimate prize ?

The first AFL , Football Final , was held last night.

Appropriately , the curtain raiser, was a match between the two Grand Finalists , of last year . The two Victorian teams, St Kilda and Geelong , playing on a Friday night at the MCG in front of 63,000 parochial fans.

It was adrenalin fuelled , frenetically paced action from start to finish .

The rematch promised much , and the Game delivered . Blood flowed , umpires were maligned , fans roared , fowards missed set shots on goal, but the gritty Saints, ground out a heart stopping win .It was a brilliant spectacle.St Kilda ,avenging last years devastating loss, doggedly prevailed with a four point win, over the marauding Cats .

Fans , wearing their football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , were at the MCG .What started as a mild , dry night ended in torrential rain , with conditions both on and off the ground , becoming slippery and rain soaked .

High profile Saints fan , Eric Bana , was willing his team to win but so were many of the Saints faithful .

Whilst there are still games to play , many Saints fans ,  left the game with a spring in their step , a smile on their face, and a bit of hope in their heart .

Collingwood , flag favourites , play the skillful Western Bulldogs today at the MCG with a huge crowd expected .

Magpies Vs Doggies today

Julia Gillard , their number one ticket holder will be watching .Is her struggle for power , to be likened to the Bulldogs epicurean struggle , for victory over the Magpies ?

Its fast , its fun , its exciting . Who will be the ultimate victor ?

Finals footy is here at last,  and last nights match was a spectacular forerunner , of whats to come .

Can the Saints relive their 1966 Premiership Dream ?

Beat the Friday the 13th blues, by attending tonight's  blockbuster at the MCG ,between Essendon and Collingwood.

Traditional rivals , Esssendon is playing with nothing to lose , as it takes a tilt at the finals ,whilst Collingwood are in top spot , and look strong contenders ,to take out the 2010 premiership flag.

Four Saturday Games , two in Melbourne , at the MCG and Etihad Stadium ,and two interstate , one in WA , and one in SA ensure a wide coverage for fans .

The round concludes with three Sunday games , one at each of the Melbourne venues , and one in Brisbane .

All games of the 20 th round of matches , will provide fans attending or watching in their football jumpers ,jerseys, guernseys , with a feast of entertainment .

will Collingwood win ?

A crowd of almost 82,000 , went to the MCG last Saturday afternoon , to watch , the Collingwood versus St Kilda Game .

It was a massive crowd,  for a typical , home and away clash of the Season. Fans love Saturday Afternoon Footy. They go in their football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys , to enjoy the Game.

The AFL , could schedule more Games, for a Saturday afternoon in Melbourne ,at either of the stadiums .

Collingwood Magpies , who have the most financial members in the AFL ,possibly comprised up to 50,000 fans.

The rest , whether Saints fans,  or just lovers of AFL football, voted with their feet . Hopefully the AFL , will take notice .

Interstate Games are hard for fans to get to !

On a cold , wet , wintry night at the MCG , the Bulldogs were denied victory by the Hawks.

In a hotly contested Game , the Hawks , triumphed over the Dogs , by three points .

Even new PM,  Julia Gillard's support,  couldn't  help the Western Bulldogs to victory .

Perhaps they need to fly her in for every game , to give them a morale boosting presence.

The Western Bulldogs , gallant in defeat , couldn't halt the marauding Hawthorn Hawks , who have now won 7 matches in a row.

Fans turned out in their jumpers , jerseys , guernseys to watch the match .
It was AFL football at its best , as the two closely matched rivals , fought for ascendancy .

The Hawks , were lucky to prevail , and come out winners , at the match's conclusion.

Hawks 7 in a row