Let’s assume Matt Priddis has a direct line to the bureau of meteorology, and that they could deliver exactly what he was looking for on game day.
His order would probably read something like this: A few persistent showers through the day, heavy at times, easing approaching bouncedown and then occasional cloud bursts through course of the game.
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While Priddis is a West Coast crowd favourite, they would have preferred ‘friendlier’ viewing conditions as the Eagles tackled Gold Coast.
Those 27,000 brave fans who ventured to Domain Stadium on Saturday night may not have enjoyed the prevailing weather, but they would certainly have appreciated the performance of the 2014 Brownlow Medallist.
Priddis excelled in conditions that were made to suit – although the bulldozing West Coast star could probably have done without the side order of the chilly and blustery breeze that seemed to shake the stands from every direction at different times.
He relished his work, accumulated 39 possessions and did much to set his side on the path to a convincing 92-point win.
The blue collar midfielder also sent the ball inside the West Coast attacking zone on seven occasions, clamped on seven tackles and led the way with other one-percenters, including smothers.
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Eleven of his disposals were collected in the midfield congestion and he so often sent his teammates into space.
It was Priddis at his best, so pencil in three votes, M Priddis when AFL boss Gillon McLachlan reads out the votes for round seven from the stage of the Crown Grand Ballroom on the Monday before this year’s grand final.