Für unsere Gäste » and threw a touchdown pass on a

September 9, 2005. Second semifinal, Sydney vs. Geelong.Most people remember Nick Davis incredible four-goal last quarter - brilliantly encapsulated by commentator Anthony Hudsons shout of: I see it, but I dont believe it! -- which broke the heart of the Cats.But many people wouldnt realise the significance of the result, which set off a chain of events that lead to the breaking of the longest drought in AFL/ VFL history, and played a key part in sparking an incredible run of premierships for Geelong in 2007, 2009 and 2011.With the two teams again set to lock horns in a cut-throat final, at the MCG on Friday night, it got me thinking again about the lead-up and aftermath of that magic moment.Daviss heroics are not only heritage listed by the Sydney Swans but are etched in my mind forever.Davis, a mercurial but frustrating forward, was banished to the wilderness of the Swans reserves indefinitely during a season and then dug himself an even deeper hole after speaking out in the media, saying he felt he was a scapegoat.While Swans players and fans will always laud Davis for helping us break the clubs long premiership drought, another Swan should share the platitudes, for it was he who helped drive the establishment of the Bloods culture.Former skipper Stuart Maxfield turned around the clubs culture soon after arriving from Richmond. He was a solid player without being a star, but his inner drive and values played a massive role in our eventual premiership win.Ill never forget the brutal player-driven 6am fitness sessions we used to have to perform. We would have to all assemble at the beach under the cover of darkness, with two house bricks in hand. Maxfield would bark at us not to let the bricks touch the sand in a 45-minute workout. Easy at first, but it doesnt take long until the burn begins. The sessions would finish either standing in a circle in crucifix position, staring at your mates holding bricks, or eye-to-eye doing knuckle push-ups on the concrete - trying not to relent, trying not to show weakness. You just couldnt let yourself be be the weak link or let them down.Because of the Bloods culture Maxfield helped instil, players such as Davis were forced to improve their attitude, buy into the team-first ethos and then change behaviour before returning to the fray in the senior side in some seasons.His pivotal moment came in-game during the finals series.We went to Perth for the qualifying final and fell agonisingly short against the Eagles. As a group we felt aggrieved by a late free kick which handed Tyson Stenglein a goal and West Coast the victory. The flight home was horrific. We were beaten, bruised and angry. But the double chance is a thing of beauty - after you get past that initial disappointment, you get to refocus, reset and have another crack.But initially against Geelong on our home deck, that didnt happen. We played flat, bogged-down footy. Probably the sort of footy then-AFL supremo Andrew Demetriou had publicly criticised us for at the start of the same year.No flair, nothing up forward. It was scrappy football in slippery conditions.Not many were performing anywhere near their best, and then Davis had a moment all footballers hate. He let his man run off him without any real chase or pressure and then watched as he kicked a running, team-lifting goal.I can remember vividly Brett Kirk just giving it to Davis, saying he owed us. He didnt hold back, but fortunately Davis didnt sulk - he used it as motivation. Hed become one of the Bloods.What transpired then was just out of this world.The final quarter was a lift in intensity and a generation of momentum from a near standstill. All on the back of Davis. He kicked four goals, each of them different. All of them incredibly skilful. Each of them just as clutch.So it came down to one final stoppage, in our forward pocket. Wed charged back into the game but were still short. Our season was hanging by a thread.The final goal was a set play we had practised many times. Jason Ball won the hitout, palmed it down to where there was clear space, Davis hit the stoppage at pace, and was skillful enough to thread it through the goals on his left foot.The sound was deafening. Having played many games at the SCG, I cant remember the emotion ever being that raw and unbridled as it was that night. Everyone was jumping around, screaming, hugging, then we realised - there still could be time for the Cats to win the next centre bounce! Get back.Thankfully, the siren was blown almost as soon as the ball was bounced in the centre, and it was over. We were still alive.We were so relieved, so happy, so satisfied, and it reinforced to us the value of everyone playing their role. Winning little moments, executing and coming up big as a team - there is nothing more satisfying. Yes, Davis was the hero, but we wouldnt have been in that position without doing all the little things right, lifting when wed previously been playing so poorly, finding a way to win in literally the final seconds of the match ... it was pure jubilation.History will show that - after a much less nerve-jangling prelim against St Kilda - we endured another heartstopper in the big one against West Coast two weeks later. Davis wasnt our hero that day but again, it was the team-first efforts that got us over the line against the star-studded Eagles.No doubt, Daviss goals and the celebrations afterwards will be replayed regularly in the lead-up to Friday nights preliminary final.Who knows who will win through to the grand final, but it may just be the team that does the little things the best. It also helps if you have a forward who can win it off their own boot!Cheap Nuggets Jerseys . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Authentic . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. http://www.cheapnuggetsjerseys.com/ . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Michael Porter Jr. Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Jarred Vanderbilt Jersey . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2).CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Matt Johns will be Virginias starting quarterback on Saturday at Georgia Tech.Coach Bronco Mendenhall made the announcement Monday, saying that Johns, who started every Cavaliers game last season, will replace struggling transfer Kurt Benkert.The Cavaliers (2-8, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost their fifth straight on Saturday, 34-14 against Miami. Benkert fumbled the ball away twice after halftime, and Johns replaced him with about five minutes to play.Mendenhall was effusive in his praise of Johns for his leadership all season, even after losing the starting job.Im genuine, authentic when I say this, Mendenhall said. He is an amazing human being and a really good player and a good leader. I think our team recognizes that and no one wants success for him more than his teammates.The coach says Benkert, who has started the first 10 games this year, has reached the point of needing to take a step back after his recent struggles. He has thrown for 20 touchdowns, but also 11 interceptions, and has struggled under pressure, which has been plentiful. Virginia has allowed 31 sacks.I think its the best thing for our team. I also think its the best thing to do for Kurt, Mendenhall said. I think hell grow and develop more by playing this role for a little bit, and I have to let Matt have his chance. Hes done way too much for the program.Linebacker Zach Bradshaw, like Johns a senior, believes the team will get a boost from the switch.Obviously we love both Kurt and Matt, and Matts been around forever ... he sttarted last year, Bradshaw said.dddddddddddd Im really happy for him that he has this opportunity. If theres anyone on the team that deserves it, its him, especially being put in the situation that he was put in, he hasnt complained once.Johns threw for 20 touchdowns with 17 interceptions last season as Virginia finished 4-8. His interception total led the nation, and when the stronger-armed Benkert arrived as a transfer from East Carolina, he was a better fit with the up-tempo offense preferred by Mendenhall and his staff. Benkert was eligible to play immediately because hed earned his degree and he won the starting job.Johns had only been in games as the holder on field goals before Saturday, and threw a touchdown pass on a fake field goal against North Carolina. He was 3 for 7 and had three passes dropped against the Hurricanes.Johns was not made available to the media on Monday, but after the loss to Miami, said he remains on board with what Mendenhall is trying to build at Virginia. The Cavaliers have not been to a bowl game since 2011.The culture is changing, and thats something you see on the inside of the walls, not something you see from the outside looking in, he said after the game. Moving forward, the culture will be established and coach Mendenhall has done a great job of that.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjrWholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '