How the Bombers could pull off one of the biggest boilovers in AFL history

The Bombers travel to the Gold Coast to meet the Suns on Wednesday night in the final home-and-away round match as one of the greatest outsiders in recent AFL history.

The bookies have the Suns at $1.04 to win, while the Bombers – on a 12-game losing skid – have blown out to $11.

However, the Bombers have conjured the unthinkable before, including in 2016 when, gutted by suspensions to 17 of their then-listed players over the supplements scandal, their third-string side topped the Suns and Carlton late in the season – two of the three wins they had in that dysfunctional year.

So, for the true Bombers faithful, here’s some serious, and not so serious, ways how they can conjure their own miracle on … grass.

Party time at the beach

Why not try and get a few of the Suns boys down to picture-perfect Broadbeach for a catch-up in the afternoon before the game? Where the Bombers could bluff and look like they have all but begun their off-season partying, they could try and tire a few of the Suns’ prime movers out in the ocean, or even shout them a few piña coladas. Perhaps a game of beach cricket may leave a Sun or two with a sore shoulder…

Get in Dimma’s mind

Perhaps Brad Scott could sidle up to Damien Hardwick before the game and turn the conversation to the joys, yes joys, of Marvel Stadium, and why he feels (even if he really doesn’t) that it should be rated as the league’s best venue. We all know what Hardwick really thinks of Marvel, certainly from his Richmond days, and such grand talk about Marvel could leave Hardwick rattled and mystified to the point it clouds his game plan.

If it bleeds...

Scott was part of the Brisbane unit which scalped the dominant Bombers in round 10, 2001 after coach Leigh Matthews delivered his famous line: “If it bleeds, we can kill it”. The line, borrowed from the movie Predator, spurred the Lions, who went on to record a stunning win. Scott needs to remind his men that the Suns are human, and capable of error.

If that doesn’t work:

The Bombers must make an early statement

The pressure is all on the Suns, who need to win to frank their maiden finals campaign in club history. They know they are expected to win, and even win big, where they could vault into seventh spot and face Fremantle in an elimination final. So, if the Bombers were to boot the opening three or so goals, not only would it give the visitors momentum, but it could also have a psychological impact on the Suns, who suddenly would be under enormous pressure. That’s when “hero ball” could kick in, with the Suns looking to individual brilliance, rather than the team structures, to get back in the game. And that can be dangerous.

Verbal warfare

Skipper Noah Anderson said on Tuesday the Suns were excited about being in a “very special place at the moment”. But the bottom line is this: They have never qualified for finals before. Why not remind them of their losing history, and, with suitable words, ask whether they truly, truly believe they should be a part of September? The Suns appeared nervous and played safe in their loss to the Power on Friday night, when a win would have kept them in the hunt for the double chance. The stakes are even higher on Wednesday night. “We understand there is a little bit more pressure about tomorrow [Wednesday] night, but, you know, we spoke about earlier in the week,” Anderson said.

Believe in themselves

The Bombers have nothing to lose, and can play in a carefree manner, which should encourage them to play their best attacking football. Matt Guelfi booted three goals against Carlton last Thursday, while emerging star Isaac Kako added two, and was a threat all night. The Bombers need to give their forwards space to work in.

Keep it tight and contested

The Suns like to run and gun. They are at their best when the contest is free-flowing. But, as we saw in their narrow escape against Collingwood in round 18 when they actually squandered a six-goal lead but rebounded late, they don’t like it when the contest tightens. The Bombers cannot afford to turn this contest into a track meet, and must match the likes of Anderson and midfield bull Matt Rowell at stoppages. Conversely, the Suns will need to curb Zach Merrett, while half-back Andy McGrath typically finds plenty of ball.

Enough is enough

We’ve all seen that look of disdain on coach Scott’s face when he is angry. Perhaps he needs to direct some tough love to his troops at each of the intervals, even the threat of them having to walk home if they don’t lift. That’s right – walk home. The players need to be asked: Is a 12-game losing streak, regardless of injuries, really acceptable for a club that traditionally was known as one of the so-called “big four”? Are they almost as bad as the suspension-hit 2016 list that dropped 17 straight? Or the teams of 2006 and 1933, which lost 14 straight?

So, the challenge is before the Bombers - it’s time to believe in fairytales.

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