Might everything be falling into place for us?

[Mantis]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

We are behind Sydney, Norf, Geelong, GWS and perhaps West Coast at this point.

I wouldn't think you could say this with confidence.

Whilst our form has been variable we aren't alone with this.. It's extremely even at the top and I feel the result of any game between the top 8 sides just comes down to which team executes it's game plan and takes its chances.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

I am pretty sure we will be significantly better over the next few years but so will GWS. I think this year is as open as I've ever seen it and may come down to finals fixturing, interstate trips etc. Say if interstate sides get to home prelim, avoid playing Vic team in MCG Grand Final etc.

Here's my contenders and what they need/don't need.

North- tough fixture but lots of wins. Need to avoid interstate trip as I don't believe they are good enough to beat quality side away. If they finish top 2 or get paired with Vic side in top 4, they can steal it. A bit like us that they will be forced to play home final at a ground they hardly play on.

Swans- only interstate side I think are a decent chance of beating Vic side that's flying in Melbourne

Cats- obviously showed signs of weakness but I see them as like the Swans, rare side who can beat anyone, anywhere. Issue is putting it together for 3-4 weeks vs the best. Getting a game in Geelong could be massive as it means getting 1 week closer to the Grand Final.

GWS- could go the season undefeated at Spotless. Away form a question mark. Trip to Geelong this weekend will tell us a lot about them.

Eagles- awesome at home, ordinary away. Need to sneak into top 2 via home games + wins against bottom half sides away. Then they need to be matched with a non Vic side in GF. I really consider them flack track bullies. Massive game for them against us.

Bulldogs- we should win a lot at Etihad and are looking like we are at least competitive week in, week out against anyone, anywhere. I think our contested ball puts us within a chance anywhere. An Etihad final would be nice as this flag can be won via just getting past each game for 3-4 weeks. A disadvantage to not really have a home ground. MCG form was been OK and Hawks if they can return to old form only side that really owns that ground vs fellow Vics. Hate being Danny from Droop St but close game in September and us.... it's a culture that simply has to change.

Hawks- who can discard the old champ? They could crawl into the 8 and I wouldn't discard them (unless more key players are injured). Having your home ground being the same one as where the Grand Final is played is pretty massive. Not discrediting their achievements but think about if the GF was at Subi, SCG etc, how much easier it would be for Eagles and Swans.

Crows- think it's going to be the hardest for them out of my top 8. Think they will struggle traveling to fellow interstater. Look decent enough in Victoria though but would steal 1 game max. They also haven't been great in close games this year.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

People talk about premierships as being so romantic, everyone having to be so champion like. The team that beats anyone, anywhere!!! Who cares about it being the MCG? Champions win anywhere!!!

I rarely think that's true but never more than this season. The side who wins the premiership could be the one who get through the Grand Final by a bit of luck fixture wise and/or via finishing top 2.

Giants playing at Spotless, us or North Etihad, Geelong at Kardina... will be absolutely massive, one week closer to the Granny.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

Keep the calendar clear WOOFers, we'll be playing a lot of football after round 23 comes to an end.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

No, can't see it this year. Too many missing players, our F50 entry and conversions aren't good enough. That said, I'm enjoying the season, seeing the young Pups contribute, and showing some great talent. The recruiters/development team deserve a pat on the back too.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

I wouldn't think you could say this with confidence.

Whilst our form has been variable we aren't alone with this.. It's extremely even at the top and I feel the result of any game between the top 8 sides just comes down to which team executes it's game plan and takes its chances.

True, but until we beat a top 4 side I feel we're a little bit below them. Obviously we should have beaten Hawthorn and were close enough to Norf, we've been hit hard by injuries so we were never really going to topple GWS but I can't help but feel we're not able to score enough against the best sides yet. I keep coming back to it but Crameri's absence is huge and Stringer is having a poor year outside of 2-3 games.

I think we need to re-jig our forward set-up. That might mean dropping Roughead, who has been OK, and bringing in Boyd so that we have two talls. It might also mean sacrificing McLean (high talent) for Honeychurch or Hrovat when fit (both better at forward pressure).

JJ is incredibly important too, obviously.

We'd need a lot to go right, but you're right - it's a very open year and it's anyone's Premiership. I suspect much of it will come down to luck (injuries, form at the right time, venue of finals)

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

The way I see this season is that we have 0 premiership contender type teams and eight top 4 type teams.

[hujsh]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

The way I see this season is that we have 0 premiership contender type teams and eight top 4 type teams.

Calling it now, I'm going to steal that observation and use it as my own some time soon.

[Twodogs]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

So this is pretty much the National AFL Dream writ large. Half the teams with a rough chance at the prize and half the teams rebuilding for another shot.

[SonofScray]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

FWIW, just woke up from a nap on the couch during which I had a wonderful dream. It involved a GWS V FFC grand final, we all got to go because there are SFA GWS fans. We won by 4 goals. Dougie presented the Cup. There was a pitch invasion at the final siren. It was glorious.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

I am pretty sure we will be significantly better over the next few years but so will GWS. I think this year is as open as I've ever seen it and may come down to finals fixturing, interstate trips etc. Say if interstate sides get to home prelim, avoid playing Vic team in MCG Grand Final etc.

Here's my contenders and what they need/don't need.

North- tough fixture but lots of wins. Need to avoid interstate trip as I don't believe they are good enough to beat quality side away. If they finish top 2 or get paired with Vic side in top 4, they can steal it. A bit like us that they will be forced to play home final at a ground they hardly play on.

Swans- only interstate side I think are a decent chance of beating Vic side that's flying in Melbourne

Cats- obviously showed signs of weakness but I see them as like the Swans, rare side who can beat anyone, anywhere. Issue is putting it together for 3-4 weeks vs the best. Getting a game in Geelong could be massive as it means getting 1 week closer to the Grand Final.

GWS- could go the season undefeated at Spotless. Away form a question mark. Trip to Geelong this weekend will tell us a lot about them.

Eagles- awesome at home, ordinary away. Need to sneak into top 2 via home games + wins against bottom half sides away. Then they need to be matched with a non Vic side in GF. I really consider them flack track bullies. Massive game for them against us.

Bulldogs- we should win a lot at Etihad and are looking like we are at least competitive week in, week out against anyone, anywhere. I think our contested ball puts us within a chance anywhere. An Etihad final would be nice as this flag can be won via just getting past each game for 3-4 weeks. A disadvantage to not really have a home ground. MCG form was been OK and Hawks if they can return to old form only side that really owns that ground vs fellow Vics. Hate being Danny from Droop St but close game in September and us.... it's a culture that simply has to change.

Hawks- who can discard the old champ? They could crawl into the 8 and I wouldn't discard them (unless more key players are injured). Having your home ground being the same one as where the Grand Final is played is pretty massive. Not discrediting their achievements but think about if the GF was at Subi, SCG etc, how much easier it would be for Eagles and Swans.

Crows- think it's going to be the hardest for them out of my top 8. Think they will struggle traveling to fellow interstater. Look decent enough in Victoria though but would steal 1 game max. They also haven't been great in close games this year.

Good take on it all Rocco

Here's my 2 cents

North: Have won plenty but there is history with teams dropping off a little after such a start. They got us at a good time but won't beat us again, I can see them having to fight to hang onto 4th.

Swans: Healthy List. Fave for the flag for mine, will finish top and be mighty hard to knock off up there. Will probably go straight through.

Cats: Like you said have some chinks but the bloke from Adelaide has steeled their middle will be top 4. Probably 2nd.

Gws: Injuries have kept them at bay but are 1yr away from dominating, now hopefully they don't get a home final would love to see them get Swans 1st final then have to travel, stuff the Afl.

WC: Healthy List but like you said just bullies but big bullies at home. Their last two weeks will be telling. Massive game for them and us this week.

Dogs: Huge game as was last week, but would love to see Adams on Kennedy. Our injuries have been just our luck and we must hold our percentage for the rest as it might be all the difference later. We are getting healthier which is key to our shot at getting to the big dance. I thought when Bobby went down adding onto losing Crameri already that our dream was over but I've changed my mind, we need JJ back and keep him and Easton healthy. Them two and Suckersss can take us deep very deep into September.

Hawks: Losing Roughy is terrible news for them hopefully he is alright (I had it in exactly same spot on my lip) but I think it mean they drop off a couple of games which is the difference between 3rd and 7th. Lake and Roughy are huge outs, Surely they have had enough.

Crows: Better than most think and getting games into Tex is crucial. Suspect through the middle now without Danger should finish 8th, but like last year capable of shaking the tree. I wouldn't mind another crack if need be.

Like you said Rocco it's open and the fixturing will be telling in the first finals. 3 big games this week. Who can keep the healthiest, list and percentage will be critical later.

I have Sydney then throw a blanket on the rest, will our stars align? If we keep the injuries to a minimum we can get to the dance, I've always feared we will meet the AFL's machine head on when we both roll together next year. I'm praying we can sneak a shot at it early!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

A lot of things have fallen our way this year, but the glaring contradiction is the season ending injury to Bob. With him out I find it hard to get the feeling that the stars are aligning for us this year.

I hope I am wrong but this feels like a year for big steps forward and laying further groundwork for multiple flag opportunities over the coming years.

That being said, we are in with a real shot. Flags aren't necessarily won by the teams playing best in the first half of the year. All we can do is chalk up enough wins to be on Top 4 pace and steadily improve when heading towards the finals.

I agree with the idea that the season is wide open. Of the other teams who are 7-3 or better, all have queries;

- North hit the ground running but are asking a lot of a very old list to hold this form season long. Can see them being vulnerable late.
- Sydney have a brilliant midfield but are heavily reliant on a couple of forwards who have their fragilities whilst their backline is very thin. They are far from the complete package some in the media are starting to talk about and really need their mids to dominate,
- Geelong are another heavily reliant on a few, they need everything to go right and a lot more from those outside their top 10,
- GWS have minimal big stage experience and were exposed a bit against Adelaide in front of a big crowd in a night timeslot. Hard to see them being fully ready come September. Will likely benefit enormously from this campaign,
- Hawthorns aging champion core of Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Burgoyne, Roughead and Gibson are already showing that they can't contribute as heavily as often for varying reasons. If a few of these aren't at full capacity in September, it's hard to see Hawthorn maintaining their dominance,
- WCE are not the same team away from Perth. Good enough in tight and forward to beat up modest opponents but look light on for run and spread midfielders and quality ball users when under pressure.

[Ozza]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

I think that we have been very good this season, with 7-3 being an excellent start given that we have had no stability in our line up outside of the midfield group.

The three losses we have had, we've have been in all of these games - GWS being the one where we had the least chance of winning during the game, but were still a chance with 10 minutes to go. And that GWS loss was when we had 7-8 of our best 22 out.

We've dominated the lesser sides in the way that we should. Plenty (including myself) were frustrated with the Carlton game - but getting 3 injuries in that game hurt - and Carlton have since won 5 out of 6 - and after the beat Brisbane this week, they'll be 9th on the ladder. So a comfortable 36 point win is probably quite good.

I expect our best footy will come after the bye as we hopefully reach full strength, and the players who have been injured will have gotten continuity in their footy by then. I think we can make the top 4 - and then anything is possible from there. I don't think any team can afford to think 'well 2017 & 2018 will be our years'. Port probably thought 2014 & 2015 would be their years.

[Twodogs]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

Who is everyone's favourite at the moment? Right now I think Sydney look the best bet but I don't nominate them with a lot of confidence because I can see a few flaws (they only increase when Tahlia returns) in their lineup.

We are in this competition up to our eyeballs.

[Twodogs]

Re: Might everything be falling into place for us?

I think that we have been very good this season, with 7-3 being an excellent start given that we have had no stability in our line up outside of the midfield group.

The three losses we have had, we've have been in all of these games - GWS being the one where we had the least chance of winning during the game, but were still a chance with 10 minutes to go. And that GWS loss was when we had 7-8 of our best 22 out.

We've dominated the lesser sides in the way that we should. Plenty (including myself) were frustrated with the Carlton game - but getting 3 injuries in that game hurt - and Carlton have since won 5 out of 6 - and after the beat Brisbane this week, they'll be 9th on the ladder. So a comfortable 36 point win is probably quite good.

I expect our best footy will come after the bye as we hopefully reach full strength, and the players who have been injured will have gotten continuity in their footy by then. I think we can make the top 4 - and then anything is possible from there. I don't think any team can afford to think 'well 2017 & 2018 will be our years'. Port probably thought 2014 & 2015 would be their years.

I completely agree. Who knows what happens next year? Ths year is the one we need to concentrate all our efforts on because the prize is sitting there waiting for a team to push its way to the front of the queue and snatch it.

There is a Yabby Jeansism that I like "it's sooner than you think" Let's take this chance.