3rd vs 4th

[Rocco Jones]

Let me start off by saying I would prefer to finish 3rd but I really wouldn't be too worried if we came 4th. Here are some benefits of finishing in either position.

3rd
- Hit the finals running
- Geelong look the 'easier' option which increases our chance of getting a much needed weeks break
- Cats have a few injury/fitness concerns. It would be good to play them as soon as possible.
- We seem to be better suited to combating Geelong's style

4th
- We could rest a few key-players for Sunday's game
- 7 day break instead of just 6
- Saints might be as vulnerable as they get coming off a poor end to the regular season

Another factor could be the side who finishes 5th. I would prefer to play Brisbane or Adelaide in a home semi than Carlton.

[Missing Dog]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

looks like we have to win bt 5 goals to get to 3rd

[Happy Days]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

I'd be waiting to see how the Saints handle the G this week. It is only against the Dees, but something will be able to be taken out of it.

[boydogs]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

3rd
- We seem to be better suited to combating Geelong's style

We have beaten Geelong in what will be just 2 weeks prior to the QF, and come within a kick in our other meeting. St Kilda have beaten us easily both times. 3rd is my pick

4th
- We could rest a few key-players for Sunday's game

If Carlton win and we lose by a total of a bit over 20 goals they could take fourth, I don't think resting players is a great idea for momentum as well.

[Mantis]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

If Carlton win and we lose by a total of a bit over 20 goals they could take fourth, I don't think resting players is a great idea for momentum as well.

If all seriousness is that a likely result? We could rest 6 players and we still wouldn't get beat by this margain.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

I would say go for 3rd, and do everything we can to secure the break. Revenging Geelong in the final would be the biggest moral victory since...oh god knows how long when.

Much much less confident against the saints, who obviously have simply molested us this year. They'll activate that gameplan again and i'm not sure there's all too much we can do. You'd think they would be a different team come finals time (unless they do an us last year!)

But gee beating Collingwood and even more by 22 points is a massive ask.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

If all seriousness is that a likely result? We could rest 6 players and we still wouldn't get beat by this margain.

Totally.

I am also not suggesting we make wholesale changes, just rest a couple of guys who could do with the break i.e. not risking Cross/Griffen, resting one or two players like Aker, Hudson or Bobby.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

I would say go for 3rd, and do everything we can to secure the break. Revenging Geelong in the final would be the biggest moral victory since...oh god knows how long when.

I care little for revenge. I remember us wanting revenge in the 1998 Prelim against the Crows. I will be content with a flag.

[Mantis]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

Totally.

I am also not suggesting we make wholesale changes, just rest a couple of guys who could do with the break i.e. not risking Cross/Griffen, resting one or two players like Aker, Hudson or Bobby.

He needs to play as he has just come back from a lay off.

If Hudson, Hahn, Johnson or Aker are a little sore I would be happy for them to sit this one out.

[boydogs]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

If all seriousness is that a likely result? We could rest 6 players and we still wouldn't get beat by this margain.

Its the total margin of Carlton's win and our loss combined. If Adelaide don't show up and Fev does, Carlton could get a hold of Adelaide and once the result is decided there is nothing for Adelaide to play for - Brisbane could steal 6th from them but not on percentage, rather because they have the extra two premiership points from the Essendon draw. Carlton played a high scoring game against Melbourne scoring 153 points and could play the same way again to try and chase down 4th spot.

A 10-15 goal win to Carlton is unlikely but possible. This would mean we would need to get within around 5-12 goals of Collingwood, which should not be a problem unless we have decided to shut up shop and wait for the QF in our selections. I don't want to make a another mistake in our preparation as we appeared to in our training load leading up to the WCE game

[Mantis]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

A 10-15 goal win to Carlton is unlikely but possible. This would mean we would need to get within around 5-12 goals of Collingwood, which should not be a problem unless we have decided to shut up shop and wait for the QF in our selections. I don't want to make a another mistake in our preparation as we appeared to in our training load leading up to the WCE game

I don't believe that we can blame doing a little extra running for that poor result... That would be a cop out for bringing a poor attitude to game day.

Although I don't think we will flirt with our form this close to finals, but if we have 1 or 2 important players who would benefit from a weeks rest I think we give it to them. As with last year the QF is going to be a super important and we have to give ourselves every chance of winning that game.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

He needs to play as he has just come back from a lay off.

If Hudson, Hahn, Johnson or Aker are a little sore I would be happy for them to sit this one out.

Agree with all that.

Having our side as fit as possible + playing St.Kilda > playing Geelong.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

Its the total margin of Carlton's win and our loss combined. If Adelaide don't show up and Fev does, Carlton could get a hold of Adelaide and once the result is decided there is nothing for Adelaide to play for - Brisbane could steal 6th from them but not on percentage, rather because they have the extra two premiership points from the Essendon draw. Carlton played a high scoring game against Melbourne scoring 153 points and could play the same way again to try and chase down 4th spot.

A 10-15 goal win to Carlton is unlikely but possible. This would mean we would need to get within around 5-12 goals of Collingwood, which should not be a problem unless we have decided to shut up shop and wait for the QF in our selections. I don't want to make a another mistake in our preparation as we appeared to in our training load leading up to the WCE game

I can't see a blow out next week between Blues and Crows.. It will be tight and relative low scoring you would think.

[boydogs]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

Although I don't think we will flirt with our form this close to finals, but if we have 1 or 2 important players who would benefit from a weeks rest I think we give it to them. As with last year the QF is going to be a super important and we have to give ourselves every chance of winning that game.

Agree with all that.

Having our side as fit as possible + playing St.Kilda > playing Geelong.

I wonder if Collingwood see it that way - their spot in the 4 is even more secure than ours, who might they rest for finals?

[angelopetraglia]

Re: 3rd vs 4th

I wonder if Collingwood see it that way - their spot in the 4 is even more secure than ours, who might they rest for finals?

Resting players for the finals doesn't seemed to have worked for either for Saints or Cats. I hope that they do rest, but I can't see them playing with their form one week before finals.

For both Cats and Saints, since they flirted with their form, they have not got it back. It was unprecedented when they both rested so many players and it so far looks like it has back fired on them, however September will judge the wisdom of resting so many players.