jorel6669
15 Dec 2005, 15:55
Now we all know that virtually every premier has come from a team that finished top four. What should the Eagles aim for when it comes to finishing top four if they are good enough in 2006?
1st - A lot of pressure comes with finishing first. We've seen teams fall off their perch in recent seasons (such as Adelaide and Port Adelaide) and it ruined their finals chances. Brisbane never finished top during their run. I think it's a position the Eagles would strive for again, as it allows them to play a home final against the fourth placed team and earn a home preliminary. Lose it and they'd be long odds to qualify for a grand final.
2nd - By finishing second this season, the Eagles got a tougher qualifying final opponent (supposedly) and then had to face the first placed Crows in the preliminary final. This seemed to be a favoured spot of the Lions, who won their premierships by either finishing second or third. Same penalty applies if they lost it.
3rd - A chance to reach a preliminary final, but will require a win away from home. Teams like Sydney and Brisbane have shown that they can lose their first final and then win the next three to take it all, but could the Eagles? They'd be faced with a lot more travel (unless they came up against Freo) than either of those sides. Brisbane only had to travel down to Sydney for an away prelim, while Sydney only had to go to Melbourne. If the Eagles are forced to travel they have to cover more territory. All would depend on an "upset" win away from home in the first week.
4th - Similar to 3rd spot, but they would have to play the top team. Sides rarely win from this position but it is still very possible.
I'm thinking that top two is essential. Not because the Eagles can't win away from home. When they're on their game, they can. I don't care what Ripper_RU486 says. It's essential because travel, particularly late in the year, takes its toll. A week's break and no finals travelling is essentially if the Eagles are to crack the big one. They'll have an MCG taste in round 22 against Richmond (Sydney had that taste this year, along with their prelim) so perhaps the little things are falling into place.
Now the hard things stuff, the results have to come.
1st - A lot of pressure comes with finishing first. We've seen teams fall off their perch in recent seasons (such as Adelaide and Port Adelaide) and it ruined their finals chances. Brisbane never finished top during their run. I think it's a position the Eagles would strive for again, as it allows them to play a home final against the fourth placed team and earn a home preliminary. Lose it and they'd be long odds to qualify for a grand final.
2nd - By finishing second this season, the Eagles got a tougher qualifying final opponent (supposedly) and then had to face the first placed Crows in the preliminary final. This seemed to be a favoured spot of the Lions, who won their premierships by either finishing second or third. Same penalty applies if they lost it.
3rd - A chance to reach a preliminary final, but will require a win away from home. Teams like Sydney and Brisbane have shown that they can lose their first final and then win the next three to take it all, but could the Eagles? They'd be faced with a lot more travel (unless they came up against Freo) than either of those sides. Brisbane only had to travel down to Sydney for an away prelim, while Sydney only had to go to Melbourne. If the Eagles are forced to travel they have to cover more territory. All would depend on an "upset" win away from home in the first week.
4th - Similar to 3rd spot, but they would have to play the top team. Sides rarely win from this position but it is still very possible.
I'm thinking that top two is essential. Not because the Eagles can't win away from home. When they're on their game, they can. I don't care what Ripper_RU486 says. It's essential because travel, particularly late in the year, takes its toll. A week's break and no finals travelling is essentially if the Eagles are to crack the big one. They'll have an MCG taste in round 22 against Richmond (Sydney had that taste this year, along with their prelim) so perhaps the little things are falling into place.
Now the hard things stuff, the results have to come.