Prediction How Will The Cats Fare in 2025?

[Mr Meow]

Confidence for us too.

It might only be 10%, but we'd much prefer facing Brisbane or GCS in the finals knowing we've got their measure, particularly with those games being at home for us.

Part of the reason this season feels so open is we know we can beat Collingwood.

Even if we end up being the second or third best team in reality, if we can just get them in a prelim or GF, anything can happen.

If you want to go all Kennett mode too, it historically bodes well for us playing them, but those things usually just sound good in theory.

Exactly. I'm absolutely not advocating for dropping games against bottom 10 sides. This is a Sophie's Choice hypothetical. In that situation I'd take beating fellow flag contenders or at least finals contenders (for ladder, confidence and "not pretenders" status) every time.

As a side note it just sucks losing at home, even though we don't play finals there. So that's another reason I'd hate to lose both the Brisbane and Gold Coast games, even if we won every other week. Imagine giving a top 2 or 4 spot to them based on that!

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I reckon people forgot about him after he was played out of position in his final season at the Dogs and then he suffered the knee injury, sort of put on the back burner in a sense.

Still come back to that 2021 finals series. He displayed a full repertoire of his potential and that is what we are seeing again.

Bailey Smith was awesome in that 2021 finals series My Tilly: 'and he was only 21yo at time'.... especially against Port Adelaide in Adelaide and Brisbane at the Gabba when he kicked a couple of sensational goals in both games. The guy can really play, is a real talent, phenomenal offensive and defensive runner (best in AFL) and I'm just bloody glad we've got him.... and GO CATS !!!

Bailey Smith kicks the winning goal | Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs Semi Final 2021​

​

Toyota Game-breaker: Baz's big Bulldog night | Preliminary Final, 2021 | AFL​

 

[catempire]

Should win 10 more with this draw giving us 17 wins.

The problem this year is going to be Collingwood could end up on 20 wins so you have to beat them in an away fixture week one or three and Brisbane are in 2nd not even having played that well. It’s going to be a rough path to get past both of them just to make the GF.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Should win 10 more with this draw giving us 17 wins.

The problem this year is going to be Collingwood could end up on 20 wins so you have to beat them in an away fixture week one or three.

That's going to be a big change compared to all those home finals we've had against Collingwood over the years.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

That's going to be a big change compared to all those home finals we've had against Collingwood over the years.

And not to mention home games during the regular home and away games Footy Smarts:

1999 was last time Collingwood had to travel down the highway to play Geelong in Geelong.

A lot of their supporters must think the MCG is our home ground and quiet seriously who could blame them for thinking this way.

 

[No Quarter]

Should win 10 more with this draw giving us 17 wins.

The problem this year is going to be Collingwood could end up on 20 wins so you have to beat them in an away fixture week one or three and Brisbane are in 2nd not even having played that well. It’s going to be a rough path to get past both of them just to make the GF.

And yet as far as I can tell, we have always faired reasonably fine against those two teams in finals, even the PF last year we were a minute or two away from winning it.

 

[Mr Meow]

Should win 10 more with this draw giving us 17 wins.

The problem this year is going to be Collingwood could end up on 20 wins so you have to beat them in an away fixture week one or three and Brisbane are in 2nd not even having played that well. It’s going to be a rough path to get past both of them just to make the GF.

I still think Collingwood were slightly better in 2023, where they had 3 very close finals against teams ranging from average to decent. They're favourites of course but gettable if a team has a great game.

 

[catempire]

That's going to be a big change compared to all those home finals we've had against Collingwood over the years.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Should win 10 more with this draw giving us 17 wins.

The problem this year is going to be Collingwood could end up on 20 wins so you have to beat them in an away fixture week one or three and Brisbane are in 2nd not even having played that well. It’s going to be a rough path to get past both of them just to make the GF.

Every modern-era Premiership we've won we've had to go through Collingwood to get there

2007 Prelim
2009 Prelim
2011 Grand Final
2022 Qualifying Final

They are the sacrificial victim we must slay to lift the chalice!

 

[bulletproof]

I still think Collingwood were slightly better in 2023, where they had 3 very close finals against teams ranging from average to decent. They're favourites of course but gettable if a team has a great game.

I think Geelong, the Lions and Collingwood are very evenly matched. They are the last 3 Premiers, and have played many tight games against each other. This year already, our games have been very close against them both.

I think by the end of the year it will become apparent that this old guard are pretty even and there will be one new challenger, in the Crows or Suns.

Geelong can win the Flag if Smith, Holmes and Dangerfield play the Prelim and Grand Final in peak fitness. I am confident about that. Getting them there is the challenge.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I think Geelong, the Lions and Collingwood are very evenly matched. They are the last 3 Premiers, and have played many tight games against each other. This year already, our games have been very close against them both.

I think by the end of the year it will become apparent that this old guard are pretty even and there will be one new challenger, in the Crows or Suns.

Geelong can win the Flag if Smith, Holmes and Dangerfield play the Prelim and Grand Final in peak fitness. I am confident about that. Getting them there is the challenge.

The one edge Brisbane and Geelong may have over Collingwood is youth, and the improvement that's left in them.

Another 10-12 games into Ashcroft x2, Fletcher, Lohmann, Morris, Wilmot, Humphries, Henry, Holmes, Neale, O'Sullivan, Dempsey, and TB* could prove the difference in a tight prelim/GF.

For Collingwood, it's only Long and Daicos in that regard - who is admittedly a top 5 player in the comp, and the best of any of those names.

It could go either way, and the experience and discipline of Collingwood could prove to be their edge over the other two. Who knows.

I do sense that Brisbane and Geelong have improvement left in them though, while Collingwood - while looking brilliant - are playing about as well as they can play.

 

[CoolCat75]

Not sure where to post this mods, but where is the preview thread for Round 13 vs Gold Coast?

 

[Mr Meow]

Not sure where to post this mods, but where is the preview thread for Round 13 vs Gold Coast?

This is it. Post your thoughts and we'll be happy to provide feedback.

 

[Vdubs]

The one edge Brisbane and Geelong may have over Collingwood is youth, and the improvement that's left in them.

Another 10-12 games into Ashcroft x2, Fletcher, Lohmann, Morris, Wilmot, Humphries, Henry, Holmes, Neale, O'Sullivan, Dempsey, and TB* could prove the difference in a tight prelim/GF.

For Collingwood, it's only Long and Daicos in that regard - who is admittedly a top 5 player in the comp, and the best of any of those names.

It could go either way, and the experience and discipline of Collingwood could prove to be their edge over the other two. Who knows.

I do sense that Brisbane and Geelong have improvement left in them though, while Collingwood - while looking brilliant - are playing about as well as they can play.

The Bulldogs with Darcy and Treloar back will go very deep. There are several teams that will be very difficult to beat late September before we can think about Prelims, but it looks as if many have us in top 3 calculations. Our record against the best teams so far is certainly meritorious.

 

[Mr Meow]

The Bulldogs with Darcy and Treloar back will go very deep. There are several teams that will be very difficult to beat late September before we can think about Prelims, but it looks as if many have us in top 3 calculations. Our record against the best teams so far is certainly meritorious.

That's what makes these two next home games huge. Beat Brisbane and Gold Coast, then our win-loss record against the best sides would remain imperious.

1-1 would be fine. Not amazing, but fine.

0-2 and we'll have come back down to Earth a bit.

 

[jim boy]

Every modern-era Premiership we've won we've had to go through Collingwood to get there

2007 Prelim
2009 Prelim
2011 Grand Final
2022 Qualifying Final

They are the sacrificial victim we must slay to lift the chalice!

Not just the modern era, but forever really - first played them in the 1897 finals. There were the 1930's and 1950's where we regularly meet up. Geelong and Collingwood have played more finals and grand finals than any other two teams. Overall it has been a pretty balanced on the results, we are just ahead.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Not just the modern era, but forever really - first played them in the 1897 finals. There were the 1930's and 1950's where we regularly meet up. Geelong and Collingwood have played more finals and grand finals than any other two teams. Overall it has been a pretty balanced on the results, we are just ahead.

Yeah, balanced in results but also generally balanced in opposing supporters overall opinion and admiration for the other, which is in direct contrast with how some of the Tiger supporters carry on which amazes. Surely they can't be right in the head the way some of them troll and that's after winning a 3peat.... go figure!

 

[Ratcat]

I reckon people forgot about him after he was played out of position in his final season at the Dogs and then he suffered the knee injury, sort of put on the back burner in a sense.

Still come back to that 2021 finals series. He displayed a full repertoire of his potential and that is what we are seeing again.

Yep, what you say is right, but I never saw this coming... btw where's Tanner Bruhn atm?

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Yep, what you say is right, but I never saw this coming... btw where's Tanner Bruhn atm?

Ratcat: In regards to 'TB' I had cat09: pass this info onto me a day or so ago of which I wasn't up to date with which was helpful..... cheers!



For those wanting to go down a certain path of discussion - the link below is the thread for that

Nothing's changed in terms of directions from higher ups - discussion around the player & the club (best 22 replacement, training etc) all good, but please continue to refrain from talk specific to external matters

Rumour - Rumors of cat player in big trouble

Bruce Lehrmann's second rape trial in Queensland is a similar case featuring a high-profile accused whose identity was originally shielded. If we look at the timeline there, Lehrmann was charged in January 2023, his committal hearing was in July 2024 (after his notorious defamation case had...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Mr Meow]

IF Adelaide and Geelong win this weekend, the Cats will be 2nd favourite in the premiership betting odds. That set of results would make the upcoming game against Brisbane massive in the top 2 race.

Of course if we lose on Saturday we are back in the pack a bit.

 

[fpm84]

So we want the Crows to win tonight, right?

That would get us within half a game of Brisbane if we win tomorrow, with the chance to overtake the Lions when we play them in a fortnight.

 

[Footy Smarts]

So we want the Crows to win tonight, right?

That would get us within half a game of Brisbane if we win tomorrow, with the chance to overtake the Lions when we play them in a fortnight.

As long as Collingwood are top 2 we can go through finals without having to win away from the MCG because we'll either play them in a QF or PF.

If Adelaide lose and we win we can go a game clear in 3rd with a nice draw to come.

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

Every modern-era Premiership we've won we've had to go through Collingwood to get there

2007 Prelim
2009 Prelim
2011 Grand Final
2022 Qualifying Final

They are the sacrificial victim we must slay to lift the chalice!

And they know it!!

 

[standupand]

Not just the modern era, but forever really - first played them in the 1897 finals. There were the 1930's and 1950's where we regularly meet up. Geelong and Collingwood have played more finals and grand finals than any other two teams. Overall it has been a pretty balanced on the results, we are just ahead.

True. Only 2 of our 10 premiership years, did we not face Collingwood to get there: 1931 and 1963.

 

[Mr Meow]

As long as Collingwood are top 2 we can go through finals without having to win away from the MCG because we'll either play them in a QF or PF.

If Adelaide lose and we win we can go a game clear in 3rd with a nice draw to come.

I see what you mean, but all 4 of our premierships this century have involved winning a QF.

Geelong losing a QF and winning a PF has only happened once in this finals format I believe (2020 with shorter quarters).

Best case scenario is finishing top 2, hosting Adelaide and Brisbane (redemption) at the G, then facing Collingwood in the GF. Second best is probably finishing 4th and playing Collingwood in a QF, snatching a win and going from there.