6th Place?

[Dudley Leopard]

I dont care if we win or lose come Saturday as long as there are no major injury concerns on the eve of the finals.

 

[Clay Davis]

I agree with this. Playing the weags would be worst possible outcome IMO. No better than going to the MCG to face Geelong. WCE are not the same team we played a few weeks back and they would come out with a very serious score to settle in front of a split crowd of half us and half them. It would be a completely different game from a month prior. I am confident we could take care of North here or in Melbourne; Geelong here and 50/50 over there; but the weags here I would put at no more than a 50/50 either. 6th and a home final v North is our best outcome.

Yeah, agree with StingBitten and yourself as well. The Eagles had a rough patch and look closer to the form they showed last year (I did not rate their early season form). Technically they should be top four - they are better than Collingwood and will probably beat Adelaide if they face them.

It would be fun to watch a derby final, but there's no real benefit for either team.

 

[andrew99]

In terms of winning, no question we woulod be better off playing the Eagles, in Perth no less. It suits us for serveral reasons. The first reason is oviously the home ground 'advantage', and the fact we don't have to travel. The second reason is more complicated, and perhaps less tangible, but it does exist: The Eagles game plan doesn't match up well with us, they are similar to North. I would back us as faviorites vs the Eagles, not so vs Geelong in Melbourne, particually if the game is played at the MCG, which I think it is.

As to controlling the outcome of our game to suit, whatever that means. Well, I would say it's the professional thing to do, if you think ensuring the maximum chance of winning is what the club should be aiming for. However, that does bring up some ethical concerns and also may dent our cultural push for an uncompromising attitude. Whatever happens i'll back the administration to make the right decisions. They have not set a foot wrong rececently. We do have Ross in charge, he is no fool. I'm sure he is aware of the implications of all the various scenarios on the table.

 

[caterina]

The Eagles game plan doesn't match up well with us, they are similar to North.

Gee I'm all for bagging the eagles, but that's a low blow

 

[andrew99]

Gee I'm all for bagging the eagles, but that's a low blow

Yeah, maybe. But I meant that comment in an impartial, objective way: Their game plan relies on space and time. against us they won't get any. Simply, they can't handle the pressurized enviroment of a rigid, strcutured Freo who doesn't relent until the final siren.

Look at the North game. They can fight all day, tit for tat, goal for goal. As soon as they tire, or lose heart for even a moment we will strike. It is our strengh now: being ruthless and relentless, for four quarters.

The only team I'm afraid we might struggle to match is the Hawks. They have the grit to fight, and the class to sever through adversity. In some ways they are like us, but with more stars.

 

[andrew99]

Playing us now is like wrestling with a coiled snake. We will stranggle them until they can't breath and when they are at their weakest bite them with the venom of energy and fitness, running over their tired bodies.

 

[Tazmania]

Let's just hope we supporters don't end up ahead of ourselves like north fans this time last week.

Having said that, go hard or go home...instill some fear into the hearts of potential opponents. Tanking and taking the easy way out won't do that.

 

[andrew99]

Let's just hope we supporters don't end up ahead of ourselves like north fans this time last week.

Having said that, go hard or go home...instill some fear into the hearts of potential opponents. Tanking and taking the easy way out won't do that.

Heheh. In reality, it doesn't matter if supporters get overexited, or start being cocky-- we have no control over the result. Either the team turn up and play well or they don't. I certanly don't harbour any superstitions.

However, what we don't want to become is like some of those opposition supporters, notably in North. We should still remain gracefull, in victory and defeat.

 

[kp junior]

Heheh. In reality, it doesn't matter if supporters get overexited, or start being cocky-- we have no control over the result. Either the team turn up and play well or they don't. I certanly don't harbour any superstitions.

However, what we don't want to become is like some of those opposition supporters, notably in North. We should still remain gracefull, in victory and defeat.

I think you mean gracious, but for all I know you might be a ballerina or something

 

[Arcassius]

overexited - stage left

 

[andrew99]

I think you mean gracious, but for all I know you might be a ballerina or something

Yeah, sorry. My writing is often awkwardly composed and filled with typographical errors. I tend to type fast and never review my posts. I'm a much more eloquent verbal communicator. I hope you will not mind.