Great win today Pies (I never thought I'd ever say that) but one gets the feeling that North may have had a hidden agenda going into this round. Maybe Hansie and the Indian Bookmaker have struck again? Like it did in 1997.
In 1997, North lost to Collingwood in the last round thus relagating them to 7th and a final against 2nd place Geelong at night at the MCG. If they had beaten Collingwood, they would have had to play Adelaide in Adelaide. I'm sure they would have much preferred to play Geelong at home than Adelaide away.
I somehow get the feeling that North were playing for 4th, after all their last two weeks have been terrible - Not taking anything away from Collingwood and Sydney.
Suddenly, Melbourne have slipped into third and look set to stay there and will meet Carlton, then probably Essendon in the Preliminary Final
Correct me if I'm wrong, But if 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3 in the first week of the finals and all results go according to script up to the preliminary final, That now means that North won't play Essendon again until the Grand Final, where they would certainly be in with a chance.
If they aren't thinking that, maybe they want to play Essendon in the first week given Essendon's current run of injuries and maybe suspensions. Maybe they can see themselves getting a week off if they finish 4th.
Next week, if the Bulldogs beat Hawthorn on Friday night, Geelong could not miss the finals, and the Bulldogs would finish 5th. It would be better for Geelong to lose to Syndey than win.
If Geelong win, they would finish 6th and have a home final against Brisbane (Definately at Colonial) - Geelong have no hope in beating Brisbane, no matter where it is played.
However, if they lose and finish 8th, they would play the Bulldogs, in Melbourne - A side that Geelong matches up well against and have already beaten this year.
Of course, this is all reliant on Richmond beating Carlton. If Geelong lose and Carlton win, they would finish 7th and play the Lions in Brisbane. - Goodbye Catters.
In 1997, North lost to Collingwood in the last round thus relagating them to 7th and a final against 2nd place Geelong at night at the MCG. If they had beaten Collingwood, they would have had to play Adelaide in Adelaide. I'm sure they would have much preferred to play Geelong at home than Adelaide away.
I somehow get the feeling that North were playing for 4th, after all their last two weeks have been terrible - Not taking anything away from Collingwood and Sydney.
Suddenly, Melbourne have slipped into third and look set to stay there and will meet Carlton, then probably Essendon in the Preliminary Final
Correct me if I'm wrong, But if 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3 in the first week of the finals and all results go according to script up to the preliminary final, That now means that North won't play Essendon again until the Grand Final, where they would certainly be in with a chance.
If they aren't thinking that, maybe they want to play Essendon in the first week given Essendon's current run of injuries and maybe suspensions. Maybe they can see themselves getting a week off if they finish 4th.
Next week, if the Bulldogs beat Hawthorn on Friday night, Geelong could not miss the finals, and the Bulldogs would finish 5th. It would be better for Geelong to lose to Syndey than win.
If Geelong win, they would finish 6th and have a home final against Brisbane (Definately at Colonial) - Geelong have no hope in beating Brisbane, no matter where it is played.
However, if they lose and finish 8th, they would play the Bulldogs, in Melbourne - A side that Geelong matches up well against and have already beaten this year.
Of course, this is all reliant on Richmond beating Carlton. If Geelong lose and Carlton win, they would finish 7th and play the Lions in Brisbane. - Goodbye Catters.