Expectations for September

[MC Extra Dollop]

Personally, I'd say a semi final would be par and a preliminary final would be an excellent result. To finish the season as one of the best four teams for the sixth year in a row (especially considering the lopsided nature of the fixture and the obvious consequences on our final ladder position) would be a phenomenal achievement. I think if we make a prelim or better, without taking home the cup, we should be extremely proud of that accomplishment. Having said that, if we lose that final to Hawthorn...well...I might have to reassess.

 

[SJ]

Is it wrong to only hope we don't get embarrassed on preliminary final or grand final day?

 

[Strangled Cat]

The flag and nothing less....

 

[AM]

Is it wrong to only hope we don't get embarrassed on preliminary final or grand final day?

Yes!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Probably should have added 'As long as Hawthorn doesn't win it' to the responses. I'd obviously be very disappointed at the time if we had another 2010 PF style belting, either in PF or the GF this year, but on reflection, I reckon I'd see what a remarkable achievement it had been to get that far this year. Our performance in 2010 is nearly as good as it's got for the Bulldogs for about fifty years. And we're in year two of a rebuilding phase. As long as we don't lose to Hawthorn/Hawthorn doesn't win the flag I say the preliminary final or better is gravy.

 

[Jmac2225]

The flag and nothing less....

This we are still good enough and should be aiming for the stars.

Be interesting to see what Scarlo and Jimmy can offer when it matters this year. IMO those 2 right now could be the difference to us dropping out in the EF, PF and going all the way.

 

[AM]

I’m over the moon with what we’ve achieved this year. Not only where we are likely to finish but the way the powers that be have guided the club through a difficult transition. Whatever happens in September is a bonus.

 

[muttweed]

Have said since the start of the year we'd win the flag.

Also made that prediction last year, and also predicted Adelaide would make finals this year (they have even exceeded my expectations by finishing top FOUR). Oh and I said Tommy would come good from the start.

So I don't have too shabby a record.

Think we will win it. It will be extremely hard, but I know our boys are up for a challenge. They fear no one, to quote Mitch Duncan.

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

Will win the flag. Seriously. What team can we not beat?

 

[Jmac2225]

Will win the flag. Seriously. What team can we not beat?

Exactly we can beat anyone and everyone on out day. The big question is can we put 16 good quarters in a row together as we have been culpable of lapses this year. One of those lapses could end us in finals. Still I think the senior group should know this and won't allow it to happen.

 

[barmy44]

i just think its amazing we will be in the finals. again.

anything is a bonus this year, we should not be anywhere near finals at this stage.

i think we can win the flag, but even if this team goes out week 1, i will be extremely proud of them.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Will win the flag. Seriously. What team can we not beat?

Fair call. Unfortunately, this year, there will be five or six other teams who would have the same mindset (with justification). And most of them will have the benefit of the double chance/a week off. I mean, if we beat West Coast at Subiaco in the elimination final and then travel to Adelaide for the semi final, how are we going to go against a fresh Collingwood/Hawthorn in a preliminary? There's a fair chance that if the final placings don't fall in our favour, we're going to be cooked be the itinirary, as much as the opposition. It's going to be like when you got to the later stages in a game of Mortal Kombat and you thought you'd won the fight, then a second and third opponent jumped in to take their place, when you were already half dead.

Personally, I'm ready for anything. And coming off possibly the five most nervous seasons I've experienced as a Geelong supporter (in a row), I've got to say, it's kind of refreshing.

 

[Turbocat]

Really what can satisfy any of us except another flag. Do we expect it? Most wouldn't rule it out but we would not feel its as strong chance as in previous years. But when we had such strong team there was a inferred pressure , I felt we better do it or we will have wasted a year or an era etc.

This year Id say there is no expectation pressure , perhaps winning it would be the most enjoyable of them all. If we dont Id be able to look at the sides progress and take it as it comes..... to a point. No matter what , id say it would hurt losing to ... THEM

 

[blue_bear1]

I am happy we made the finals. If we make it to a prelim that would be awesome!!

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Is it wrong to only hope we don't get embarrassed on preliminary final or grand final day?

To an extent yes.

I wouldn't enjoy it, but remember how many years we have been up for-we've basically been in the finals since 04 (with the exception of 06), to 8 years later still be in the finals in win at least one final is a massive achievement, no matter whether we win the cup or not. So many people predicted us to slide this year, so from where I sit, to make finals and do well in them is still a big achievement, no matter what happens in the last game.

That said I wouldn't want to send guys like Scarlo off that way so I hope our last game is the last Saturday and a victory.

I tend to think winning the first final is par, getting to a prelim would be an excellent achievement and we see what happens from then. I think we can win the flag although to do it playing four weeks in a row is obviously a big task.

 

[AlterRob]

First time in years I feel there's little pressure on the team externally to go deep into September, which is nice. But as long as guys like Chappy, Scarlo, etc are still out there you can bet the desire to get another flag is as strong as ever.
Premiership or bust for me.

 

[dazbroncos]

Will win the flag. Seriously. What team can we not beat?

Any team will get done by us if we front 4 quartesr of our best. No other teams best is equal to our best.

That said, producing it consistently over all the finals games is another issue entirely. The old guard will want to do it and the younger ones will want to taste it pushing the older guys harder for selections - imagine the MC with the games under belt in our younger players... not a nice job that one...

Injuries, suspensions and desire will determine it. All 3 of those go our way and anything is possible.

Me personally - I think 6 Prelmi finals in a row would be outstanding. Anything more is just cream ( but i also think we can do it again...!)

Go Catters

 

[Claude Balls]

Would love to make the prelim, as making it does not entail a defeat at the hands of Hawthorn. As someone else said, final 4 six years in a row. Pretty good eh?

And I also agree with what AM said, about the transition and how it's been managed. It has been a hugely successful year in terms of the number of games pumped into the kids. So many of them have had a taste and will be super motivated heading in to the pre-season.

 

[thejester]

Anything in September is a bonus. Confident if we win Week 1 we'll make the prelim.

 

[topic97]

Im going to reserve judgement till the first bounce on our elimination final - there and then we will know exactly where we are at and what we can achieve.

But im getting the feeling that the way we are starting to shape up, after the elimination final we may make the top 4 very very nervous.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

semi final and anything after a bonus. Our form is good, but its shaping up we'll play North first round who are looking good too (beating the Pies convincingly) and wont be a walkover.

 

[Senatorguesty]

I think we can win it all as long as we get a relatively easier run of it. What I don't want to happen is to get to the gf cooked and face a fresh hawthorn. I don't think I could deal with losing to them in another gf.
So for mine, we can win the flag but par for me is a prelim.

 

[Banj]

After the last 5 weeks I can see us going deep. The 2 hardest teams for us are Pies and Kangas IMO.

 

[topic97]

semi final and anything after a bonus. Our form is good, but its shaping up we'll play North first round who are looking good too (beating the Pies convincingly) and wont be a walkover.

Mmm, dunno.
I wouldnt be surprised if the Pies have put the cue in the rack to get ready for finals. That win may be a little misleading.
Having said that, I havent really rated Collingwood this season - a lot of their games they have been doing what we should have been and just getting the wins.

 

[witsend]

If we were in this position in a year when there were one or two clear ladder leaders who were justifiable Flag Favourites then I would say we were no hope, but this is a year where anyone in the 8 can realistically string together 3-4 September wins home or away. Carlton eg may limp into the 8 with a strong list and excellent recent form. Our past 3 losses have been to Sydney and W/C away both by less than a kick and a disappointing performance against Collingwood who are falling off a cliff form-wise imo.
We still have improvement in us, the most dominant KPF in the game, a deep and varied mid-field. A proven defence and let's face it, who would want to play us anywhere, any time in a final?