Expectations now after 6 rounds

[Swan Districts Kid]

Teams have caught up to us defensively this year and it's not a strength as it once was.

We have a horrible Forward line. Walters is a massive loss. Mayne looks horrible.

Bottom tear midfielders Neale and Suban giving us nothing

BOTTOM TEAR MIDFIELDERS?
Are you implying that Suban & Neale are inclined to ripping people's bottoms apart? or are you suggesting that their bums drip?
That's a bit rich !

 

[The Anchorite]

There's been a few bottom tears splattered over this board the last couple weeks.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Why are people saying "oh we'll have our full team back and then..."

That is not how footy works. You never have your best 22 out there. Banking on that is dumb and setting yourself up for disappointment. Good sides make outs redundant. Good sides, the Cats of 2007-2011, the Hawks, the Lions of the early 2000s... they can lose key players and have the depth to cover it. And we did last year when we missed so many leaders.

Right now, our side is actually looking relatively healthy. Not preferable but that shouldn't matter. And you have to remember that the Swans had some noticeable injuries and North were missing Swallow, Wells... you can't use injury as an excuse and so many of you are. Which is confusing considering how many on here love to wax lyrical about Ross and his "anywhere, any team, anytime" mantra – a mantra that is absolutely true.

Honestly it's just the dumbest thing to use as an excuse. It's as bad as "oh the umpires were bad" or complains about travel. The crux of it is, we have too many passengers and no one is playing to the absolute optimum. We're gutless.

 

[free at last]

Why are people saying "oh we'll have our full team back and then..."

That is not how footy works. You never have your best 22 out there. Banking on that is dumb and setting yourself up for disappointment. Good sides make outs redundant. Good sides, the Cats of 2007-2011, the Hawks, the Lions of the early 2000s... they can lose key players and have the depth to cover it. And we did last year when we missed so many leaders.

Right now, our side is actually looking relatively healthy. Not preferable but that shouldn't matter. And you have to remember that the Swans had some noticeable injuries and North were missing Swallow, Wells... you can't use injury as an excuse and so many of you are. Which is confusing considering how many on here love to wax lyrical about Ross and his "anywhere, any team, anytime" mantra – a mantra that is absolutely true.

Honestly it's just the dumbest thing to use as an excuse. It's as bad as "oh the umpires were bad" or complains about travel. The crux of it is, we have too many passengers and no one is playing to the absolute optimum. We're gutless.

Those top sides had and still do have incredible top flight midfield depth,they could cover the likes of selwood or being out for an extended period.

We've got 3 gun mids but then drop away quickly
which is hurting us IMO.

 

[dajesmac]

Can't imagine what anyone's seen from WC this year to deem us a threat this week.

You guys were magnificent in round 1, so it hasn't gone completely. Even good sides have slumps. I think you'll get over yours this week.

 

[samFFC]

Can't imagine what anyone's seen from WC this year to deem us a threat this week.

You guys were magnificent in round 1, so it hasn't gone completely. Even good sides have slumps. I think you'll get over yours this week.

Nice playing of the underdog status

 

[dajesmac]

Nice playing of the underdog status

I'm surprised you actually think I would even need to do 'play' it. Do you see this as an even contest?

 

[samFFC]

I'm surprised you actually think I would even need to do 'play' it. Do you see this as an even contest?

I sincerely hope not - but was very confident before both Syd and North games, and was found wanting.

 

[UFO Tatsu]

I'm surprised you actually think I would even need to do 'play' it. Do you see this as an even contest?

honestly, yes

 

[dajesmac]

I sincerely hope not - but was very confident before both Syd and North games, and was found wanting.

True. You could attribute the North loss to them improving but the Sydney game was unexpected.

honestly, yes

Interesting. I hope so.

 

[yoong]

Why are people saying "oh we'll have our full team back and then..."

Hope I didn't imply that. It's stupid to think a list of 2nd team/recovering players is going to make immediate impact.

Can't really expect a full best team, but even Lyon admit last year that with the "anyone, anytime, anywhere" mantra there will come a breaking point when players keep being ruled out.

Still, against north, with Ballas, Walters and Gumby (yeah he is important and I'll count him) out we have no recognized scorer except Pav. Once he got double teamed we are toasted. However, if one of Kepler, Sylvia, Mora(?) or even Griffin can take up as an offensive option that will change our team's offensive dynamics, which is what I think we lacked.

We're gutless.

Painful, but true.
But these same men did not make the grand finals being soft.
I back them to bounce back.

 

[Nothing]

Predicted win-loss first five rounds.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/af...gwood-in-trouble/story-e6frg1xu-1226803204520

FREMANTLE
Collingwood (ES), Gold Coast (PS), Hawthorn (MCG), Essendon (PS), Sydney (SCG)
Prediction: 3-2
The 2013 runner-up doesn't get it easy but the Dockers should take care of Gold Coast and Essendon at home (barring a repeat of last year's last-minute miracle). An away win in the season-opener against Collingwood would set the foundations for another flag challenge.

So it seems Perthnow actually predicted our first 5 rounds.

I'm sure that there is some disappointment with losing to NM but every team loses games and often unexpectedly (premiership favourite losing to GWS) and there will be more upsets throughout the season. We are not far off the pace, after a tough opening draw, and we are doing this whilst not playing the best footy.

We are still odds on for top 4 and third or fourth favourite for the flag, which is probably a decent reflection of where we should be sitting.

 

[Pavs_Risotto]

To me, this weekend is a massively pivotal game for our season. Beat the eagles and we put coal in our burners for the rest of the year.

 

[estibador]

My expectations are that I won't be attending any more games until the team shows an improvement in attitude and effort. Until then, I'm banishing my support to the WAFL.

You must have missed a lot of games over the last 20 years Reggie, or are you just getting softer in your old age?

 

[Reginald Perrin]

You must have missed a lot of games over the last 20 years Reggie, or are you just getting softer in your old age?

Meh. It was 2 in the morning and I was convinced I had put in a greater effort attending the game than the team had playing it. Woe is me.

On average I guess I miss one a year, but I make up for it by attending an interstate match.

 

[manpurple]

Hawthorne always troubles me as we haven't found a way to beat them since the 2008 game here. But then we haven't played them here since then.
Sydney I gave us a 50/50 chance of winning but then I thought that they would go top 4 this year. So disapointed but I can live with it.
Norf should have been a win though. Big disappointment
Thought we might struggle against Essendon (who I had rated to go top 8) also a 50/50 for mine. So happy
Thought Collingwood wouldn't make the 8 with Buckley as coach so not surprised with a win. More surprised how they are traveling now.
GC rated to go top 8 but thought we would win easily.

For mine we were going as predicted through the first 5.
Norf put my predictions off and I had us as 60/40 to win against Port but the numbers have flipped around on us there.
On the flip side I have us only beating Richmond here and so thought they would get up at the G. given their form I think that has reversed.

So from where we are I think that ;

• We should get 9 wins against lower lights
• A loss to the Hawks in round 21 is most likely (we need to turn that around)
• I hope that we can win one of the port matches (8 and 23)
• Win one of the Cats matches (9,20) as we usually go alright against them
• Should get one of the derby matches and hopefully both (7,15)

On that basis we should have a minimum of 12 wins for the season. Port made the 8 last year with 12 wins (Carlton made it on 11 but only got in because of Essendon). Additionally Sydney made the 4 with 15 wins and a draw. Richmond missed on 15, so 16 for the top 4. This means that we need to beat the following at least once; Geelong, Eagles, Port and one of them twice if we drop the other Hawks game.

Do I think top 4 is doable? Yes. But its getting harder.

 

[Nothing]

Hawthorne always troubles me as we haven't found a way to beat them since the 2008 game here. But then we haven't played them here since then.

Except the final where we pantsed them by 5 goals.

Sydney I gave us a 50/50 chance of winning but then I thought that they would go top 4 this year. So disapointed but I can live with it.
Norf should have been a win though. Big disappointment
Thought we might struggle against Essendon (who I had rated to go top 8) also a 50/50 for mine. So happy
Thought Collingwood wouldn't make the 8 with Buckley as coach so not surprised with a win. More surprised how they are traveling now.
GC rated to go top 8 but thought we would win easily.

For mine we were going as predicted through the first 5.
Norf put my predictions off and I had us as 60/40 to win against Port but the numbers have flipped around on us there.
On the flip side I have us only beating Richmond here and so thought they would get up at the G. given their form I think that has reversed.

So from where we are I think that ;

• We should get 9 wins against lower lights
• A loss to the Hawks in round 21 is most likely (we need to turn that around)
• I hope that we can win one of the port matches (8 and 23)
• Win one of the Cats matches (9,20) as we usually go alright against them
• Should get one of the derby matches and hopefully both (7,15)

On that basis we should have a minimum of 12 wins for the season. Port made the 8 last year with 12 wins (Carlton made it on 11 but only got in because of Essendon). Additionally Sydney made the 4 with 15 wins and a draw. Richmond missed on 15, so 16 for the top 4. This means that we need to beat the following at least once; Geelong, Eagles, Port and one of them twice if we drop the other Hawks game.

Do I think top 4 is doable? Yes. But its getting harder.

So we are as predicted and you now have doubts that we will make the finals? Were you afraid we wouldn't make the finals before the season started?
If you are that worried about the season at 3/3 and 120%, we are paying $6.50 to MISS the 8. Go unload $500 on it and it can pay for the grandfinal tickets next time we make it. By the way, if you have a grandfinal upgrade, I'll buy it off you for $50 as you wont be needing it this year.

 

[Freodoc]

Hawthorne always troubles me as we haven't found a way to beat them since the 2008 game here. But then we haven't played them here since then.
Sydney I gave us a 50/50 chance of winning but then I thought that they would go top 4 this year. So disapointed but I can live with it.
Norf should have been a win though. Big disappointment
Thought we might struggle against Essendon (who I had rated to go top 8) also a 50/50 for mine. So happy
Thought Collingwood wouldn't make the 8 with Buckley as coach so not surprised with a win. More surprised how they are traveling now.
GC rated to go top 8 but thought we would win easily.

For mine we were going as predicted through the first 5.
Norf put my predictions off and I had us as 60/40 to win against Port but the numbers have flipped around on us there.
On the flip side I have us only beating Richmond here and so thought they would get up at the G. given their form I think that has reversed.

So from where we are I think that ;

• We should get 9 wins against lower lights
• A loss to the Hawks in round 21 is most likely (we need to turn that around)
• I hope that we can win one of the port matches (8 and 23)
• Win one of the Cats matches (9,20) as we usually go alright against them
• Should get one of the derby matches and hopefully both (7,15)

On that basis we should have a minimum of 12 wins for the season. Port made the 8 last year with 12 wins (Carlton made it on 11 but only got in because of Essendon). Additionally Sydney made the 4 with 15 wins and a draw. Richmond missed on 15, so 16 for the top 4. This means that we need to beat the following at least once; Geelong, Eagles, Port and one of them twice if we drop the other Hawks game.

Do I think top 4 is doable? Yes. But its getting harder.

Not true, we beat them at Subi in 2010 by about 30 points

 

[pavsbootlace]

There is no way we will lose to West Coast, they are a shambles.

We will be 5-4 at the bye, 14-4 leading into round 20 and 17-5 at the end of the H&A.

I am more confident now than I was before the season that we will finish top 4.

 

[Simmofreo]

There is no way we will lose to West Coast, they are a shambles.

We will be 5-4 at the bye, 14-4 leading into round 20 and 17-5 at the end of the H&A.

I am more confident now than I was before the season that we will finish top 4.

Where did this optimism come from. ?

 

[clogged]

Freo also played Hawthorn at Subi in 2011 (it was a forgettable match).

 

[pavsbootlace]

Where did this optimism come from. ?

From a careful, unemotional assessment of the fixture. Take away the emotion of having lost 2 in a row and you will see it too. We only have 3 more tough games.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Freo also played Hawthorn at Subi in 2011 (it was a forgettable match).

What happened ?.... I forget.

I remember we played them at the MCG where Mark Harvey showed the entire world he was totally inept as a senior coach.

 

[Reginald Perrin]

What happened ?.... I forget.

I remember we played them at the MCG where Mark Harvey showed the entire world he was totally inept as a senior coach.

I remember when everybody used to crack the shits every time I brought up the subject of Mark Harvey. I hope we don't have to go there again.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

I remember when everybody used to crack the shits every time I brought up the subject of Mark Harvey. I hope we don't have to go there again.

Why ? ..... It is the truth .
He was totally incompetent.