Prediction How Will The Cats Fare in 2025?

[Pure_Ownage]

2nd spot is wide open now. Realistically if we win both our games no one can catch our % except gc.

If we could get a first week final in Melbourne against coll or gc would be a dream. Even Brisbane in Melbourne is way better than brisbane away. Could be a great route straight into a PF and GF.

Hopefully the players know how important next Sunday is. Our season rests on the swans game in many ways.

 

[canny30]

2nd spot is wide open now. Realistically if we win both our games no one can catch our % except gc.

If we could get a first week final in Melbourne against coll or gc would be a dream. Even Brisbane in Melbourne is way better than brisbane away. Could be a great route straight into a PF and GF.

Hopefully the players know how important next Sunday is. Our season rests on the swans game in many ways.

Brisbane applies zero pressure to the Swans, we should be ok to get the job done.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Brisbane applies zero pressure to the Swans, we should be ok to get the job done.

I dont think the smaller ground suits us tbh (but it helps if Grundy is out) but I back us to get it done.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Sydney game becomes crucial now
Swans beat the team that slaughtered them last years GF and would love to repeat the dose to the 22 premier. Last home game of the year for them too which suggests they'll be going all out.
Probably a good thing we get a competitive game as part of the finals preparation but a loss could see end of the top 4 hopes

 

[canny30]

Sydney game becomes crucial now
Swans beat the team that slaughtered them last years GF and would love to repeat the dose to the 22 premier. Last home game of the year for them too which suggests they'll be going all out.
Probably a good thing we get a competitive game as part of the finals preparation but a loss could see end of the top 4 hopes

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here I know.

But it quite literally could decide if we win the premiership or not.

It's the difference between playing all finals on the MCG or having to travel.

IMO we easily play our best football on the MCG, considerably better than K Park and any other ground.

 

[Del216647]

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here I know.

But it quite literally could decide if we win the premiership or not.

It's the difference between playing all finals on the MCG or having to travel.

IMO we easily play our best football on the MCG, considerably better than K Park and any other ground.

Yep. The club will know how important the Swans game is for our prospects. We will be ready.

 

[you pick one]

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here I know.

But it quite literally could decide if we win the premiership or not.

It's the difference between playing all finals on the MCG or having to travel.

IMO we easily play our best football on the MCG, considerably better than K Park and any other ground.

Yep win next week and the lids off

 

[Strange Cat]

If we can win next week we finish second which is absolutely remarkable

It is just me or does most years we seem to have other results fall our way to boost us up the ladder when needed?

Stay at the MCG for the finals and we are a very very good chance for a flag this year

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Sydney game becomes crucial now
Swans beat the team that slaughtered them last years GF and would love to repeat the dose to the 22 premier. Last home game of the year for them too which suggests they'll be going all out.
Probably a good thing we get a competitive game as part of the finals preparation but a loss could see end of the top 4 hopes

We might still finish top 4 if we lose but I wouldn't want to take that risk. Win and 2nd spot should be ours.

 

[bulletproof]

We might still finish top 4 if we lose but I wouldn't want to take that risk. Win and 2nd spot should be ours.

I think if Collingwood loses in Adelaide we have secured a double chance with a win over Richmond? Or do I have that wrong?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think if Collingwood loses in Adelaide we have secured a double chance with a win over Richmond? Or do I have that wrong?

It helps but its still a weird ladder as gc has a game in hand.
If we finish on 64 our % really helps and we will be above Collingwood.
We would drop to 3rd if gc win out and 4th if freo or brisbane win both their games.
But realistically we want 2nd we dont want to be 4th and have to go to Adelaide in week 1 if we can avoid it.
2nd and 2 home finals is what we need to win the flag so Sydney us a virtual final for us.

 

[stac]

If we win our last two and GC win there last three

Home game argument will rage again

 

[canny30]

If we win our last two and GC win there last three

Home game argument will rage again

I'd rather play at the MCG than K Park.

I never held that view previously, but I honestly think we play better at the G than at K Park.

Our offensive gameplan thrives off space and we get congested at K Park.

 

[fpm84]

I'd rather play at the MCG than K Park.

I never held that view previously, but I honestly think we play better at the G than at K Park.

Our offensive gameplan thrives off space and we get congested at K Park.

Plus, by the time finals roll around, we’ll have only played the MCG twice since mid-May and both against bottom teams (Essendon and Richmond).

If we are to potentially play a prelim and/or GF there, any additional experience can only help.

Also worth noting that a decent chunk of our team have only played one - or zero - finals series with us too: Smith, Neale, Dempsey, Mannagh, Humphries, COS, Mullin… the more games on the ‘G, the better.

 

[Vdubs]

2nd spot is wide open now. Realistically if we win both our games no one can catch our % except gc.

If we could get a first week final in Melbourne against coll or gc would be a dream. Even Brisbane in Melbourne is way better than brisbane away. Could be a great route straight into a PF and GF.

Hopefully the players know how important next Sunday is. Our season rests on the swans game in many ways.

Lions at the G is worse for oppositions than Lions at their home on their 2025 record

 

[canny30]

Lions at the G is worse for oppositions than Lions at their home on their 2025 record

we will be playing GC, not Lions

 

[Vdubs]

we will be playing GC, not Lions

who knows..Swans is the one game I have seriously thought we will lose, and yesterday does nothing but reinforce that.
but just commenting on Lions record at home this year cf the G

 

[bombersboy]

If we win our last two and GC win there last three

Home game argument will rage again

Perhaps. Depending on scenario it could be the only final in Melbourne or 1 of 3 in first week of finals. If one of 3 then a real possibility. If it is the only final in Melbourne then no chance.

 

[Del216647]

No chance we get a final in Geelong IMO - even if it's against an interstate opponent.

It opens up a can of worms for the AFL. If they give us a final against say a GC in Geelong, teams like Dogs and other Marvel tenants will be asking for their home finals to be scheduled at Marvel, which the AFL clearly don't want unless they absolutely have to.

 

[Vdubs]

No chance we get a final in Geelong IMO - even if it's against an interstate opponent.

It opens up a can of worms for the AFL. If they give us a final against say a GC in Geelong, teams like Dogs and other Marvel tenants will be asking for their home finals to be scheduled at Marvel, which the AFL clearly don't want unless they absolutely have to.

Why on earth not?
Does GWS or GC get home finals?
I personally don't want a home final at KP because our game is just not as good there

 

[BIGANT]

We might still finish top 4 if we lose but I wouldn't want to take that risk. Win and 2nd spot should be ours.

Spot on. GC away wk1 wouldn't be out of the possibility

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Why on earth not?
Does GWS or GC get home finals?
I personally don't want a home final at KP because our game is just not as good there

Because the stupid contract with the mcg says the afl have to play x amount of finals there over the long term or compensate the MCC.

 

[canny30]

Why on earth not?
Does GWS or GC get home finals?
I personally don't want a home final at KP because our game is just not as good there

The AFL being the dodgy monopoly they are have dodgy contracts with the MCC and big Clubs like Collingwood that stipulate 'x' amount of games must be played at the MCG, including finals.

In addition I have no doubt they'd also have a ton of dodgy boys club verbal agreements with the MCC to make sure finals are played there in Victoria.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

We might still finish top 4 if we lose but I wouldn't want to take that risk. Win and 2nd spot should be ours.

With our percentage as high as it is I've been playing around with it. Assuming victory over Richmond the last round the only ways I can get us missing top 4 is via Brisbane winning both games, or Freo winning both games. Given one plays Freo and Hawthorn and the other plays Brisbane and the Dogs. Odds are on our side.

In any event, the Crows vs Pies game is before ours next weekend. Adelaide win and we cannot miss top 4 whilst beating Richmond.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

With our percentage as high as it is I've been playing around with it. Assuming victory over Richmond the last round the only ways I can get us missing top 4 is via Brisbane winning both games, or Freo winning both games. Given one plays Freo and Hawthorn and the other plays Brisbane and the Dogs. Odds are on our side.

In any event, the Crows vs Pies game is before ours next weekend. Adelaide win and we cannot miss top 4 whilst beating Richmond.

If Adelaide win and freo beat Brisbane i dont think we can. Finish lower than 4th. But we would have to go to Adelaide or gc in week one. So 2nd is better.