Next five matches (Eagles match included)

[Premier Pies]

I was speaking with a mate before the weekend's matches were contested. In particular we discussed the Pies upcoming five matches against the Eagles, Dockers, Blues, Cats and Hawks.
Considering our ladder position and how tight the battle is for a top four spot, especially a top two spot and a home final, I initially went on the record to say that I'm hoping for a minimum of three wins and two losses.

Now that we've got the job done against the Eagles, you would have to think that we are certainly more than capable and probably likely to win against Freo. That would obviously mean two from two and three matches remaining and we would only need to win one out of the next three to meet my original expectations.

So I've now changed my expectations (hope) for the Pies to go four wins and one loss as a minimum through these five matches. Three and two seems a bit light on now that we've rolled the Eagles and hopefully roll the Dockers.

Of course I wouldn't mind at all if we went five zip, which would then mean the Pies would be on a 14 match winning streak. That looks and sounds pretty amazing but I'm not sure it would serve us any good to continue winning all the time. A timely or untimely loss (depending on your viewpoint), can work wonders for a club, keeping everyone level and not getting ahead of themselves.

So what do you expect the Pies to achieve from rounds 13 to 17? Also, do you subscribe to the theory that a loss or two leading up to the finals is good for the Pies as long as it doesn't jeopardise our top four or ultimately our top two aspirations?

 

[Tbone McGraw]

No loss is good. Look at the final round last year.People were saying the same as we hadn't lost in a long time. That loss took all our momentum and then look what happened in the finals.

 

[mattys123]

No loss is good really, but a loss or two in the next 4 weeks wouldn't kill us, but it may cost us a vital top 2 spot, so we really do need to keep winning.

The problem is that we play Freo in a match we should win, but then we meet Carlton who have an extras day rest, and after that we play IMO the two best other Victorian teams in Geelong and the Hawks, in games that will be tight all game.

I'd be happy if we went 3-1 (4-1 if you count the Eagles match) over the next few weeks.

 

[Cory]

After what's happened this year I don't really see us losing the next five games.

 

[vjknight]

already on record - before the geelong & adelaide games were won, i expected we wouldnt lose any subsequent games this year. i stand by this. not to say we wouldnt lose, just i dont expect it.

of the season long injuries, only luke ball is truly missed. the remainder appear to have been easily replaced, and even ball to a large extent. the current 'playing' list have improved considerably, and it will just be keeping them on the park that is the difference.

we will easily survive without jolly, or pendles, or even cloke, but not a combination. it would just mean a change of game plan. the playing list is easily good enough. we just need to keep that defence on the park. they remain our key.

 

[Premier Pies]

No loss is good. Look at the final round last year.People were saying the same as we hadn't lost in a long time. That loss took all our momentum and then look what happened in the finals.

Yes I can't say that I disagree with you entirely but there is a big difference between a timely loss, like last round of 2010 against the Hawks and an absolute pasting in the last round against the Cats in 2011. 2010 finals series we were just about unstoppable, whereas 2011 we struggled through the whole finals series. I'm not so sure that the loss took away our momentum as much as the injuries, suspensions, lack of match fitness amongst many other issues we faced leading into the finals. Plus it gave the Cats a huge leg up and sense of belief that they had our measure in 2011.

I'm certainly not advocating a loss and suggesting it is good but I think a loss won't actually hurt the club so much. Unless of course the same scenario occurs like the last round of 2011. That sort of a loss on top of injuries and suspensions will do the club no good whatsoever.

 

[Old Spice]

Want to roll them all, if we lose prefer V a North or similar where it doesn't affect the ladder but gives us a rocket.

 

[mattys123]

Want to roll them all, if we lose prefer V a North or similar where it doesn't affect the ladder but gives us a rocket.

Losing to Carlton won't effect the ladder.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

Losing to Carlton won't effect the ladder.

Fair point Matty but we can't lose twice to Carlton in a year. Only a premiership would make up for that.

 

[TradeDraft]

Fair point Matty but we can't lose twice to Carlton in a year. Only a premiership would make up for that.

Very True Tbone

 

[mattys123]

Fair point Matty but we can't lose twice to Carlton in a year. Only a premiership would make up for that.

I'll take that deal now.

2 losses to the Scum for a flag, yes please, where do I sign?

Seriously though we shouldn't be losing to Freo or Carlton, so that leaves the Hawks and Cats games, and even if the worst case scenario happened and we lost both, we'd still be sitting 2nd or 3rd on the ladder with a few easier games to come.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

I'll take that deal now.

2 losses to the Scum for a flag, yes please, where do I sign?

Seriously though we shouldn't be losing to Freo or Carlton, so that leaves the Hawks and Cats games, and even if the worst case scenario happened and we lost both, we'd still be sitting 2nd or 3rd on the ladder with a few easier games to come.

I saw the cats live last week against the swans and seen them a fair bit on tv this year. They are gone. So slow and even their structures seem out of place. The only thing keeping them in games is their fighting spirit and belief.They can't keep that up.

Hawks scare me but if we stop buddy we are fine (hello Taz). The scum are the other team that worry me, only because of their small quick forwards, which we struggle to defend. Adelaide are not that good and eagles and swans are our bitches

 

[Pera]

3-2 would be a great result. Eagles over their is a totally different challenge while the Cats and Hawks play seriously good football against us. The Dockers should be a walk in the park and you never know which Carlton side are going to rock up on the day.

The comp is so even, I still think we could drop two of the next five, and lose maybe one more for the reset of the year and still finish top 2. That should be the aim.

 

[daics_35]

I can see the Carlton game being a very tough game. If they go down to the Hawks they will give everything at us becuase we are Collingwood and becuase they must win. We would be on 10 straight wins if we beat Freo, I dont know if we will play with the same intensity as they must play with. I would hate to lose to them twice but I am confident we will beat them.

 

[ipswichpies]

Want to roll them all, if we lose prefer V a North or similar where it doesn't affect the ladder but gives us a rocket.

Agree with this' I definitely do not want either the Hawks or the Blues to beat us twice in the H/A season when a club beat,s you consistently it can get into your mind ie Hawks v Cats not a good thing imo.

If we have to lose I would prefer it be North or some one like that(just not GWS) I also for that very same reason want to beat the Cats again.
Last season during the game against the Lions we the hit the wall and the Cats nailed our coffin shut in the last round and it was a great effort to even make the gf' this season we are traveling much better and we have had to cover some big outs.

I do also agree our defense is the key to how far we go for the rest of the season if we can get them all back and settled by about rd 18 we will be a big show and we won,t be dieing in the arse like last season.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

To be completely honest, I expect to win our next 4.

 

[Cory]

Not sold on the Hawks Anymore I mean they did lose to Richmond by 60 then come out and thrash North,Lions and Port.

 

[Yidaki]

Not sold on the Hawks Anymore I mean they did lose to Richmond by 60 then come out and thrash North,Lions and Port.

I agree. Hawks aren't in form! Their last three games they have won, have been against shit teams. Nothing special about that to be honest.

 

[Thommo 42]

i don't expect to lose again this year, except maybe the WCE game at Subi

 

[Cory]

Remember Round 1? We had some of our stars out and they only beat us by 30.

Can't see us losing to them they aren't as good as everyone makes them out to be

 

[Cory]

i don't expect to lose again this year, except maybe the WCE game at Subi

Same here.

 

[jimmy35]

You'd have to expect a loss or two in the next month but hopefully not against Carlton again.