Qualifying Final opponent

[captain peanut]

Apologies to the OP and I won't quite use the "we have to beat anyone" line.

But...

I've spent a lot of time considering the top 4 permutations with Collingwood's best chances in mind. And I've concluded that it's loser's mentality to be doing this. Our finals opponents are beyond our control. It's therefore a moot point, a waste of energy and a distraction to be thinking about it. We need to be focussing on how WE can play our best football against whatever opponent, looking within and not sideways. Do you think Geelong is looking sideways...doubt it. They have confidence that they will win the flag; they don't need to look sideways. We need to find the confidence that no matter what, we should win it this year. Not, "if we get Freo, it'll give us a great shot". Expect and prepare for and the worst case scenario. Anything else is a bonus.

I feel that this is our big chance. The reasons we will take that chance will come from within, not without. Go Pies!

yep. who cares who we play. let them worry about us while we just keep going about our business of winning games. if we finish top it will be because we are the best side in the comp over 22 h&a rounds. to finish top this year would be some effort considering our draw - geel stk wb haw all twice and freo only once but at subi when they were flying. that is well over one third of the season v the other teams who will finish top 6. doesn't come any tougher than that

 

[shawthing09]

Freo in Melbourne would be a dream first week of finals, more then likely the Dogs will finish fourth. I'd still much rather finish first. I don't buy the "soft run" St Kilda stuff for mine that's almost non-sensical. They just got thumped by us and then drew with Hawthorn they now have 5 weeks to run Riewoldt into form and finalize there side and structures. The easy run home makes it easier for them to manage their players. I don't think St Kilda are going to forget what it takes in september just because they don't have a tough run into the finals.

 

[1eyed_pie]

to finished 1st we would need to win the next five games i would think. its a massive ask.. stop getting ahead of yourselfs

I disagree! Would only have to win next four and keep a healthy %

To finish first!

Would be a great for our club and supporters confidence.

A first up final against Freo at the G would be ideal.

But here's an interesting stat......We haven't beaten a non interstate side in a final since................1990!!!

We have to get that gorilla off our backs if we want to go all the way to glory!

 

[Football God]

If we can win 4 out of 5 games then we're safe for 1st. but it has to be a win against Geelong. So we can rest some of our players against Hawthorn rd22.

 

[stfan]

My preferred option is Stkilda,.

Funny that. Most Saints fan are hoping to play Pies Week 1.

 

[stfan]

If, hypothetically, we win the flag this year, and with Geelong and St Kilda's aging list and decline, Collingwood will be the top side, THATS when we don't have to worry about the opposition, because at our best, we'll beat anyone.

Now firstly agree that Pies have many players at an age where improvement can be anticipated. So I can understand your excitement.

But can't fathom the "aging" Saints logic.....unless you are looking many year hence.
*Only King will retire this year and his replacement in McEvoy is coming along very nicely. By the time Gardiner retires he will be a genuine No 1 ruck.
* Jack Steven was predicted to be a future star, but was taking bottom age. Has been recently blooded and is showing that promise. In 2011 will be a regular, and may well already be.
* Stanley just needs more mass and experience to become a regular. Is an athletic freak and a rare talent.
* Geary is being groomed as the Baker replacement, and they have been getting games into him.

Not sure how many more players we can fit in. But Heyne and A Smith both look the goods and will both will get some games next year when injuries to others permit.
Armo keeps having injuries and may well be GC bound, but Steven is a better player anyway.

 

[shawthing09]

This is getting a bit off topic so I will try and be brief but I think the "aging" St Kilda is fair. In your above rant you are relying heavily on upside and it is very rare that every promising youngster turns out to be a gooden. On top of all that it is very rare that a player becomes a regular fixture and steps straight up to the plate especially if there is a number of players turning over in quick succesion. On top of all that St Kilda IMO have a massive reliance on A) game plan and B) Hayes, Goddard and Riewoldt. If you don't win one soon there will be a drop from a couple of those players and I don't see you winning one once they start declining.

 

[mckenna6575]

freo looked very 2008 at the weekend and the dogs very NAB cup - you could sense the liberation at being at aka-free

 

[THATSGOLD]

I disagree! Would only have to win next four and keep a healthy %

To finish first!

Would be a great for our club and supporters confidence.

A first up final against Freo at the G would be ideal.

But here's an interesting stat......We haven't beaten a non interstate side in a final since................1990!!!

We have to get that gorilla off our backs if we want to go all the way to glory!

we would have to beat geelong in 2 weeks. its a huge ask. they pumped us last time we played and we were flying then. Our supporters get to carried away.

Also did you happen to watch the dogs freo game???? How are they going to finish 4th ahead of the bulldogs????

i think we will finish 2nd or 3rd.
all i hope for is no injuries in the next 5 games.