The Equation is.....

[mattys123]

We need Hawthorn to beat the Eagles on Friday Night;

Then of course we will have to beat the Bombers 24 hours later, but that's what lays ahead of us.

Then after that our finals path will probably look like this;

Week 1 - Qualifying Final - MCG vs Hawthorn (probable loss)
Week 2 - Elimination FInal - MCG vs West Coast or Freo (probable win)
Week 3 - Preliminary Final - interstate vs Adelaide/Sydney (probable loss)

I'll take that now, go Hawks (next week).

Merge with http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/the-equation-has-changed.968691/ please mods.

 

[Shade]

Doesn't matter we are only making up the numbers this year anyway

 

[wicksy]

We need Hawthorn to beat the Eagles on Friday Night;

Then of course we will have to beat the Bombers 24 hours later, but that's what lays ahead of us.

Then after that our finals path will probably look like this;

Week 1 - Qualkifying Final - MCG vs Hawthorn (probable loss)
Week 2 - Elimination FInal - MCG vs West Coast or Freo (probable win)
Week 3 - Preliminary Final - interstate vs Adelaide/Sydney (probable loss)

I'll take that now, go Hawks (next week).

Merge with http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/the-equation-has-changed.968691/ please mods.

You are WAY too optimistic mate......
I'll tell it is how it is..... We're ****n shot!!! No game plan at all.... No structure at all.... Pendles/Cloke/Dawes/Shaw shadows of their former selves.... SHOT, SHOT, SHOT!!

 

[Macca_]

Just did the ladder predictor. If we lose to Essendon and other results don't go our way, we could be playing the Cats in the elimination final.

 

[Zahki]

We're not top 4 material at the moment. If we squeak in we'll be like the Bulldogs of 2010 and the Eagles of 2011, roadkill for the teams on the way to the Grand Final.

 

[SnakePlisskin]

You are WAY too optimistic mate......
I'll tell it is how it is..... We're ****n shot!!! No game plan at all.... No structure at all.... Pendles/Cloke/Dawes/Shaw shadows of their former selves.... SHOT, SHOT, SHOT!!

I agree with all of that except Pendlebury , he's definitely injured , that hit he took in the back has affected him , hasn't been the same since.

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

We will be awfully lucky to finish top 4. Relying on another team to win is never the way to get it done.

It has been a horror year really. Too many injuries, off field distractions/suspensions. I am a big supporter of the coaching change, but obviously it's been really bad timing with all the missing personnel we have had. I think people are too quick to jump on Bucks. We haven't just lost Malthouse, we've lost Watters and Neeld too. Both of those were out of our control.
If there is one glaring thing to me that we need to do though, its find a defensive midfielder. It was ridiculous how much space Kerr was getting at the stoppages in tonights game.
We know that Bucks wants our players to be more skilled and back themselves to use the footy more, but the reality is, too many of our players make poor decisions or simple skill errors when they have the ball.

Still all things considered, if we are lucky to play an MCG qualifying final against Hawthorn in week 1 of the finals, all we need to do is win to get through to the GF...not saying it will happen, but to put ourselves in this position while having the sort of season we have had is a decent performance.

 

[Collin Wood]

Doesn't matter we are only making up the numbers this year anyway

'fraid so folks...

 

[Stripes B and W]

FairandB, i really hoped Blair could be that player. Thought he was awfully disappointing tonight. At times he appeared to be standing Kerr.
Think the midfield is much stronger with Ball in it, but he isnt and we work with what we have

 

[SuperSub17]

We're not top 4 material at the moment. If we squeak in we'll be like the Bulldogs of 2010 and the Eagles of 2011, roadkill for the teams on the way to the Grand Final.

Bulldogs in 2010 were up at half time against the Saints in the prelim.

I remember a similar formline in 2002...and we came a couple of competent umpires from a flag.

 

[Raymond Rougeau]

It's to late to many issues late in season - it really is hawks flag to loose now

 

[spudmaster]

Just did the ladder predictor. If we lose to Essendon and other results don't go our way, we could be playing the Cats in the elimination final.

The bombers won't get within a hundred points of your mob mate. You were beaten by a good side on a ground that is as hostile as they come. I understand traditionally the rivalry games are close regardless of form/ladder positions etc, but that thought has been blown out the window when Essendon were spanked by Carlton and Richmond in consecutive weeks. They're shot. Gone. Kaput. Your vfl reserves side would take care of them.

All that said, i didn't realise if the weagles beat us next week that they're as good as guarenteed a top4 spot...gives them a good incentive next week And gives you blokes an incentive to get around the hawks on friday

 

[coldpieswarmbeer]

You're kidding me if you think we won't win a prelim final against crows or swans interstate. I'll take that with a smile on my face.

I think if we snatch 4th spot next week (big IF .. I have a feeling Dons game will come close), we are a good chance to make the GF even if we lose the first final against the HAWKS

 

[DrEvil]

Just did the ladder predictor. If we lose to Essendon and other results don't go our way, we could be playing the Cats in the elimination final.

No way will you lose to essendon, they are basket case.

 

[Ant85]

We are making numbers this year. Too many players completely out of form.

We just aren't lifting when our backs are against the wall. We're not running, we're not creating space, we're not supporting each other.

You don't want to go into the finals with several woeful performances against top 8 sides, as we've just seen against North and WCE (you can add the Hawks game in too).

Key players are lacking total confidence, not many seem to have a clue as to how to maintain the structure. We're too easily pushed off the ball, and not running hard enough to apply the pressure back on the opposition.

We've gone from the best defensive team in 2010 and 2011, to running in circles in 2012, or worse, not running at all!

It's terribly disappointing to see such a talented team go to waste.

 

[underbelly]

We are making numbers this year. Too many players completely out of form.

We just aren't lifting when our backs are against the wall. We're not running, we're not creating space, we're not supporting each other.

You don't want to go into the finals with several woeful performances against top 8 sides, as we've just seen against North and WCE (you can add the Hawks game in too).

Key players are lacking total confidence, not many seem to have a clue as to how to maintain the structure. We're too easily pushed off the ball, and not running hard enough to apply the pressure back on the opposition.

We've gone from the best defensive team in 2010 and 2011, to running in circles in 2012, or worse, not running at all!

It's terribly disappointing to see such a talented team go to waste.

Yes it was disappointing but I must say that the writing was on the wall before the ball was bounced.
Too many players just not in any sort of form to give us a glimmer of hope. The Snowball effect of Cloke & Dawes is that midfielder's have no confidence in delivering the pill to them and are relying on the mids and small forwards to make space. Krakouer needs to play next week and both he and Didak should provide a more potent combination than
Injuries have caught up to us. Encouraged by Ben Johnson's return. Cam Wood got smashed but he had no assistance, Harry O, Heater and Taz out of form......just haven't had a settled team in form for a while now and although last night's game didn't mean anything from a top 4 perspective, we don't want to head into a finals campaign and hope someone flicks the switch on.

Also interesting to note the change in game style in the first 10 minutes. Retain possession, control the pace. This works for teams that actually have sublime footskills and a functioning forward line.

 

[blaze036]

Why are u saying we are a probably lose against adelaide/sydney away? havnt we beaten both of them away so far this year? At worst we're a 50-50 chance

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Why are u saying we are a probably lose against adelaide/sydney away? havnt we beaten both of them away so far this year? At worst we're a 50-50 chance

shhhh don't go bringing positivity in here! Haven't you heard we're finished?

 

[jmac70]

You are WAY too optimistic mate......
I'll tell it is how it is..... We're ****n shot!!! No game plan at all.... No structure at all.... Pendles/Cloke/Dawes/Shaw shadows of their former selves.... SHOT, SHOT, SHOT!!

Go and have a read of the Carlton board and you will get some perspective.

 

[eddiebankbalance]

Doesn't matter we are only making up the numbers this year anyway

Have to agree with this^. The players look tired and possibly not all that interested - possibly all to do with Cloke.

 

[HFF]

This is sad that we are relying on other results to go our way.

A hugely disappointing 2012.

 

[SuperSub17]

We are making numbers this year. Too many players completely out of form.

We just aren't lifting when our backs are against the wall. We're not running, we're not creating space, we're not supporting each other.

You don't want to go into the finals with several woeful performances against top 8 sides, as we've just seen against North and WCE (you can add the Hawks game in too).

We have also won 6 games against teams in the 8, more than any other side.

 

[bradrowe#32]

This is sad that we are relying on other results to go our way.

A hugely disappointing 2012.

Very true. Unfortunately we just don't have the depth (injuries didn't help) and too many key players are out of form. We need to have a good look at the draft and fringe players from other teams, tinker with our game plan and really reload for next year because our core is very good. Our window is still open.

 

[Hand]

You've lost 2 on the trot which you should've won.

Remember 3 weeks ago you defeated Sydney in Sydney.

Don't doubt yourselves, with Jolly playing and your midfield in top nick, Collingwood are as good as anyone in the comp. (As much as I hate to say it.)

 

[Baltimore Jack]

If we get through to a prelim its all up for grabs then
The real issue is two very important games
Hawks V West Coast
Pies v Bombers
I still think we have another (finals) gear to go to but its important we finish 4th