The Hunters

[CHBench]

OK, back to writing epic essays.

Now that we are the only side left in the comp still to drop a game, there is no doubts now that we are now the hunted (Geelong as well). The target on our back is now bigger than ever. Im curious as to what Saints supporters think about our supposed "biggest challenges" (with the exception of Geelong) in the Bulldogs and Collingwood.

Collingwood look to be in red hot form with a winning streak stretching to 6. Emphatic wins have been the flavour of the month over at the Lexus centre.
Rnd 14: def Ess 102 - 67
Rnd 13: def Frem 165 - 80
Rnd 12: def Syd 89 - 66
Rnd 11: def Melb 126 - 60
Rnd 10: def Port 114 - 76
Rnd 9: def WCE 88 - 66
Rnd 8: def by Carl 104 - 53
Rnd 7: def by Stk 128 - 40

Only 1 top 8 win and that was against an inconsistent Essendon who are 8th on the ladder. Smashed by quality opposition when they rolled around, some argue it was just form slump. Doubt it. Question marks over their quality all over the park, their elite players, awesome. But i believe there are still question marks over the quality of their bottom tier. And that when the likes of Davis/Pendlebury/Didak etc don't stand up, no one does. Slightly reminiscent of the Saints 06/07.
Currently, I'll believe the hype when they really do beat someone worthy. Perfect time to do so against the Dogs on Friday.


The Bulldogs too are being talked up as being right up there with us and the Cats. After an early season slump they've picked it up with 5 straight wins, and narrowly succumbing to the Cats by 2.

Rnd 14: def Haw 133 - 45
Rnd 13: def NM 108 - 86
Rnd 12: def Port 137 - 44
Rnd 11: def Rich 157 - 89
Rnd 10: def Syd 117 - 70
Rnd 9: def by Geel 116 - 114
Rnd 8: def Melb 104 - 97
Rnd 7: def Adelaide 118 - 86
Rnd 6: def by StK 104 - 76

They put up a mighty performance against the Cats, and really should've won. Elite players all over the park, their running style can worry anyone but can their lack of a quality Key Position players cut it against quality opposition? On their day they can beat anyone, clearly the 3rd best team in the comp, head and shoulders above Collingwood and co.

Carlton, Brisbane and Adelaide are others that could challenge, but probably not this year.

Over to you Sainters, who in your mind are giving you the most jitters at night? And who are the pretenders?

 

[Kildonan]

There is still quite a lot of water to pass under the bridge, but lets assume the rest of the season goes fairly evenly for Geelong and the Saints; this win tonight will mean only one thing - who we play in the finals.

There is no doubt at this stage of the season that the Bulldogs look a much more serious threat than Collingwood. Things can change of course but that is how it looks at this moment.

The win over Geelong is significant for us because it puts us in the box seat to play Collingwood. This leaves Geelong and Bulldogs to fight it out for the right to meet us in the GF (all things going to plan).

 

[Defacto]

i am hoping we finish first and bulldogs 4th. i'd prefer to play them first of in the finals, that'll give them to geelong for the last game before the grand final. bulldogs have a good chance of knocking them off.

collingwood in the week before the grand final would be gold.

 

[krusden]

The bulldogs are the sleepers of this year. playing very good footy without having any major stars - flogged port and now flogged the hawkers.

 

[StFly]

For the most part we have winning form or break even over both since finals last year where both us and the doggies were dispatched relatively easily, we dispatched Collingwood rather easily and this year the Doggies caused Geelong more hassles than us and Collingwood rolled overand then screamed bloody murder as there was no forward line on the park.

Finals are a different kettle of fish, and about the only team I am comfortable of playing would be the Pies since we've improved and they've effectively been bullies of the competition with their " prized scalps" the dogs are the worry and the rest are rather bipolar in regards to which side shows up to the park on any given day.

I wouldn't mind taking the Doggies first week, since a win would ee us with a week off to refresh from the no doubt grueling encounter to then lead in with Collingwood with Mick "1 trick pony" Malthouse. All things being even, I would prefer Dogs - Collingwood - Dogs for the road to the GF since hey, at least us or the dogs deserve to win a granny.

 

[Zainta]

Just throwing this one out here, feel free to object; but on the Maggies being the "bullies of the comp", does anyone besides myself believe that they might not be 4th come Round 22?

There run home is:

Round 15: Bulldogs - ES
Round 16: Hawks - G
Round 17: Blues - G
Round 18: Lions - G
Round 19: Crows - AAMI
Round 20: Tigers - G
Round 21: Swans - G
Round 22: Bulldogs - ES

Not sure about you guys, but I wouldn't be surprised if they only got one win from their run home!

And if they don't come 4th, who will?

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Not sure about you guys, but I wouldn't be surprised if they only got one win from their run home!

And if they don't come 4th, who will?

quite a big call, Zainta...

I think they'll win a few more than just one :

Round 15: Bulldogs - Loss (Bulldogs are on Saints / Cats level)
Round 16: Hawks - Win
Round 17: Blues - 50/50
Round 18: Lions - 50/50
Round 19: Crows - 50/50 (the Pies travel really well)
Round 20: Tigers - Win
Round 21: Swans - Win
Round 22: Bulldogs - Loss

Adelaide have a tough ride home, so I would not be surprised to see a few teams fighting for this 4th spot (Collingwood and Adelaide are obviously in the best starting position, but I would also see Brisbane and possibly even Port as contenders - not too convinced about Essendon / Carlton and Sydney / Hawthorn are too far away and will struggle to just make the eight).

 

[krusden]

Adelaide have a tough ride home, so I would not be surprised to see a few teams fighting for this 4th spot (Collingwood and Adelaide are obviously in the best starting position, but I would also see Brisbane and possibly even Port as contenders - not too convinced about Essendon / Carlton and Sydney / Hawthorn are too far away and will struggle to just make the eight).

In my view:
Adelaide are a chance but as a MB thread states they've got a tough run home including us in melbourne.
Bombers - a chance if they get jobe watson back and firing and spike mcveigh stays off the turps - they missed those two last week terribly.
Collingwood - the adelaide match in round 19 shapes as a season defining belter for both sides perhaps? i reckon most tip the pies for a top finish due to the place their games are played rather than form and skill alone.
Port - realistically a poor chance. The season is that up and down for them however i guess you never know but IMO even when chadleigh gets back hes still gonna be underdone. They look good sometimes and woeful the next that team.