The Premiership Window

[Sprout]

I give up. See you in September for the Derby Grand Final.

I don't think this is too far fetched. My top four has the Eagles and Dockers in it.

 

[Tippett2Goal]

Sydney - 4 finals over previous 2 years
Freo - 4 finals over previous 3 years

...yet Freo lacks the necessary finals experience you say?

Apologies completely forgot Freo played 2 finals in 2010, assuming their side is relatively similar then yes you are right, they'd have experience.

 

[Wigarus]

Could not agree more. People suggesting a team's premiership window is open simply because they can make the eight is ridiculous.

In 2013, the alleged premiership window is open for Hawthorn, West Coast, Collingwood, Sydney, and to a lesser extent Geelong and Adelaide. I include Geelong due to their astute trading and drafting in the off-season - they have plugged some holes and are having a tilt at their 4th in 7 years. These teams have all proven they can match it on the big stage with the elite teams of the competition. Of course it's possible but it is highly improbable that any of the other 12 teams can win it.

I think its funny the way West coast is constantly named in the teams that can match it on the big stage. They have won 2 finals out of 5 from the last 3 years and in 2012 they won 2 less games away from home than Freo did. Plus they have lost their last 7 games at the MCG. Meanwhile Freo have won 2 finals out of 4 in the last 3 years, finished with 1 win less than WC in 2012 and won at the MCG twice out of 3 times in 2012.

I'm not trying to say Freo are ahead of West Coast, just that ts strange that they are overlooked so often.

 

[Fadge]

I think its funny the way West coast is constantly named in the teams that can match it on the big stage. They have won 2 finals out of 5 from the last 3 years and in 2012 they won 2 less games away from home than Freo did. Plus they have lost their last 7 games at the MCG. Meanwhile Freo have won 2 finals out of 4 in the last 3 years, finished with 1 win less than WC in 2012 and won at the MCG twice out of 3 times in 2012.

I'm not trying to say Freo are ahead of West Coast, just that ts strange that they are overlooked so often.

The three finals West Coast have lost have been to Collingwood (twice) and Geelong in 2011 (who went on to win the flag). They were right in the Collingwood Qualifying Final in 2011 up to their necks, against a team that was only beaten by one team all year. The two finals Fremantle have lost were to Geelong in 2010 (this was a caning of the highest order, with Geelong going on to be belted by Collingwood the following week), and Adelaide (who were having their first finals appearance in three years).

West Coast have just shown more, and consistently, for me to believe they have what it takes to firstly finish top four (remember, this is the first important test) and secondly match it with the elite teams at the business end.

 

[estibador]

The three finals West Coast have lost have been to Collingwood (twice) and Geelong in 2011 (who went on to win the flag). They were right in the Collingwood Qualifying Final in 2011 up to their necks, against a team that was only beaten by one team all year. The two finals Fremantle have lost were to Geelong in 2010 (this was a caning of the highest order, with Geelong going on to be belted by Collingwood the following week), and Adelaide (who were having their first finals appearance in three years).

West Coast have just shown more, and consistently, for me to believe they have what it takes to firstly finish top four (remember, this is the first important test) and secondly match it with the elite teams at the business end.

Their current group hasn't been able to win an away final yet (0 from 3) and their only two finals wins were at home against an insipid North and a 3 point win against a Carlton team which didn't even make the finals the following season.

By any objective measure I fail to see how they've shown any more than Freo at the business end of the season, given we knocked off Geelong at the MCG (the same Geelong many are tipping to again be a top four chance this year).

 

[Jezzitizle]

Agree with the op, I think Freo are very strong this year, but then I take a look at some of the opposition and I decide to keep a lid on it.

I really like the crows and think people ignored their great year, writing it off on their draw without looking deeper. Think the cats may surprise, a lot depends on their kids. Swans will be very tough to beat and have great depth, and who knows what Hawthorns form line will be. Eagles will be strong again and well coached but injuries in the midfield can sink them quickly. North and the Tigers surely are over their rebuilding by now, and have genuine talent. The biggest question at the Pies is not on the squad, but whether Bucks has got it or not, and Im sure his competitive juices will be boiling come round one.

Injuries will decide the 4, and who gets the run with home finals will decide the grand finalists imo. I think the people writing good teams off at this time of year are a bit football ignorant.

 

[Schauermann]

Agree with the op, I think Freo are very strong this year, but then I take a look at some of the opposition and I decide to keep a lid on it.

I really like the crows and think people ignored their great year, writing it off on their draw without looking deeper. Think the cats may surprise, a lot depends on their kids. Swans will be very tough to beat and have great depth, and who knows what Hawthorns form line will be. Eagles will be strong again and well coached but injuries in the midfield can sink them quickly. North and the Tigers surely are over their rebuilding by now, and have genuine talent. The biggest question at the Pies is not on the squad, but whether Bucks has got it or not, and Im sure his competitive juices will be boiling come round one.

Injuries will decide the 4, and who gets the run with home finals will decide the grand finalists imo. I think the people writing good teams off at this time of year are a bit football ignorant.

Agree on this, but think even more teams are in it.

 

[Jezzitizle]

Their current group hasn't been able to win an away final yet (0 from 3) and their only two finals wins were at home against an insipid North and a 3 point win against a Carlton team which didn't even make the finals the following season.

By any objective measure I fail to see how they've shown any more than Freo at the business end of the season, given we knocked off Geelong at the MCG (the same Geelong many are tipping to again be a top four chance this year).

Who gives a crap what their supporters say, let the team do the talking.

 

[Forward Press]

Their current group hasn't been able to win an away final yet (0 from 3) and their only two finals wins were at home against an insipid North and a 3 point win against a Carlton team which didn't even make the finals the following season.

By any objective measure I fail to see how they've shown any more than Freo at the business end of the season, given we knocked off Geelong at the MCG (the same Geelong many are tipping to again be a top four chance this year).

Geelong finished 6th at the end of the regular season in 2012. You can try and talk them up all you want, but they finished 6th for a reason. If Geelong missed the eight this season (which many also tip), would you use that as evidence of a Freo side merely toppling another side going downhill?

And for the record, some of the senior players you saw going around in 2012 were there when we won our last away final (Adelaide 2006). This includes players like Glass, Waters, Butler, Lynch (who's left of course), Kerr, Cox, Embley and Adam Selwood. We certainly have a core group of hardened finals winners to help.

 

[Fadge]

Their current group hasn't been able to win an away final yet (0 from 3) and their only two finals wins were at home against an insipid North and a 3 point win against a Carlton team which didn't even make the finals the following season.

By any objective measure I fail to see how they've shown any more than Freo at the business end of the season, given we knocked off Geelong at the MCG (the same Geelong many are tipping to again be a top four chance this year).

Suggest you check out the 2011 Semi Final between Collingwood and West Coast. At the time, Collingwood were the reigning premiers and had lost to only one team during the home and away season.

Both teams also had their challenges in 2012 again fought out an epic final in Melbourne. Both have plenty of upside in 2013.

It's performances like these that garner respect for West Coast from a Collingwood supporter.

 

[Rance2Mewtwo]

great post mate, but it has nothing to do with the thread.

Frankly, 3-0-75 is the epitome of corporate buzz speak, and not only that, but it was ludicrous in it's scope and correct me if I'm wrong, but it's failing miserably isn't it? What's the point of setting unachievable goals?

To win premierships.