We lost 2 of our last 4 games in 2009 yet won the flag.
About this stage of the year in 2011, we lost back to back games against the Bombers and Eagles. We then struggled against a lowly Brisbane side, outscored Richmond by a point in the 2nd half after leading by 10 goals at half time. We then struggled against 15th placed Adelaide and had a loss against the Swans at home. Fair to say that up until Round 24, it seemed we were limping into September, before we smashed the Pies by 96 points on the eve of the finals.
In 2012, Sydney lost 3 of their last 4 games (all against fellow top 8 sides in the Pies, Hawthorn and us - their only win in that time was against the 15th placed Bulldogs), yet found their form again in the finals.
In other words, in 3 of the last 5 years, the eventual premiers have had periods during the season where they haven't looked like world beaters, yet managed to get their act together come finals time. I can see us fine tuning things over the next three weeks against the Dogs, Dees and Giants, before we're hopefully hitting our straps when we play North, Freo, Carlton and Hawthorn over the period of a month. Win 3, or all 4 of those games, and we'll be a big show for a top 4 spot, and maybe even as high as top 2.