Will Collingwood win the flag?

[Magic Mike]

They seem to be flying under the radar this year. Despite having a few injury concerns, they have been travelling along nicely in the last month. They aren't the juggernaut of 2010 and 2011, but are looking in great shape so far.

Sure, they had a slow start to the season, but they appear to be hitting their straps as seen in tonight's demolition of Brisbane at the Gabba. Didak should return to his best, and they still have Darren Jolly, Chris Tarrant and Dale Thomas to return to the side, plus they may get back Ben Johnson, Brent Macaffer and Andrew Krakouer in time for the finals.

Despite Luke Ball being unable to play again this year, the Pies seem to have his position covered, and despite the Pies possibly losing Nathan Brown for the season tonight, they nearly won the flag last year with Brown out injured all year.

If Collingwood can get a good run with injuries for the rest of the season, and can field anywhere near a full team in the finals, then I have no doubt that they will win the flag.

Your thoughts?

 

[raff23]

They seem to be flying under the radar this year. Despite having a few injury concerns, they have been travelling along nicely in the last month. They aren't the juggernaut of 2010 and 2011, but are looking in great shape so far.

Sure, they had a slow start to the season, but they appear to be hitting their straps as seen in tonight's demolition of Brisbane at the Gabba. Didak should return to his best, and they still have Darren Jolly, Chris Tarrant and Dale Thomas to return to the side, plus they may get back Ben Johnson, Brent Macaffer and Andrew Krakouer in time for the finals.

Despite Luke Ball being unable to play again this year, the Pies seem to have his position covered, and despite the Pies possibly losing Nathan Brown for the season tonight, they nearly won the flag last year with Brown out injured all year.

If Collingwood can get a good run with injuries for the rest of the season, and can field anywhere near a full team in the finals, then I have no doubt that they will win the flag.

Your thoughts?

they will beat the crap teams with a leg in the air like tonight, that wont be the issue, still a doubt whether they can beat the other contenders, sure they beat the bombers but by a point and the bombers didnt play that great imo. Will get a better gauge on how they are going next week, if they beat geelong than there tracking very well for another shot at a flag as key players will start filtering back into the team.

 

[Zeke]

We'll need to beat the some contenders before this discussion is pertinent.

 

[SirJimi05]

Fridays game might tell us a a bit about both Collingwood and, Geelong. Pies probably should be flag favorites at the minute.

 

[mattys123]

Be patient, and the answer will present itself.

Our draw after the bye will sort us out;

Eagles, Freo (both at the G), Carlton, Geelong, Hawthorn, GWS (only certain win), St Kilda, Sydney (ANZ), North, West Coast (Subi) and Essendon.

Add Geelong and the Crows in the next two weeks and if we finish in the top four, WATCH OUT.

 

[DeZi]

Players to come back:

Tarrant
Thomas
Ben Johnson
Jolly
Dawes
Fasolo
Kraks (maybe)

Improves our chances but this year is WAY to open to suggest a clear favourite. Even Hawks have started playing better, and then there is WCE (big injury list), Carlton, Essendon, Adelaide, Geelong and Freo as well. Heck even Kangas are giving it a shake...Too many variables and until Rd 16 we are all speculating.

Rd. 16 it will narrow down to 3 - 4 genuine contenders (Don't forget Bombers started exactly the same last year but ran out of steam half way through the season, this year they may go a lot further, but some of these other younger teams may start to tire)

 

[Adz]

Depends on how we go next two weeks.

 

[SirJimi05]

Be patient, and the answer will present itself.

Our draw after the bye will sort us out;

Eagles, Freo (both at the G), Carlton, Geelong, Hawthorn, GWS (only certain win), St Kilda, Sydney (ANZ), North, West Coast (Subi) and Essendon.

Add Geelong and the Crows in the next two weeks and if we finish in the top four, WATCH OUT.

That's a ****ing tough draw. Finish top 4 with that draw and you deserve to win the flag.

 

[Magpie Since 1986]

That's a ****ing tough draw. Finish top 4 with that draw and you deserve to win the flag.

Collingwood seriously have the toughest draw possible.

The sides they play twice: West Coast, Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Geelong - > just about the top 5 teams in the competition, certainly no soft ones.

Give me some extra interstate trips to the Gold Coast or Western Sydney over that lot.

Next two games v Geelong and Adelaide (AAMI) will tell the story:
if they win 0 out of 2 = pretenders
if they win 1 out of 2 = on track for top 4
if they win 2 out of 2 = start talking them up as flag possibilities

 

[SdKfz 181]

Sick of all these "will insert name win the flag?" topics, its round 7.. lol @ BF spuds

 

[SirJimi05]

Sick of all these "will insert name win the flag?" topics, its round 7.. lol @ BF spuds

You might get your own one next week after Richmond beat Essendon.

 

[eddiesmith]

Not if we keep getting umpires like tonight

 

[Pluggeroo]

they will beat the crap teams with a leg in the air like tonight, that wont be the issue, still a doubt whether they can beat the other contenders, sure they beat the bombers but by a point and the bombers didnt play that great imo. Will get a better gauge on how they are going next week, if they beat geelong than there tracking very well for another shot at a flag as key players will start filtering back into the team.

So if we dont beat Geelong, is it curtains for us, even though key players will start filtering back?

 

[rhys_22]

travis cloke may as well not even have a head. he gets hit in the head time and time again and all we hear is play on. its utter crap

 

[eddiesmith]

travis cloke may as well not even have a head. he gets hit in the head time and time again and all we hear is play on. its utter crap

He is being penalised for being the greatest contested mark in the AFL, umpires think he should be able to fend for himself

Of course if he dare touches his opponent and tries to wrestle back the whistle comes flying out followed by a 50m penalty for the death stare

If Cloke doesnt punch out an umpire by years end it will be a miracle

 

[rhys_22]

He is being penalised for being the greatest contested mark in the AFL, umpires think he should be able to fend for himself

Of course if he dare touches his opponent and tries to wrestle back the whistle comes flying out followed by a 50m penalty for the death stare

If Cloke doesnt punch out an umpire by years end it will be a miracle

not just cloke either. dawes gets held constantly and nothing happens.the amount of times i saw in the back both ways tonight not being paid was a joke.

 

[ipswichpies]

He is being penalised for being the greatest contested mark in the AFL, umpires think he should be able to fend for himself

Of course if he dare touches his opponent and tries to wrestle back the whistle comes flying out followed by a 50m penalty for the death stare

If Cloke doesnt punch out an umpire by years end it will be a miracle

I don,t know hitting about the umpire mate but it would be nice if the officials in our games started umpiring both sides evenly.

If you are reading this giesh how about a bit of consistency that is all we want,

 

[half_back_flank]

Facing an uphill battle to make the top 4, but if we can make the finals with no injury list (other that the ACL trio) and have some form behind us, we'll give it a huge shake.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Fair sure after Friday the 13th we were dead and buried. Many said we would struggle to make top eight let alone top four... now we're a chance to win the flag? lol BF makes me laugh sometimes

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Never discount them however the question will be how they can cover Luke Ball's absence all year long. That said should be in the top 5 (WC, Hawthorn, Pies, Carlton, AND one of Geelong/Essendon/Sydney/Crows)

 

[kaiserchief13]

No I don't think so. They only have 1 fwd (Cloke) and their defense isn't great unless the midfield puts on great pressure. Plus their rucks suck also.

 

[biggiemediums]

No I don't think so. They only have 1 fwd (Cloke) and their defense isn't great unless the midfield puts on great pressure. Plus their rucks suck also.

Funny how we have a few goalkickers seeming we only have 1 forward.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Funny how we have a few goalkickers seeming we only have 1 forward.

Who did Collingwood play?

 

[FootyJunkie]

will lose to Hawthorn if they meet them in the finals

 

[LukeParkerno1]

will lose to Hawthorn if they meet them in the finals

hawks have to make it first and with their start that is far from certain and that includes a POOR loss to Geelong coupled with an even worse loss to Sydney both times being run down.