No Oppo Supporters General AFL discussion and other club news

[OnTheRocks]

Great result. Faaark carlol!

 

[tommyk72]

Swans, Brisbane and the Doggies (if they make it) are the only legit chances. The rest of the top 8 are pretenders.

I see what you did there. Leaving sides that aren't currently in the top 8 out of your analysis

 

[jenniferHAWKinS]

No pointing writing any side off yet. The finals is like a new season. Injury and form will determine the flag winner.

 

[MasterSamurai]

I thought early in the season during our scratch match against the doggies and commented somewhere here that they look primed to at last play the way their list is looking!! But I went quiet on them after some horrendous performances in the first 8-10 weeks but man, if they get their shit together just before finals, they could do some damage. Still think the Swans will come good once finals come around though. Lions will be in the GF if they finish top 2 and then their time for redemption begins. 3 teams that I think that are highly likely to go deep.

 

[hardway]

Can teams take the risk of doing the pre finals increase in training loads? Might cost teams finals or top 4 spot.

 

[tommyk72]

Can teams take the risk of doing the pre finals increase in training loads? Might cost teams finals or top 4 spot.

More likely a top 8 spot given how tight it is.

 

[SA HAWK]

Our bottom 6 is easily better than Carlton's imo.

 

[peetoo]

Really enjoy Abby's post game interviews.

A great reason for hawks to get some ch 7 games next year…or maybe a final this year

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Our bottom 6 is easily better than Carlton's imo.

Their bottom six is pretty terrible.

Their side is completely propped up by their elite top several players. Guys like Owies, Fogarty, Cunningham, Motlop, Carroll, Cottrell or Cowan would not be getting a game for us.

Though to be fair they were missing Docherty, Williams, Acres, TDK and McKay. Not sure you can count Martin or Silvagni as real outs, but they are depth options at least.

They really lack pace throughout their lineup. Saad is the only one that can really stream past opponents and break lines.

 

[QuietB]

Our bottom 6 is easily better than Carlton's imo.

And Sammy has Voss covered by a factor of 10

 

[Mitch75]

They’re teetering, Carlton. Too many injuries at the wrong time of year. They’re no certainties for top 4 now, they’ve won 12 and 15 wins seems difficult all of a sudden. Heck, with four games left for them to play, they’re no certainties to win the two they need to stay in the 8.

 

[Billyc]

The downside of last night is that I think we now probably need to win 4 of the last 5. The upside is that we should be very confident of beating Carlton

 

[TylerDurden]

I was watching last night thinking we'd slaughter Carlton if they dish that up at the G in 2 weeks.

 

[hardway]

I was watching last night thinking we'd slaughter Carlton if they dish that up at the G in 2 weeks.

Neither of the 2 teams appeared to be top 8 teams last night. Very average level of football.

 

[QuietB]

Neither of the 2 teams appeared to be top 8 teams last night. Very average level of football.

Hawthorns ball handling last week in the pouring rain was levels above. The ball handling by both sides last night was appalling

 

[fairdinks]

ball handling mostly depends on the level of pressure the oppo applies at this level. Bring the pressure all game and you likely win.

 

[cs61]

I was watching last night thinking we'd slaughter Carlton if they dish that up at the G in 2 weeks.

Some sides are looking tired in this stretch before the finals, while we are still looking powerful with our running. This is why I strongly believe Ward and Maginness coming in now has been excellent management and planning, keeping our elite run strong while many sides are struggling with injuries, sore bodies etc. It could be a competitive advantage to cover over some of our other deficiencies.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

We are going to win the flag this year. I can't believe it

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Geez what a season.

Sydney peaked too early - they looked amazing but have lost 3 of their last 4 (win was north)
Carlton have lost 3 of their last 4. They beat North tho
Essendon dropping like a rock. Have also lost 4 of their last 5

Brisbane having a great run - won 8 of their last 9. Have only lost one game since Anzac Day.
Bulldogs have won 4 of their last 5
Hawks have won 7 of their last 8

Then there's a soup of teams that are hot and cold: Port, Freo, Melbourne, Geelong.

So it's hard to tell how much that first group will drop, and how much that second group will rise and what those inconsistent teams do from here.

I would absolutely love to see Essendon lose to St Kilda. I hate both teams with a fair level of passion. But St Kilda aren't a threat and I would take much more joy from yet another Essendon fail. Fingers crossed for that one.

 

[Nugett]

Some sides are looking tired in this stretch before the finals, while we are still looking powerful with our running. This is why I strongly believe Ward and Maginness coming in now has been excellent management and planning, keeping our elite run strong while many sides are struggling with injuries, sore bodies etc. It could be a competitive advantage to cover over some of our other deficiencies.

It also shows that we are building depth. We have developed players that can come in and fill spots if needed. Add in the multiple roles our players can play, it makes it a lot easier for us. It’s a great partnership between Littlejohn and Mitchell, they are developing players beautifully.

 

[HawthornHawk]

Were we planning to play Ratugolea as a forward?

 

[arupist]

Looking forward to North and Saints having a win today.

Never in a million years did I ever think I would say that.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Since North had their bye they've been a lot less awful.

They had a shocker against Sydney and lost by 70+ but most of their losses either side of that have been less than 20 points. Clarko doing his end of season ramp up again. They'll get another win or two before the end of the season and definitely won't be our easiest game in the run home.

 

[DogDaySonny]

Two observations:

1. Geelong appears to have played their Grand Final against us.

2. North is showing a familiar pattern. For two years now, they are playing well in the season’s garbage time after playing so poorly when it mattered. I was tired of that pattern at Hawthorn.

 

[TylerDurden]

Two observations:

1. Geelong appears to have played their Grand Final against us.

2. North is showing a familiar pattern. For two years now, they are playing well in the season’s garbage time after playing so poorly when it mattered. I was tired of that pattern at Hawthorn.

They'll wilt in the 3rd.