How even is the competition?

[Bloods Rule!]

I follow the Swans and right now they aren't playing well. They might be getting back to their form of last season but it seems to be a long road back right now. So we've won just one of the first four rounds. We should be way off the pace but if you look at the ladder, we're not that far off the eight.

The only teams that seem to be making the best of a fast start to 2006 are the Weagles (again) and the Doggies. Then the Hawks and Crows are one game clear of the pack. Every other team has won one or two games.

There are a lot of supporters on here talking about how it's unlikely that their team will lose another game this year. I think it's more likely that it'll be like last season - and even midway through the season we'll still be guessing form for tipping. Funny how Port beat the Swans even though they are crap but suddenly they are a good team when they beat the Saints. The Hawks are universally regarded as woeful but they are a game clear of the all-conquering Pies. The Cats were in the front running for the flag this year but will you tip them against the hungover Swans this weekend? It'd be funny to see the Saints superteam go down to a Freo team playing away this weekend. But stranger things have happened. And that'd certainly be true if the shadow of the team that used to be the Lions thrashed the Eagles at Subi. It's unlikely, but this season I reckon anything can happen.

 

[MagpieScouser]

i wish it was even in 2002 and 2003!sydney deserved the flag but you were very lucky there was no dominant team in 2005 ala brisbane in 01,02,03,
6 teams had a genuine chance at the start of the 2005 finals series for the flag

 

[Cuzz09]

I follow the Swans and right now they aren't playing well. They might be getting back to their form of last season but it seems to be a long road back right now. So we've won just one of the first four rounds. We should be way off the pace but if you look at the ladder, we're not that far off the eight.

The only teams that seem to be making the best of a fast start to 2006 are the Weagles (again) and the Doggies. Then the Hawks and Crows are one game clear of the pack. Every other team has won one or two games.

There are a lot of supporters on here talking about how it's unlikely that their team will lose another game this year. I think it's more likely that it'll be like last season - and even midway through the season we'll still be guessing form for tipping. Funny how Port beat the Swans even though they are crap but suddenly they are a good team when they beat the Saints. The Hawks are universally regarded as woeful but they are a game clear of the all-conquering Pies. The Cats were in the front running for the flag this year but will you tip them against the hungover Swans this weekend? It'd be funny to see the Saints superteam go down to a Freo team playing away this weekend. But stranger things have happened. And that'd certainly be true if the shadow of the team that used to be the Lions thrashed the Eagles at Subi. It's unlikely, but this season I reckon anything can happen.

Nooooooo! - Oh god please no! - surely not!

 

[imright]

I follow the Swans and right now they aren't playing well. They might be getting back to their form of last season but it seems to be a long road back right now. So we've won just one of the first four rounds. We should be way off the pace but if you look at the ladder, we're not that far off the eight.

The only teams that seem to be making the best of a fast start to 2006 are the Weagles (again) and the Doggies. Then the Hawks and Crows are one game clear of the pack. Every other team has won one or two games.

There are a lot of supporters on here talking about how it's unlikely that their team will lose another game this year. I think it's more likely that it'll be like last season - and even midway through the season we'll still be guessing form for tipping. Funny how Port beat the Swans even though they are crap but suddenly they are a good team when they beat the Saints. The Hawks are universally regarded as woeful but they are a game clear of the all-conquering Pies. The Cats were in the front running for the flag this year but will you tip them against the hungover Swans this weekend? It'd be funny to see the Saints superteam go down to a Freo team playing away this weekend. But stranger things have happened. And that'd certainly be true if the shadow of the team that used to be the Lions thrashed the Eagles at Subi. It's unlikely, but this season I reckon anything can happen.

Swans could not face a more fired up opponent than the Cats next week. The twin motivation of losing last week and the Swans tipping them out of the finals last year will be fresh in their minds. I would not have any hesitation in putting your house on the Cats to win next week.

 

[stui magpie]

Very even competition. Even though West coast and Doggies are unbeaten, they aren't unbeatable. Any team on their day could knock any one off, anywhere.

Any team that makes the finals this year is in with a big chance for the flag and there will be more than a couple of teams very unlucky to miss finals action.

Basically, it's as wide open as your mother in law's mouth.

 

[rick James]

6, no, 7!

 

[Bloods Rule!]

Swans could not face a more fired up opponent than the Cats next week. The twin motivation of losing last week and the Swans tipping them out of the finals last year will be fresh in their minds. I would not have any hesitation in putting your house on the Cats to win next week.

I was trying to be more general but let's look at the specifics: these are exactly the games the Swans tend to win - when the other team has everything going for it. Look at their record in putting teams out of finals (or Premiership) contention.

Anyway, the Cats have lost the last two. The Swans have lost 3 out of 4. Both teams have a lot on the line. The Swans are reigning premiers but not playing like it; the Cats have been told that they are Premiership contenders but are not playing like it.

It may come down to coaching. Last time, in the semi, the Cats played a very close man-on-man game and it nearly got them across the line. Will they again take on Sydney at its own game or will they try to blow the game open?

 

[Tas]

Would be a good season if we won a game now and then.

 

[imright]

I was trying to be more general but let's look at the specifics: these are exactly the games the Swans tend to win - when the other team has everything going for it. Look at their record in putting teams out of finals (or Premiership) contention.

Anyway, the Cats have lost the last two. The Swans have lost 3 out of 4. Both teams have a lot on the line. The Swans are reigning premiers but not playing like it; the Cats have been told that they are Premiership contenders but are not playing like it.

It may come down to coaching. Last time, in the semi, the Cats played a very close man-on-man game and it nearly got them across the line. Will they again take on Sydney at its own game or will they try to blow the game open?

I couldn't be bothered to write something on every game but being a Swans supporter I thought I would reply with something about the Cats game.

Anyway I was being tongue-in-cheek about putting your house on the Cats. Just about every team floods these days, can't see a blowout by either team. A toss of the coin job I think.

 

[Bloods Rule!]

Obviously, I want the Swans to win that game. But I love watching the underdog come good. Like how exciting was it watching the Hawks beat the Cats? And Port hang on to win against the Saints? I'd much prefer to watch the Lions beat the Eagles while two years ago I'd have been hoping for the other way around.

Some games you watch for tactics (Crows-Dogs), some you watch for skill (Dogs-Cats) and some you watch just for the upset. Like with Lloyd out, I'm hoping the Bombers thrash the Pies. I was even barracking for Port over the Lions in 2004 - I like the Lions a lot more than Port but I was bored with watching them win Premierships.

 

[imright]

Competition seem even because its still early days. Have to wait until everyone plays everyone once.

I think the defensive style of play that teams are playing as well is probably making the gap between the good and bad less.

The interstate home ground advantage seems to have eroded slightly so far this year as well.

 

[Pessimistic]

The spoon hard to predict.

Could be a team on 6-7 wins getting it. And only a couple of games from 11th

 

[Bloods Rule!]

With it being so even, a lot may come down to fitness. The Bombers looked tired in the last quarter today and the Pies ran away with it.

 

[Tas]

With it being so even, a lot may come down to fitness. The Bombers looked tired in the last quarter today and the Pies ran away with it.

Essendon have looked tired in the last quarter for about the last three years.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

Essendon have looked tired in the last quarter for about the last three years.

even though we've won 3 out 4 last quarters this year?

 

[Eagles 4 Mine]

The Eagles have the next three games at home against Brisbane, Femantle and Collingwood should win all three but not getting ahead of myself.

It's going to be good to see a few of the Victorian teams are starting to travel Bulldogs this week a real test to see how they go.(TEST)

 

[Timbothecat]

The Eagles have the next three games at home against Brisbane, Femantle and Collingwood should win all three but not getting ahead of myself.

Round 1: Geelong v Brisbane SS
Round 2: Geelong v Kangaroos SS
Round 3: Geelong v Hawthorn SS

Doesn't matter wether or not supporters are getting too ahead of themselves. It's the playing and coaching staff that need to keep their attitudes in check, as the cats found out embarassingly against the Hawks.

Not sure if I'd call Freo a "home game" either, at least not in the same sense as the ones against Collingwood and Brisbane as far as home ground advantage is concerned.