Teams with the most to lose this Finals Series

[JackOutback]

West Coast are a tricky one.

I understand the view that no one expected them to finish top two, so therefore they aren't under too much pressure. However it's such a massive opportunity for them to grab a flag and cash in on the home ground advantage. Yes they are young and should challenge again at some stage but you never know when that next chance will come.

From here, anything less than a prelim, or even a grand final appearance, will seem disappointing. But if they do make the granny, expecting them to win it with so little finals experience against a more hardened team (Hawks, Freo or Swans) would probably be a bit much.

If they do win, it will feel like we've pinched one.

 

[Present Not Past]

Pass marks
Freo - GF Win. They have done everything else except this.
WCE - Last seen in 2012 where they got to 2nd round. Nees to equal this or better.
Hawthorn - Perenial finalists. Have nothing to prove or lose anymore. Will probably be there in one of the PFs.
Swans - I would think there's no pressure on them, but will probably make the PF.
Richmond - The heat is on the Tigers to perform. Usually with your third shot you'd except at least a PF appearance.
North - Tantalised it's fans last year with a PF appearance. Anything less this year with be an abject failure. North have the most to prove in the finals (behind Freo).
Adelaide - Was a kick away from a GF in 2012 and then went to sleep for 2 years. A PF is certainly achievable or can they draw on the memory of Phil Walsh for a fairytale win?
Bulldogs - Have returned from the wilderness. A win in their EF will be enough to sustain their fans this year. The pressure will ramp up next year.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Pass marks
Freo - GF Win. They have done everything else except this.
WCE - Last seen in 2012 where they got to 2nd round. Nees to equal this or better.
Hawthorn - Perenial finalists. Have nothing to prove or lose anymore. Will probably be there in one of the PFs.
Swans - I would think there's no pressure on them, but will probably make the PF.
Richmond - The heat is on the Tigers to perform. Usually with your third shot you'd except at least a PF appearance.
North - Tantalised it's fans last year with a PF appearance. Anything less this year with be an abject failure. North have the most to prove in the finals (behind Freo).
Adelaide - Was a kick away from a GF in 2012 and then went to sleep for 2 years. A PF is certainly achievable or can they draw on the memory of Phil Walsh for a fairytale win?
Bulldogs - Have returned from the wilderness. A win in their EF will be enough to sustain their fans this year. The pressure will ramp up next year.

Yeah they are going to find it hard to make the semi.....

 

[Present Not Past]

Yeah they are going to find it hard to make the semi.....

They are going to find it hard to make the semi ..... because West Coast always gets a free ride with the umpires at home?

 

[kaiserchief13]

They are going to find it hard to make the semi ..... because West Coast always gets a free ride with the umpires at home?

 

[pacman]

Pass Marks:
Freo - Grand Final Appearance
West Coast - Prelim Appearance (Given they won't leave Perth)
Hawthorn - Flag
Sydney - Prelim Appearance (Given injuries)
Richmond - Win One Final
Western Bulldogs - Making Finals is a Pass
Adelaide - Making Finals is a Pass
North - Prelim Appearance (Equal last years effort)

Hawks need a flag after playing the last 3 grand finals and winning 3 flags in the last 8 years.
Yet Tigers only need to win 1 final after being borderline disgraceful for 35 years.

The difference of what each club expects.

 

[GroggSquad]

Hawks need a flag after playing the last 3 grand finals and winning 3 flags in the last 8 years.
Yet Tigers only need to win 1 final after being borderline disgraceful for 35 years.

The difference of what each club expects.

When you're the premiership favourite, anything less than winning the flag cannot be seen as a success

 

[Rimmer]

yup i would take a win in the first final and be more than content. Of the sides in the 8 North is the one I think we least want to play though. Forget last week we had last beaten them in 2011. Taken the scalps of all the other finalists our share of times but North always seem to have our measure. Well maybe we will get lucky. Whoever wins that one is likely to face a very battered Sydney the following week.

 

[footyfan1978]

and so it happened. Richmond eliminated again. Third years straight. Some players like Cotchin will have a looooooong off season.

 

[Joshen]

Richmond the biggest loser from week 1, West Coast and Adelaide the biggest winners.

 

[HBF]

Richmond are going to have the longest preseason. Wonder how this will affect the playong group leading into 2016.

 

[Joshen]

So to conclude this thread; who was the biggest loser?

1. Richmond
Failed to get past the first round for the third year in a row with no exogenous factors to blame. Tigers finished a win off top 4, were at home against an inconsistent North team but despite being ahead for much of the game you never had the feeling like they were in control. Leaders, barring Jack and lead by the much talked about Cotchin, failed to fire a shot. Was a bitter pill to swallow where, in spite of the feeling they'll be around the mark again next season, the year reads as a bit of a waste. Feel for Newman.

2. Fremantle
Perhaps harsh, but finished on top of the ladder, had the week off, and hosted a prelim...unfortunately anything but a premiership was going to get judged a failure. Fyfe's injury meant it was going to be an uphill battle and once again they fell short. Queries on whether the window has closed after three consecutive years in the top 4 and an ageing list with at least one confirmed retirement. The KPF problem may be resolved in the off-season but Lyon will have to do something to the game-plan and change some personnel around if the Dockers are to contend in the near future.

3. Sydney
A straight-sets exit never looks good, especially when you're right in premiership contention coming off a GF loss. Reality was that the Swans were walking wounded in finals however, nonetheless will be disappointed they couldn't snatch the game against Freo and then had to come home from the West and face a mature North team keen to atone from 2014's meek preliminary final departure. Sydney's off-season is intriguing with queries of Franklin, Shaw's retirement, and Jetta all but confirmed to be heading to Perth; they should still be contending in 2016.

4. West Coast
Eagles fans would've been over the moon 12 months ago had you told them they'd be playing in the last match of the year yet, with the season they've had you can't help but feel disappointment given their form heading into the GF; firming as almost premiership favourites after knocking off their vanquishers in the qualifying final. 16 teams would be envious of their position but ultimately will trudge back to Perth with no silverware. McKenzie among others returning should see the Eagles back at the pointy end of the season next year but let downs are an all too frequent occurrence and possibility.

5. North Melbourne
Hard to judge North given we topped up for a flag assault so finishing 4th again screams of non-improvement yet two finals wins (only less than Hawthorn), including one interstate means that the year won't be judged a total failure. A much more competitive preliminary final is encouraging but in truth margin counts for naught. Will need a much more consistent regular season to obtain the (should be) benchmark of a top-4 finish in, what seems like, the last shot Harvey, Wells, Petrie, Waite, Firrito might have at a flag.

6. Western Bulldogs
The surprise packet of the season delivered one of the most exciting games of the year against Adelaide and while the loss is not ideal, should not deter the Dogs surge towards that elusive premiership. They did manage to avoid the 'top-6' draw so swings and roundabouts and, with Libba returning, they'll be hoping to move further up in the ladder in 2016. Like West Coast, there is always the risk of a bit of a let down after a break-out year.

7. Adelaide
A brilliant win away from home means the year will be considered a success (on-field only) but the heavy loss to a rampaging Hawthorn stings a little bit. Ultimately anything post-Walsh tragedy should be considered a bonus. They have a crucial off-season ahead with the management of the coaching search and expected loss of superstar Dangerfield incredibly important in the context of the Crows' future fortunes.

8. Hawthorn
The only team that can truly be satisfied after their season. 3 years in a row and comfortably the best team this year. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat.

 

[SBYM]

Hawthorn...should have won by more.

 

[footyfan1978]

Richmond and Fremantle the biggest losers of the finals. Freo finishing top and not making a grand final and no change is scoring capacity is poor result.
North and Swans next. Swans more so just unlucky injuries meant they had little chance this year at finals time. North blew a good start against Eagles in prelim with 4 or 5 key players closer to retirement. They had to make a grand final this year to earn a pass mark. They failed for mine. Richmond three Elimination Final losses in a row speaks for itself. Pretenders again in worst possible way after talking themselves up every year and don't have the ticker for finals. Their captain has a long long summer ahead. Hardwick also comes under pressure now.
Credit to Crows and Dogs doing better than most expected and giving us a quality elimination final that probably best final to watch of the finals series. Eagles as runners up made great strides but the grand final performance was full of poor decision making and poor kicking for goals.
All the glory goes to Hawks and so it should. Had poor first final and re-deemed themselves on the big stage.