Opinion Who wins the Premiership? (Updated poll - Updated for Prelims))

[Jhye Clark 13]

I am pretty certain the way Tigers played last night, they would have won in any ground and that includes Optus. Ground had nothing to do with it mate. They were just better on this occasion.

Yea na.

 

[juss]

Port beat Richmond.
St Kilda beat Richmond
GWS beat Richmond
Collingwood drew to Richmond.

Even Hawthorn beat them.

They're not infallible, and certainly you're deluded if you think West Coast "remain the only team capable" of beating them.

When people talk about the "luck of the draw", this is it. It's when you get the teams you play.
Richmond play Hawthorn or the Pies tomorrow and we win by 10 goals, they got us a good time for them and a bad time for us.
I'd probably even add GWS, St Kilda as winnable games if it was played next week where you'd be backing the Tiges as favourites. Even Port Adelaide got them missing a few players who have since returned.

No doubt Richmond benefitted too at times playing some teams when they were down on form, so it works both ways (e.g we played Gold Coast later in the year without Rowell and when form has dropped off), but that's absolutely the luck of the draw. It's not who you play, but when.

The second thing is that good teams make it count in finals. How many of those 5 teams above beat us in a final if played next week? I'd back us in all of those to turn the result around.

 

[projectv]

When people talk about the "luck of the draw", this is it. It's when you get the teams you play.
Richmond play Hawthorn or the Pies tomorrow and we win by 10 goals, they got us a good time for them and a bad time for us.
I'd probably even add GWS, St Kilda as winnable games if it was played next week where you'd be backing the Tiges as favourites. Even Port Adelaide got them missing a few players who have since returned.

No doubt Richmond benefitted too at times playing some teams when they were down on form, so it works both ways, but that's absolutely the luck of the draw. It's not who you play, but when.

Totally agree. It's why I think the finals this year are as open as they've ever been.

And why it's a bit silly for folks to make statements that only x can beat y.

Saints definitely played Richmond before they came good. If Richmond can beat Geelong I'd have them right up there, but they're only one Mason Cox purple-patch away from shitting the bed just like every other team.

 

[juss]

Totally agree. It's why I think the finals this year are as open as they've ever been.

And why it's a bit silly for folks to make statements that only x can beat y.

Saints definitely played Richmond before they came good. If Richmond can beat Geelong I'd have them right up there, but they're only one Mason Cox purple-patch away from shitting the bed just like every other team.

Agree, the knock out finals can quickly turn a finals series with one upset. Again, the luck of the draw plays a part, sometimes a different team knocks out your biggest competition for you. E.g Collingwood beating Richmond in 2018 or GWS beating the Pies in 2019, increased the chances for both West Coast and Richmond on Grand Final day.

 

[woosha24]

Yea na.

Ya ha. They kicked like 2 points all game, with the rest being rushed behinds. Ridiculously dead-eye last night. Kicked them from everywhere (including 65m out!).

 

[Coach_Required]

Ya ha. They kicked like 2 points all game, with the rest being rushed behinds. Ridiculously dead-eye last night. Kicked them from everywhere (including 65m out!).

Apart from the Dusty & Balta goals the majority of our goals were from close range so you would expect them to kick straight.

 

[Overhang]

Apart from the Dusty & Balta goals the majority of our goals were from close range so you would expect them to kick straight.

Lynch kicked one from 55 too, but yeah the rest of your goals were pretty close to goals and standard shots, your only non-rushed behind (Riewoldt) was one of the easiest shots of the night too.

 

[woosha24]

Apart from the Dusty & Balta goals the majority of our goals were from close range so you would expect them to kick straight.

Which you did with aplomb. But lets not pretend that kicking straight after crumbing the ball off a pack, or even while taking a set shot on a 45 degree angle is a gimme every time.

Dont want to take anything away from the performance because the Tiges played an excellent game, but you were above-average with your goalkicking last night. Especially based on the last few weeks. Couldnt miss.

 

[Angus Young]

Tigers, Geelong and West Coast still.

 

[Coach_Required]

Which you did with aplomb. But lets not pretend that kicking straight after crumbing the ball off a pack, or even while taking a set shot on a 45 degree angle is a gimme every time.

Dont want to take anything away from the performance because the Tiges played an excellent game, but you were above-average with your goalkicking last night. Especially based on the last few weeks. Couldnt miss.

It was obvious from the first bounce our team wanted this win and sometimes when your focused you make sure it counts. It's not the first game this year where we have kicked accurately either. Same with you guys, didnt your mob kick straight against the Pies? It happens doesn't mean its a fluke.

 

[woosha24]

It happens doesn't mean its a fluke.

Its not a fluke, its an anomaly.

You guys put yourselves in the position to capitalise on your forward entries and did amazingly well out of it. Again, not saying you didnt deserve the win, but like our game vs Collingwood kicking that accurately isnt the norm for any afl side. When it happens for your own team its magic.

 

[Coach_Required]

Its not a fluke, its an anomaly.

You guys put yourselves in the position to capitalise on your forward entries and did amazingly well out of it. Again, not saying you didnt deserve the win, but like our game vs Collingwood kicking that accurately isnt the norm for any afl side. When it happens for your own team its magic.

Damn straight we did, we picked your strengths apart, made McGovern and Barass accountable, didn't let them take easy marks, we did our home work on Nic Nat and wore the poor bugger out, We knew you would tag Lambert thinking he was the key to our midfield but Cotchin stepped it up and was BOG, our backline made it difficult for your forwards to run into space.

West Coast are worst in the league for ground ball gets and we used that to our advantage.

We took you guys to school last night, it was telling and it was bloody awesome to watch.

 

[woosha24]

Damn straight we did, we picked your strengths apart, made McGovern and Barass accountable, didn't let them take easy marks, we did our home work on Nic Nat and wore the poor bugger out, We knew you would tag Lambert thinking he was the key to our midfield but Cotchin stepped it up and was BOG, our backline made it difficult for your forwards to run into space.

West Coast are worst in the league for ground ball gets and we used that to our advantage.

We took you guys to school last night, it was telling and it was bloody awesome to watch.

Sure did. See you in finals.

 

[Chode1]

Port to beat the cats by 120 pts for 2020 premiership

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

And?

There's a difference between 50 games and 10 games obviously.

But thanks for converting it into a percentage.

Excuses are plenty in the west coast camp, accept the loss to the better team, like your classy coach, you sore loser

 

[Sweet Jesus]

Excuses are plenty in the west coast camp, accept the loss to the better team, like your classy coach, you sore loser

I haven't made excuses. Richmond clearly played better.

Stop saying stupid things.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Cannot see any team stopping The Tigers when The Eggs are cracking at the business end. They have a ruthless and professional edge to them reminiscent of Clarkson's Three-Peat Hawks.

Psychologically they fear no one in this league and that win over the Eagles was significant, I felt West Coast this year was the biggest challenges to The Tiger throne. Alas they were found wanting.

 

[Aramis]

Cannot see any team stopping The Tigers when The Eggs are cracking at the business end. They have a ruthless and professional edge to them reminiscent of Clarkson's Three-Peat Hawks.

Psychologically they fear no one in this league and that win over the Eagles was significant, I felt West Coast this year was the biggest challenges to The Tiger throne. Alas they were found wanting.

Agreed, you just cant write off that finals experience, edge and killer instinct. They fear no one and have total belief they can win it.

At the time of writing, on form, they are the benchmark and the team to beat.

 

[Mesc]

Richmonds Covid cup to lose. Geelong runners up.

 

[Joey longshadow]

He's not your best player. Do you disagree?

Everyone knows the answer so I'm not sure why you're arguing.

Prestia is a fine player but let's not overstate his importance compared to Martin.

I made no such claim. I said he won our B&F and is counted among our very best players.. So who's arguing

 

[Sweet Jesus]

I made no such claim. I said he won our B&F and is counted among our very best players.. So who's arguing

The B&F is irrelevant. Prestia is a fine player, no one disputes it. No need to gild the lily.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

We had a better 22 in for the Geelong game a few weeks back.I keep the faith and with a bit of acclimatization a few seasoned campainers back and a non concussed full forward I reckon we can smash the fu** out of the top four in Brisbane

Ya ha. They kicked like 2 points all game, with the rest being rushed behinds. Ridiculously dead-eye last night. Kicked them from everywhere (including 65m out!).

All I'm hearing is excuses. What was your excuse in QLD earlier in the year.

You're 2-4 there now ... 7-0 at home.

That's telling

 

[Philth]

Tigers, Geelong and West Coast still.

Yep.
All 3 very mentally tough.
Geelong have been extremely impressive and could easily win it.

 

[Power Raid]

Eagles have emerged as the most balanced side for me

Eagles vs lions GF

 

[Gavin Excell]

Eagles have emerged as the most balanced side for me

Eagles vs lions GF

Not sure how you can pick eagles ahead of Richmond