Sydney to destroy Carlton

[jixygirl]

You can never really underestimate any team in the AFL, but if we play to our ability, we should easily be able to win. I'm a bit worried about Brett Ratten's retirement and it's effect on the Carlton football club, however it probably won't affect our players.

[nicko18]

you know what this match is starting to remind me of?? last years game v st kilda.

everyone was saying we'd romp it in... easily, and you can think that the players cant assume it will be an easy game, but subconsciously it's impossible not to. some of them will be thinking of tough weeks ahead, including finals, and no matter how much you try and think "we still have to play 100%" it is human nature to ease up. no matter how professional you are, you cannot overcome the subconscious factor that says we are 3 times the side carlton are at the moment.

perhaps im just being pessimistic, but ive seen it happen so many times before

[TheMase]

Originally posted by nicko18

perhaps im just being pessimistic, but ive seen it happen so many times before

I see exactly what you mean. And it is the same view that I would have taken into this match in the past, losing a game we should win.

But I think we have seen a change in the Swans this year. The mental side of their game seems to be on song.

Beating teams that threatened us in late stages of games (West Coast, Brisbane, Collingwood).

Winning the close matches (West Coast 8pts), and beating the teams we should beat fair easily (Carlton 74, St Kilda 51, Bulldogs 60odd, Essendon 54, Melbourne)

I expect a fully committed Swans to come out on the weekend, and if Carlton play to the level they did against West Coast, without Whitnall and Rattan, we will win by 100+.

[midaro]

Originally posted by TheMase
I expect a fully committed Swans to come out on the weekend, and if Carlton play to the level they did against West Coast, without Whitnall and Rattan, we will win by 100+.

I just don't see 100+ as possible. Pagan may not have the cattle, but he's a good coach and the basting they've copped this week will spark them - especially early. This will be a tough game and I really expect us to be behind at half time. I agree MASSIVE DANGER GAME.

...but that said, I have been a Swans supporter for way too long

[Charlie]

Originally posted by midaro
I just don't see 100+ as possible. Pagan may not have the cattle, but he's a good coach

Sure, he's a good coach... but he's been poor this year at Carlton. He is still coaching like he has the Kangaroos of the late '90s.

[liz]

We've actually had some of our bigger wins in recent years (in % terms) against Pagan coached teams!

That said, I don't expect it to be a 100 point shellacking. As with most games I'd take a one point win, though I suspect something in the 25-35 point range as long as the Swans are switched on.

[nicko18]

oh god lizz, if it's a 1 pt win i wont be able to recover in time for monday after my 2 week holiday. i'll need another 2 week break if that was to happen.

PS: does anybody think Pagan is a bit overrated? i didnt follow the game too closely back in 1999 but sounds like he had some quality cattle on the field. from what i've heard this year, he is still trying to employ pagans paddock without a Carey, and he just took them to the greatest loss in the clubs history. but again, if we are beaten, it wont be because Carlton were a better side than us.

[penga]

vin waite died just before the melbourne game and they faded, AGAINST melbourne! u think that the anouncement of ratten's retirement will spur them on, i think not!

carlton r screwed, and we r about to get lucky!

we'll cain them

[Sanecow]

cane

[chammond]

carlton r screwed, and we r about to get lucky!

Historically, Swans v Blues games at Princes Park are usually tough contests, which I think has as much to do with the peculiarities of the ground as with the relative ability of the teams.

If it rains, the ground will be very heavy. If it's clear, the glare of the sun is extreme this time of year and lasts the whole game because the stand are small. And it's always very windy, making marking very difficult. Either way, it never suits fast flowing football.

From my memory, games here are often decided by one player. In recent years I can remember Kouta winning a match off his own boot (and giving Adam Goodes a caning), and I can remember two other games here which Paul Kelly took by the scruff of the neck and got the Swans over the line.

Whatever happens tomorrow, I think history probably suggests that it won't be a high-scoring game, and a 100 point victory is unlikely.

[SXP]

I totally agree with you on this one!

[jixygirl]

From what I know, it's going to be sunny on Saturday. I personally think Optus is not a fantastic ground but my guess is that Sydney will win by a margin of 30-40 points

[Jeffers1984]

Lance Whitnall has done his knee and will be out for the rest of the season.....

Our KP should have a field day now

[omnipotent]

Blues have whipped a few teams there by over 100 points if you look at the past decade

[Big Country]

Originally posted by chammond
Historically, Swans v Blues games at Princes Park are usually tough contests, which I think has as much to do with the peculiarities of the ground as with the relative ability of the teams.

Problem is Carlton haven't been this bad ever, and their record at Optus Oval in the last 2 seasons is shocking, 1 win in 2 seasons isn't good and even then that win was by 1 point over the Bulldogs