Dare I say it?

[Alec]

I like this scenario. We've only played teams that pundits expected us to beat here recently: Geel, Freo, Rich, Hawthorn, Doggies, Melb (who weren't as highly regarded when we met them as they clearly should have been).

So all year we've been in a position of having both poor form AND the expectation of victory. Not a good combination.

At last we're truly underdogs...but in front of a screaming home town crowd. If we go close or win...I think the emotion really could be the making of us.

[desredandwhite]

There is absolutely no reason why we should win.

Strangely, that's why I'm feeling just fine about the game! Go in, nothing to lose, and go for the throat. We know what the side can do if they're switched on, and I reckon we will do the Saints if we're "up there" for 90% of the game. Right now, we're only playing half a game, and that is clearly not going to be enough.

[Snowy]

Saints have been up for a while, could be due for a downer.

[Sid]

Originally posted by Foreign Legion
I reckon Goodesy will get Riewoldt. Leo on Gehrig - he has the pace and probably is strong enough. Also he may make Gehrig chase him which will help.

To me we are going to have to play Doyle/Ball rotating in the goalsquare. We need to kick straighter too!

I think thats well said and as usual, crouch will take on the in form milne. It'll be the ultimate test for our back line now that we have goodes there.

Also, i reckon injuries are taking its toll, with schaubs yet to play a game. I am confident that we will make a good contest out of it.

[Cheer Cheer]

Originally posted by Snowy
Saints have been up for a while, could be due for a downer.

Ofcourse they are! It's the law of averages!

[The Boot]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Ofcourse they are! It's the law of averages!

For an interesting take on the above refer Dr Karl's MythConceptions column titled "An Even Chance" in this weekend's Age/SMH Good Weekend liftout. No link found, sorry.

[Go Swannies]

The Aints right now are a huge call. I think our players have the ability to spoil their game if Roos gets the matchups right. Our forwards will have to do heaps better to get the winning score, though. But the team commitment last night suggests we have a fair chance.

This game is the benchmark. If we win then top 4 is possible. If we lose then probably in the eight but won't go far. If we're thrashed then good luck against Carlton! They are having a dream run with few injuries while we're having a shocker. Win - and have some players come back in over the next few weeks - and we're well on course.

At least we have the last two weeks of points on the board so we don't have to beat the Aints to make up for losing to the Hawks or Dogs.

[dendol]

Even if we dont win, I hope to see a really good showing from our boys. I know its not smart to look too far ahead, but if we get belted next week, then face Port@aami and then a rejuvinated Collingwood-with-Buckley@Telstra (where our record isnt great), we will be 5-8 and finals will be almost out of the question.

So this game is pretty much a season defining game, whether we win or lose. Its will be the truest barometer of where we are at; our last 4 games have been against bottom 8 sides whos form has been no better than ours.

[NMWBloods]

Saints haven't even looked close to having a downer. The only way we'll win is an exponential increase over yesterday. We were good in patches, ordinary in others, and we won't beat St.Kilda on that basis. Fortunately, we have often come out and beaten highly-fancied favourites so we certainly could do that. We'll definitely need to play at our best - I can't believe some people said before the start of the year that they didn't rate the Saints!!

[DST]

If it bleeds you can kill it.

It's time to go hunting.....................

DST

[Schneidergirl]

I saw 'Troy' (the movie) this afternoon and I have ONE quote to answer this post....

'IMMORTALITY TAKE IT... IT'S YOURS!'

GO YOU MIGHTY MIGHTY MIGHTY SWANS!!!!

[dendol]

Originally posted by Schneidergirl
I saw 'Troy' (the movie) this afternoon and I have ONE quote to answer this post....

'IMMORALITY TAKE IT... IT'S YOURS!'

GO YOU MIGHTY MIGHTY MIGHTY SWANS!!!!

immorality? hmm.. we'd have a team of wayne carey's before week's end!

[Damien]

Originally posted by dendol
immorality? hmm.. we'd have a team of wayne carey's before week's end!

LOL Too Funny....

[Schneidergirl]

Opps

Words just don't look right when they are in caps.

[sharpie]

Good idea, why dont we pick someone like Powell. he can be a bit of a hot head, right? Send him out in the 1st 5 minutes to whack a few of their stars: Hayes, Hamill, Harvey, Riewoldt, etc. Dont know if its safe to go after Gehrig though, he's gotta be as much of a tough man as Barry Hall! This tactic may even up the matchups a bit . We're not called the Bloods for nothing.