Tough Run Home

[Scottee]

I have just had a look at the run home for us. It is really tough compared to the other teams in the 8 and it will be difficult to make the top 4 even at our best given our current position. Hope the improvement in our form continues.

The number of teams in the 8 to be played by each of the teams is:

StKilda - 6
Melbourne - 3
Brisbane - 2
Port Adelaide - 3
Geelong- 3
Essendon- 3
Fremantle - 3
Swans- 5

Fingers crossed!!!

[Nico]

If we can't beat some of the top sides what is the point of being in the 8, apart from prolonging the season by a week.

[dendol]

the positive of this (if there is one) is that we take 4 points away from our main competitors if we beat them. Those 8 point games we always talk about.

We just have to make sure we beat the 4 teams that we play who arent in the 8.

[liz]

As people have commented time after time on this board, the Swans usually seem far more switched on against the better teams than those down the bottom. So we will probably see them play better, even if they are not good enough to win them all.

Also, as Nico mentioned, better to play the kind of competition that you are going to face in the finals on a regular basis because it reduces the chance of bad habits slipping in.

Most behaviour arises out of habits, and the one that Sydney most needs to develop to become a really good side is that of concentrating evenly for four quarters. They mostly did that against the Saints, definitely did it against the Lions and certainly did it last night - even if decision making let them down in the 2nd quarter. And while the Pies might be sitting 14th, they are a better side than that and certainly played like a better side than that last night.

I know the percentage could do with a bit of a boost, but I'd rather see a string of 9 tight games in which we win most but maybe lose out in a few, than a pattern where we win by 50 points one week only to lose by 30 the next.

[Thunder Shaker]

It is also helpful to include the Kangaroos in the analysis, because they are the side outside the top eight that is most likely to finish in the top 8. Their run is tough too.

When the Kangaroos are included:

StKilda - 7
Melbourne - 3
Brisbane - 3
Port Adelaide - 3
Geelong- 3
Essendon- 4
Fremantle - 4
Swans- 6
Kangaroos - 5

Edit: Our game against the Kangaroos in round 19 is the most crucial game in our run home. If we beat the Roos, we damage the finals hopes of the most dangerous side outside the top 8, thus improving our chances a great deal.