Sat Night v Crows

[Thunder Shaker]

On the other hand, the Adelaide forward line is not the best in the competition. We will have a mediocre defence playing against a mediocre forward line, and a good defence playing against a good forward line. Where the game will be decided will be the midfield, because it is from the midfield that the forwards get their opportunities. If we can shut down the Adelaide midfield like we shut down that of West Coast, we are in with a chance.

I hope the umpires are kind to us as well. I don't expect perfection from the umps, but I do expect consistency and balance. After our last match against Adelaide in Adelaide, I hope we exact revenge. It would be so sweet to win by less than a kick with a late dubious umpiring decision going our way.

[swansrock4eva]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sat Night v Crows

Originally posted by NMWBloods
There was actually very little negativity after beating West Coast.

Some people like to remain circumspect, reflecting on potential as well as challenges. Some also actually expected the win, so it was very pleasing but not the biggest test.

Given the Swans' woeful finals performance, the biggest tests still remain.

Dreaming and believing doesn't magically make it happen.

Being cautiously optimistic, but remaining aware of the major hurdles is not being negative.

Very Much agree! I honestly believed we'd beat West Coast, no two ways about it, and I'd felt that way all week. But this one... Not so sure. We seem to regularly cop hidings over in Adelaide when we play the Crows and it is certainly something to be wary of. I think we have the potential to win it, and win it well, but I also KNOW we have the potential to seemingly get lost half way to the ground and only turn up for 15 minutes of the game.

If we win, it'll certainly show us some more good signs and continue putting bits of the puzzle of the 2005 premiership season together, but if we lose, I just hope it's not a belting that hammers our confidence.

[floppinab]

Originally posted by BonBon
I thought the West Coast game showed us where we're at.

I still don't think it has yet, the Eagles had zero to lose from this game, long trip to Sydney, never play well there anyway, somewhat undermanned up forward, well clear on top and facing two home finals, what did they have to win for!!! Sure no team plays to lose and they were right in it at 3/4 time but that game meant a hell of lot more to us than it did to them.

If we're really top four material we'll only drop one game out of the next 5, and that starts by winning against a red hot Adelaide at home this Sat.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

I don't think this saturday night will tell us too much about where we're at yet. I think after the next 9 weeks we should have a good indication as to wether or not we are premiership material. If we can get through those games unbeated we'll be a chance.

[Thunder Shaker]

The bookies feel we're not a genuine threat yet. We are currently 12-1 for the flag, the same odds as Geelong.

West Coast 2.85
St Kilda 4.75
Adelaide 5.00
Brisbane 7.50
Geelong 12.00
Sydney 12.00
Port Adelaide 21.00
Kangaroos 31.00
Melbourne 34.00
Fremantle 71.00
Richmond 101.00

I expect us to come in to 9-1 or 10-1 should we beat the Crows.

[BonBon]

God, I didn't think St Kilda would be 4.75! I thought we'd be a bit lower than 12.00 too.

Richmond - 101.00 - Hehe!

[Sanecow]

Back to Saturday : will heckling from the crowd upset Shagger?

[j s]

Those odds probably still reflect a lot of money laid early in the season.

Expect a significant change if ( or when ) we win this week.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by floppinab
Adelaide has the Rolls Royce defence that will not allow those sorts of goals.

It's interesting that I don't think anyone would have held the Adelaide defence in high regard at the beginning of the year. It's not exactly filled with stars or anything. Just seems very disciplined and accountable, plus also benefits from a strong midfield.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Originally posted by BonBon
God, I didn't think St Kilda would be 4.75! I thought we'd be a bit lower than 12.00 too.

Richmond - 101.00 - Hehe!

Isn't it great to see all those Richmond supporters put back in their place. Mid-season it was all top 4 this, premiership that. It won't be long before they're bagging their players and demanding Wallaces' head.

[giant]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
Isn't it great to see all those Richmond supporters put back in their place. Mid-season it was all top 4 this, premiership that. It won't be long before they're bagging their players and demanding Wallaces' head.

Which comes back to the circumspect thing - why put your head on the block by making claims that you have no way of supporting?

We all know we're a chance in a very even competition but much will depend on where we finish, injuries (ours & others), & other slices of luck.

And the players have exactly the same attitude. When Leo was on WLF last week, Grybus asked him to finish the sentence "in September, the Swans will..." I was kinda expecting fighting words like "hold the Cup aloft". Instead his response was "hopefully be playing in the finals!"!!!

I think everyone is right to keep a hold of expectations while believing that we might, just might, get it rite this year.

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by giant
I think everyone is right to keep a hold of expectations while believing that we might, just might, get it rite this year.

The archer who aims for the bullseye will win the prize, but the archer that aims for the prize will miss the target.

It is good that we hold expectations down for the time being. The old cliche of "one week at a time" serves us well. Even in round 22, when we play Hawthorn, we would do well to be thinking about that clash rather than the finals the week after. In a season where monumental upsets seem to happen almost on a weekly basis, no club can afford to take its opposition lightly.

I hope the game on Saturday night is a good contest, with no injuries and no reports, and the Swans claim the points. Even a draw would be good for us.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Does anyone on here really believe our own expectations will affect the teams performance? Or are you refering to the players, who from what I can tell are "taking it one week at a time".

[ScottH]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
Does anyone on here really believe our own expectations will affect the teams performance? Or are you refering to the players, who from what I can tell are "taking it one week at a time".

I'm sure they are regular readers of RWO, to find out how their form is and get some constructive advice on how to improve their game. Thus if they read, that we expect them to win it might go to their heads, so lets keep our expectations under our hats and just win next w/e first!!

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Originally posted by ScottH
I'm sure they are regular readers of RWO, to find out how their form is and get some constructive advice on how to improve their game. Thus if they read, that we expect them to win it might go to their heads, so lets keep our expectations under our hats and just win next w/e first!!

Yes I can see the whole team standing around a computer right now, their fragile minds shattering under the weight of our expectation.