Approaching the finals?

[Go Swannies]

Watching the video of the Brisbane win last night for the first time, it was hard to recognise that this was the same team that went down to the Saints in an error-riddled game in R10. Our ability to get the ball to a player in space with sure passes and excellent kicks was remarkable.

Presuming we win one of the next two games, we'll be in the Top 4. How do you want us to approach the finals? Should we rest players (as has been suggested elsewhere) or should we try new positions (like Schneider as a back) or blood some new players in case there are injuries?

Should we aim to crush the Roos and the Hawks and possibly risk injuries? Or should we cruise?

[NMWBloods]

Crush them. We need to build the momentum going into finals.

[Sean]

Re: Approaching the finals?

Originally posted by Go Swannies
Should we aim to crush the Roos and the Hawks and possibly risk injuries? Or should we cruise?

If we cruise we'll lose both games and finish 5th. The Kangaroos are obviously a good side and Hawthorn are a lot better than their position on the ladder would indicate.

We need to continue playing at our best - the players can rest in October.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

I don't think most of our players seem to need a rest, would be good to see MOL benched once a game has been won though, possibly hall too. I couldn't think of anything worse than seeing MOL clutching at his hamy in the last round again.

I think most of the team seems to be pretty fit. Maybe it was a brilliant ploy by roos to slow down the games earlier in the season so as to keep our team fresh for the finals.

[SimonH]

Re: Approaching the finals?

Originally posted by Go Swannies


Presuming we win one of the next two games, we'll be in the Top 4. How do you want us to approach the finals? Should we rest players (as has been suggested elsewhere) or should we try new positions (like Schneider as a back) or blood some new players in case there are injuries?

Should we aim to crush the Roos and the Hawks and possibly risk injuries? Or should we cruise?

Absolutely full-tilt 100% against the Roos. If the equivalent fixture in 2004 isn't ringing in the players' memories, it's still ringing in mine. That fade-out was one of the reasons why the vibe (man) around the place was that, despite the WCE win, Sydney was just making up the numbers rather than a credible premiership threat. Also, it's not impossible that we'll face them in September (and if we do, it'll almost certainly be in Sydney), so it's important that we have the recent wood on them.

Pick our best team against the Hawks. We cannot know that the game won't count until after it's played, and we don't want to mess with form. We're in the happy position that percentage won't matter (unless the Roos beat us by 15 goals), and so if we're cruising to victory in the 2nd half we can bench Micky, BBBH, Williams et al. MO'L is not playing like a man who needs to be kept in cotton wool... in fact, the more he plays, the more comfortable he looks out there.

Anyone who believes it is physically impossible for Brisbane to beat St K has forgotten about Fremantle v Geelong this year, Sydney v Port in 2003 QF, or... [insert favourite upset here]. If they win the ball out of the middle (which they've got a better than average chance of doing with Voss and Aker), and J Brown has a day out, I can well and truly see them winning.

[dimelb]

We need to win and win well against the Kangas, especially after our woeful performance earlier this year - a real one that got away. That means the best team playing to their potential. Other teams have underestimated the Kangas this season and we don't want to join the list - they're dangerous.

[Vivien]

I think we definitely need to go full tilt in the last two games to build up some momentum going into the finals. I'd like to see some of the youngsters rotated though - perhaps give Malceski or Moore or McVeigh another chance. I read a quote from Leo Barry in an article this week saying they would probably make some changes just for the sake of it.

By no means can we afford to cruise against the Kangas - I too remember last year's game very vividly and feel that a similar performance this weekend would really quash all of our momentum. We need to play 4 good, honest quarters against the Roos as they have a reputation for being good finishers.

[OldE]

We have to crush them. Any advantage come finals time is significant, and a psychological advantage is definately worth playing for. If we were to meet them again in the finals, surely it's best that the Kangas are made to think back to a 50-point loss rather than a win. We can't give any team any power over us they don't already have.

[Thunder Shaker]

If the ladder positions remain unchanged, the odds are good that we will meet the Kangas in the finals in Sydney in the second week. Therefore, it is important that we win and win well.

In the last 10 years, Swans-Roos games have always been interesting affairs, with lots of angusih for both sides. There was the 2-point win where we came back from several goals down, the 1996 Grand Final, Paul Roos' 300th game, last year's last-quarter capitulation, and the 3-point win with Cressa's after-the-siren goal. You can bet the Roos and their fans will be thinking in similar terms.

Let's win by a good margin. The bigger the better. Let's show them that the demolition of Brisbane last week was no fluke.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by Thunder Shaker
Let's show them that the demolition of Brisbane last week was no fluke.

What are the chances that 1/3 of the Roos will have the Flu and that one of their most experienced players will injure themselves in the warmup but keep it a secret? That would help.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Sanecow
What are the chances that 1/3 of the Roos will have the Flu and that one of their most experienced players will injure themselves in the warmup but keep it a secret? That would help.

And also lose their gun forward and top midfielder and a key defensive player?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by Sanecow
What are the chances that 1/3 of the Roos will have the Flu and that one of their most experienced players will injure themselves in the warmup but keep it a secret? That would help.

So you're saying it was a fluke?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
And also lose their gun forward and top midfielder and a key defensive player?

With all those out, I'd say that the Lions would just about draw level with the Roos in terms of skills, commitment and genius.

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by Sanecow
What are the chances that 1/3 of the Roos will have the Flu and that one of their most experienced players will injure themselves in the warmup but keep it a secret? That would help.

You have a good point, but let's hope we can beat the Roos by a large margin anyway. We were 40 points up at 3/4 time last year and lost. Let's be 40 points up at 3/4 time again, but this time it's *us* that has the massive last quarter.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
With all those out, I'd say that the Lions would just about draw level with the Roos in terms of skills, commitment and genius.

That's a massive insult to the Roos.