Straight sets?

[midaro]

Can the team find the mettle to overcome this dissapointment?

The guys looked completely gutted afterwards...
...so much preparation.
...so much application.
...such a clear reason we lost despite playing so well (that makes it so much worse. There's no "we just weren't quite good enough" tonight - you known what I mean.)

Geelong or Melbourne will not be pushovers.

[timbo]

yeah just looking at them and what a win would mean.

1998 all over again.

It's as if well we did our best gave it our all, what more do we need to do.

(probably need some actual decent umpires)

[liz]

If they go out in straight sets then they don't deserve to be where they are. Yet my eyes tell me they very much deserve to be where they are based on the last 16 or so weeks.

They'll be gutted right now but if they're half the team we think (and hope) they are they will bounce back. Neither Melbourne nor Geelong has been in great form in recent weeks and we just have to be able to account for one of them next week.

And although I'm gutted right now, I also feel strangely optimistic that we'll be able to take it right up to either Adelaide or the Saints in a fortnight's time, if we get the chance - particularly if its Adelaide. There were loads of handling errors out there this evening yet the team still kept its structure up and created enough chances. We had a couple of players well down on what we know they're capable of.

I'm not going so far as to say I predict we WILL beat either the Saints or Crows in a prelim but I saw nothing tonight to suggest to me that we CAN'T.

[Newbie]

We should wait until next week to see how the team regroup. This team has a strong character so it might not be over yet.

Stay calm.

[swans_premiers]

Well we had a pretty similar and dissapointing loss to the crows where we lost the chance for a home final and bounced back after that. No reason why we can't do it again.

[barry]

Originally posted by swans_premiers
Well we had a pretty similar and dissapointing loss to the crows where we lost the chance for a home final and bounced back after that. No reason why we can't do it again.

Of course. In reality we were always a long shot tonight.
I think we need a relatively easy final next up. I'm even coming around to the SCG.

[desredandwhite]

Well, Adelaide did pretty well in '98. Got smashed by Melbourne (IIRC?) in the first week, came up to Sydney and gave us a footballing lesson in the wet, then coasted through the next two weeks to win their 2nd straight flag.

It can be done, if the team is good enough.

We've just been dealt something of a killer punch... But this is sport. It has a funny way of surprising you. I reckon we will be able to put away whoever wins out of Geelong and Melbourne, and then we regroup again. Got to beat Adelaide in Adelaide or St Kilda in Melbourne. Hell of a fight. But we won't be accused of having an easy ride if we go through.

I can continue being deluded for another week. This team has only lost 2 times in the last (how many? 10? 12?) weeks - both away, both to the number 2 side, and both by small margins. If we improve that TINY bit more (which itself is no guarantee...).....

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by desredandwhite
It can be done, if the team is good enough.

Was thinking the same thing.

Adelaide '98
Brisbane '03

[Jeffers1984]

Yes it's definately not over. We didn't finish third for nothing.

[desredandwhite]

Sorry, just one more thing... And THAT is why it's important to finish top 4. You get that SECOND CHANCE. The lads learnt a few lessons tonight - let's see if any of it has sunk in

Some people were hoping for a first up final against West Coast, so we can have a crack at Adelaide in week 3.

Well, you just got your wish. I hope the side is good enough to come back firing!!

[Thunder Shaker]

We lost by four points, more due to one or two dubious umpiring decisions than any lack of effort by our boys, against the Eagles in Perth, where they have lost just one game in almost two full seasons of football.

Inside the last minute, we got two inside 50's and got a goal. Had one of those last two kicks been marked by one of us instead of one of them, we would likely be celebrating a miraculous win in Perth. It was not to be, but it was oh so close.

The next game is in Sydney. If it's against Geelong, we are unlikely to lose because Geelong are notoriously fragile outside Victoria. Melbourne worry me a bit more because they have beaten us in Sydney recently, but if they don't have Neitz then we're in with a good chance.

It's unlikely to be straight sets. It's an interstate final for our opponent, and only one top four team has lost a semi final since the current final 8 system was introduced in 2000. A home final got the Eagles over the line tonight, there's no reason why we can't do the same next week.

[bloodboy]

We are playing Melbourne or Geelong remember - both of which we are playing much better than at the moment. I think the boys will regroup, and pull off a good confidence boosting win next week...GO BOYS!

[barry]

Originally posted by desredandwhite
Sorry, just one more thing... And THAT is why it's important to finish top 4. You get that SECOND CHANCE. The lads learnt a few lessons tonight - let's see if any of it has sunk in

Tonight just shows how important top 2 is.
18 wins anyone ?

[cruiser]

Sydney will beat Melbourne or Geelong at home next weekend. Our finals dreams are SO NOT over yet!

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by cruiser
Sydney will beat Melbourne or Geelong at home next weekend. Our finals dreams are SO NOT over yet!

I hope we win next week by 10 goals or more. It would restore confidence, earn us respect, and make the opposition in the preliminary final uneasy.