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We are currently sitting in 8th place on the ladder with a 3-3 record. This looks good on the surface, but the reality is we have not yet played a side in the top half of the ladder. Nor will we do so in round 7 because we play Richmond.
Here is our draw for the next nine rounds. I have not seen so many 8-point games grouped so closely; with one exception these games are all 8-point games. We will have to be on our best games to win most of these.
Round 7 - Richmond (a). Richmond are currently outside the eight on percentage, so this game is a danger game. Richmond were one of two teams we did not defeat last year.
Round 8 - Western Bulldogs (a, at SCG). The Bulldogs have started the season well, but have lost their last two. They have won regularly at the SCG and they may cause us trouble again.
Round 9 - Hawthorn (a). Hawthorn are in much better form this year and are well-placed to make the finals. Even when the Hawks have had poor seasons, the fixture of Hawthorn away has often resulted in a loss to them in recent years.
Round 10 - Kangaroos (a, Manuka). Another danger game. Last year the Manuka fixture was the one that got away. The Kangaroos have a genuine home-ground advantage at that ground and they have beaten us a few times there. Given the Kangaroos' current position on the ladder, this is the only game listed that is currently not an 8-point game, but this could change by round 10.
Round 11 - St Kilda (h). After four away games in a row, we meet the Saints at home. We should win this one if we play well because it's at the SCG, but the Saints are not to be underestimated. Last time the Saints travelled to Sydney was in round 11 2004 when they were undefeated after 10 rounds. That game defined the 2004 season for both clubs.
Round 12 - Collingwood (h, Stadium Australia). Collingwood are looking ominous this year, and appear to be back to their best form of 2002 and 2003. When on their game like they are this year, they can beat us at this venue, as they did in 2003.
Round 13 - Fremantle (h). Fremantle are much improved this year. Because it's at the SCG, we can beat them, but we cannot take this game lightly.
Round 14 - Adelaide (h). Without a doubt, Adelaide are our bogey side. Our record against Adelaide is worse than that against any other club. Even at home we only have beaten them 5 times in 12 games. Of all the games, this one is one of the toughest.
Round 15 - West Coast (a). This is the much-awaited Grand Final rematch. This game is at Subiaco, so expect the Eagles to play well in front of their adoring fans.
The above may be mostly gloom and doom, but the bright side is in the last seven rounds all of the opposition are sides currently outside the top eight.
Here is our draw for the next nine rounds. I have not seen so many 8-point games grouped so closely; with one exception these games are all 8-point games. We will have to be on our best games to win most of these.
Round 7 - Richmond (a). Richmond are currently outside the eight on percentage, so this game is a danger game. Richmond were one of two teams we did not defeat last year.
Round 8 - Western Bulldogs (a, at SCG). The Bulldogs have started the season well, but have lost their last two. They have won regularly at the SCG and they may cause us trouble again.
Round 9 - Hawthorn (a). Hawthorn are in much better form this year and are well-placed to make the finals. Even when the Hawks have had poor seasons, the fixture of Hawthorn away has often resulted in a loss to them in recent years.
Round 10 - Kangaroos (a, Manuka). Another danger game. Last year the Manuka fixture was the one that got away. The Kangaroos have a genuine home-ground advantage at that ground and they have beaten us a few times there. Given the Kangaroos' current position on the ladder, this is the only game listed that is currently not an 8-point game, but this could change by round 10.
Round 11 - St Kilda (h). After four away games in a row, we meet the Saints at home. We should win this one if we play well because it's at the SCG, but the Saints are not to be underestimated. Last time the Saints travelled to Sydney was in round 11 2004 when they were undefeated after 10 rounds. That game defined the 2004 season for both clubs.
Round 12 - Collingwood (h, Stadium Australia). Collingwood are looking ominous this year, and appear to be back to their best form of 2002 and 2003. When on their game like they are this year, they can beat us at this venue, as they did in 2003.
Round 13 - Fremantle (h). Fremantle are much improved this year. Because it's at the SCG, we can beat them, but we cannot take this game lightly.
Round 14 - Adelaide (h). Without a doubt, Adelaide are our bogey side. Our record against Adelaide is worse than that against any other club. Even at home we only have beaten them 5 times in 12 games. Of all the games, this one is one of the toughest.
Round 15 - West Coast (a). This is the much-awaited Grand Final rematch. This game is at Subiaco, so expect the Eagles to play well in front of their adoring fans.
The above may be mostly gloom and doom, but the bright side is in the last seven rounds all of the opposition are sides currently outside the top eight.
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