This Saturdays Final - Dogs v Eagles

[Claret]

From a purely selfish-Swans-supporting point of view I would prefer the Dogs to get up. Not necessarily because I think we match up better against them (which is highly debatable) but for another reason altogether . . .

Throughout the year a lot of sides have commented how much sorer they pulled up after playing the Dogs as opposed to any other side in the comp. The theory being that due to all the running one must do during these games it's a lot harder on the body and takes longer to pull up for next weeks match.

If the Dogs were to get through and play Adelaide you'd have to favour the Crows to get through after a tough road trip for the Bullies. Assuming, for the sake of this argument, that we get through to the Big One then Adelaide would have one less days recovery than us (same as last year) and also take longer to pull up from the Prelim after playing the Dogs.

Hope that makes sense. Thoughts?

[Zlatorog]

Re: This Saturdays Final - Dogs v Eagles

Originally posted by Claret
Hope that makes sense. Thoughts?

No, not really. The only reason you would like for Bullies to win is to avoid playing WCE in GF again. If WCE recover well during this week you'll see them in GF again, because Adelaide with their injuries will be no match for WCE.

[swans05]

dont discount adelaide they are a slick outfit great defence great midfielders

[Steiger]

IMHO, generally footy is ~60% skill, ~40% inspiration to get the job done, especially at the elite level as there's not a huge skill gap between players.

For example, it doesn't take a lot of skill to put a shepherd on when you know you're gonna get absolutely smashed. It's all in your head to put yourself between the opposition and your mate with the ball.

The same goes for the rest of the 1%ers that win games - smothering, spoiling, tackling and talking to your team mates, encouraging/instructing them etc.

Having one days less rest wont physically bother any afl team, but if they let that get to their head, they're gone.

[liz]

Depends on who we'd rather play in the Grand Final IF we get there - and I ain't taking anything for granted.

Based on how the teams have matched up against each other recently, West Coast stand a much better chance of beating Adelaide the following week than the Dogs do.

Would we rather play in a GF against Adelaide or West Coast?

[hammo]

Originally posted by liz

Would we rather play in a GF against Adelaide or West Coast?

Given the current results with the Weagles stand at LWLWLWLWLW I would have to say we'd prefer Adelaide.

It will be a very interesting PF to watch.

Whoever we play (*if* we make it) it will be close again.

[AnnieH]

Originally posted by hammo
Given the current results with the Weagles stand at LWLWLWLWLW I would have to say we'd prefer Adelaide.

It will be a very interesting PF to watch.

Whoever we play (*if* we make it) it will be close again.

My nerves are shot ... and we've still got a week to go.
As much as I'd love to see the dogs get it over the bugdies (just for old times' sake Rocket) on the accurate statistic you provide above, I have to agree Hammo.
Budgies v Crows .... go the crow!!
IMO if we play the budgies again, they're gunna really, really, really be after our blood this time around. How much more humiliation do youse think they can take? Their level of dirty play will certainly be pushed up a couple of notches. Maybe they'll take out their frustrations and go in filty dirty on the crows, injuring a few of the crows players on their way out of season 2006 (not badly injure, but just enough for a few more of them to miss a week).
...... in my ideal world!!

[Xie Shan]

Originally posted by hammo
Given the current results with the Weagles stand at LWLWLWLWLW I would have to say we'd prefer Adelaide.

Shhh, don't say it! I keep thinking back to last year and how the grand final result was the reverse of the QF one. But remember that the LWLWLWLWLW pattern we've had against the Eagles is because we didn't play 2 games in a row at the one home venue. The fact that we were the ones to break this trend (of the home team prevailing) by winning at Subiaco is encouraging. We have now beaten them at four different grounds - of varying shapes and sizes, mind you: TS, SCG, MCG and Subiaco - over the period 2004-2006. In the same period, they have only beaten us at Subi.

[liz]

Originally posted by hammo
Given the current results with the Weagles stand at LWLWLWLWLW I would have to say we'd prefer Adelaide.

It will be a very interesting PF to watch.

Whoever we play (*if* we make it) it will be close again.

Why? Our recent record against the Crows is LLLL. I know which I'd rather take a chance on.

[goswannie14]

True Liz, but at a neutral venue it would be interesting to see how we went against them. Also the fact that the Swans sem to be a different team in the finals. That being said, I would rather play the Bullies, but no team has got to the GF from 8th so it seems unlikely, but still possible.

[Zlatorog]

I dont by this LWLWLW thing at all. MCG is a nutral ground for both of them the Swans and the Eagles (or Crows, if they make it). Tonights game will tell the tale how far the Eagles will go. The Crows are no push over, but I still think that their injuries might prove to be their undoing. We'll see.

[Dave]

If Burton doesn't make it back in I'd be happy enough to play the Crows (if we get that far of course)

It's about time we had a win against them.

[ROK Lobster]

I'd love to see a Swans v Dogs, Roos v Eade GF. It would add an extra layer of interest and speculation and add slightly to the pressure on both coaches, as well as to many of the team.

[573v30]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
I'd love to see a Swans v Dogs, Roos v Eade GF. It would add an extra layer of interest and speculation and add slightly to the pressure on both coaches, as well as to many of the team.

I would too, if only the Doggies played a bit better this season...

[satchmopugdog]

Hullo Freo!!!!!!!!!!!