Reasons for Optimism

[NMWBloods]

I cant believe you posted such an optimistic paragraph,

Strangely, people say that a lot here...

but alas I dont share your views on a top 4 spot. There is only one place up for grabs in the top 4, and we are competing for that one place with Collingwood who have an even easier run home, and have a couple of game head start on us.

13 wins will garantee 5th. We'll need 14, maybe 15 for 4th.

Assuming the teams maintain their current form that's right. If there is a drop off toward the end of the year, then it becomes a lower benchmark.

I think it's really hard to tell, particularly this year but also in recent years, which teams can maintain a run and which will slide back.

[Jewels]

If you're referring to the 2005 PF, that was at the 'G.

Quite correct, sorry should have checked my facts.

[cruiser]

I like Sharps's analysis and optimism and I still think that if we can start turning it on from the opening bounce, we'll make the finals. From what position remains to be seen.

One dark cloud is that the first week of the finals coincides with the APEC conference in Sydney, therefore finishing 5th or 6th may not guarrantee us a home final.

[barry]

I like Sharps's analysis and optimism and I still think that if we can start turning it on from the opening bounce, we'll make the finals. From what position remains to be seen.

One dark cloud is that the first week of the finals coincides with the APEC conference in Sydney, therefore finishing 5th or 6th may not guarrantee us a home final.

Why, is George Bush bringing the San Diego Cardinals for an exhibition game ?

[Vivien]

Good post Sharpie - I wish I could be so positive!

I really find it impossible to speculate as to where we will end up this year. If current form is anything to go by, I can only see us slipping down the ladder. One thing that gives me confidence is the return of Kennelly and LRT - I think this will improve our structure and set-up.

I don't know about others, but I am a little worried about the Freo game. I know they have been ordinary this year, but I can't see them giving away their season without a fight. Plus, with Farmer, Tarrant and Pavlich all in the side, I think our back line will be tested - particularly with no Kennelly and possibly no Barry.

[Jeffers1984]

I don't know about others, but I am a little worried about the Freo game. I know they have been ordinary this year, but I can't see them giving away their season without a fight. Plus, with Farmer, Tarrant and Pavlich all in the side, I think our back line will be tested - particularly with no Kennelly and possibly no Barry.

You're right. I'm very worried about this match. Don't know if we have the current form to just pluck a win out even if it is at home. Freo are still a really good side on paper.

Once the Swans start playing positive football and take the game on from go, then i will feel more positive about them

[Doctor J.]

Why, is George Bush bringing the San Diego Cardinals for an exhibition game ?

The SAN DIEGO Cardinals??

Beg your PADRE, but I think you need to be shown the way to St. Louis

[sharp9]

I'm actually not that optimistic...the main thrust of my reason for posting was that I realised we COULD still win IF we found form.

I posted after St. Kilda that it was over....Roosey denied me and kept the same old...two good wins. Maybe I was wrong, I thought, then a disgrace against Essendon, then Collingwood (OMG), then another first half disgrace against Geelong.

"I'm definitely right," I thought, "we really suck - so why won't Roosey change the team? Mmmm he is the Messiah so he must know something I don't." And as it turned out he had looked at the draw and I hadn't.

Personally I think we have Buckley's chance of being a force at year's end. But then Buckley did make two grand finals so I have to (reluctantly) agree with Roosey that there is no point in wholesale changes until we lose one more "should win" game.

Having said that, dropping Mathews and McVeigh should not rate as "wholesale bring on the kids changes"...that should just be normal week to week selection changes

[Jewels]

Having said that, dropping Mathews and McVeigh should not rate as "wholesale bring on the kids changes"...that should just be normal week to week selection changes

No, it shouldn't be normal week to week selection changes, neither of them should have been selected in the first place for at least the last four games and in the case of McUseless - EVER!!!!!!

[The Big Cat]

We only have to make the eight to be a real chance. Our CEO was on Melbourne radio a couple of weeks ago and mentioned that the team has played so much one-on-one, crash and bash footy over the last three years that mentally they have to be in a backs-to-the-wall situation now days to produce that 120 minute hard edge stuff.

As leo said earlier last year when we were also under the pump: "We only have to make the eight to give ourselves a real chance"

Even Adrian Anderson said before the Geelong game, which we were expected to drop) that he still favoured Sydney for the flag!

[timthefish]

if we had hall and kennelly each in fit and firing and the rest of the team playing their better football with timely displays of their best then i'd think the predictions of the home and away matches were likely. the finals follow on from there but finals are always completely unpredictable (yet the results always make sense in hindsight)

anyone got a spare fit and firing hall or kennelly and a bucket of form handy? because it's not going to happen without those things. not even close.

let's pray for a big win on sunday and the return of our essential ingredients soon.

[sharp9]

[QUOTE=timthefish;317767]...the finals follow on from there but finals are always completely unpredictable (yet the results always make sense in hindsight) [QUOTE] Isn't that so true! In hindsight no one would believe for a second that St. Kilda were better than us in 2005 (They were heavy favourites and finished above us on the ladder and had beaten Adelaide at AAMI) or that Brisbane weren't the greatest team of 2001 (Essendon reigning champs and top of the ladder).

Even the Dons losing to Carlton in the 99 PF makes a sort of sense...Dons had won 21 out of 22 (Bulldogs super flood) but they lost because they were arrogant Schmucks who DIDN'T TAKE IT ONE WEEK AT A TIME.

Perfect sense.