2008 Finals Series - Week 2

[Cheer Squad]

It's been quite a long time since we've played the Bulldogs in Melbourne.

We've never played them at the Dome during a regular season. In fact, our last home-and-away game against them south of the border was Round 20, 1998, at Waverley Park, a game we lost by 2 points. And the last time we met them at the MCG was QF2 in 1997, a game we lost by 35 points.

So do we have a chance to beat them this Friday night at the MCG? They've accounted for us both times we've met this year at the SCG and Manuka Oval, with both games having striking similarities in terms of the outcome.

On form, we are in better shape going into this game. There was a lot to like about the way we played in the second half against the Kangaroos, whereas the Dogs just couldn't get going at all against Hawthorn.

I just sense we can win on Friday night. Just a feeling, based on some of the things I saw against North Melbourne.

Swans by 16.

[Big Al]

I have horrible memories of the last final against the dogs. 9 goals in the 1st Qtr and straight out of the finals because North upset the team that came 2nd.(Geelong I think it was). Let's hope we can repay the favour this time around.

[573v30]

Swans by 13 to send the Doggies out in straight sets (I hope).

[Goal Sneak]

I don't like when I start to see the kind of similarities between games like what we have seen the last couple of times we have played the dogs. I feel like I'm watching the same game every time we play the Pies these days. I just hope the games this year were a coincidence and we will get a different result this Friday. I guess we will find out in the second quarter.

Swans should win in a tight one.

[top40]

A win, (which I predict) against the Bulldogs would be a remarkable achievement for Sydney.

Firstly: since the current Finals system came into existence in 2000, just twice in a total 16 games has a lower ranked side beaten a higher ranked side in a Semi Final:-

2001 Hawthorn (6th) bt Port Adelaide (3rd) by 3 just points

2007 Collingwood (6th) bt West Coast (3rd) in extra time after a draw

Neither of the above winners won another game for the year, both losing their respective Preliminary Finals.

Secondly: the Swans have not made a Preliminary Final (or better) after finishing in the bottom half of the end of season placed Finals teams since 1942:-

Year Home and away placing Finals result

1910 3rd out of 4 teams Lost week three, ie the Preliminary Final
1917 3rd/ 4 Lost week two.
1919 3rd/ 4 Lost week one
1923 3rd/4 Lost week three. ie the Preliminary Final
1932 4th /4 Lost week one
1934 3rd/4 Lost week four. ie the Grand Final
1942 3rd /4 Lost week three. ie the Preliminary Final
1970 4th /4 Lost week one
1977 5th/5 Lost week one
1987 3rd/5 Lost weeks one and two
1999 8th /8 Lost week one
2001 7th /8 Lost week one
2004 6th /8 Lost week two,
2007 7th /8 Lost week one
2008 6th /8 ????????????

[ScottH]

Someone has far too much time on their hands!!

Interesting stats, mate.
Let's hope we can follow the pies lead from last year.

[top40]

Someone has far too much time on their hands!!

Interesting stats, mate.
Let's hope we can follow the pies lead from last year.

Honestly, it didn't take very long to compile; and I really enjoyed preparing it.

[ScottH]

Honestly, it didn't take very long to compile; and I really enjoyed preparing it.

No need to tell me, I love when others do it.
Saves me the effort of looking it up. It is appreciated.

[johnno]

I've brought this up before but am doing it again cause we are playing the bulldogs again, but the 2 times we have played them this year, both games are scaringly identical to one another. Check below and you will see....

round 7...
swans bulldogs
q1 5-4-34 3-1-19
q2 6-5-41 10-2-62
q3 10-10-70 14-2-86

[johnno]

I've brought this up before but am doing it again cause we are playing the bulldogs again, but the 2 times we have played them this year, both games are scaringly identical to one another. Check below and you will see....

round 7...
swans bulldogs
q1 5-4-34 3-1-19
q2 6-5-41 10-2-62
q3 10-10-70 14-2-86

q4 14-10-94 18-4-112


round 18
swans bulldogs
q1 5-3-33 3-2-20
q2 6-6-42 11-4-70
q3 9-11-65 13-7-85
q4 14-13-97 17-11-113

...now, the only thing I hope for is that we once again outscore them 3 out of the 4 quarters, dominate possession for 3 out of the 4 quarters, outscore them for 3 out of the 4 quarters....basically outplay them for 3 out of the 4 quarters, but that 1 quarter where they do outplay us???, I dont want to be absolutely thumped by them in 1 quarter of football which is then too hard for us to come back from. We actually can bury this side on friday night, just have to do it for 4 quarters.

[Thunder Shaker]

Let's win this!

Swans by 14 points

[AnnieH]

I've gone for a "smaller" win ... IF we win.

It'll be very close.

[Robbo]

I'm pretty sure it can't be a draw

I've got a good feeling about this game. I reckon we will get up by 15 points.

[reigning premier]

I think injuries will hurt the Doggies..... And their form has been very poor over the last few weeks (Just like ours was up until two weeks ago.. ) Gilbee and Murphy are two huge players for them and if they're not at 100%, finals footy will find them out.

On the other side of the ledger, if we can get back MO'L, and dump Ablett for Bird, I think we'll go along way to having our best team on the field for the entire year. And one that looks like it might have finally found it's mojo again.

[hammo]

No way O'Loughlin will play

But Roos said Michael O'Loughlin had virtually no hope of playing on the weekend.

"He's slowly improving but at the moment it's looking reasonably grim for Mick," Roos said.

source

Anyhow, our forward line is just working out how to adapt to having Hall and Goodes as targets, MOL would throw the whole thing haywire.