2011 Season Anticipation

[liz]

I am sure the commentators have over looked us again.
Most will have a top 4 of Pies, Aints, Cats and Poos & Wees
It will then continue with Blues, Freo, Bummers , then Crows, Dees or Swans to round out the top eight.
There will be the odd commentator (they are all odd aren't they?) that will realise what the Swans are capable of and put us in the top 6 but that will the be the extent of it.

Doggies?

[EMJ]

Swans have to have a change to their game plan to be ahead of the collingwood's, saints etc. We cannot play same as 2010. Just wish we had the money and members of Collingwood.
they are so damn overpowering.

[mcs]

Swans have to have a change to their game plan to be ahead of the collingwood's, saints etc. We cannot play same as 2010. Just wish we had the money and members of Collingwood.
they are so damn overpowering.

I'm not sure we need to make significant changes to the game plan. Just have to execute better and get some more pace into the team. We had a very good year in 2010, and now its time for us to take the next step to really challenge for top 4 and go from there. Nothing wrong with our game plan when it is executed well.

[ShockOfHair]

We came within a kick of the preliminary final last year (amazing how everyone else seems to have forgotten) so we're obviously a big chance for the top 4. But I'd say it's most likely going to be Pies, Cats, Saints and Freo at the top of the table. Don't know about the Pies but I'm sure we will do some damage to the Cats and Saints this year.

FWIW, my prediction for 2011;
5-11 to come from: Swans, Dogs, Demons, Blues, Hawks, Roos and Crows.
12-14: Port, Richmond Essendon.
15-17: Eagles, Lions, Suns.

[laughingnome]

I don't know why people are still rating the Cats. I'd call them top 8, but no certainty to be top 4. Neither, for that matter, are the Bulldogs or the Dockers.

[aardvark]

I don't know why people are still rating the Cats. I'd call them top 8, but no certainty to be top 4. Neither, for that matter, are the Bulldogs or the Dockers.

What he said....and i'd be surprised if the Saints recover from the last three years to be a threat again.

[RogueSwan]

Doggies?

TBH - I was originally thinking about them but couldn't see the media putting them in the top 4.
Then I just forgot about them which might be indicative of their chances.

[msb]

What he said....and i'd be surprised if the Saints recover from the last three years to be a threat again.

Surely after 2 GF losses and a draw the motivation to do it all again would be weak? I cant see how they'll be a threat either, also who knows what this scandal could potentially do to them aswell. Unless there is a dramatic change in how we play against them etc, the only team who is a threat to collingwood is a fit and firing hawthorn IMO. I think they'll be right up there this year.

[laughingnome]

Surely after 2 GF losses and a draw the motivation to do it all again would be weak? I cant see how they'll be a threat either, also who knows what this scandal could potentially do to them aswell. Unless there is a dramatic change in how we play against them etc, the only team who is a threat to collingwood is a fit and firing hawthorn IMO. I think they'll be right up there this year.

I don't want to sound ludicrous, but a young Melbourne team drew with Collingwood and then lost by a point. I don't rate them for the flag, but Collingwood wouldn't be the first front-running team undone in the finals by a side that simply matched up with them well.

[liz]

Surely after 2 GF losses and a draw the motivation to do it all again would be weak? I cant see how they'll be a threat either, also who knows what this scandal could potentially do to them aswell. Unless there is a dramatic change in how we play against them etc, the only team who is a threat to collingwood is a fit and firing hawthorn IMO. I think they'll be right up there this year.

The Saints are an interesting case because they probably have the greatest concentration amongst all clubs of absolutely top notch players. Goddard and Riewoldt are undoubtedly top 10 players in the competition, and if Hayes isn't, he's not far behind. They have a decent raft of players at the next level down (eg Dal Santo, Fisher, Gilbert, Milne on his day, the vastly improved Gwilt) but they seem to drop off very quickly. If Goddard maintains his 2010 form (and he seems only just to be really hitting his straps) and Riewoldt remains injury free, the Saints can be a formidable team almost regardless of who else plays. And if even a couple of their younger players step up - Jack Steven, for example, looks a great prospect - they are certainly capable of challenging again.

[Triple B]

I'm not sold on Collingwood to go back to back at all.

There is absolutely no doubt they were far and away the best TEAM in 2010, but you could get a fair bit of argument whether they were better than quite a few other teams man for man.

Their whole success was based around ferocious, almost manic, pressure in their own forward line to force turnovers and present themselves with goal scoring opportunities. Along with a solid but not particular spectacular back 6 and an improved ruck and midfield group, they set a new standard in teamwork.

If their intensity drops just 10% this year because they have already reached the pinnacle and relax and the other teams just lift 10% because they want to knock off the reigning premiers (even moreso because it is Collingwood), then Collingwood are a long way from certain Top 4.

IMHO.

[aardvark]

The Saints are an interesting case because they probably have the greatest concentration amongst all clubs of absolutely top notch players. Goddard and Riewoldt are undoubtedly top 10 players in the competition, and if Hayes isn't, he's not far behind. They have a decent raft of players at the next level down (eg Dal Santo, Fisher, Gilbert, Milne on his day, the vastly improved Gwilt) but they seem to drop off very quickly. If Goddard maintains his 2010 form (and he seems only just to be really hitting his straps) and Riewoldt remains injury free, the Saints can be a formidable team almost regardless of who else plays. And if even a couple of their younger players step up - Jack Steven, for example, looks a great prospect - they are certainly capable of challenging again.

I think all the photo fuss will be the straw that breaks the camels back. It will be interesting to see what happens with them.

[Hartijon]

Teams get their moment to shine.Whether it be by brilliant play ,luck or circumstance it doesn't matter. If you don't grab success when it comes your way ,it is often a long time coming again. (GF 2006!) I see St.Kilda as a team whose had its chances and not grabbed them. So many of their players gave it all and it was not good enough. That has to sap morale and confidence and without a huge slice of both,a premiership is not achievable.The Swans can be super confident.They have nothing to lose and hopefully will be under-rated again. After a season where we nearly ended up 4th,most of the Football people I talk to think we had a bad year?? That's a good sign that we will sneak beneath the radar for at least 1/2 a season.

[msb]

The Saints are an interesting case because they probably have the greatest concentration amongst all clubs of absolutely top notch players. Goddard and Riewoldt are undoubtedly top 10 players in the competition, and if Hayes isn't, he's not far behind. They have a decent raft of players at the next level down (eg Dal Santo, Fisher, Gilbert, Milne on his day, the vastly improved Gwilt) but they seem to drop off very quickly. If Goddard maintains his 2010 form (and he seems only just to be really hitting his straps) and Riewoldt remains injury free, the Saints can be a formidable team almost regardless of who else plays. And if even a couple of their younger players step up - Jack Steven, for example, looks a great prospect - they are certainly capable of challenging again.

Even a fit riewoldt and goddard in top form will not win a flag....it has to be a team effort obviously. I think their "window" is slammed shut, they have certainly had their chances over the last 5-6 years but have not delivered (although I wouldnt be saying that had they kicked an extra point in the drawn GF!)

[msb]

I'm not sold on Collingwood to go back to back at all.

There is absolutely no doubt they were far and away the best TEAM in 2010, but you could get a fair bit of argument whether they were better than quite a few other teams man for man.

Their whole success was based around ferocious, almost manic, pressure in their own forward line to force turnovers and present themselves with goal scoring opportunities. Along with a solid but not particular spectacular back 6 and an improved ruck and midfield group, they set a new standard in teamwork.

If their intensity drops just 10% this year because they have already reached the pinnacle and relax and the other teams just lift 10% because they want to knock off the reigning premiers (even moreso because it is Collingwood), then Collingwood are a long way from certain Top 4.

IMHO.

I hope your right, but geez I struggle to think who can really challenge them except for perhaps a fit and firing hawthorn as I said in an earlier post. The draw that they are 'given' almost guarantees them a top 4 finish for starters!