Finals

[Thunder Shaker]

Whoever is writing the script for the 2017 season is really stretching credulity. In another plot twist, St Kilda are really doing a number on Richmond's percentage, to the extent that the Saints will probably end up ahead of Richmond at the end of the round (they need to win by 76 points and they are currently 89 points up). The good news for us: our percentage will still be better than both teams.

Our percentage is currently fifth best.

[Cheer_Cheer]

I believe we can go deep into this year now if we can maintain a healthy list.

[Mug Punter]

I believe we can go deep into this year now if we can maintain a healthy list.

I still think we need to win one of the away matches against GWS, Crows or Geelong to be sure of making the finals.

Better than even money bet now though, a win next week and I'll start thinking we may be able to a little bit better than just making them

[Thunder Shaker]

I believe we can go deep into this year now if we can maintain a healthy list.

Provided we keep winning of course. Next few weeks will be key: GWS (away), St Kilda (home), Hawthorn (away), Geelong (away). No easy games there. Win all four, we are the real deal. If we can win two of them we're doing well. Lose all four, we're reduced to mathematical chances.

The rest of the season is Fremantle (home), Adelaide (away), Carlton (home). I expect we will go 4-3 for the rest of the year, finish with 12 wins and a good percentage and sneak into 8th.

[CureTheSane]

"I think we should give up on finals this year and look to the draft picks and next year."

That must sound as stupid to everyone here as it did to me when it was proposed weeks ago...

[barry]

After 0 -6 start there was nothing to indicate we would go on a 8-1 rampage. Nothing.

[Jeynez]

St Kilda thumping Richmond really hurts our chances to sneak into finals with 12 wins... but it now opens the door for a potential top four finish ????

[MattW]

St Kilda thumping Richmond really hurts our chances to sneak into finals with 12 wins... but it now opens the door for a potential top four finish ????

Yep, a West Coast win today would further improve those chances of top 4 finish, while perhaps leaving us 9th at the end of the weekend & reducing margin of error for a top 8 finish.

[CureTheSane]

After 0 -6 start there was nothing to indicate we would go on a 8-1 rampage. Nothing.

Except faith.
Praise the football lord.

Seriously, we always had the talent. Form sucked, injuries compounded the problem, and a GF loss hangover was the biggest issue IMO

Good to see talk of top 4.

If finals happen, it will be nice, but the focus should be on getting a team that is ready for a shot at 2018.

Happy to hear your current thoughts on the team.

[barry]

Except faith.
Praise the football lord.

Seriously, we always had the talent. Form sucked, injuries compounded the problem, and a GF loss hangover was the biggest issue IMO

Good to see talk of top 4.



Happy to hear your current thoughts on the team.

You are trying desperately to run an "I told you so" agenda, but I think you are going off a little premature.

Big test next week. I would be taking it week by week if I were you.

Richmond are a chance for 9th, which I hope we can in some way assist. Lol.

[Thunder Shaker]

You are trying desperately to run an "I told you so" agenda, but I think you are going off a little premature.

Big test next week. I would be taking it week by week if I were you.

Week by week is a good philosophy considering the difficult matches we still have to come. Realistically, we need to win five of them to be assured of finals.

Richmond are a chance for 9th, which I hope we can in some way assist. Lol.

We already have - by beating them.

Fun fact: Richmond have never finished ninth in an odd-numbered year.

[Thunder Shaker]

After 0 -6 start there was nothing to indicate we would go on a 8-1 rampage. Nothing.

I was one of the pessimists at that stage, looking over the remaining fixture and trying to find the three or four games we might have a chance of winning.

Nek minnit: we win eight out of nine and are in the mix for a finals spot.

Six losses is nothing. We've had much, much worse. Between round 9, 1992 to round 4, 1994 inclusive, we won one game. One win in 23 months. In that streak of one win and 36 losses, we got flogged regularly, with the worst of the lot when we were flogged by the Bears, 120 points down at half time and lost by 162 points, our second biggest loss ever - and the Bears were the second bottom side. We sacked a coach. We nearly folded.

That leaves scars that even 17 finals appearances and two premierships in 20 years cannot erase.

[CureTheSane]

You are trying desperately to run an "I told you so" agenda, but I think you are going off a little premature.

Not I told you so, more than pointing out that giving up on the team should never happen while there is still hope. Oh, and also, "that's what she said"

Big test next week. I would be taking it week by week if I were you.

Why? We should win enough of the remaining games to make the 8. I'm assuming that we make it now. Maybe that's one of the areas we are different.

[Blood Fever]

I was one of the pessimists at that stage, looking over the remaining fixture and trying to find the three or four games we might have a chance of winning.

Nek minnit: we win eight out of nine and are in the mix for a finals spot.

Six losses is nothing. We've had much, much worse. Between round 9, 1992 to round 4, 1994 inclusive, we won one game. One win in 23 months. In that streak of one win and 36 losses, we got flogged regularly, with the worst of the lot when we were flogged by the Bears, 120 points down at half time and lost by 162 points, our second biggest loss ever - and the Bears were the second bottom side. We sacked a coach. We nearly folded.

That leaves scars that even 17 finals appearances and two premierships in 20 years cannot erase.

Add in 2 finals appearances in over forty years and being a bit of a laughing stock as South when I was growing up - mental scarring still causes me anxiety when I watch games. On the other hand, 2 flags in the last 12 years has removed a lot of bitterness.

[YvonneH]

We may be out of the eight at the end of tonight. Both WC and Melb leading at the moment.