Round 13: the other games.

[Thunder Shaker]

14 - 5 to 6 - 15 today.

Melbourne flogged but geez they kicked for goal poorly

Melbourne lost by 38 points with more scoring shots. They've only played two games where they've lost by more with more scoring shots than their opponents (and one where they also lost by 38 points).

6.22 (58) vs Carlton 18.7 (115) round 14, 1976 (57 points)
11.18 (84) vs Richmond 19.9 (123) round 16, 1972 (39 points)
7.17 (59) vs West Coast 15.7 (97) round 20, 1997 (38 points)

[SwanSand]

The only contenders are Swans Carlton Collingwood and Fremantle.
GWS Vision shown by their own director looks damning.
Melbourne is gone with Petracca gone and inability to score.
Geelong will be there but not a premiership threat with their midfield and mid table backline and front line.
Port Adelaide will be there but not a threat with terrible front and backline.
Essendon looks like will fade away with some inform players dropping in form and being targeted.
That leaves three
Western bulldogs - capable but need Sam Darcy and Naughton firing to be a threat. They could be a threat coming from outside top 4.
Suns - can be in top 8 with the fixture but not a threat with the young team.
Hawks - they are dangerous, great coach, and great adaptability by players with quarter to quarter change in plan and they really understand the coaching instructions.

The main contender is Collingwood.

[Sandridge]

I acknowledge my anti-Collingwood bias but did anyone else who watched today's game find the Collingwood supporters' exaggerated cheering of Maynard EVERY time he got the ball as distasteful as I did

[i'm-uninformed2]

The only contenders are Swans Carlton Collingwood and Fremantle.
GWS Vision shown by their own director looks damning.
Melbourne is gone with Petracca gone and inability to score.
Geelong will be there but not a premiership threat with their midfield and mid table backline and front line.
Port Adelaide will be there but not a threat with terrible front and backline.
Essendon looks like will fade away with some inform players dropping in form and being targeted.
That leaves three
Western bulldogs - capable but need Sam Darcy and Naughton firing to be a threat. They could be a threat coming from outside top 4.
Suns - can be in top 8 with the fixture but not a threat with the young team.
Hawks - they are dangerous, great coach, and great adaptability by players with quarter to quarter change in plan and they really understand the coaching instructions.

The main contender is Collingwood.

I don’t disagree with much but I wouldn’t yet write off GWS. Their best is very good, even though they’re very guilty of one way footy. If they get the defensive side back in order, they’ll be alive.

Melbourne are really gone. I’ll give them credit though for at least recognising where their list is at and starting to rebuild it. They’ve been quietly doing it for a couple of years. Much like the Cats.

[MattW]

The only contenders are Swans Carlton Collingwood and Fremantle.
GWS Vision shown by their own director looks damning.
Melbourne is gone with Petracca gone and inability to score.
Geelong will be there but not a premiership threat with their midfield and mid table backline and front line.
Port Adelaide will be there but not a threat with terrible front and backline.
Essendon looks like will fade away with some inform players dropping in form and being targeted.
That leaves three
Western bulldogs - capable but need Sam Darcy and Naughton firing to be a threat. They could be a threat coming from outside top 4.
Suns - can be in top 8 with the fixture but not a threat with the young team.
Hawks - they are dangerous, great coach, and great adaptability by players with quarter to quarter change in plan and they really understand the coaching instructions.

The main contender is Collingwood.

Agree, including with the conclusion.

[mcs]

The only contenders are Swans Carlton Collingwood and Fremantle.
GWS Vision shown by their own director looks damning.
Melbourne is gone with Petracca gone and inability to score.
Geelong will be there but not a premiership threat with their midfield and mid table backline and front line.
Port Adelaide will be there but not a threat with terrible front and backline.
Essendon looks like will fade away with some inform players dropping in form and being targeted.
That leaves three
Western bulldogs - capable but need Sam Darcy and Naughton firing to be a threat. They could be a threat coming from outside top 4.
Suns - can be in top 8 with the fixture but not a threat with the young team.
Hawks - they are dangerous, great coach, and great adaptability by players with quarter to quarter change in plan and they really understand the coaching instructions.

The main contender is Collingwood.

I don't rate the fairypups at all. Don't think they'll make the finals unless they invoke umpiring assistance akin to 2016.

Hawks will win some games and maybe make finals, but they are zero chance of winning the flag - way too early in list development. Have a soft draw however.

At this point it is us, Collingwood or GWS (if they find some form), and then perhaps Carlton and Freo, though I've got the jury out on both of those. Pies our biggest threat.

[KTigers]

As above, I would think us and Collingwood, then Carlton and GWS assuming they stop goofing off. Hard to see Geelong or Fremantle
winning three or four games against good teams in a row.

[SwanSand]

As above, I would think us and Collingwood, then Carlton and GWS assuming they stop goofing off. Hard to see Geelong or Fremantle
winning three or four games against good teams in a row.

Carlton has the 2nd easiest draw from here on and they will probably finish in the top 3 unless something goes insanely wrong.
Collingwood may struggle with the current members in the team if the pressure on them is high, but till then they will continue their march and get their troops back.
We have the 10th easiest draw from here on. Hopefully we will remain strong and up for a very long time.

[dejavoodoo44]

Looks like Christian Petracca suffered four broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and a small puncture of his lung, after copping a knee in a marking contest, during the first quarter yesterday. While it was obviously brave of him to return in the second, you have to question why the Demons staff let him return, rather than sending him straight to hospital. While you probably don't have the imaging equipment at the ground to do a sure-fire diagnosis, the obvious rib damage possibly should have been enough to say, no, Christian.

[redstarforever]

ignorant and desperate

- - - Updated - - -

i thought we were playing the crows on saturday? tv is advertising "Sydney v Fremantle" ????@??

[i'm-uninformed2]

Looks like Christian Petracca suffered four broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and a small puncture of his lung, after copping a knee in a marking contest, during the first quarter yesterday. While it was obviously brave of him to return in the second, you have to question why the Demons staff let him return, rather than sending him straight to hospital. While you probably don't have the imaging equipment at the ground to do a sure-fire diagnosis, the obvious rib damage possibly should have been enough to say, no, Christian.

I thought it was stunning that an asset as precious as he is was put in that position. No doubt he's brave as they come and would have wanted to play, but protect him from himself.

[Mel_C]

I have to to admit I didn't realise the full extent of Collingwood's injury list. Their performances have been impressive considering the players they have out.

[Thunder Shaker]

Hawks will win some games and maybe make finals, but they are zero chance of winning the flag - way too early in list development. Have a soft draw however.

Hawthorn's recent wins: GWS by 6, Adelaide by 27, Brisbane by 25, St Kilda by 5, Western Bulldogs by 7.
Hawthorn's recent losses: Port Adelaide by 1, Sydney by 76.

It's pretty clear where Hawthorn is at with these results: beating teams that won't make finals and losing to those that will. (I don't believe GWS will make the finals.)

Hawthorn's remaining matches: Richmond, West Coast Eagles, Geelong, Fremantle, Collingwood, Adelaide again, GWS again, Carlton, Richmond again and North Melbourne. They could easily win six of these ten games and end up with 12 wins, not quite enough to make the finals. Despite that, I wouldn't write off Hawthorn yet.

[mcs]

Not doubting the Hawks potential to win several more matches, and maybe even sneak into the finals. But a serious chance to win the flag - no chance in my opinion.

[Thunder Shaker]

Not doubting the Hawks potential to win several more matches, and maybe even sneak into the finals. But a serious chance to win the flag - no chance in my opinion.

I agree. My remarks about writing Hawthorn off was in relation to making the finals this year, not winning this year's premiership.

I expect Hawthorn to win about 10 to 12 games, but IMO 13 games plus percentage will be needed to make finals this year. Last year it was 12.5 wins. Hawthorn has been winning games, but not by large margins, and their inferior percentage will be a significant obstacle. Their five most recent wins combined had a smaller margin than their loss to Sydney in round 7.