Ladder - good news

[battye]

The news would be better if we'd got on top of Port... but next round one of Essendon or Carlton will lose their perfect record. Sydney will come up against a red hot North Melbourne, Eagles will come up against Hawthorn. If we beat Fremantle we could be moving into the top four next week.

Rounds 6, 7 and 8 will be no stroll in the park though. We could well be 0/3 in that period - but it will give us a true indication of where we are at this season. If we could somehow manage 2/3 I'd re-consider our chances this year.

[Legendary]

Absolutely we need to win the next 2 matches.

Round 6 - Hawks
Round 7 - Carlton
Round 8 - Sydney

We could easily play really well and still lose these 3 matches, so it's important that we win the next 2 games and are 4-1 going into Round 6. Need to create a buffer for ourselves.

At this stage of the year with our form, and assuming we don't beat any Top 4 sides, I have us winning 13 games which would put us 6th-8th. If we can pinch 2-3 against some of the Top 4 teams (IMO West Coast, Hawthorn, Geelong and Carlton) then we are a chance at being a contender.

Rounds 6-8 will tell us a lot, but before we get there we MUST win the next 2 games.

[whiskers3614]

Not a matter of pinching.
If we can't win against top 4 who cares whether we finish 5th or 15th?

[spert]

Best defence in the comp at the moment

[whiskers3614]

No disgrace losing to Port Adelaide.
They sit nicely between Collingwood and Geelong on the ladder!

[kosifantutti]

Why is the ladder good news?

We've beaten teams 15 and 16 and lost to team 12.

[Devilhead]

Why is the ladder good news?

We've beaten teams 15 and 16 and lost to team 12.

180% ++

Does that satisfy you??

[kosifantutti]

12 points from three games would satisfy me.

[SainterK]

Absolutely we need to win the next 2 matches.

Round 6 - Hawks
Round 7 - Carlton
Round 8 - Sydney

We could easily play really well and still lose these 3 matches, so it's important that we win the next 2 games and are 4-1 going into Round 6. Need to create a buffer for ourselves.

At this stage of the year with our form, and assuming we don't beat any Top 4 sides, I have us winning 13 games which would put us 6th-8th. If we can pinch 2-3 against some of the Top 4 teams (IMO West Coast, Hawthorn, Geelong and Carlton) then we are a chance at being a contender.

Rounds 6-8 will tell us a lot, but before we get there we MUST win the next 2 games.

Those teams don't intimidate me anymore, truly.

They should be worried about us, because they are carrying the burden of expectation this year, and honestly...feel like the boys can stretch all those defences if they can break even in the middle.

One week at a time, but all out and with the attitude of shaking things up a little I reckon.

[gringo]

Geez we were throwing in the towel before the season started now we have high expectations? No pleasing some.

[Junction Oval]

"kosifantutti" put it in perspective - "We've beaten teams 15 and 16 and lost to team 12."

I am taking it a win at a time until Round 8, after the Sydney match. Reality will have kicked in by then.

[Old Mate]

I like the optimistic approach.

Gold Coast have had their biggest loss this season against us. They've also played the Bummers and Adelaide.

Bulldogs have had their biggest loss this season, also against us. They've also played Adelaide and WC.

The loss in round one could be partly attributed to missing a preseason game.

I think we are still off the pace of the top few, however I'd like to think the Cats and Pies have slightly declined.

This season is wide open IMO.

[Thinline]

Not a matter of pinching.
If we can't win against top 4 who cares whether we finish 5th or 15th?

I'd much rather Cripps, Ledger, Stanley, McEvoy, Armitage, Simpkin, Steven, Geary, Newnes et al have the chance to excel in a knockout semi than languish in a series of dud non-events as the season tails off.

If we can challenge Hawks in the middle and isolate their defenders we will cause them plenty of problems.

Sydney are a tough assignment anytime. 50/50 even if we play well.

Carlton are FLYING. Can't see anyone getting within coo-ee until later in the year (when injury and/or weariness takes a toll) to be honest.

So if we win next 2, 2/3 in that 'run' would be great. 1/3 not diabolical.

There was such an animated 'vibe' onfield on Sat night. Old blokes doing their bit, young blokes grabbing chances with both hands. Blokes supporting each other (see them flock when Stanley clams a contrested one and Lenny lays his hit). That's where the nucleus of ongoing form lies. Personally I just want to see confidence build with each week. Friday night v Freo is a terrific opportunity to beat a fancied side. They are shite away from Subie but will be desperate to prove us wrong. We are yet to be tested by an '8' prospect.

Port was IMO an aberration based on relative quality of pre-seasons. I think our finish to that game is probably a better indicator of where we are.

[SainterK]

The one thing we've yet to see from Carlton, is how they repsond under pressure.

Guys like Carrazzo and Armfield kick well when the teams flying, we've seen guys like that at the Saints, put them under some real finals pressure....unfortunately it doesn't work out so well.

If you're going to use the argument that we've not beaten anyone yet, well be fair, because neither have the Blues

[meher baba]

The one thing we've yet to see from Carlton, is how they repsond under pressure.

Guys like Carrazzo and Armfield kick well when the teams flying, we've seen guys like that at the Saints, put them under some real finals pressure....unfortunately it doesn't work out so well.

If you're going to use the argument that we've not beaten anyone yet, well be fair, because neither have the Blues

The Blues are on fire at the moment, and I think we will definitely struggle even to keep the scores close when we meet them in Rd 7. However, I don't think Carlton have enough mental toughness or a strong enough list to take them all the way in 2012 and I expect their performance levels to drop away as the season progresses. So, if we make it to the finals and meet them there, my money would be on us.

I think the Eagles (who my fixture list says we play in Perth in Rd 8, with the Swans in Rd 9) will have a similar trajectory through the season to that of the Blues (ie, strong early and gradually fading). However, they will be much harder than Carlton to beat in the finals if they are playing at home.

It looks to be a very open race for the flag this year, although one would expect the more experienced sides such as Geelong, the Hawks and Collingwood (and us) to improve steadily as the season progresses. Sydney needs to be watched as well.

[WinnersOnly]

I think of those rounds we will win 2/4 - Hawks & Swans losses to carlton & WCE. It will really shape our season more than 2 wins a chance at finals less than 2 will struggle. What gives me confidence is that we are slowly building into the season Carlton will fall flat come finals and so might WCE !

[saintbrat]

after rd 4
http://www.afl.com.au/ladder/tabid/74/default.aspx

[saintbrat]

Sheddy'ism that struck a chord with me today.

he is pumping his team up by saying they are only 2 games behind last years grand final teams "

we are rd 4 and still above the 2011 grandfinalists and the pre season favourite.

[saintspremiers]

Sheddy'ism that struck a chord with me today.

he is pumping his team up by saying they are only 2 games behind last years grand final teams "

we are rd 4 and still above the 2011 grandfinalists and the pre season favourite.

Wow.

Get back to after Round 9 after playing all the top sides!

[SainterK]

After todays result, really need to win at least 2 of the next 3...

[saintbrat]

for what it's worth still creeping UP the ladder
http://www.afl.com.au/Ladder/tabid/74/Default.aspx

[saintbrat]

we remain above the Hawks on the Ladder

and Yes I am looking at the little positives.
http://www.afl.com.au/Ladder/tabid/74/Default.aspx

[saintspremiers]

we remain above the Hawks on the Ladder

and Yes I am looking at the little positives.
http://www.afl.com.au/Ladder/tabid/74/Default.aspx

Wowee. That's exciting. The Hawks are a good side but not great.

We are very middle of the road.

Question is: can we sneak into 8th spot after Round 23??