Are we flat track bullies?

[bigcarl]

Our only win against a genuine contender this year was against Sydney.

We smash mediocre and ordinary teams at home but out of our comfort zone we are vulnerable and lack mental strength.

There is an opportunity to make a statement against Collingwood this week, but realistically we probably won't make the finals.

Opinions?

[saintspremiers]

You are spot on.

Will be difficult against the Pies. They also had a training run against GWS.

At least the 6 day break won't effect us much this coming week due to
Footscray's softness.

[chook23]

Our only win against a genuine contender this year was against Sydney.

We smash mediocre and ordinary teams at home but out of our comfort zone we are vulnerable and lack mental strength.

There is an opportunity to make a statement against Collingwood this week, but realistically we probably won't make the finals.

Opinions?

just suggests we are middle of the road......and we are.

[Teflon]

Had same thought

Unless we beat Pies/Cats we are just that: flat track bullies

Reality is if we can't beat them we are making up numbers

That said, we've been "in" games against quality interstate (Crows/Swans particularly) so we aren't that far off IMO

This weeks game has no travel factor , sure it's at G where some question our ability to play good footy but that's no excuse- finals are played there.

Win this and finals are certainty for us IMO - we don't want to be relying on other sides to win/ lose so... time to lose flat track bully tag...under Lyon we won anywhere..

[matrix]

expected nothing more this year.
hawks are lightning years ahead of us
will be a while till we reach that level
and with some of the players we have it may be difficult

[Beno88]

Hard to call a side that hasn't lost by more than 35 points all year "flat track bullies". We've been competitive in every match. Even Collingwood, Hawthorn and West Coast can't say that.

[bigcarl]

Hard to call a side that hasn't lost by more than 35 points all year "flat track bullies". We've been competitive in every match. Even Collingwood, Hawthorn and West Coast can't say that.

It's true that we have been consistently competitive but the losses still go down as losses, there's no denying that.

Maybe it's the mental scarring of twice going so close to the summit but falling short.

Subconsciously the players and many supporters seem to have accepted the popular perception that the window is closed.

Not Lenny btw, but others, seem fragile under pressure

[Junction Oval]

Collingwood will test the theory. They have not been in great form (forget GWS) and are vulnerable. We need a catch-up game and must beat 2 of either the Pies, Geelong or Carlton to make the eight - assume wins against Melb & GWS.

It's important to maintain winning momentum, so beating the Pies this week is a must and the boys will set themselves for a big effort. It will show us where we are really at. My view at the start of the year was that 8th would be a reasonable result, but with some good new blood, we could well win a final.

[stevie]

Bummers and Scum were in good form when we smashed them. IMHO, I don't rate Shitney that highly; I lump them with crows and egirls as 'let's see how they go in finals'.

But sheer logistics point to one of them making the GF, especially if all three make the top four.

I'll state it now for posterity - neither SHitney, crows or toast will win the flag

[SaintPav]

For the Saints to make the eight we will have to win games away from Etihad (something we haven't been very good at this year) and we will have to win more than two in a row (something we haven't done this year).

We can only afford to lose one more game for the year. I don't love our chances.

[R. Harvey 3 votes!]

We can make the eight by only winning 3 more games with our great percentage if Essendon only win one more game and Freo lose to WCE in perth and then Adelaide in Adelaide all highly probable! We would then take Essendon's place in the eight. 4 of the next 5 however gaurantees it. We needs Essendon to keep free falling!

[jays]

yes we are

[WinnersOnly]

Im afraid so - the real sealer will be this weeks game against the PIES! We are playing very ordinary non inspired football and have to be the least skilled side in the competition. I know WATTERS is a first year coach and wants to make the finals to keep the sponsors and members happy, but realistically we are kidding ourselves with the belief we will trouble any of the top 8 side come finals.

[SainterK]

No.

As Beno said, unlucky to lose a couple of matches against the comps best.

I always envisaged flat track bullies are the ones that hand out thrashings by poor teams, while getting thrashed by good teams themselves?

[Teflon]

No.

As Beno said, unlucky to lose a couple of matches against the comps best.

I always envisaged flat track bullies are the ones that hand out thrashings by poor teams, while getting thrashed by good teams themselves?

Margin of loss is irrelevant - facts are we lost

Let's not go back to accepting "good efforts" ffs

[SainterK]

Let's?

Newsflash. I think for me...so back off.

[mbogo]

I want the boys to prove that we are not! Surely, they/we have something to prove against this team and show the spirit to roll them over, especially when they are not exactly flying high themselves, with some internal bickering about Cloke.
The Pies have less motivation to win as they will be top four anyway - we should be more driven to take it up to them - so we "get one back" and get into the eight. I just wish I felt confident about it.

[Con Gorozidis]

Well we simply have to win one of either Cats or Pies to make the 8. So it is in our hands. Fair to say if we cant beat either Cats or Pies than we have been flat track bullies in 2012. The verdict will be delivered in the next month.

[BringBackMadDog]

Im afraid so - the real sealer will be this weeks game against the PIES! We are playing very ordinary non inspired football and have to be the least skilled side in the competition. I know WATTERS is a first year coach and wants to make the finals to keep the sponsors and members happy, but realistically we are kidding ourselves with the belief we will trouble any of the top 8 side come finals.

You're kidding right? We were within 4 points of Sydney in Sydney with 5 minutes to go, we have not been belted by anyone. To say we are the least skilled side in the comp is just plain stupid. With the exception of Hawthorn, I don't fear any other side in the competition.

[Thinline]

No one ever seems to questions Cats form away from Kardinia or the Eagles away from Subie. Why is it unusual for us to be less effective away form our own home ground?

Must beat Pies.

This, frankly, is it.

[Old Mate]

At this point in time yes. Lets lose the tag over the next three weeks.

[philtee]

Sort of. I was thinking we should have put the Bulldogs away much sooner.
Never really looked like an efficient high-scoring team, able to step up another
gear when it counts.
Playing well in patches against the big boys - WCE, Sydney - but a little
grit, polish and "smarts" still lacking.

[plugger66]

Im afraid so - the real sealer will be this weeks game against the PIES! We are playing very ordinary non inspired football and have to be the least skilled side in the competition. I know WATTERS is a first year coach and wants to make the finals to keep the sponsors and members happy, but realistically we are kidding ourselves with the belief we will trouble any of the top 8 side come finals.

What are you smoking. We played the WB yesterday and compared to them we look like the best skilled side in the history of footy and we are not playing very ordinary non inspired footy. After reading your posts lately I gather you are less than 20 years of age and have never followed us when we have been really poor.

[Old Mate]

Our field skills were very good yesterday, 76% efficiency I believe. Our goal kicking however.....

[Teflon]

Let's?

Newsflash. I think for me...so back off.

?