To me the next three weeks will really define our season.  They will determine whether we have a slim chance of being a top 8 contender or just hover between 12-16th.  Three games that we can win against Collingwood, Richmond and St Kilda, we could be 4 and 2 after this stretch, at a bare minimum we should be 3 and 3 and it would be a complete utter disaster if we are 1 and 5.  Our players talk about improvement, GWS was a terrible game but we stole it, Essendon well no need to comment and North another should have game but at least we played well.  It is time for the club to get of the rollercoaster and show us what they are really made of.   Three weeks, a lot of talk out of the club over pre-season the next three weeks will show us supporters whether this talk was to build the Hype or we have the game to back this up.

It definitely presents a big opportunity, but I would be disappointed if anyone at the club is even thinking about anything else than getting 4 points on Sunday.

I genuinely feel St Kilda will be the toughest game of this stretch. They are quick and put on a lot of pressure, and they will be up to play us especially, given we are on similar trajectories and there has been a bit of talk about who is better placed.

Edited April 14, 20169 yr by Forest Demon
wrong there :|

thats what I love about footy - anything could happen

I can see us winning each one of these games but it would not surprise me one bit if we lost any of these games.  you would think it will even out and we will end up winning 1-2 of the next 3.

the season is so short that if we lose these 3 the season is finished for us - so the pressure is on - lets see how we handle it

Wins are less important than 3 strong efforts. If we put in each week we are every chance of winning, if we don't we'll get a repeat of the Essendon game.

26 minutes ago, poita said:

Wins are less important than 3 strong efforts. If we put in each week we are every chance of winning, if we don't we'll get a repeat of the Essendon game.

I agree with the strong efforts. But with the next three games, if we play with strong effort, we should win each game. So for me, the win is as important because a win represents a strong effort and a loss will represent a weak effort.

4 minutes ago, Devil is in the Detail said:

I agree with the strong efforts. But with the next three games, if we play with strong effort, we should win each game. So for me, the win is as important because a win represents a strong effort and a loss will represent a weak effort.

Have to agree the talent is there now to be in it to win it. But, if these 3 bring equal effort to us they will very hard games to win. 

If after the next three rounds we sit on 3 wins and 3 losses I would be very happy. 

I agree.

If we can win 2-3 of the next 3 matches we will hit the hit the season full of steam and full of confidence.  If we drop these matches (which is also a real possibility) we are in danger of slipping into the general malaise that has consumed the last ten seasons.

we were in a similar position last year from memory. We ended up losing them all but then beat Geelong. 

WE surely are the most inconsistent team in the AFL.

8 minutes ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

we were in a similar position last year from memory. We ended up losing them all but then beat Geelong. 

WE surely are the most inconsistent team in the AFL.

And I have to say that most of this inconsistency is due to mental issues, not talent. 

Hell.  Just do it guys.  We are sick and tired of weak efforts. 

3 minutes ago, monoccular said:

And I have to say that most of this inconsistency is due to mental issues, not talent. 

Hell.  Just do it guys.  We are sick and tired of weak efforts. 

Regarding talent, or lack of, watching Matt Jones this year it's hard to believe that (I reckon) we all thought that only he and Terlich (and Jack Fitz?) were not up to AFL standard.

Without looking over our list, I'd only question Terlich's ability now. So I agree we have the skill level and only lack experience and mental 'toughness' (think rd 2).

Fair post. Lest hope its at least 3 wins by week six.Damn that essendon loss. 

This week's game reminds me a lot of the Brisbane game in 2010, under lights at the MCG. Brisbane were undefeated at that point but we were coming off two wooden spoons and looked to be improving. It was the game that was going to determine if we had turned the corner. Granted we all know what happened after 2011, and Collingwood is down and out compared to that Brisbane team, but lots of eyes on Collingwood atm and we need to turn a corner. I honestly think this game will shape our season. 

If Essendon was a must-win, this week is an absolute do-or-die match. We need to put them away. No excuses.

Edited April 14, 20169 yr by praha

3 hours ago, Forest Demon said:

It definitely presents a big opportunity, but I would be disappointed if anyone at the club is even thinking about anything else than getting 4 points on Sunday.

I genuinely feel St Kilda will be the toughest game of this stretch. They are quick and put on a lot of pressure, and they will be up to play us especially, given we are on similar trajectories and there has been a bit of talk about who is better placed.

You are dead right about the saints. As long as we beat collingwood this sunday and then the tiges.. I hate collingwood and Richmond.

Win all 3 games. If the team is any good that is what will happen...

close losses mean nothing..

3 hours ago, poita said:

Wins are less important than 3 strong efforts. If we put in each week we are every chance of winning, if we don't we'll get a repeat of the Essendon game.

Not for me poita!  We need wins to build confidence and momentum within the playing group, not to mention my own state of mind and good humour.

2 hours ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

we were in a similar position last year from memory. We ended up losing them all but then beat Geelong. 

WE surely are the most inconsistent team in the AFL.

I'd say we've been just about the most consistent team of the past decade.

Problem is each one of those games the opposition will be "up and about" and see us as a win, same as Essendon. We don't expect to beat Geelong Sydney or Hawthorn (though it's nice when we do). Bring the pressure and fight and we can treat the next three games like Essendon treated us and take the fight to them.

 

The right attitude equals three wins.

Agree with the OP. This weekend and following two weeks really will decide the season.

I think that we will beat collingwood by 40 points and then beat Richmond by a similar margin, but I think the Saints will get us.

2 hours ago, Allen Jakovich said:

Agree with the OP. This weekend and following two weeks really will decide the season.

I think that we will beat collingwood by 40 points and then beat Richmond by a similar margin, but I think the Saints will get us.

It will also determine to a large extent just how the long suffering following will look at the remainder of the season: hard hitting and hopefully big wins will assure good attendances, whilst another round 2 farce will see us playing to near empty stands. 

Having flashbacks to last seasons block of 3 'easy' games we thought we would win and push tpo a 10 win season

Essendon, Carlton and the Lions

We won 1 of 3

1 hour ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

I agree.

If we can win 2-3 of the next 3 matches we will hit the hit the season full of steam and full of confidence.  If we drop these matches (which is also a real possibility) we are in danger of slipping into the general malaise that has consumed the last ten seasons.

A bit harsh on 2006 I'd say...

On 14 April 2016 at 1:15 PM, drdrake said:

To me the next three weeks will really define our season.  They will determine whether we have a slim chance of being a top 8 contender or just hover between 12-16th.  Three games that we can win against Collingwood, Richmond and St Kilda, we could be 4 and 2 after this stretch, at a bare minimum we should be 3 and 3 and it would be a complete utter disaster if we are 1 and 5.  Our players talk about improvement, GWS was a terrible game but we stole it, Essendon well no need to comment and North another should have game but at least we played well.  It is time for the club to get of the rollercoaster and show us what they are really made of.   Three weeks, a lot of talk out of the club over pre-season the next three weeks will show us supporters whether this talk was to build the Hype or we have the game to back this up.

I couldn't agree more. For the first time since 2010 I feel like we are in a genuine position to set ourselves up for a run at the top eight, but it hinges on the next two weeks.

I agree that the next three weeks are big weeks for this club.

It's quite sad, though, that after all this time, I find it borderline-impossible to consider the thought of us winning all three. It's been so long since we won two in a row, let along went on any sort of "winning streak", that I just find it so difficult to conceive it might actually happen.

It all starts tomorrow. Win tomorrow, build confidence (starting with last week's strong showing), get a crack at a struggling foe, and see if we can't get that monkey off the back.

A dangerous, if not foolish thread. It's over-zealous thinking like this that lost us the Essendon game.

The one-week-at-a-time cliche is still totally appropriate for us at this stage.