ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL

[Chook 15,001]

48 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i believe they term it 'awareness' these days...

I think we all have "Collingwood awareness" right now, and it's not pleasant.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,483]

20 hours ago, Deenooos_ said:

Article on fox footy:

https://t.co/MPsmDF5Uwt

”Luck of a black cat: The problem with finishing first, and who’s REALLY flag favourite”

Looks like history is on our side.

This is where the finals structure is flawed.

Geelong (the minor premiers) plays a team with a percentage of just 104 in the week 1 qualifying final. However if they win that, they potentially play the second or third ranked side (Melbourne or Sydney) in the prelim with percentages around the 128-131 mark. Clearly, all things being equal Melbourne and Sydney should be a tougher match up on paper than Collingwood to win a prelim.

History suggests there’s a good chance Geelong has a comfy win over Collingwood but then fall over against a higher ranked Sydney or Melbourne in the prelim.

We did well last year in that out prelim opponent (Geelong) was a tougher matchup than our qualifying opponent (Brisbane).

[Deenooos_ 647]

13 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

This is where the finals structure is flawed.

Geelong (the minor premiers) plays a team with a percentage of just 104 in the week 1 qualifying final. However if they win that, they potentially play the second or third ranked side (Melbourne or Sydney) in the prelim with percentages around the 128-131 mark. Clearly, all things being equal Melbourne and Sydney should be a tougher match up on paper than Collingwood to win a prelim.

History suggests there’s a good chance Geelong has a comfy win over Collingwood but then fall over against a higher ranked Sydney or Melbourne in the prelim.

We did well last year in that out prelim opponent (Geelong) was a tougher matchup than our qualifying opponent (Brisbane).

Yep. All we need to do is win on Friday and we'll either play Collingwood or Freo in the prelim and Geelong get the tigers or the swans. I still think playing Collingwood won't be as tough as the swans so just get the win and it'll set us up. You saw what happened to Richmond in 2018.. 

[Demon17 5,102]

1 hour ago, Deenooos_ said:

Yep. All we need to do is win on Friday and we'll either play Collingwood or Freo in the prelim and Geelong get the tigers or the swans. I still think playing Collingwood won't be as tough as the swans so just get the win and it'll set us up. You saw what happened to Richmond in 2018.. 

AGreed Deenoos, and further, I see the swans as the big threat and IF we can knock them off the Cats will get them in the prelim which will be a fsacinating game . Tipping the swans over them on the G.

[Demon17 5,102]

22 hours ago, deebunked said:

Sydney is a backwater with a pretty bridge.

I'm going to use this as a quote in future -  attributed of course. Not necessarily off the money either

[IRW 1,383]

I am not sure and would struggle to explain it but I think it is possibly that they could advance to the flag by defeating in sequence  ....

Sydney

then

Collingwood

then

Geelong

!!!!!!!

I mean how good would that be?

Respect, then no respect , then who is the best?

Edited August 27, 2022 by IRW

[Lucifers Hero 39,045]

If Geelong win this week they will have another fortnight without a game to the PF.

Given their last month or so has been little more than training runs and the extensive resting of players during that time, I have my doubts they will be 'match hardened' for a PF.  Also, will they have the physical 'resilience' to play through niggles...?

With the odd exception, we have chosen the opposite approach to player management/fitness over the last few months of challenging games:  play them through niggles and aging.

I'm not sure Geelong can go the distance, not because of ageing per se but because they haven't played enough hard at it footy.

Edited August 28, 2022 by Lucifers Hero

[rpfc 28,077]

34 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

If Geelong win this week they will have another fortnight without a game to the PF.

Given their last month or so has been little more than training runs and the extensive resting of players during that time, I have my doubts they will be 'match hardened' for a PF.  Also, will they have the physical 'resilience' to play through niggles...?

With the odd exception, we have chosen the opposite approach to player management/fitness over the last few months of challenging games:  play them through niggles and aging.

I'm not sure Geelong can go the distance, not because of ageing per se but because they haven't played enough hard at it footy.

[jnrmac 19,931]

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

If Geelong win this week they will have another fortnight without a game to the PF.

Given their last month or so has been little more than training runs and the extensive resting of players during that time, I have my doubts they will be 'match hardened' for a PF.  Also will they have the physical 'resilience' to play through niggles...?

With the odd exception, we have chosen the opposite approach player management/fitness over the last few months of challenging games:  play them through niggles and ageing.

I'm not sure Geelong can go the distance, not because of ageing, per se but because they haven't played enough hard at it footy.

Geelong are under serious pressure to win the flag. Last flag in 2011. Missed finals once since since then

Playing the last half of the season with easy games at Taxpayer Park will come back to haunt them

Out in straight sets.

[John Demonic 5,608]

10 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Geelong are under serious pressure to win the flag. Last flag in 2011. Missed finals once since since then

Playing the last half of the season with easy games at Taxpayer Park will come back to haunt them

Out in straight sets.

Would love to see Freo knock them off for the 3rd time in a final in Victoria

[D4Life 2,412]

When I reflect on media fawning over the Tigers last few years, aside from the line trotted out that “Demons best is the best”, so many pundits trying to find flaws with what we have done.

Crush the Lions at the G and Gabba, the Lions played poorly, more often than the Demons first half was sensational and that should scare the sh.. out of other finalists.

Then when it comes to how the game pans out, its if Swans can tag Oliver, stop Petracca, take May out of the play etc. they win!

Whereas the H&A champion Cats, just get they are so good but nothing mentioned about their repeated failings in finals and they have it all to prove!

Demons don’t get a lot of respect, after last years finals campaign!

[In Harmes Way 7,716]

Time for a refresher of last year. Summary of the GF called "Momentum".

Let's aim for some of that this year.

 

[Demon17 5,102]

31 minutes ago, D4Life said:

When I reflect on media fawning over the Tigers last few years, aside from the line trotted out that “Demons best is the best”, so many pundits trying to find flaws with what we have done.

Crush the Lions at the G and Gabba, the Lions played poorly, more often than the Demons first half was sensational and that should scare the sh.. out of other finalists.

Then when it comes to how the game pans out, its if Swans can tag Oliver, stop Petracca, take May out of the play etc. they win!

Whereas the H&A champion Cats, just get they are so good but nothing mentioned about their repeated failings in finals and they have it all to prove!

Demons don’t get a lot of respect, after last years finals campaign!

David king gave dees a good wrap today on sen.

He says forget home and away from now. Finals are played in a style that suits melbourne's style .

[Sir Why You Little 36,738]

32 minutes ago, D4Life said:

When I reflect on media fawning over the Tigers last few years, aside from the line trotted out that “Demons best is the best”, so many pundits trying to find flaws with what we have done.

Crush the Lions at the G and Gabba, the Lions played poorly, more often than the Demons first half was sensational and that should scare the sh.. out of other finalists.

Then when it comes to how the game pans out, its if Swans can tag Oliver, stop Petracca, take May out of the play etc. they win!

Whereas the H&A champion Cats, just get they are so good but nothing mentioned about their repeated failings in finals and they have it all to prove!

Demons don’t get a lot of respect, after last years finals campaign!

Hit ‘em hard during the game. 
The Media are paid to keep people listening or buying content. 
They sell hope 

Hopefully we just obliterate whoever is our next opponent 

[daisycutter 29,429]

2 hours ago, In Harmes Way said:

Time for a refresher of last year. Summary of the GF called "Momentum".

Let's aim for some of that this year.

 

damn you.......teared me up again......luckily no-one was watching except the dog

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,483]

Christmas has come early on Saturday afternoon.

At least one of Geelong or Collingwood will lose an important final!

[layzie 33,298]

1 hour ago, Demon17 said:

David king gave dees a good wrap today on sen.

He says forget home and away from now. Finals are played in a style that suits melbourne's style .

Couldn't agree more, the space that was there won't be come finals. Some teams will get a shock. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,045]

Post not necessary.

Edited August 29, 2022 by Lucifers Hero

[binman 42,122]

2 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Hey, @binmanwhy the 🤮 for my post on Geelong not going the distance.

If anything I thought dees fans would be pleased if Geelong fail, again...

An emoji typo LH!

Fixed now.

I don't think i have ever used the vomit emoji actually. Well, not deliberately

I quite like the cats, but certainly hope they fail this season.

Well, if by doing so that mean we win the flag that is

[Lucifers Hero 39,045]

Just now, binman said:

An emoji typo LH!

Fixed now.

I don't think i have ever used the vomit emoji actually. Well, not deliberately

I quite like the cats, but certainly hope they fail this season.

Well, if by doing so that mean we win the flag that is

Thanks.  Thought it might be a typo.

I also have never used it.

I deleted my post just before you posted that.

Can't say I like them but yes very happy to see them not win the flag.

[Demon17 5,102]

1 hour ago, layzie said:

Couldn't agree more, the space that was there won't be come finals. Some teams will get a shock. 

He said in finals there is no easy possessions and the good players win their own. No easy kicks. This was what denis pagan used to tell the roos.

King said the dees had many of these types thus suited to finals environment. Other finals teams not so much. 

Good example in 2021 was cats bottom 6 players in gf. Probably improved now but no one knows till this saturday.

 

[John Demonic 5,608]

5 minutes ago, Demon17 said:

He said in finals there is no easy possessions and the good players win their own. No easy kicks. This was what denis pagan used to tell the roos.

King said the dees had many of these types thus suited to finals environment. Other finals teams not so much. 

Good example in 2021 was cats bottom 6 players in gf. Probably improved now but no one knows till this saturday.

 

Only have to see how the Dogs bottom 6 wilted last year, turn overs in the back half and Fritsch burying Easton Wooden Casket with 6 goals - Massively exposed when it counted. And back in 2020, those back half turnovers by Geelong in the 2nd half as they tried to play the safe possession game up 21 points lol.

Edited August 29, 2022 by John Demonic

[In Harmes Way 7,716]

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Post not necessary.

Return to sender

[WalkingCivilWar 39,266]

4 hours ago, In Harmes Way said:

Time for a refresher of last year. Summary of the GF called "Momentum".

Let's aim for some of that this year.

 

Because who doesn’t love a good pre-dinner cry, right?

Thanks for posting it, IHW. ❤️💙

[praha 11,218]

1 hour ago, John Demonic said:

Only have to see how the Dogs bottom 6 wilted last year, turn overs in the back half and Fritsch burying Easton Wooden Casket with 6 goals - Massively exposed when it counted. And back in 2020, those back half turnovers by Geelong in the 2nd half as they tried to play the safe possession game up 21 points lol.

Geelong still play like this. They haven't changed.

Unless they surprise us and bring a very high contested and high pressure contest forward of the ball, it's still between one of Melbourne, Sydney and Collingwood to win it. No disrespect against Geelong but they flex too infrequently against top opposition and their fixture gifts them an easy run home every year because it's stacked with GMHBA games in the second half, and "big" and successful teams rarely travel down there (Melbourne the exception).

They are a low pressure and low tackle team in the F50 when the ball hits the ground: they are highly efficient with good entry which is unsurprising given their targets down there.

Realistically though, Melbourne, Collingwood and Sydney should ALL trouble Geelong *if* they defend to the peak. Each posses a strong interception games and players and on the MCG I'm sceptical of Geelong.

The Cats are going to have to compromise high scoring and bags from Hawkins and Cameron. Both are going to have to perform higher up the ground as the flag this year will be won off the back of defensive transition, and centre break goals. No chance Sydney and Melbourne gift Geelong forwards easy reign in the air.