3 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

It really is incredible that Sydney have been on Top all year, but their First Quarters have been so consistently bad!!

They could be out in Straight Sets this year if Teams Jump them early 

Straight Sets John doesn’t have the same ring to it. 

30 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Straight Sets John doesn’t have the same ring to it. 

Same Result…

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Hawks play such an exciting brand that is great to watch.

Sam Mitchell has them primed for the next couple of years.

If they sneak into 7th or 8th on this form, this year, look out, could be 2016 all over again. They are playing like the Pies last year. Full of confidence and running hard. They have a number of goal scoring midfielders and add the goal scoring small to medium forwards, all in form. With the Swans seemingly dropping away, this really is a gap year, with no genuine standout sides for the flag. The team coming into the finals, in form has a real chance. 

Beveridge must be sitting back laughing at all the arm chair critics, he's had a plan and stuck to it despite an unbelievable amount of noise. Feels like Goodwin's career parallels his, wins a flag, receives constant sniping despite being the Dog's most successful coach just like Goodwin has been since Smith. Kudos to him, he dropped the blokes who didn't want to stick with the plan, has come up with a solid defense and now they look ace. Lobb and Jones are looking like Lever and May. If we don't win am more than happy for the Dogs to win and stick it up every media critic who have had Bevo in their sights. Carlton are defensive phonies. Freo and Brisbane look dangerous, Swans have got speed wobbles but not jumping off them. Not sure what when wrong with North, don't respect Stewart at your peril.   

3 hours ago, ANG13 said:

Hawthorn are playing very good football, their tackling and pressure has been fantastic. 

So annoying, isn’t it?!

5 minutes ago, 3183 Dee said:

So annoying, isn’t it?!

Very bloody annoying. They might not make finals but they’re much closer to making them than I like. I don’t hate Hawthorn has much a few other clubs but I could do without seeing them win another final in my lifetime. 

15 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

Beveridge must be sitting back laughing at all the arm chair critics, he's had a plan and stuck to it despite an unbelievable amount of noise. Feels like Goodwin's career parallels his, wins a flag, receives constant sniping despite being the Dog's most successful coach just like Goodwin has been since Smith. Kudos to him, he dropped the blokes who didn't want to stick with the plan, has come up with a solid defense and now they look ace. Lobb and Jones are looking like Lever and May. If we don't win am more than happy for the Dogs to win and stick it up every media critic who have had Bevo in their sights. Carlton are defensive phonies. Freo and Brisbane look dangerous, Swans have got speed wobbles but not jumping off them. Not sure what when wrong with North, don't respect Stewart at your peril.   

The difference between Bevo and Goodwin is the players love Goodwin.

I'm not saying that's good or bad. History is littered with cosches the players didn't like who were successful 

2 minutes ago, Wrecker46 said:

The difference between Bevo and Goodwin is the players love Goodwin.

I'm not saying that's good or bad. History is littered with cosches the players didn't like who were successful 

Lady Luck is a cruel mistress too. Re whether Bevo is loved or not, feels like he had a few scallywags to deal with, whereas Melbourne's better players seem like strong culture setters. Out of interest who are your examples? Barassi/Mathews? I loathed Malthouse but people who were inside said he was the Horse whisperer at Collingwood when it came to dealing with players. I still feel like he was part of a Collingwood plot to make Carlton bad. Tommy Hafey didn't get the Pies over the line but jeez they were up for a long time, he wasn't popular in the club with players.

42 minutes ago, DEE fence said:

Beveridge must be sitting back laughing at all the arm chair critics, he's had a plan and stuck to it

When Simon Goodwin does the same thing, he's derided by some for being stubborn and inflexible.

In the AFL it's never for long.