titan_uranus

Knocked these two out. This week we get the chance to win in Sydney for the first time since 2006, which sounds like a long time, but in fact is only a 2-game losing streak given we've only been away to Sydney twice since then (2007 and 2012, when we lost by 100 but Howe took mark of the year).

A chance to break two streaks on QBD this week: Win on Queen's Birthday - 8 game losing streak (last won on QBD in 2007). Beat the same team twice in the same season - haven't done this since 2012, haven't done it to a non-first-year-expansion-side since 2010 (Richmond).

Another one - the last time we had two more wins than losses at the end of a round - Round 22, 2006. We've had four chances to do this this year (we were 1-0, 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 and lost our next game each time). We beat GWS twice in 2012 and GC twice in 2011, though if you don't count those then yes, Richmond in 2010 is the last time.

A couple more streaks to add to the list: Beat Port Adelaide - last win Round 17, 2011 (7 game losing streak) Win in the NT - last win Round 17, 2011 (7 game losing streak).

It's a tactic that is catching on throughout the league. McLean last week has perfected it. Tacklers need to learn and aim lower because umpires are going to keep paying frees for it. They see tackles that are making contact with the head and that is a trigger for them. I don't particularly rate anyone who does it as habitually as Mathieson did today, but he's doing the right team thing to keep drawing the frees for his team.

We've scored 100 points in four of our last five games. First time since Rounds 10-13, 2006.

In 2011, same period where we had the most recent consecutive wins before this year (beat Freo Round 13, Richmond Round 14, lost to the Dogs Round 15, then beat Port round 17 after a bye).

Well...nope. We did have a player kick 7 goals though, no idea when the last time was that happened. So does that count?

Gawn's played 45 games. He's going to be up-and-down whilst he's still learning his craft at AFL level. Tyson 56, Pedersen 57, even McDonald's only played 88. This is still relative inexperience. Today's players with over 100 games experience - Dunn, Garlett, Jones, Lumumba, Vince, Watts. How many of them played well (or at least acceptably well)? Jones? Watts? Is that it? That's the real problem.

Another streak: we haven't had a winning record at the end of any round (other than Round 1) since Round 6 2011 (we were 3-1-2 after beating Adelaide by 96 points).

Well that would break another streak - haven't won three games in a row since Rounds 17, 18 and 19 of 2010 (beat Sydney by 73, Brisbane by 10, Richmond by 29).

Another streak: Finish a round (other than Round 1) in the top 8 - last time that happened was Round 14, 2011. I think there's a slight-ish chance if we beat Richmond we'll be in the eight after this round (not sure though).

Seeing Seattle lose was so, so sweet. The more so because it puts two nice, new, fresh faces in line for a Superbowl appearance. Would be happy with either of Arizona or Carolina; probably hoping for Arizona and Larry Fitzgerald at this point. Should be a great game. I'm less confident that the AFC Championship game will be that great. Denver struggled to put away a side without its best wide receiver or its two best running backs, and a QB with a dodgy arm. The only thing going against New England is that the game is in Denver. If they lose, chalk it down to that awful Week 17 loss to Miami where they gave up home field advantage.

Disappointing to see the Patriots win yet again, making this their 5th consecutive AFC Championship game - I don't like that kind of sustained success in any sport. On that topic, I like seeing Arizona make the NFC Championship game and if Carolina can knock Seattle out, then a guaranteed fresh face in the Superbowl will be even better. I'm dreading the thought of another Seattle-Denver or Seattle-New England Superbowl. Unfortunately, the way New England's offence clicked today against Kansas City's defence, it probably doesn't matter. Gronk + Edelman + Amendola with Brady in form passing is a recipe for disaster for the other teams.

Pittsburgh, Seattle and Green Bay are probably three of the top four or five teams I cannot stand. All could have lost, two should have lost. All infuriatingly won. Poor Blair Walsh. He could kick 12309 field goals next year but he'll only ever be remembered for that miss. Heartbreaking (mind you, they never should have needed to come from behind. Letting Wilson turn a botched snap into a long gain for a TD and then AP dropping the ball on the next offensive drive was where they lost it).

I cannot believe what I just watched. All the Bengals had to do was three pedestrian running plays, force Pittsburgh to use all three timeouts, put a FG on the board, take the simple 4 point lead to win the game (barring a Hail Mary fluke). It was so easy. To fumble the ball on the first play, to allow Pittsburgh to gain two (or three) first downs on the final drive, then the horrendous two penalties...unbelievable. Cincinnati deserves to be pilloried for those final sequences. The only reason it's not enjoyable is that it puts Pittsburgh into the next round.

Aside from the unfortunately all-too-normal dominance of New England, I'm loving this season of the NFL. Seattle back to the pack. Green Bay faltering. Denver looks 50% infallible and 50% awful. Indianapolis isn't going to win the AFC South by default. Arizona, Cincinnati and Carolina are developing into powerhouses. NYJ, Oakland, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, even Tennessee are showing improvement and promise for the future.

Good win by the Ravens, even if it was against a Roethlisberger-less Steelers. My tips for this week are Packers, Panthers and Raiders. I have a feeling all sorts of records are going to be broken in GB-SF, and not in a good way for the 49ers...

I'll chuck in a tip this week too - Colts, Steelers, Broncos.

A week for the perennially awful sides - Cleveland, Tampa, Washington, Jacksonville and Oakland all won. Meanwhile some of the Week 1 popular sides stunk - Buffalo, Tennessee, St Louis, Miami. Baltimore, Philly and New Orleans all look a bit off the pace this year on the evidence to date. On the other side, New England and Green Bay are going to be tough to beat, again.

I can't stand Melksham, I truly hope we go nowhere near him.

In a timeslot nobody gives a rats about (1.10pm sucks at the best of times), and on Father's Day. I'm consigned to us being given more Etihad home games given Carlton wants to move more home games from Etihad to the G (and hey, why not right, they're Carlton so they get what they want), but hopefully the AFL will stop and consider whether there's any point. I think just Jones and Dunn.

That was also our first win the final round of a season since the Kreuzer Cup in 2007.

I'm enjoying watching Hayne ply his trade for us on special teams (we should have him in on defensive special teams too, his gunning work looks OK), and he's learning at RB (positioning and blocking are still really poor though). I feel like being a 49ers fan is now the in thing for an Australian though, which is kind of annoying for someone like me who has been supporting them for years. I think third is probably right, though there's no real shame in finishing third if it's behind Seattle and Arizona. I think your defence will keep you in good stead and your schedule is OK, with the Redskins, 49ers twice, Bears, Browns and Bucs.

No, it's an indictment on the supporters who, year after year, think the answer is in players who aren't at the club yet. The answer is, and has been for years, finding it within the current crop of players, the overwhelming majority of whom are the ones who will be playing next year, to work out what is going wrong, to apply themselves, to work harder, and to better themselves individually and as a team. We can delist fringe players all we like. We can bring in a FA and/or some kids. But 35+ of the current playing group will be there next year, and more than we need to bring people in, we need to get the players on the list performing to an acceptable standard.