Round 4

[CyberKev]

What would make you think Essendon will lose!?

Both sides are missing personnel, but Collingwood are better placed to cope with it.

Richmond nearly proved me wrong and probably should have.

I said the Tigers would be in it up to their ears. They have the structure to worry anyone and will in most games. Its just getting to that stage to control games at key points that's holding them back (for now).

What was the deal in Perth? Was it raining? Around 40 behinds were kicked?

There was rain early and some players (mainly Hawk ones, admittedly) were slipping on the surface at times, but I've certainly seen things a good deal wetter. For whatever reason, both sides just had poor nights in front of goal, although West Coast, in particular, were often pushed into having wide shots. Hawthorn hit the post about five times and it was quite ironic that Jack Darling was able to manufacture a couple of late boomers to effectively swing the contest.

Very good contest in all areas, bar the goal kicking.

 

[CyberKev]

Caught a bit of the GWS game, and while they may be lacking for experience and rounded talented, they can't be accused of lacking for effort.

Threw themselves into the contest, to be sure, just lacked the poise and smarts to do enough damage over the journey.

 

[Twizzle]

Tigers had a pretty good midfield and gave us a bit of a scare. Different team this year and may have gone better if Jack turned up to play.

Bartell's last quarter was pretty amazing and without him we may not have got home.

We start to get some more players back next round so hopefully we start putting some good performances together but we are along way from where we left off last season.

 

[meltiger]

I'd give Enright the points. Was tremendous in the last. His experience v our youth proved the difference.

& yeah, JR needs to get his head in the game.

 

[meltiger]

Both sides are missing personnel, but Collingwood are better placed to cope with it.



I said the Tigers would be in it up to their ears. They have the structure to worry anyone and will in most games. Its just getting to that stage to control games at key points that's holding them back (for now).



There was rain early and some players (mainly Hawk ones, admittedly) were slipping on the surface at times, but I've certainly seen things a good deal wetter. For whatever reason, both sides just had poor nights in front of goal, although West Coast, in particular, were often pushed into having wide shots. Hawthorn hit the post about five times and it was quite ironic that Jack Darling was able to manufacture a couple of late boomers to effectively swing the contest.

Very good contest in all areas, bar the goal kicking.

Good performance from Hawthorn then seemingly. Not acstand out team of early weeks but too good not to be right in the mix over last 2 weeks of September.

 

[CyberKev]

West Coast will be top four for sure and are a big show for minor premiers.

Hawthorn needs to show a lot of improvement on what we've seen over the opening four rounds.

Sydney will fancy themselves to buggery this Sunday, one would think.

On Essendon... I'm not sure about the tactic of coming out before a game and expressly saying that you'll be targeting a single opposition player. Already sounding a little hubristic the Bombers, methinks.

 

[meltiger]

I think you may be being harsh.

Has anyone stood out? Carlton have, then lose to Essendon?


There is still a clear gap between the best 5 and the rest. Even if North & Sydney on their day can compete

 

[CyberKev]

^^^

Technically speaking, its looking like a pretty open season, but some clubs appear better positioned than others with the lop-sided draw.

West Coast are hardly unbeatable, at this stage, but they're off to a flyer and practically shoe-ins for a top two finish, which will all but enable them to get to the GF via House of Pain finals.

A Collingwood loss tomorrow would leave Essendon unexpectedly at 5-zip and already in the box seat for a finals push, although they're likely to falter with growing personnel problems. A Swans win this weekend would also leave them at 5-zip and in the box seat for a top four finish.

It seems like early stages, but a season can get away from you very quickly.

 

[meltiger]

Sydney to finish ahead of one of Hawthorn, West Coast, Carlton or Geelong?

C'mon

 

[CyberKev]

Would it really be that surprising?

West Coast will probably go unbeaten at home and will almost certainly finish 1 or 2; so it would be a surprise to see Sydney finish above them. In saying this, Richmond are a good show against the Eagles this weekend.

Hawthorn have clear deficiencies to work through and could go on a prolonged winning spree, but could just as easy go toes-up to Sydney on Sunday and be all but out of top four calculations.

Geelong are a side on the slide. They're falling from a great height, it must be said, but will need a big effort to go top four this year.

Carlton are, for mine, a team on the scream, but they also have clear deficiencies and can't be classified as top four certainties, although they'll likely make it.

Collingwood will improve, but now have several key personnel who will not return, and it is noted that at the close of last season they were playing more like 209 Collingwood than the 2010 model. Could go top four, but no guarantees.

This is a very different season than we've been used to of late. Sydney finishing top four wouldn't be a massive surprise.