How are the club going to approach this week against the Saints?
Yes, finals will still be labelled a “possibility” but we all (well most of us!) know better. And personally after making it last year (and inflating opinions heading into 2018 as a result), I don’t think many of us could handle another Week One capitulation against the likes of GWS, Melbourne, Collingwood, Port or even Sydney… again!
All clubs play for finals but potentially missing out this year could benefit us more in the long run. An ‘easier’ draw, less expectations, less media spotlight - see Melbourne this year.
The Saints were dismal against the depleted Bulldogs (8.6 to 0.5 in the 3rd Quarter) and the pressure is again well and truly on their coach. Will we rock up on Friday night with a complacent attitude now that finals are pretty much out of the question and playing a ‘lesser’ opponent or will we bring the sort of performance that saw us tear apart Sydney on our last Friday night game? We also had a very, very good
win (61 points) against this same opponent last year… when they were flying!