We said the same thing about Carlton in 2011 and they embarrassed us
Carlton did thump us by 10 goals plus during that season, so them thumping is in that final wasnât out of nowhere.
All things being equal I donât think we can beat Richmond, but on the other hand it is Richmond⌠In a final.
Iâm pretty sure a win would still mean some would go on about how â â â â we played and how we didnât deserve it, how crap Freo played, they didnât want it, and how weâre going to be smashed in the 1st final because thatâs whatâs always happened, etc etc etc
2 Likes
Again, remember when we were favourites against Brisbane last year?
This week is no guarantee. Not even close.
1 Like
Weâve probably been favourites in at least half the games weâve played.
That is not the issue
Itâs simple, kick straight and we win handsomely next week.
I put myself through most of Freo vs Richmond. The Dockers looked disinterested by halftime, Lyon has lost their ear.
2 Likes
People would go on about how weâll get smashed in the first final⌠After we win the first final?
3 Likes
Got me 
2 Likes
Letâs just focus on getting the win this week then you blokes can fill the week 1 finals thread with all your whining.
4 Likes
All comes down to accuracy, we kick straight and itâs 3 100 point losses on the trot for Ross the Toss
Sooo much this.
If we get there, youâve got two weeks to argue over optimism and pessimism leading into the finals.
⌠although in hindsight, the thread title probably lends itself to that sort of discussion. Carry on.
North 2014 wasnât an embarrassment.
Carlton in 2011 was. Adelaide a few years earlier was too. Both of those teams were shot physically leading into the finals.
We are in better shape this year. We are still underdogs to get a win against anyone in a final.
2 Likes
Richmond (the team most think we are a good chance against in finals) just smacked Freo by 100 in WA.
If we donât beat Freo here by at least 10 goals, then a disappointing finals series is on the cards.
Regardless, I hope the younger players get to experience finals intensity and learn to play with that same level of intensity more often.
2 Likes
It was, just a different type.
On this occasion we were good enough, against a soft opponent, and we still couldnât get the job done.
3 Likes
And then there is the bye. Will be a huge benefit for us.
Flags in the bag.
6 Likes
So we can start to think about finals - I have confidence that weâll do the job on Sunday.
A few comments here about our players folding under pressure and the like.
Given that itâs a generally accepted truism that finals pressure is different to any other, I thought Iâd go through the team, loosely based on Saturdays.
No finals track record; McGrath, Begley, Parish, Walla, Hartley, Ambrose, Conor, Laverde, Green/ Fanta, Stewart
Proven finals performers; Kelly, Goddard, Bird?
Proven in our last final (2014); Hepp, Hurley, Daniher (4 goals) - (Colyer & Jobe were also named in our best but not outstanding in the second half)
So itâs a very long bow to say that individual players canât handle finals pressure - youâre really only talking about Zak, a baby at the time, Zaha, Myers, Bags, and Belly &Hooker (who werenât disgraced in '14)
Indeed itâs one of the things Iâm most looking forward to, win, lose or draw - who will stand up and perform better in a Final?
So long as itâs not just the old blokes weâll gain more than we lose whatever happens.
4 Likes
I agree that âwho steps upâ is probably the most interesting aspect of our potential finals campaign.
(Just on what youâve said above, Jobe being in the bests in 2014 was pretty generous. He didnât have a great game, nor did he in 2011, or 2009.)
Big Joe Daniher though⌠He stepped up in a final well before heâd really come of age, and considering how well he has played in most big games this year⌠Heâs pretty much the key.
Iâd expect Goddard and Kelly to be vitally important (Goddard will bust his ass off for us in a final) but itâs the younger guys who will make or break it.
Can Tippa, Mckenna, Parish, McGrath etc. Put their hand up in a big final? Letâs hope so.
11 Likes
I remember leaving the game absolutely deflated with our experienced players and their lack of ability to be effective in finals.
But was happy to see the promise of Daniher and Merrett, and really lead the way in a final. Even when their experienced team mates crumbled under the pressure.
McGrathâs clean hands will be critical in the finals. IMO was the reason we settled down in the second half against Gold Coast.
I think your right that the likes of Daniher, McGrath, Parrish, Tippa and Fantasia will need to step up because we simply canât rely on the older guys when theyâve constantly failed in finals matches.
2 Likes
So, the most likely scenario at this stage, if all results go as expected, would be week one finals of: Port (5th) v Ess (8th), Syd (6th) v Melb (7th)?
I could definitely live with that.