TOPIC:

Always thought that the Hawks were just ticking over to be around the place. They put pedal to the metal today. Looks ominous for the other top 8 teams. I suppose the dorks are having their downtime at the right stage of the season instead of folding quickly in the finals. What about young Nat - in trouble again? I didn't see the incident and don't really care if he did or didn't. One thing is for sure, the MRP will let him off, as they have shown a tendency to let big game players off - guilty or not.

An ageing Pav as the Key forward with not many other options ( walters aside) is a worry at the pointy end of the season

That was not a performance of a top side, they were totally inept. They have become very low scoring & not so exciting to watch. I thought last week against Brisbane at 3/4 time was the reality check, the fact at that point they'd kicked just 6.5 . Their forward line isn't productive and its leaving them vulnerable.

But they should belt Carlton next week & they have quite an easy-ish draw coming home. I still think top two for them based on that. But freo have some gaping holes opening up. Fyfe could be in trouble for two incidents but I think he will get off. But players have gone for similar things this year, that could be a concern.

One would think after Yeo got rubbed out for his spoiling attempt which clipped the blokes ear or nose that a precedent has been set and Fyfe is in big trouble, guess we shall see. Add to the fact it was front on contact and the blokes nose.

Freo's biggest concern is a forward line that is not kicking goals. Not sure who they can bring in to address this but you have to kick a winning score or a score to begin with to give yourself a chance.

jardine wrote: That was not a performance of a top side, they were totally inept. They have become very low scoring & not so exciting to watch. I thought last week against Brisbane at 3/4 time was the reality check, the fact at that point they'd kicked just 6.5 . Their forward line isn't productive and its leaving them vulnerable.

But they should belt Carlton next week & they have quite an easy-ish draw coming home. I still think top two for them based on that. But freo have some gaping holes opening up. Fyfe could be in trouble for two incidents but I think he will get off. But players have gone for similar things this year, that could be a concern.

They will beat Carlton this week at home, all that will do is lure them back into the same false sense of security, they can beat the likes of Carlton and Melbourne all day long, fact is, they wont be playing Carlton in the finals.

I wouldnt be banking on the draw for a top 2 finish either, they have some tricky games coming up including Richomond at the G , North Melbourne and of course the Eagles, my guess is with a shithouse percentage they are likely to drop out of the top 2 replaced by either Hawks or Swans, WCE should retain a spot.

Its starting to emerge that the eagles are the inform WA team and likely to be the nbiggest threat in the finals played at Subi, Simpson is rapidly taking the mantel of the leading AFL coach in WA.

You cant win a finals series with a low scoring forward line that consists of a geriatric missing sitters from 30 m and two out of form midgets, one of whom tackles with his head. Hawks back line isnt exactly the greatest going around but had no trouble Sunday.

here is another interesting stat, no team in the last 10 years that has won a flag has lost a game by 10 goals or more in the home and away season.

I know what you mean Baz, but I still think freo can work through this slump. I cant write them off yet, but they look very unproductive atm for sure. the eagles will be tested this next month, collingwwod wont be easy. But the eagles have done very well considering their preseason setbacks, and they kick plenty of goals.
Geez those Hawks look like they are timing their run to perfection, though they will lose Gibson this week which will really hurt them against Sydney. If hawthorn get Roughhead back in September, they will be hard to beat again. They are an amazing football side.

If the Hawks had Roughy on sunday, God only knows what the score would of been.

I reckon the eagles will knock off collingwood and swans.

Now that many of the critics seem to have written Freo off as a genuine flag contender let me present an alternative view. Devils advocate if you like. Consider the following points.

1. A team sitting on top of the ladder with a 12- 2 record do so because they are an outstanding team not because of some luck.

2. An elite team does not lose its ability to play during a given season

3. It is virtually impossible for any team not to lose their form and focus at some stage of the season. This can result in some poor results especially if the opposition is talented and in top form

4. Mid season is an ideal time for a team to have a form slump as long as they can emerge from it by early August and not lose too many games in the process.

5. Lyon is a smart coach (that is why he is so well paid). He would be palpably aware of Fremantles weaknesses up forward and I would be very surprised if he has not got a few strategies up his sleeve to address this issue. One of these could be Anchormans suggestion of playing Fyfe at centre half forward.

6. Assuming he does have a plan, Lyon would not show his hand to Hawthorn in what was to be honest a fairly meaningless home and away game on a ground where the Dockers never win. I would suggest he will unleash this plan when the season gets closer to the business end.

OK shoot me down but at least have a think about the points above. I'm not saying the Dockers are premiership favourites but I definitely think they are more of a chance than most people are giving them today.

With the Fyffe idea. The reason Freo have won many games this year is he has dragged em over the line form his mid field role. Now plonk him a CHF, and who gets the ball to him??