It's a scary thought. Collingwood win the 2010 premiership. Believe it, it can happen. An easy on the eye Collingwood supporter (yes, they do exist) claimed that if they can get over a red hot Richmond, the premiership race is over. They completely smashed the Tigers, who barely gave a whimper. Having said this, I don't think they have the cup wrapped up just yet.
What makes the pending finals series exciting is that up to 5 sides are a legitimate chance to win. I apologize to the Dockers, but I don't believe they can travel to Melbourne twice and go on to win the grand final - at their stage of development though, they can be very happy with what they have achieved this season. Collingwood, St. Kilda, Geelong, Western Bulldogs and (as this blog predicted 8 weeks ago) Hawthorn are now in with a genuine chance.
It is going to come down to who times their run best. That is the biggest concern for the Magpies. They look unstoppable now, but they must continue this form for another month and then into September.
Looking at the other end of the table, the race to avoid the wooden spoon could not be tighter. What makes it even more exciting is that for the first time in years, there is no real reward for finishing last - because the Gold Coast get the majority of the good picks. West Coast sit on the bottom, after giving up a great chance to beat the stumbling Carlton. The travel for interstate sides give West Coast an advantage and should see them off the bottom. Despite their run of good form, I think the Tigers are still a big chance to fall and end up on the bottom. Considering many experts thought they'd go through the year winless, a wooden spoon wouldn't be that bad.
The other point of interest on the ladder is the battle for the final two spots in the finals. Carlton has been horrible over the last month, yet - thanks to a solid second half against West Coast - they sit 7th. It looked as though Sydney had a spot wrapped up, until they were belted by an exciting Melbourne on Sunday. Both the Blues and Swans should still finish inside the 8, given they are a game and massive percentage clear at this stage. The two sides outside the eight still with a chance to steal a finals berth both lost games they should have won. North Melbourne were 10points in front during the final term and were overrun by Essendon. Adelaide have no excuse, somehow losing to Port Adelaide. It seems its going to be a matter of who falls in, rather than a side really standing up and wanting to play finals. Either way, the final 2 sides in the 8 are going to be making up the numbers, so it is almost irrelevant anyway.
How do I think the ladder will finish after Round 22?
Geelong
Collingwood
St. Kilda
Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn
Fremantle
Sydney
Carlton
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1 comment:
(Cam Willcox)
It's going to be such a fantastic finals series this year. Possibly as even as 1997. Maybe Hawthorn can do an Adelaide back in that year and steal it! My predicted ladder is similar but slighty different:
1.Geelong
2.St.Kilda
3.Collingwood
4.Bulldogs
5.Freo
6.Hawthorn
7.Carlton
8.Melbourne
With Sydney's injuries, i can only see them possibly beating Brisbane in round 22, which will be too late if the Dees string some wins against Brisbane, Richmond, Port and North. But if Melbourne drops one of these 'winnable' matches, Sydney will finish in the 8. Despite their mediocre form of late, i still have freo in 5th above the Hawks. They should win 3 more games at home (west Coast, Carlton, Sydney) but they need to win against North away, crucial game for them, which i have have picked the Dockers only because of North's injury woes. But that game is anyones.
Hawks should win all of their remaining games too (including finals) haha that was a bit cheeky!
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