DirtyDogTiger said:
I reckon the top 4 might be set already (in whatever order) with Hawks freo Sydney adelaide.
We never should set our sights on dislodging one of them.
Lets wait until all the teams have played each other before counting who is in the top 4.
Swans got out of jail against the Bombers, they looked good against Port and have played GWS . The Swans play the Hawks twice have Port again and the Dockers and Tigers once - they look good at the moment for a top 4 place.
Adelaide have played North at home, Collingwood away and Melbourne. Adelaide do have an easy draw - they play Hawks, Swans, Bombers, Tiger and Dockers only once this season. That suggests a Top 4 is a real possibility.
Fremantle have played West Coast, an out of form Geelong away and got out of jail against Port. Fremantle have an easy draw too - only play Swans, Hawks, Bombers once do play Tigers and Port twice.
Hawks - they do look good comfortably beat the Dogs and an out of form Geelong and got beaten in a rib-tickler of a game against the Bombers. Hawks should be a winning possibility in every game they play - no question.
Essendon are the unlucky ones IMO - due to a sub standard preseason - stopped to a walk against the Swans when 40 points up to get nutted then beat the Hawks and were in control all day against the Blues - the way they are playing they are top 4 material. Don't play the Swans again this H & A Season, play the Hawks again Fremantle once and Tigers Twice. If they do not fall away like previous years and the way they are playing they are a Top 4 chance.
Richmond beat the Blues, outplayed against the Dogs and flogged a cellar dweller in the Lions. We are in for a big dipper ride - it all depends on our forwards converting - we seem to win or stay with the opposition with our stats - we just don't necessarily put it on the scoreboard.
Collingwood - looked ordinary against the Crows and have beaten Brisbane and St Kilda - they seem to me to be off the pace at the moment for a top 4 berth.
Port - unlucky against Freo, got out of jail against North and looked poor against the Swans - Hawthorn this week and again later this year, Dockers and Swans again later in the year - if Port make the top 4 they deserve to be there.
North - looked ordinary against the Crows, stiff against Port and beat the Lions - with only having the Hawks, Dockers and Swans once this year and the Tigers twice - they could be a dark horse to rise and compete for the Top 4.
BUT - it is a long season and injuries will take their toll - therefore the top 4 is anything but settled - and I firmly believe if the Tigers can get that bloody forward line operating to provide maximum output we too are a chance, albeit slim, but a chance at the Top 4.