Did we already lose the Qualifying Final?

[Beno88]

sainter#4 wrote:
i understand some of you are optimistic about our chances.

but lets face abit of reality here. WE HAVE NOT HAD ONE 4 QUARTER EFFORT IN 22 WEEKS OF THE H&A SEASON THIS YEAR.

Geelong won ONE quarter in the 2009 Grand Final

[Thinline]

Is this a serious post?

Far better form? Their last 4 matches have resulted in three wins. So have ours.

Our lack of form? We kicked 100+ pts three weeks in a row for the first time since early last year, then last weekend we took the foot off the pedal in a nothing match. (mind you, Geelong also lost to Adelaide at AAMI only six weeks ago)

We need another quality mid to support Hayes and co? I assume "and co" is Dal Santo and Montagna. I think Clinton Jones tends to be pretty handy in there. Farren Ray is having an outstanding season. Schneider has been excellent through the guts. Goddard can now have a run on the ball with Dawson back. Peake has provided great run of late. The list goes on...

If Riewoldt can't kick straight we'll be in trouble? He didn't play last time we knocked them over. And had minimal impact in last years GF.

Dawson Suspect? I don't remember Mooney and Hawkins doing much in any of their battles with Zac.

In the last 5 games we have won 3 of 5 and had our pants pulled down by Essendon & Adelaide. Geelong have lost 1 to Collingwood by 22 points.

When was the last time against good opposition Dal Santo had a stand out game equivalent of Ablett, Selwood or Chapman. I feel we need another quality onballer to match Geelongs.

Last time we played Geelong they didn't have Ottens, Kelly, Corey, or Hawkins I think that sort of evens things up.

Didn't Hakwins kick 3 against Dawson in a tight GF & how many others did Dawson give.

The other thing of note is that the SAINTS have never beaten Geelong in a finals game. That is the reality - but lets hope that changes.

So yes it is a realistic post !

If you reckon the Adelaide was anything more than a training gallop then you really have little clue. Did you actually WATCH? My only concern out of that game was Roo's kicking. The rest mattered nought.

Our overall record against Collingwood and Geelong in recent times is magnificent.

I appreciate doubting is pretty much feathering a bed for yourself if we slip up, but really, what's not to like?

Cheer up, bud.

[bergholt]

Our overall record against Collingwood and Geelong in recent times is magnificent.

nope. magnificent would be if we'd beaten them every time over the past couple of years.

but collingwood thumped us last time we played them - that's not part of a "magnificent" record. that said, we have beaten them the last two times we've met in finals, when it matters.

but geelong is the other way around. we've beaten them in the regular season two years in a row. but. they've beaten us the last two times we've met in finals. including one where everything was on the line.

it's a good record, and i think we lift for these matches, but it's not a "magnificent" record.

[Saint_in_SA]

The Cats are dominating the betting for a reason - more people think they will win than lose. That is clear.

We can certainly win - we will need to get on the front foot early and not allow them to dictate the game to us. otherwise their confidence will soar and we will get belted. We will need a certain degree of luck to go our way to win - i.e Shane Warne style leg break for a goal, Cats unfortunately losing their feet etc etc but all teams need it in a finals type game.

I don't subscribe to the "switch" theory - you need real practice in games to have the confidence that you can prolong intensity like that - you can't hide it in training sessions, then trust that it will be 'released' in a finals game. Wishful thinking by some on here.

[Thinline]

Our overall record against Collingwood and Geelong in recent times is magnificent.

nope. magnificent would be if we'd beaten them every time over the past couple of years.

but collingwood thumped us last time we played them - that's not part of a "magnificent" record. that said, we have beaten them the last two times we've met in finals, when it matters.

but geelong is the other way around. we've beaten them in the regular season two years in a row. but. they've beaten us the last two times we've met in finals. including one where everything was on the line.

it's a good record, and i think we lift for these matches, but it's not a "magnificent" record.

Perhaps IMPRESSIVE would have been a better word.

Semantics...

Re Geelong I was referring more to our Rd 14 last year, our GF effort (where we had more shots but alas the key ones were sadly crooked), and earlier this season when us sans Roo (and to be fair them sans Chapman) we held them pretty much scoreless for a half. Insignificant?

Our only slip up against the Pies in the same period was when half the team was coughing up lung lollies the size of oysters...

[FQF]

Our only slip up against the Pies in the same period was when half the team was coughing up lung lollies the size of oysters...

Has this been confirmed? I heard it alot floating around the forum, but the only word out of the club was Ross jokingly saying his excessive coughing during an interview had spread to the players.

[WinnersOnly]

The Cats are dominating the betting for a reason - more people think they will win than lose. That is clear.

We can certainly win - we will need to get on the front foot early and not allow them to dictate the game to us. otherwise their confidence will soar and we will get belted. We will need a certain degree of luck to go our way to win - i.e Shane Warne style leg break for a goal, Cats unfortunately losing their feet etc etc but all teams need it in a finals type game.

I don't subscribe to the "switch" theory - you need real practice in games to have the confidence that you can prolong intensity like that - you can't hide it in training sessions, then trust that it will be 'released' in a finals game. Wishful thinking by some on here.

Well scribed sa saint !

It doesn't make you less of a supporter if you dont have absolute faith that your side will win. The team is not playing with the same authority or confidence as last year, accordingly I have some reservations.

Lets hope my reservations prove incorrect !

[SainterK]

Righly or wrongly, I think certain players will lift for this game.

It happened in Round 13, certain players peaked for that game, and then have gone a little quiet since.

I think Ross gets frustrated with this lack of consistency, rather than worrying about their inability to match it with the likes of Geelong.

I do believe they have been waiting for this day for 300+ days

[HSVKing]

Righly or wrongly, I think certain players will lift for this game.

Seems to be something we specialise in, lifting for these games, and playing like 3 legged goats against lesser sides.

[Beno88]

but don't go pretending to yourself that brett peake or farren ray is a superstar and will make the difference.

I think you might be wrong there.....

[One Eyed Saint]

2 more wins to history.......