Sat Night v Crows

**ROK Lobster** · 26th July 2005, 11:04 PM

Is this the first time we will get a REAL idea of where we are at? An away game in front of a big crowd after a bruising encounter. Win and we are genuine contenders. Get belted and there will still be hope, but only a little. Lose narrowly and we'll be right where we are now.

**liz** · 26th July 2005, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Is this the first time we will get a REAL idea of where we are at? An away game in front of a big crowd after a bruising encounter. Win and we are genuine contenders. Get belted and there will still be hope, but only a little. Lose narrowly and we'll be right where we are now.

In other words, we probably still won't have a clue!

**ROK Lobster** · 26th July 2005, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by liz
In other words, we probably still won't have a clue!

That's my gut feeling. But maybe... just maybe...

**cruiser** · 26th July 2005, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by liz
In other words, we probably still won't have a clue!

I really did think that after beating West Coast, there would be a more positive attitude on RWO. I guess I was wrong (and I get called an imbecile for thinking that way).

We WILL beat the Crows on Saturday. I will then await what people have to say about the win and what they think our chances are of beating Essendon in Melbourne for the first time since 1989 (I bought my airline ticket for that match today).

**Bron** · 26th July 2005, 11:38 PM

Originally posted by cruiser
... what they think our chances are of beating Essendon in Melbourne for the first time since 1989 (I bought my airline ticket for that match today).

I bought my ticket for Melbourne on 23/9 on the weekend. Accommodation (at an exorbitant price) is booked. Roll on September!

**liz** · 27th July 2005, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by cruiser
I really did think that after beating West Coast, there would be a more positive attitude on RWO. I guess I was wrong (and I get called an imbecile for thinking that way).

We WILL beat the Crows on Saturday. I will then await what people have to say about the win and what they think our chances are of beating Essendon in Melbourne for the first time since 1989 (I bought my airline ticket for that match today).

I think it's called being circumspect and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

FWIW (and irrespective of the result this weekend) I believe we have an excellent chance of beating Essendon in Melbourne for the first time in yonks. I just need to work out how to be there for the game.

**ROK Lobster** · 27th July 2005, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by cruiser
I really did think that after beating West Coast, there would be a more positive attitude on RWO. I guess I was wrong (and I get called an imbecile for thinking that way).

Don't get me wrong cruiser, I thought Sunday's win was fantastic. I also think we are a good, hard side in a very even comp. Wins against Melb and Geelong were good, but hard to put in context given those sides' subsequent freefall. The win against WCE was clearly the best of the season and showed that we can mix it with the best in the comp. But, we have known that for a few years now. What we have also demonstrated in the last few years in an inability to back up after a big win. There is one trip to AAMI after knocking off the top side that springs straight to mind. That's why this week's game will be a good indicator of where we are, not just in terms of this season, but more importantly how much the side has (or has not) improved. I really don't think that that is being overly negative.

**ScottH** · 27th July 2005, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Don't get me wrong cruiser, I thought Sunday's win was fantastic. I also think we are a good, hard side in a very even comp. Wins against Melb and Geelong were good, but hard to put in context given those sides' subsequent freefall. The win against WCE was clearly the best of the season and showed that we can mix it with the best in the comp. But, we have known that for a few years now. What we have also demonstrated in the last few years in an inability to back up after a big win. There is one trip to AAMI after knocking off the top side that springs straight to mind. That's why this week's game will be a good indicator of where we are, not just in terms of this season, but more importantly how much the side has (or has not) improved. I really don't think that that is being overly negative.

"There is one trip to AAMI after knocking off the top side that springs straight to mind. " That particluar game we were dessimated by injuries, and struggled to put a decent team on the field, ala Geelong a few weeks ago.

Outs Ins

Ball Davis
Barry Meiklejohn
Doyle Powell
MOL LRT

Goodes was only on one knee, also

We also had raw players like Ablett, Bevan, Buchanan, James, and McVeigh.

Not a fair comparison.

**cruiser** · 27th July 2005, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by liz
FWIW (and irrespective of the result this weekend) I believe we have an excellent chance of beating Essendon in Melbourne for the first time in yonks. I just need to work out how to be there for the game.

Yesterday I decided I couldnt not be at Telstra Dome to experience Sydney finally breaking that drought so I bought a ticket on Qantas yesterday for a total $213 return, leaving Sat arvo and returning first thing Sun morning.

**barry** · 27th July 2005, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Is this the first time we will get a REAL idea of where we are at? An away game in front of a big crowd after a bruising encounter. Win and we are genuine contenders. Get belted and there will still be hope, but only a little. Lose narrowly and we'll be right where we are now.

You're too harsh. The last 3 weeks have shown us where we really are.

A road trip to Adelaide is pencilled in as a loss. A win would be icing on the cake, but as far as I'm concerned the cake's already baked.

**ScottH** · 27th July 2005, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by barry
You're too harsh. The last 3 weeks have shown us where we really are.

A road trip to Adelaide is pencilled in as a loss. A win would be icing on the cake, but as far as I'm concerned the cake's already baked.

Thats a rather negative approach.

**Thunder Shaker** · 27th July 2005, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by cruiser
I really did think that after beating West Coast, there would be a more positive attitude on RWO. I guess I was wrong (and I get called an imbecile for thinking that way).

For the Swans, playing Adelaide away is the toughest match of the season. Adelaide have been a bogey side for the Swans, and at Football Park our chances are not great. Yes, we had a good win against West Coast, but many on here consider the Adelaide match to be a truer test of our ability. If we win that match, then you can expect a positive attitude to start emerging on RWO.

Then there are those who say that the Essendon match is the true test because we haven't beaten the Bombers in Melbourne for 16 years.

I feel that a positive attitude on RWO is not something that will suddenly appear overnight. It is more of a delicate flower, growing slowly over time, and apt to be stomped out of existence all too readily by one bad result.