With all the talk of Collingwood, and the ominous warnings being fired by Geelong during the past fortnight, it seemed as if only two teams looked likely to win the ultimate prize in 2010.
Perhaps a hard judgement, but with St Kilda only scrapping home against Richmond and losing that relentless defensive pressure and killer instinct to a considerable degree this season, which has seen them slip to third, many see this year’s competition as a two horse race.
The Western Bulldogs’ disappointing form leading into September is too hard a task to overturn at this stage, with injuries to key players and confidence ripped into shreds.
It begs the question, with the Sydney Swans’ thrilling and comprehensive victory over the Bulldogs in Brett Kirk and Paul Roos’ final game at the SCG, are Sydney a contender once again?
Now, readers may think I’m crazy to think so considering Sydney were hammered in consecutive weeks by Melbourne and Geelong to the tune of 73 and 53 points, but Sydney have won four of their last six games against Carlton, Hawthorn, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs.
In those games the Swans have comprehensively beaten three of those teams by seven goals.
To think that these are teams that Sydney is going to face in a likely home final just a week out from the finals will be a huge factor.
The Swans have been missing bookends Craig Bolton, Mark Seaby and Daniel Bradshaw along with Roberts Thompson and Craig Bird for huge chunks of the season, which makes the Swans’ form all the more impressive.
However, good form against the bottom eight teams does not make you a contender.
But with the Swans now considered the best from the rest, purely on form over the last six weeks, and only losing to St Kilda in round 1 by eight points, and giving Collingwood a run for its money earlier in the year, Sydney are sitting in the box seat to do what only Collingwood did during the noughties, and make a prelim final from the bottom eight.
A win against Brisbane – which is probable – will mean Sydney will host a final against Carlton or Hawthorn, and a win there could mean a semi final against the Bulldogs.
The Bloods have got as good a chance as any to make a grand final again for outgoing co-captain and coach.
Easier said than done, and is unlikely to happen, but the last time the Swans won four games on the trot going into the finals they took the flag home, and with Ryan O’Keefe and Jared Moore returning next week, along with possible inclusions Daniel Bradshaw and Craig Bolton, the Swans are a real chance of giving September an almighty shake if rounds 1-6 are anything to go by.
Add to that sentimental emotion riding high and red hot form and you’ve got a genuine dark horse.
captain nemo
Roar Guru
long time no post Micheal C??
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
This is a bloody good rebuilding team. But as someone who remembers Simon Minton-Connell at full forward, I'd back us against the Dogs or St Kilda, but we get blown off the park by Geelong or Collingwood.
Redb
Roar Guru
Great win by the Swans on Sat night. Top crowd. Jack, Hannebery, DLT, Jetta offer some excitement for the future. Note to Jetta - don't stage for free kicks ever again! - hopefully the coaches showed him the footage and left him in no doubt. Well done to Roosy and Kirk - terrific result and tribute to these greats of the game.
Bob Mcgregor
Guest
Nice article and full of information I was not aware of about previously injured Swans possibly returning this week. Hope they are fit and ready to perform against the Lions as they were impressive against the Bombers and the Swans must win to finish both 5th and secure a home final. If they do, the game will be played at the old Olympic stadium at Homebush - a venue not at all kind to the Swans. Why they agree to the AFL dictates on such an occasion and neutralise their home ground advantage at the SCG I'll never be able to fathom. I've attended ALL their home finals at the SCG since 1990s - but I refuse to go to the Homebush white elephant. Only when they decide to play ALL games at the SCG will I again become a Swans member again. Being a SCG member I didn't need to be a dual member to attend Swan's home games at the SCG, but I was to show my support for the Club. I didn't renew that membership once they "decided" to play supposed block buster games at Homebush. I wish them well in their finals endeavour, but to progress they will need a huge dose of luck and form reversal of their lamentable display against Richmond in the final 15 minutes and their woeful display against the Demons. Nevertheless, I wish them well for the finals. Seems hard to believe the "ROOS" era is coming to an end. What a servant he has been for Swans both as a player, Coach and mentor. A truly magnificent contribution and I'm sure ALL Swan supporters would so acknowledge. Like wise Brett "Captain" Kirk - the life and soul of the club since the end of the Kelly era. I wish them both the very best of everything that life after the Swans holds for them. BRAVO!
Richard
Roar Guru
There's a good spirit up there at the SCG and its a credit to the leadership at the Sydney Swans that they remain a united, committed and successful team even as they rebuild. Sydney is everybody's second team (assuming it's not your first) and it would be good to see them competitive in the finals. Just don't get in the way of the 'Pies. We are hungry for that day in the sun.
LK
Guest
Yeah, Pyke has been pretty solid this year. His tap work has always been decent, this year he has been much better around the ground. Probably the greatest compliment is teammates kicking the ball to him. That didn't happen last year or early this year.
Michael C
Roar Guru
Yeah, agreed with LK, Mumford is critical for the Swans. That said, how good were Mike Pyke's numbers with 13 disposals, 13 hit outs, 5 marks & 6 tackles. That's a reasonable set of numbers for a number 2 ruckman. Sure, it'll be a big ask to go number 1 and you'd have to think the best Swans line up would still be Mumford and Seaby, but, Pykey has been consistantly over the last few weeks at least equalling the 'numbers' of the opposition 'number 2' ruckman if not beating. And some of Pyke's tap work HAS been top notch. Granted, a Ben Hudson type ruckman still out bodies him a fraction too easily.
LK
Guest
I'm not getting carried away just yet. The Bulldogs had a few injuries and were down on form, I'm not sure how much to take out of Saturday night's game. Mumford is a big out for this weekend, hopefully he will be right for the finals.
Fivehole
Guest
"make a prelim final from the bottom eight." - pretty impressive seeing the finals excludes the bottom eight teams!