The AFL premiership race is wider open than most think, with Sydney having shown that sides in the bottom half of the top eight are genuine threats, says Geelong coach Chris Scott.
Scott said there were areas the Cats needed to fix after being upset 15.9 (99) to 12.14 (86) by the Swans at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
But he said the result was more due to Sydney’s sustained pressure than the Cats having a particularly bad day.
“I didn’t think we were horrendous today, I thought the opposition were very good and we weren’t quite at our best and that’s enough,” Scott said.
“We know that that will be the situation in finals as well.”
While the ladder suggests a gulf between the top five and the rest, with Collingwood the clear standouts, Scott said the Swans’ form should stand as a warning.
“People have a tendency of looking at the ladder and seeing where the gap is and making sweeping generalisations,” he said.
“I don’t think Collingwood are miles in front of everyone else either.
“I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility that the side that finishes seventh or eighth could really trouble the top sides, all those things are very real.
“We need to play somewhere near our best to win every week and if we’re a little bit off and the opposition are good we’ll get beaten.
“It’s the same for Collingwood, it’s the same for Hawthorn, Carlton and West Coast.”
brendan
Guest
The only grand finalist since 05 not in the finals is Port gee the draft works.
TW
Guest
How about this little stat. The past AFL Premiership winners since 2006 now occupy the top four - Collingwood - Geelong - Hawthorn - West Coast. Read into that what you may - Is it a passing phase. Some of the above clubs have very rich football departments, excellent management, big memberships and followings around the country.
brendan
Guest
Winners are grinners Lachlan but dont bag our supporters or club.The Swans were the better side and most of the contentious decisions went your way(Ottens point and Mumford ruck infringement goal are two examples).We were always going to drop one at home and under the circumstances glad it was to the swannies am even more happy that the one of those games happened now rather than in the finals when they do hurt.Good luck in the finals but this is not the time to put the boots in you should reflect on the ''BLOODS'' culture which came to the fore on saturday to stand by a teammate.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
True, but it was under a different system. Adelaide lost in the first week to Melbourne, but had a double-chance, so they were able to go on and win. I think it is extraordinarily unlikely (almost impossible) that a club would win four finals in a row, which Adelaide would have had to do if they played under the current system in 1998.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
yes, the only time a team has won from 5th, in any version of the finals
Lachlan
Roar Guru
I loved that game, the swans played 4 quarters of excellant footy and the preceive pressure caused the Geelong outfit to crumble, loved watching the cocky Geelong fans, players, etc. look like they've seen a ghost.
clipper
Guest
Brian, didn't Adelaide win in 98 from the bottom four - I think they came 5th.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
What we do know from the last 20 years is that teams who go on a massive run of only losing 1 or 2 games in 25 to 30 matches cannot maintain it for much longer than that. Just like Essendon in 2001 and Geelong in 2008, the opportunity still remains for Collingwood to experience a bit of a downer in 2011.
Brian
Guest
The media/AFL will play it up but history shows that it will basically be Geelong v Hawthorn in week 1 with the winner taking on Collingwood in the GF. The bottom 4 never go a long way and whilst one year they will it, is very unlikely to be in a year like 2011 where West Coast finish 4th making it very hard for Carlton - the only quality team outside the top 4. Regarding the flag it still looks all Collingwood with a small chance for Hawthorn as the only other quality side with a game plan that if executed really well could trouble them.
Chrisso
Guest
Um BigAl you didn't actually see the Sydney v Geelong match yesterday did you?
BigAl
Guest
The title of this piece should be . . . 'Grand Final place race wide open...' Apart from there being a better ring to it, recent results just indicate that its a close thing between Cats & Hawks about who is the second best team - followed by daylight - AND, I'm tipping Pies to blow Geelong out of the water Friday night
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
doubtful, about this time Geelong always slacks off a bit before the finals. they'll fire up again against the hawks in week 1 of the finals. that will be an epic clash