For West Coast, it’s as good as season over. But for Sydney, the fun is just beginning.
The Eagles’ 34-point loss to Sydney on Sunday represented a critical blow to their hopes of securing a finals berth.
With just six rounds remaining, West Coast (7-9) sits two wins adrift of eighth spot, and facing tough games against Essendon (away), Geelong and Collingwood (MCG) as part of their run home.
West Coast coach John Worsfold is promising fans his team will give it a “red hot go” for the remainder of the season.
But even Worsfold seems resigned to the fact his team will miss the finals, especially with the club nursing so many injuries to key players.
“Not sure about finals chances,” Worsfold said.
“Our aim is to fight the season out, and while we’re doing that see what we can learn about the group to make sure we back up and are playing at our best next year.
“I think it shows that with the side that we’ve been putting out there at moment, we’re not quite as good as Hawthorn, not quite as good as Essendon, not quite as good as Fremantle, and today not quite as good as Sydney.”
The Swans flew under the radar on the way to claiming last year’s premiership, and they are well placed to inflict a repeat dose.
Sydney’s 17.11 (113) to 11.13 (79) triumph over West Coast lifted the defending premiers to within half a win of second spot.
Despite being without key players Adam Goodes, Lewis Jetta, Sam Reid, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Rhyce Shaw, Ben McGlynn and Gary Rohan, the Swans are purring along nicely.
Shaw and Rohan will be in the mix for next Sunday’s clash with Richmond at the SCG, while the rest will return closer to finals.
Sydney’s midfield put on a masterclass against West Coast, with Daniel Hannebery (40 possessions, two goals), Kieren Jack (30 possessions, two goals) and Josh Kennedy (29 possessions, one goal) all starring.
Although West Coast won the hit-outs 52-36, the Swans won the crucial clearance battle 46-36 on the way to their seventh straight win over the Eagles.
But Sydney coach John Longmire isn’t getting carried away just yet, saying it’s too early to think about snaring second spot.
“We generally don’t look at it. We are still six weeks out,” Longmire said.
“It’s not something we considered last year. We’re not considering it this year.”
Swans veteran Ryan O’Keefe suffered a suspected concussion against the Eagles, but remains a chance to take on Richmond.
West Coast are sweating on the fitness of star midfielder Luke Shuey, who was subbed out at half-time due to hamstring tightness.
Shuey had just returned from a three-week layoff following a hamstring injury, and will undergo scans to determine the extent of the damage.
Fellow on-baller Daniel Kerr is also in doubt to take on the Bulldogs next Sunday after being placed on report for a high bump while playing in the WAFL, but Scott Selwood (thumb) is a chance to return.
Paul of Perth
Guest
Lroy, You are dead wrong about the cost of living here in Perth being more expensive than Sydney. And by the way, salary cap concessions cannot be used to pay players. Face facts mate: Sydney and Brisbane have had success because of the talent of their players and coaching staff. To suggest that they somehow bought their premierships is nonsense. Have the guts to give credit where credit is due. I complimented the Eagles for playing well against the Swans (my team). Have the courage to do the same.
Troy Murray
Roar Rookie
Given that the Swans are a chance of securing a Top 4 spot is remarkable given their injured players. Imagine replacing Cunningham, White, Brandon Jack, Lamb, Everitt, Rampe with currently injured players, Goodes, Reid, Jetta, McGlynn, LRT, Mattner, Shaw, Rohan, Johnson. The Swans at full strength would surely not "fly under the radar"?
Lroy
Guest
Mate.. it turns out Perth is the most expensive city in Australia to live in... so are the AFL going to offer the Eagles and Dockers the same deal Sydney gets??? No coincidence that the great Lions side of 2001-2004 was built on the back of significant salary cap concessions.
Jacksoon
Guest
They play geelong and hawthorn in the last two rounds. Those two teams are top 2. If they win either theyre extremely dangerous. If they won both then theyll be favourites.
Australian Rules
Guest
Sydney are absolutely top 2 material, and so they should be. Of course, their draw bordered on farcical given they were the Premiers...and to top it off, they secured the best off-contract player in the off-season for a lazy $1M...which they had lying around in loose change. Yep, it'd be nice to be Sydney.
Paul of Perth
Guest
As a lifelong Swans supporter, I was obviously happy with the win, but I was very impressed by the WCE fight. Chris Masten reminded me of Judd and Cousins with his workrate around the stoppages. He's going to be a gun midfielder who'll be tearing other midfields apart in the years ahead. I still reckon Worsfold is one of the best coaches going around with a great attitude. Now's the time to blood new players (with the finals all but out of reach), and give them some match readiness heading into 2014. Don't beat yourself up about the loss, Nathan. Sydney are a strong, selfless team who play relentless footy, and they're nearly unstoppable. The Eagles played really well for 3 quarters, and have some great new players who will be game-changers in the future.
johno
Guest
You might want to check who the opponent is in round 23 ......
Johnny Banter
Roar Rookie
The Swans have been decimated by injury this season, so to make the top 4 would be a remarkable performance and a testament to the depth of the squad.
Lroy
Guest
That second quarter by the Bloods was about as good as it gets... simply ruthless in their attack on the ball.. laser like delievery by hand and foot, running in numbers... like beserkers to make a contest or support a team mate.. wonderful stuff. Had that game been a boxing match the ref would have told Worsfold at the 17 minute mark that if his boy didnt start fighting back the match would be stopped... Sadly for us fans.. it wasnt. The tragic thing is that Priddis and Masten continue to rack up 30+ possesions a game.. the latter hits the opposition so often with his passes Im wondering if his stats shouldnt be counted as part of theirs... a team cannot win games if a guy in the clear, with time and space consistently cannot a target... has no one noticed his across the body kicking style??? of course this action was never going to cut it at the top level. Priddis gets his little give and go handballs, chips it 30 yards then does it again.. racking up the stats.. meanwhile this non penetrating play lets the opposition mids to get back and flood the backline.... Contrast Priddis's performance with that of Hannerbury.. both of them got heaps of the footy... the latter destroyed the Eagles mids with his hard running... one point he gets a possesion in the back pocket... chain of Swans possesions, kick to the square... the blonde maestro roves the thing of the pack and kicks a goal from the square, killing of a mini Eagles fightback. Thats the difference right there. Gaff and Shuey are getting swamped as its pretty clear now that if those guys dont get their hands on the footy, WCE arent going to go forward with any sort of purpose. Mumford and Pike owned Nicnat and Cox.. Swans second tier players performed light years better than their more experienced opponents. Jessie White was it?? Where did he come from?? Rumours he may not play finals footy, are you kidding me?? Eagles backline tried hard... if not for a nice cameo from Josh Kennedy and his swag of goals the Eagles would have lost by 70 odd points... theres nothing positive to take out of this game for the locals. Sad to say but if yesterday is any indication of where Adam Selwood is at, he should be encouraged to retire.. thats the nicest thing I can say about him. Is Woosh having a lend when he says " we are getting pretty close" 30 point losses are not close... Hawks and Swans both took their foot of the pedal when in control.. Dockers must have been trying to get better odds from the bookmakers by giving us a sniff for 3 quarters.. If we are brutally honest.. we are in exactly the same position we were in 2009... except this time no one is accusing us of tanking.. its plain to see, the Eagles simply arent that good.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
We've already played Adelaide? It's Doggies we play next week.
johno
Guest
Intereresting - you list only 3 of the tough games they face and conveniently forget about the Adelaide and Gold Coast encounters. Both of these matches will be tough games for West Coast, who can only afford one more loss this season. Surely guys like Blayne Wilson should be getting more senior game time.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Life sucks, I hate you all.
Swampy
Guest
Sydney under-rated? By whom? I would suggest that anything less than top 2 for Sydney would be deemed failure at this juncture. Most media consistently talk about the top 3 - Hawks, Cats and Swans about being the 3 legitimate contenders. How is that flying under the radar? The Swans are 4th and play a number of finals aspirants in the run home. Any losses to teams such as Collingwood could be disastrous for the Swans' season. They are expected to win. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.