Highlights: Swans lock in top four but lose co-captain Jack

You could have rested all your players, lost big time and got a home final against NM. You just didn't think it through.

Check your facts: Buddy has been out due to injury, back and rib, not being 'rested' simply to gain an advantage denied all other teams (apart from North Melbourne of course). Do read what Patrick Smith in the Oz has to say: 'the finals in the AFL have been settled with two sides - North Melbourne and Fremantle - being granted substantial advantage by the AFL The AFL's decision to allow North and Freo to freshen up about 50% of their best sides is an obvious advantage given to two clubs at the start of the always brutal final series. It is hardly fair that two sides are given an arbitrary advantage not available to other sides because one had finished to well for 17 clubs, the other not as badly as eight others' And, Buddy played a full match in round 23, hardly being 'rested'. What a shame the Swans didn't 'rest' Kieren Jack. Obviously I'm a Swan's supporter however even though I suspect the Dockers will win I'd love to see the unrested Swans run right over them.

I was counting next week.

Hawks lost 6 games I believe. Freo and WC both lost 5

The side that has been "resting" Buddy?

...and Hawthorn keeps on losing those close games...7 of them! Are they " handing them" to easy beat teams or losing because they are dropping off the pace?

You ARE bitter. You can't concede a close game won by Freo is due to resilience under pressure yet you can claim that the team that crumbled under that pressure"gave the game to Freo".

Luke Parker, Buddy and Hannebery aren't better than Jack? Hmmm!

Wiggy made the exact opposite sledge only 2 days ago.

Hard to believe that you're tipping against 1 and 2 on their home turf.It's pretty easy to say that Freo have had games handed to them,by opposition errors, when every team in the 8 has had inexplicable losses and wins and draws.... Saying that, Hawthorn and the Swans have both lost six times out of 22, worse than 1 in 4, and lost badly to sides outside the 8. It doesn't augur well for them coming up against the better sides

It's not as if I'm bitter. Fremantle have been better than my own team by a long way. But Hawthorn and West Coast have been the best teams this year, no question.

Fremantle are going into the finals in poor form, regardless of the players being rested, Lyon has messed around with the sides momentum as usual, Sydney is going in with a winning feeling. Sydney for mine despite the home ground advantage.

They should never have finished first... Wow. That's gracious of you.

I think thats harsh. The Richmond one was handed to us, the others we outplayed them in the dying moments which count. We'll see what happens in the finals but I think Freo will be very hard to beat. Derby GF for me. "they should never have finished first" well the ladder shows that we did and thats all that matters.

Roger, I would rather have a brilliant, consistent all-rounder than a game-changer. Kennedy and Hanners win more of the ball, but butcher it. Parker is about one good season away from completely blossoming. McVeigh seems to have lost all sense of logic and skill on the football field. Aside from a fit and firing Buddy, there's no one better than Jack. And I'm not just saying this now because he's injured. Anyone whose been paying attention to my rants over the last few weeks will know the level of praise I have for him. In a team that can often look like frantic handball-obsessed headless chooks, the importance of a composed, smart and polished ball-user like Jack is pivotal. Plus the guy applies pressure better than anyone, and he's our fastest mid.

West Coast and Hawthorn have been in the best form all year. Freo have been on a remarkable lucky streak all year and a lot of their wins (Adelaide, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs, Richmond) were handed to them by the opposition in the dying stages. They should have never finished first and I've even heard some Fremantle fans saying as much.

well Roger I disagree with that, form during the year counts for everything and Freo and West Coast have been in the best form all year hence the top two positions. Also home ground makes a big difference and there is no harder task than coming over to Perth and winning. It would be surprising if one side lost at home let alone both. Agree experience is important but Freo also have plenty of that, WC and Bulldogs are exciting young sides that may have less experience but both seem to have not been phased all year so I see no reason why they will be now. West Coast, Freo, Bulldogs and Tigers all to win next week.

we'll see...be interesting to see how the Freo diddums come up after their week of convalescence poor babies Sydney Swans are a great team; we love them for their integrity, hard work and professionalism. The great game of AFL has flourished in the NRL-focused Sydney thanks to the Swans. Dockers are obviously the favourites and will have the crowd with them but, as is said, it ain't over till the fat lady sings.

Next week will tell all, no one had written off the Swans until after the break, Our worse looses were when Heeney was out, Jack is good but not a game change. If the Swans turn up they will account for Freeo then the game changes, predictions to win, Swans, Hawthorn, Crows and North Melbourne. Form during the year counts for nothing when finals starts but experience does and none have a much experience as Swans and Hawks.

The fact that we just lost our best player most likely for the season should be making me real depressed, but I'm so used to our when-it-rains-it-pours season that I can't help but feel somewhat proud that we've made the top four despite playing undeniably like one of the worst six teams in the competition for almost the entire year. Here here!