LISTEN: If you're not in the top eight after Round 11, is there any hope of a flag?

It's times like these I wish we had a petty 'angry react' emoji alongside the like button.

Agree Peter. In fairness we do tend to doubt coaches with under performing sides with talent. Bucks, Chris Scott and Dimma come to mind. Next year we may be praising Worsfold, although I have to say I honestly doubt that. The Dons appear to me to be playing as a team of talented individuals rather than a talented team with talented individuals, if you get my meaning. They are capable of beating anyone on their day and are the true Jekyll and Hyde team of the competition IMO.

For now at least but still have to be in form in September I’d like a slightly different result too … a bigger win :p

The Pies weren’t in the eight this time last year and beat GWS and Richmond in the finals so it is possible, but unlikely.

Just hoping for a slightly different result Cat. When you look at the % ladder these two sides are clearing the pack.

I wrote a piece for the Roar recently that suggested on average that at the 8-11 week stage of the season, at least six and more likely seven of the eight eventual finalists were already in the top eight. A better question might almost be: if you’re not in the top eight will you even win a game in September? The answer is about as definitive as the one asked here.

Brayden Maynard got out-bodied by the smallest guy on the field who barely had 10 AFL games on his career.... I guess blaming the umpire saves you from having to really analyzing how piss weak he really was in that contest. First, he misreads the flight of the ball and defends the wrong forward, as its clear the ball is going to drop short and be marked by Sheed....... second he doesnt have the strength to move the youngest, smallest and least experienced guy of his position for a GAME WINNING spoil!! Jesus man, if you cant make that play you shouldnt be in the AFL..sorry someone has to say it. Like the song says ''let it go, let it go the Eagles are Prem-iers, let it go let it go, we jumped and touched the sky........ Here I stand, cup in handdddddddddddddddddddd Let the cont-ro-versy die... '' nobody cares that you cry..'' Musical interlude, fade out ;-)

LISTEN refers to the podcast. Nevertheless, hold on to hope but don't lose your faith...or your love. May you all see Purple after round 11 and in September.

"They’ve surprised me where they sit ..." Happy to say they surprise even me. I had Cats making finals and pushing for top 4 but the changes have exceeded expectations. I wasn't convinced Scott had a game plan change in him, that's the part that's surprised me most.

Repeat of 2011 coming up ;)

The Cats are the team to beat no doubt. They've surprised me where they sit though I was one of the few that had them in the top eight in my preseason forecast ladder, where I had them 6th and contending. They are very, very even not just across their lines but quarter to quarter which would shape very well for finals football. Right now at round 9 I think besides the Cats the only sides who can win the 2019 flag from here are GWS, Richmond, West Coast and Collingwood. (Port, Crows, Demons and Bombers may have some good streaks but IMO can't win it) I will be truly amazed if the 2019 premier comes from outside that group of five. So there you go bookmark this: The 2019 premier is one of Geelong, Collingwood, GWS, Richmond and West Coast. Hardly news flash stuff but there it is.

Pete. Being a hawks man I saddenly agree. We are too inconsistent. Anywhere near top 8 and I’d be happy this year. Can’t agree on the bombers. Too many players similar to my liking to win a flag. Only thing stopping the pies a flag is the cats which hurts me to say

Our list is strong I agree Andrew. I had to remind myself last week against the Blues we were missing Adams, Beams, Cox, Sier and potentially Scharenberg from our best 22. When our mids are beaten they seem to be beaten inside and as such I believe Adams and Sier are extremely important. In this low scoring congested footy you need big bodied inside mids still doing the hard work no matter how much class (Treloar, Sidebottom, Beams) you have on the outside. Pendlebury does a bit of both but Adams makes us a better team instantly. I laugh at the criticism of his kicking as even Cripps can look bad hack kicking under severe pressure. Brayden Sier needs to get back into the side. Wills isn’t the answer I’m afraid. You and Jay are both right regarding the Pies hot and cold burst play and fluctuation in quarters. We lead the comp for 1st qtr wins with 8 yet are 15th for 2nd qtrs, 10th for 3rd qtrs and then back to 7th for final qtrs. The Cats are way more consistent throughout the course of a game ranking 2nd, 1st, 1st and 3rd. If we string a game together we will look really good. This week’s side expect De Goey to go out and Wells to come in which will be very interesting. Can Daniel Wells become our GAJ in the forward line? He is a sublime kick.

Fingers crossed we can get there again this year Pete, and just that little bit further. Jay's piece a couple of days ago encapsulates how optimistic I feel during our bursts of brilliance, but not the concern that comes during the patches in between. That's footy though, can't win every quarter. We're looking strong and have a chance to get another decent crack at a premiership.

Yeah the Pies were 11th this time last year and got within a Brayden Maynard block of winning the title. So yes. Someone outside the eight can still win it. Who though? Essendon, Port, Hawthorn or Melbourne? (Because none of the others have any chance). Melbourne and Essendon have the talent but have been disappointing. Port and Hawthorn are the Jekyll and Hyde sides. You never know what you'll get with them. If I have to pick one that will be somewhere near enough to challenge by the end of the year I'll go with the Bombers. They have real talent on that list and not sure Woosha is getting the most out of it but eventually, talent comes through.

A bit disappointing to see your headline to this article. "LISTEN: If you're not in the top eight after Round 11, is there any hope of a flag?" Firstly the word "LISTEN" - in capitals - too abrupt - an 'in your face command' - as you might say to an errant child - could have been a little more subtle like - 'Listen to our podcast to find out if --" Secondly - using the arbitrary line of the eight to tell the fans of ten clubs that they have no chance of being in the finals. At the moment four clubs below the line are on the same points as Freo (16) and that could still be the situation at the bye. Thirdly - I know you had a question mark at the end of the sentence to soften the blow but the final stanza of the headline tends to remove any hope rather than build it up. As stated in the scriptures "Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) - but without hope your love will diminish. Just transmogrifying footy into a religion - but I know it is more important that. So having said all that I mostly agree with the predictions in the podcast but I will have to have faith that my hopes come true and I would love the Kangaroos get into the finals.