The AFL finals race has been blown wide open: Who sneaks in?

The Sandman is in the team, but will the wet weather negate any influence he has? He's done a lot of gym work but I think Naitanui will lead him a merry dance. Lobb is the key to any round the ground ball-winning.

we can only control what we can control. our best possible finish is: - 8 wins and thus 64 and (say) 120% or 3% per game would that be good enough for second - dunno. but we would have knocked off Giants, Eagles and Pies along the way, so, again, controlling what ewe can control now, any of those teams can win their non-Richmond games and finish ahead of us. in which case we would be third-5th. oh well. if we can't beat the Lions and the Giants in Melb, with the season on the line, then i will be even deeper in the women's ashes. no regrets. we need to give the Pies some payback. will we? hopefully so. apparently they have either none or all of their best 22 out. if we can't beat the Suns up there and the hapless Dees at home, it's Hardwick out time! we generally have the Dons any time anywhere. even this year. the Eagles at Perth. great challenge. they might have us any time anywhere. coaching and personnel. we will see. min 5 wins. max 8 wins. 7 might get us second but 8 might get us 4th it is what it is. Tiger fans have the following cause for optimism: - we are better than Carlton at beating freo in Perth! - we did Port in Adelaide with our reserves - we have some kids in brilliant form - we look like we might SOME stability in the back 6 and have Short back for a short back - we have gone on long streaks in 14, 17 and 18 - we play the MCG well - we have winning streaks of 3 this year, twice, both ended at bloody Marvel - oh, and our team can be strengthen if some players come back - as long as can build cohesion and continuity so clearly your prediction is the most likely. but i didn't come into this blogspace to see the world as a bookmaker. be a poet. a painter of pictures. a risk taker. dare to dream. invite ridicule. it's all just air. NOW - who wants to patent the AFL Ladder EXPLAINER!

Crap weather should help Freo, dull a more skilful WCE. Lyon will turn it into a real scrappy affair. I doubt they will play Sandilands in the wet. Banfield will annoy Shuey. It is Freo’s best chance, but ?

Or 6th

I think Richie said he saw him at Jolimont station at 3/4 time with the cats game. Never heard of again. Some say he was somebody’s fake character. I think he was real but very embarrassed. He could come back if the Tigers make top four.

Mengelola should start vfl either this week or next. Paddy may miss with a sore hip. Doubt he will play afl this year by forgotten X factor Cockatoo may start vfl this week or next as well. Rohan is back from concussion this week. Scooter has been playing vfl for over a month now. Not sure he gets in though. Club is taking no chance with Esava so he’ll miss this week but most likely back next week. Think Hendo is playing VFL again too. So 95% there already with the rest expected back. Right now we have too many players and not enough positions... especially defence.

My benchmark was Hawthorn on their threepeat. They had to play something like 6 fellow top 8 teams in the last 8 rounds and the media kept going on about their tough finish. It did them no harm. But you are right, the Cats destiny is in their own hands. You have to make the best of the situation.

How close are you to full strength Cat?

Not sure there is a best. Just is what it is. Cats have their own destiny in their hands. No excuses. Just have to get it done. Club has gotten themselves into the best possible position they could. Now to hold on, build towards finals and create even more selection nightmares with Ratugolea and Mengelola close to fit. He won’t like it but if the club needs to rest paddy to freshen him up they can ... and anyone else.

Where is Billy Bob?

Cats play the Blues at GMHBA last round. With the pre finals bye not sure what’s best, a true hit out or easing into finals with a romp.

Barrass as well. Mundy has been down, where even Redden would beat him. No-one beats Fyfe, except with advantages, so there's a win. Who takes Shuey for the four quarters? Will Kennedy finally get some of the frees that he should? Naitanui will only play 60% minutes so Lobb or Sandi should monster Hickey. It'll be a fascinating game and Fremantle have a puncher's chance.

He is referring last year. Cats got close but Tigers weren't even trying. They had top 2 sown up. That was their problem. Tough matches were few and far between and they forgot how to play a hard match.

Ladder and realism say 7th or 8th.

I am large and opinionated but not a they Maths and precedent has us in the running for second. And 10th.

Richmond were 4 goals at the 15 minute mark of the last quarter and dozed off as they did in all their last 4 games before the finals considering we already had top 2 wrapped up i guess that was understandable it certainly was a harbinger of a team that got its taper wrong or had a delayed hangover or just simply ran put of puff from playing that way for 2 years straight

Lobb is a big in no doubt, he will replace Cox. They will risk Sandilands, to replace Darcy he is struggling, Nic- Nat would murder him, at least Sandi. might get in the way, hope fully he does not break down again during the game. Some how we have to get around Hurn and Gov.they cut us up big time usually.

Get a couple of key players back, perform admirably in the derby, win against Hawks (not too unlikely, for mine) and who knows how the season will turn out. We've had a rubbish fortnight, but there's plenty of footy - and a bit of time - to recover. Of course, I'm saying this with a huge sense of optimism. Lose the next two (Eagles, Hawks) and Freo's in a bad, bad place.

Peter, you are channeling Billybob. Who have they beaten versus who are they missing. We humiliated them. Even worse than WCE. When they actually beat a side above them, they have my attention. We have four real contenders. None are the Tigers.

I agree you should have beat them. Your game against them gave me hope for the Pies. All I’ve said in here is they are still a shot at the one GF spot up for grabs. Cats IMO would need a big slip up in a preliminary to miss out and would most likely take care of the Tigers too. I just think atm they are your only real threat at full strength. Threat only though, you’re in the box seat. Hey Cat Alphingtonian is a bit quiet this year?