We play all the teams that want our spot from here on. Beat them & we're in & mixin it with the big boys in Sept (where we should be).

Win these next 3 games (all 3 want our spot) & we're on 36 PTS. The number of points are significant when you look at the fixtures for the remainder of the season - do some long range tipping & you will see all the main rivals for 8TH spot, particularly NM, StK, Port & Ric, all either have tuff remaining draws or even better, play each other - NM play Port twice. Freo & WC are too far away, bearing all in mind that we are on 36 Pts coming into R16.

Then the bigger test comes when we have to beat NM & Port, both at TD, & both are winnable games.

Do all that & I don't believe any of em will catch us. Do that & we deserve to be there.

Great foresight and I agree with you fully. Make no mistake...we are a real chance in 08. And if and when we get in, anything can happen. Think back to 1999. I'M EXCITED!!!!!

Thanks, you should be excited. We all should. As I'm sure no-one can dispute it's in the boys hands. Also, forgot to mention, 8 of our remaining 10 games are in Melb (with our next 5 there), which will give us plenty of games at home to polish the skills (etc) in time for the real stuff.

(Oh & before anyone jumps on this & says don't get too far ahead of yourself blah, blah, blah. As I think Morgan Freeman said in Shawshank Redemption, "if you don't have HOPE what do you have") Still

That is the Carlton spirit I love. Wish there were more of you on this website.

_________________
Delulio is a member of TISM

Thats probably the perfect way to describe what lies ahead - a rapid rediscovery of 'the carlton spirirt'

If we combine player skills and a team structure that is rapidly closing in on the levels required for finals football with a big dose of 'The Carlton Spirit' - we will win a flag sooner rather than later.

What happens to Carlton isnt magical - it is just a re assertion of the carlton spirit - a very triumphant and victorious spirit.

_________________
My Blue Heaven

Wow with the Saints dropping Dal Santo and Milne to learn some sort of lesson, you'd think Freo are a fair chance this week. Assuming the Hawks smash the roos we could put a two game mini-break on just by winning this week.

On the other side, Adelaide are a massve chance against the Lions and the Dogs should take the Pies apart.

% could be the only thing keeping us out of 6th at the end of the weekend

SPOT ON!

Hayes off with a Hammy for the Saints. Not clear how serious it was....

It saddens me to say, that, as I write this, the Blues are out of the 8!

_________________
THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

Don't worry - it'll only last two days.

Flowering Fremantle - can't even trust them to beat a side that was down a man for three quarters.

St Kilda have a piss easy run home compared to Carlton. I'd say they are locks to make the 8. Carlton must win the next 2 and the game against St Kilda is like an 8 point game. 3 wins will give us an 8 point breathing space but our draw after that is shocking. If we drop one of the next 3 it's going to be very, very hard for us.

THE LID IS OFF!!!

I can tell you right now, if we make the finals, the missus will definitely be seeing some action!

*begins to regret scheduling my wedding for Sept 13*

_________________
And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

The 8 is of course a better 2009 prospect.

But if we manage to make it in 08, Carlton at 8 and Collingwood at 5 would be an interesting way to finish the home and away season.

_________________
My Blue Heaven

Spot on Zippy...I'm feeling pretty flat following the win by the Saints last night and North Melbourne today. We now definitely need to win our next three IMO.

_________________
There is no footy god

i reckon we can just about kiss final hopes goodbye, if we can't beat the dons at least once in this season, we aren't up to it

_________________
"You don’t get much more Navy Blue than Stephen Kernahan" - Marc Murphy

I though we were a shoe in. I thought we were the next best thing since sliced bread.

We have got such a long way to go. Poor skill, poor decision making, no forward structure. We have no CHF, no ruckman, no dangerous creative small forwards and no team cohesion and understanding.

We have the opportunity to develop as many kids as possible. Get as many games and game time into them as possible but we persist with players who clearly not going to take us any further.

Why is it the Bombers, Tigers are playing as many kids as possible. Last year both the Swans and Lions played as many kids as possible.

I know i say this a million times but players like Wiggins, Carazzo, Bentick, Banno, Houlahan and Fisher will not take this team forward. They all have to many flaws in there game. SO WHY BLOODY PERSIST

Which Swans team are we talking about exactly?