Six weeks ago the Sydney Swans were second favourites to win the AFL premiership.
Now they’re sitting ninth on the ladder as well as in flag betting, paying $26 for anyone game enough to think the Swans can turn their season around in time to salute in September.
Sydney had won six straight going into its round 14 bye, then came out for the match of the round against Richmond in what many saw as a Grand Final preview.
The Tigers blew the Swans away with a trademark last-quarter blitz and since then Sydney has won just one game, against North Melbourne, while going down to contenders Geelong and Essendon, as well as the massive shock loss to Gold Coast.
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Collingwood looms this Saturday and a loss to the Magpies could be the final nail in the coffin, ending a season in August for the first time since 2009 and only the second time in 16 years.
With the final three rounds consisting of Melbourne at the MCG, the Giants at Spotless Stadium and old rival Hawthorn at the SCG, it will be difficult even if they down the Pies.
“We know that when all 22 players are playing at their best and are completely united and going well, we can match it with the best,” ruckman Callum Sinclair told SEN's Crunch Time on Monday..
“We’ve proven that for a long period of time and just because we’re going through a form slump, that doesn’t mean we just start questioning our game plan and things like that, we’ve proven our footy can match it with the best.”
But is it too late for John Longmire to get his team back in form before finals disappear, and does that game plan need to change?
Clearly the form of Lance Franklin is a massive concern, with Buddy going goalless against the Suns and managing just seven disposals in last Friday’s loss to Essendon.
The problem isn’t necessarily getting Franklin firing again, but that there’s no other key forward options available.
With Kurt Tippett’s retirement pre-season and Sam Reid’s ongoing injury woes it’s been left to the youngest player in the AFL, Sam McCartin, to be the second tall forward, something that’s just too much to ask.
This leaves Franklin as the go-to target, but it’s hard for midfielders to know where he’ll be.
Buddy’s unpredictability is his strength, but it’s becoming the Swans weakness.
The midfield also has it’s woes, currently missing Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack, and with Josh Kennedy playing hurt.
Jack should be available this week, but is way past his best.
Hannebery could be rushed back for the Collingwood clash but is more likely to return the following round to face Melbourne. Again though, ‘Hannas’ isn’t having a great year and will only bring back a limited contribution.
McVeigh has been in great form and is defying his age, but the season could well be over before he’s a chance to do anything about it.
As good as some of the youngsters have been they aren’t up to carrying this team past the home and away rounds, and it looks very much like an unfamiliarly early end to season 2018 for Sydney supporters.
Unless they want to jump on the GWS bandwagon!