| If | 2017 has taught us anything ... | then | ... it is that most out-of-contract players won't be affected by scrutiny around their futures. A real credit to Lever and McGovern, who have both performed exceptionally in this premiership-favourite outfit. |
| If | you very suddenly go from being regular outsiders in games of footy to a pronounced favourite in this one ... | then | ... that can play tricks with your mind. Should win against the Suns on exposed form, but we're not confident. |
| If | big Levi is at the Blues next year ... | then | ... we'll be very surprised. He's rejected their offer. They're not budging. |
| If | there's one thing we really want to see ... | then | ... it is the official naming of Josh Daicos in the Pies' 22. Come on, Bucks. Do it. |
| If | you're coming up against Sam Jacobs ... | then | ... it's far from ideal that Bellcho is missing with a foot problem. |
| If | you recall last year's Grand Final ... | then | ... you'll remember Hamling restricted an injured Buddy to one goal. If he can repeat that effort for the Dockers on Saturday, then this game may be closer than people expect. |
Joel Hamling in action during the 2016 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos
| If | you get your reality check out of the way in round 20 (when the Swans toyed with them) ... | then | ... it's better than getting it in round 23 or later. But was it a reality check? Or simply reality? We initially feared the latter, but we now reckon you'll beat the Tigers and re-set for September. |
| If | we've heard it once this year ... | then | ... we've heard it a dozen times. The players love Dean Solomon. Let's see how much. Lions are very gettable.. |
| If | Mumford and Smith are big outs ... | then | ... Patton and Greene are massive ins. And they keep just responding through adversity, this mob. And the retiring Stevie J will love the Friday night stage. |
| If | there's one thing we normally don't get too worked up about ... | then | ... it's the farewell game. But we do hope Gibson gets his body right for round 23. A Hawk great in a great era. Two best-and-fairests in premiership years puts him in the same sentence as Jason Dunstall. |
| If | you look at the fixture ... | then | ... the Dees have arguably the 'easiest' final three games. Saints, Lions, Pies. Reckon they win all three and make finals. |
| If | you kick one goal in a half of footy against a fellow lowly team under a roof ... | then | ... you've got some pretty big issues. |
| If | he had one arm in a Virgin Australia AFL All Australian blazer this time last week, and the other poised to slide through the sleeve ... | then | ... Paddy Ryder right now can only look on as Sam Jacobs gets measured up. There's still three games to go, though. |
| If | the premiership dream wasn't real before last week's match against the Hawks ... | then | ... it is now. And will be in sharp focus if a win can be secured at the Cattery. |
| If | there's one team which has frustrated us more than any other in 2017 ... | then | ... it is this one. We've so desperately wanted to embrace its credentials, only to be constantly let down. Last chance versus the Dees. |
| If | there's a new Hayden Ballantyne in town ... | then | ... it's Tom Papley. Really starting to annoy opposition teams. Good on him! He's become crucial to the Swans after just 36 games. |
| If | the flat-trackers somehow lose this one to Carlton ... | then | ... look out. Carnage. |
| If | the Dogs are to beat the Giants ... | then | ... The Bont is going to have to kick five. |
And by popular request ...
| If | the AFL had a wish ... | then | ... the Tigers would finish in second place. Imagine the hype, and resultant cash, attached to the Tigers playing a double-chance final at the MCG. Win or lose, there'd be at least one more Tigers final at the MCG after it. |
Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian
