'Tigers have the job ahead of them'

Work to do ... Gerard Healy says the Tigers still can't beat the best. Source: Robert Prezioso / Getty Images

Gerard Healy jumped online to answer all of your burning questions after a big round of footy.

Read what FOX FOOTY's expert commentator thinks of the Tigers' finals chances after their loss to Geelong, the big grand final rematch and the form of two key Saints.

Then join Gerard, Mike Sheahan and Paul Roos as they go over the weekend's action on On The Couch, Monday, 8.30pm (EST) on FOX FOOTY.

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What is your take on the Hawks? Everything I read is glowing - but so far I think they have been really scrappy and are not playing anything like premiership favourites. Am I being too pessimistic?

I think that's a pretty fair observation. Lance Franklin is a big reason for that in the past two weeks. The other reason is that they've played a group of serious contenders and have done particularly well to be 5-1 at this stage. They'll know they need to play better, but Hodge is playing well, Hill continues to impress and Lake has fit in well.

The Gold Coast Suns don't seem to be improving at all? Predictions of top eight and flags in the next five years would appear way off wouldn't you think? Gary Ablett won't be here forever!

In some ways I'm with you and in others I'm not.

I was an early critic of the balance of their group having not recruited enough experienced players to make Ablett's signing as significant a coup as it should be in the local market. While he's obviously a great acquisition it doesn't help if they're not dragging crowds through the turnstiles with wins.

Having said that they have improved - especially with their big men.

Talk of finals is fanciful - maybe we should be talking about eight wins in a season to start with. Premierships in three years though? To pull a famous quote from The Castle - tell 'em they're dreaming.

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Nick Dal Santo and Stephen Milne seem to be struggling - how long before one or both are out of the team?

I think that debate will take up a number of Scott Watters' hours this week. Carlton on Monday night is probably the last chance for both of them.

Watters is in a tough position though - they can't win without them but they're not playing well enough to deserve their spots.

Both have been in this position before though and Dal Santo in particular bounced back in fine fashion when he was dropped.

How do you rate the Hawks' start to the season and what's your tip for their big one this week

It will be a really even match and I can't believe the bookies have the Hawks as significant favourites. They've been winning without dominating and the Crows' midfield got on top of them in the middle of the game.

Given the form that Sydney's been in I really think it's a toss of the coin game, but I think the pace of Sydney might be a factor without Rioli.

Do you think Voss may have lost the dressing room? His team just doesn't seem to be able to fire up at the start. What's going on up there?

It's tough for Vossy right now - three weeks out of six they've just been non-competitive.

Daniel Rich was a huge loss but he can't be the only reason the Lions are playing so poorly.

There's a long way to go, but it's tough to see where the improvement is going to come from to justify an extension for Voss.

That said I think if he still had the desire to coach he'd be a chance to get another job and have a fresh start with another team.

That's a long way down the track though.

To answer the initial question - I don't think he's lost the dressing room. What I see is an average list playing below par.

Nic Nat and Wellingham seemed to make a big difference in the middle for West Coast. Given the bookends of the team look pretty solid, do you think their inclusions will be significant for the Eagles to get going this year?

Wellingham was exactly the sort of player they needed to bolster their midfield depth - I think he'll be a really big pick up for them. You've still got Rosa and Embley to come back in but without question Naitanui is their most influential player.

While there are still many people who focus on what he doesn't do or stats on a sheet, what he does do has far more impact than perhaps every other player in the game bar Gary Ablett.

Even when not at full fitness he was the catalyst for a serious chemical reaction in the Eagles' midfield. Great for anyone watching the game there or on TV.

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What's your take on Richmond? They seem to crack in the big games when it really matters.

They were really disappointing when it mattered just before half-time.

Those 50m penalties from senior players were very disappointing and they're still struggling to match it with the best teams.

They'd be really disappointed they didn't win at least one of the past three.

Six weeks in we can say Richmond can beat the sides that finished below them on the ladder last year but are still not able to beat the sides above them.

I haven't given up hope of them making the eight though. This week's game against Port is an absolute ripper. If Port win they may just take Richmond's spot in the eight.

Wondered how you think the Cats will go this week against Essendon?

I think the Bombers might give Geelong a bit of a scare and hurt them up forward with their talls.

It's a fascinating game given the form of Geelong. In some ways it will probably depend on how many players Essendon get back from injury because if both Carlisle and Fletcher aren't playing you'd expect Geelong will have too much for them.

If they can get those two back I fancy the Bombers might cause an upset.

What do you think are reasonable expectations for Port Adelaide fans to now have for 2013?

I think it's reasonable to expect you'll make the eight but let me put a rider on that - you've got to beat Richmond on the weekend.

If you do you'll be 6-1 and halfway there with two thirds of the season to play.

Interested to hear your take on Fremantle - so far this year they have had some unconvincing wins against struggling sides and have been pumped by the top 8 sides, and look to take a couple more floggings against Collingwood and Sydney. Where do they step up?

My take on the Dockers is that you're being a touch pessimistic about them!

Hawthorn got hold of them when Pav was playing on one leg and they lost by a kick to Essendon after having them well down at half-time - that loss may come back to haunt them in terms of the top four but at the moment they're trending nicely for a slot in the eight.

The Pies will give us a better indicator. I thought it was a pretty poor decision to appeal Nat Fyfe's suspension meaning they'll face them without Fyfe, Hill, Pavlich and Sandilands. It was an error of judgement even if Fyfe wanted to clear his name it was a risk they didn't need to take.

Visit foxsports.com.au on Monday at 1pm to chat to Gerard Healy about all things AFL.

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