We were in mathematical finals contention but we have been playing really bad football and traditionally coaches don't talk up their chances of making the finals even if they're in the game.
The frequency with which the Rosses* mentioned the top 8 and how many games out of it we were, without factoring in the trajectory of the team's performance, has been a blatant exercise in spin. They are trying to tell a story that, while technically accurate, doesn't quiet line up with reality and they've been doing it constantly.
* I'm trying a new thing - Ross and Rosich