The Swans in the wet?

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Hi gang,
As the umbrella-armed residents of the fair (but wet) city of Sydney continueday after day to cop deluge after deluge, my thoughts crossed to how the Swans would fare if the heavens opened against Geelong.

Actually it downright has me worried. The Swans are a side who gets on top by using handball to quickly get away from an opponent. We often handpass more than kick. Against Brisbane it looked flash. Against Hawthorn it did NOT!

Thoughts of a particular enfuriating loss in the wet to Melbourne at the SCG a few years ago come to mind. We had all the ball during the first quarter, but fuddleduddled around with it so much that Melbourne under Daniher's simple "kick it long" philosophy were able to sit back and wait for our clangers in disposing the ball.

I have supported Roosey as coach all along. And now feel more than vindicated for this support. BUT does Roosey have a Plan B for wet days? Is he streetsmart enough to have thought up a wet weather game plan? And if so, will the players be able to carry it out. And will they have had any practise in wet conditions?

Or will we simply try and play our dry weather game of outrunning opponents in the wet. To me a decision fraught with danger. Brave for sure, but pretty foolhardy considering the skill errors we have seen from our side even in dry conditions.

What are all your thoughts?

JF

[Mike_B]

I think we will need to take a leaf out of Cressa's book in terms of when you get the ball, kick the crap out of it as quick as you can. In very wet conditions, the team that does the basic things best wins, and that means just moving the ball forward by whatever means you can.

[desredandwhite]

Luffy's last game at the SCG was a ripper, rain-wise We did ok that day. IMHO a fair bit of it will come down to confidence on the day. A few passes stick in the wet conditions, and we'll be fine.

[liz]

Re: The Swans in the wet?

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Hi gang,
And will they have had any practise in wet conditions?


JF

They haven't been lacking for opportunities to practice in recent weeks - and by the looks of it another couple of chances for the rest of this week!

[penga]

i dont rate the swans at all when its raining

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by penga
i dont rate the swans at all when its raining

Same - I think they will try to be too fancy as they did against Hawthorn. Handballing is a second option in the wet, however for us it is our primary option. Given previous experience I expect us to do exceptionally badly this week. If we win it will be a doubly-good achievement for us, so it is an excellent test.

[sharp9]

We suck in the wet or the wind, or at least we have done recently. I always assumed that this was simply a lack of skills that got exposed in difficult conditions.

Apart from slippery conditions against Hawthorn (was talking to Shane Crawford the other day and he was trying to excuse Sydney's performance on the fact that it was very slippery..he added that we didn't adapt properly and that it was a big factor in the Hawks win) we also failed in windy conditions against Hawthorn last year when, really, we had more run and a bit more muscle - about equal on talent. A very disappointing game that one.

I also have nightmares regarding Essendon at the SCG a couple of years back. we going well and a tip to upset but on the night we were shocking but the Dons played exactly the same brilliant footy as they did in the dry. I recall Hird doing twirls with one hand pick ups and true snaps from fifty etc. We couldn't hold a chest mark.

Then against Brisbane (last year I think) we couldn't hit a barn door with a hand pass ot take an unopposed mark, but Brown and co were taking running backwards taking pack marks with arms outstretched. It was unbelievable.

On the other hand we've turned lots of things round recently so why not this?

Does anyone know if we have actually gone out in the wet and trained in it? That would be a start.

We have pace. It would be to our advantage to just boot the thing out of packs and into space wouldn't it? Otherwise the wet could really upset out lots-of-quick-handpasses-in-close-to-running-players type of game.

[pillowtalk]

Does anyone know if we have actually gone out in the wet and trained in it?

They have been this week and on Tuesday were out in the downpour for ages, let's hope the practice helps!

[penga]

its good to hear that they are training in the wet, i always thought that rocket didnt like training in the wet coz of his bald head... roosy has hair so i can see them improving in the wet

[Bas]

Originally posted by penga
.. roosy has hair so i can see them improving in the wet

Although there has been some patching on the crown last year. Probably the rain will help it.

The things you see from the Brewongle stand....

[Cheer Cheer]

Well guys its not all doom an gloom, in the last couple of weeks we have been good at clearances and stoppages, something which you will find happens more in the wet.

[Bron]

Originally posted by desredandwhite
Luffy's last game at the SCG was a ripper, rain-wise We did ok that day. IMHO a fair bit of it will come down to confidence on the day. A few passes stick in the wet conditions, and we'll be fine.

That day was one of my best swans memories (apart from the fact I had brought my father and I thought he was having a heart attack! Because I insisted we stay for the lap of honour, and the after match, and we had to find the car in the torrential rain. He survived, but he still says he thought he was a goner - I told him he was at an historical event!)

[Bron]

And, can anyone say that our last 3 games have been like our recent (2 year) history???? Someone has told them that there are FOUR quarters and they are playing in each one! I am far less stressed than I would have been last year.

[EMJ]

I agree this year is new coach and new playing style - hope we can play in the wet and beat Geelong - now need to stay up where we are - never know what may happen.
Even so it is really good watching the team play now.