Swans V W.C.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by robbieando
Great win, heart stopping stuff near the end but we held on like we have all season. With St Kilda and Carlton coming up in the next 2 weeks anything is possible.

Absolutely... in the next three weeks against St Kilda, Carlton and Freo, we have the opportunity to seal a finals spot once and for all... and if we manage to do that... then we have a pretty tough 5 weeks, but will be spurred on by the fact that we'd be playing for a top 4 spot.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Charlie
Absolutely... in the next three weeks against St Kilda, Carlton and Freo, we have the opportunity to seal a finals spot once and for all... and if we manage to do that... then we have a pretty tough 5 weeks, but will be spurred on by the fact that we'd be playing for a top 4 spot.

A very good point, IF we do win our next three matches a finals spot is ours, so we can't go for a top 4 spot safe in the knowledge a finals spot is there. This is looking more like 1996 every week.

Remember we haven't had good run ins to the finals since 1996, so if we can go 6-2 for the rest of the season it builds up well for the finals.

But we can't get ahead of ourselves there is still a HUGE amount of work to be done and we can't let up and be happy with just a finals spot.

[Sid]

Yeah, Hall is an interesting one, all his markers interfere with his arms. Not as good when theres pressure for sure. But he still gives his 100% and has a lot of strength. I reckon he'll get another bag of goals in the up coming games.

Why is Warfe still playing? If ur lucky to be selected again, how about trying to retain ur spot?

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Sid
Why is Warfe still playing? If ur lucky to be selected again, how about trying to retain ur spot?

Should be dropped this week with Saddo and Mathews to come back in. Who else goes is a difficult question, most likely Powell.

[liz]

Hall didn't have a good game today, but its probably his worst for the season. Although we won "ugly" to do so with the main spearhead not a factor is a reasonably good sign.

Neither team played very well but we should be happy with the fact that they can play a lot better - and at least the 4 points are in the bag. Was worried about this one because of the effect it might have had on confidence had we lost two in a row. But this should have served as a timely reminder that they can match it with the best teams in the comp.

[robbieando]

We are winning by any means possible - thats a good sign
Winning thanks to the same 3 or 4 people isn't.

It is good to know, if Barry Hall and Willo have a off day, we have Magic and Cressa to step up. A very good sign

[Dave]

Originally posted by robbieando
Who else goes is a difficult question, most likely Powell.

That would be a shame.

I really like his hardness at the ball.

He reminds me of a big excited puppy or something the way he goes in.

[robbieando]

I like how he played today, mad one mistake, but his hardness at the ball is unquestioned. However I don't see Roos dropping both Nicks and Warfe at the same time, so I think with Saddo coming back, Warfe will drop out and with Mathews his direct replacement (Powell) will drop out.

Still its going to be interesting to see who drops out for Doyle and Fixter when their ready. However I do get the feeling they might not get a chance.

[Mike_B]

I'll take the 4 points, no matter how we played, especially considering the top 3 all lost, and now there's only 1 game between 1st and 6th. It will make for an interesting final 8 rounds.

As for Mark Powell, he reminds me a lot of Brad Seymour in his hardness at the ball and willingness to make a contest no matter what. When he bulks up, as will happen over time, he will be a very valuable member of the line-up.

[Cheer Cheer]

Most pleasing aspect for mine was the battle of the midfields - 1st ranked clearances (WC) Vs 16th ranked clearances (SYD) yet we managed to generally break even which went a long way to securing this victory.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Most pleasing aspect for mine was the battle of the midfields - 1st ranked clearances (WC) Vs 16th ranked clearances (SYD) yet we managed to generally break even which went a long way to securing this victory.

Probably had a lot to do with Gardiner not playing. That was a HUGE loss for West Coast.

[Roscoe]

Mark Powell is a future star. He made a "saddo" error today
Tried to mark instead of spoiling when Kerr got that goal in the 2nd qtr.

he is hard, tough, mean and arrogant - get rid of warfe.

Trade warfe to the "dockers" - LOL

[Glenn]

Well Sydney managed to hold out West Coast, thanks to Goodes on the last West Coast attack downfield. West Coast are a side you can't give a chance to but Sydney did and almost ended up with egg on their face, but to there credit they didn't and as a result a valuable 4 points.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by lizz
Hall didn't have a good game today, but its probably his worst for the season. Although we won "ugly" to do so with the main spearhead not a factor is a reasonably good sign.

Neither team played very well but we should be happy with the fact that they can play a lot better - and at least the 4 points are in the bag. Was worried about this one because of the effect it might have had on confidence had we lost two in a row. But this should have served as a timely reminder that they can match it with the best teams in the comp.

You reckon Lizz? I thought we were awesome during the first half. Flowing football based on quick handpasses was the order of the day. And the Eagles had no counter.

WE let the Eagles back into the game OURSELVES. As soon as we started hesitating in taking our kicks I knew we were gone. Luckily the Eagles were not good enough to take advantage of things.

Lizz, you call Barry Hall our spearhead. I totally disagree that he is anything like a spearhead, especially considering that he more often than not is at CHF rather that further downfield. I've been saying from as early as the Hawthorn game that mentally he is not up to it at all. As far as I'm concerned dropping marks like he did today is indicative of a player not mentally ready to play. Or thinking about the glory of getting the goal before he has finished taking the mark.

On the contrary Micky O at FF has been a masterstroke by Roosey. Not only can he lead quickly, he can take an excellent high grab (he is 6'1 I think) AND do the roving and crumbing off the packs in the forward line. A perfect full forward, or was that forward pocket? Or was that forward line rover? Ryan O'Keefe is well worth perservering with; he is an excellent picker-upper of the footy, even under pressure.

Still we held on. The feeling at the end of the game was of relief rather than elation. Still at the end of the day we beat the team that was second on the ladder. Even better still was the crowd of 31000; I'm sure most of them will be back next Saturday night with several friends in tow. Hopefully we might even get on the back of the Terror tomorrow!

Still you know what I think of "tourists"; the amount of people wearing Country Road organising their social lives on their mobile phones whilst the game was on was very irritating today. Gotta love the Paddo set!

In any case Go Swans!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by robbieando
Should be dropped this week with Saddo and Mathews to come back in. Who else goes is a difficult question, most likely Powell.

That annoys me Robbie. If there is ever a young player who deserves a game every week it is Mark Powell. He has excellent football skills and can take an excellent grab. Pure talent in its rawest form.

Yes, he did struggle today. But if you don't get to play at the highest level under pressure you will not learn how to play under pressure, and thus will not become a better player. I saw him run though the banner, and he looked nearly physically sick with nerves. I thought this year was about giving the young pups game time to get a taste of what it is like at the highest level. Playing Queanbeyan Tigers and Ainslie will simply not do that.

I know I'll upset people. But I'd far prefer Mark Powell getting a game than Matthew Nicks at the moment. Far better for the future, especially considering a lack of height in the backline that even Roosey himself has admitted to.

I'm not sticking up for Mark Powell because I met his Mum on the bus from Melbourne airport before the Collingwood.Well...OK...I guess I am, but I still like him as a player anyway.

JF