swans played like a top 4 side

[mikesmi]

the swans played like a top 4 side, no doubt about that.

[Diego]

I agree.

[red_avengers]

did u just found that out? where were you all year

[DaveW]

Not early on. Adelaide killed Sydney through the centre in the first half.

That's four Adelaide-Sydney games in a row where the Swans have allowed the Crows to get off to a fast start. And consequently, four games in a row where Sydney have had to play catch up football for the rest of the day. (Although in last year's two games the Swans just pegged back the margin without ever really looking like winning. But in both this year's matches they've fallen short with victory in sight.)

It's a peculiar recurring pattern.

[Nico]

The great thing now is, it seems, we are never beaten. We are just not prepared to lay down. Our fighting spirit is unquestionable.

And our fitness, well just superb. As a matter of fact it almost seems like after the mid season break we were under done, even in a mini slump, but Roos now has us starting to peak again in fitness and form.

The next 4 weeks are going to be nail biting stuff. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we started blowing teams away, something we haven't done to any great extent.

[swan_song]

My thoughts too Dave..i don't know why adelaide can jump us consistently like that. Even so, I guess we were equal to or better than them for almost three quarters...they only won the 2nd quarter in the end by a point...still, scant consolation at the end of the day.

[Sid]

Adelaide jumped us because we played in adelaide. So many ppl missed out that important advantage to the crows.

Our ground at the SCG is shorter and wider while their oval is longer. That doesnt really suit our fitness and training scheme. We are used to plenty of interchanges, short bursts and short kicks. But it didnt really get us anywhere because they are such a fit side.

Notice how they were at the ball all the time and our players were always in the background. That is a sign of being tired. Hall got demolished in his one on ones with smart. Davis played his best game for us. Craig bolton stepped up well in the defence as did leo barry.

We needed clearances on this big ground. I think kirk didnt play too well because he always held the ball instead of clearing it. This was done on many occasions.

Goodes played a huge game and it really showed us his fitness capabilities. Would have been a dream come true if he managed to get a goal in the last seconds but i didnt think he would get it.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Sid
Adelaide jumped us because we played in adelaide. So many ppl missed out that important advantage to the crows.

But they also jumped us at the SCG...

And they had the wind too. Our 2nd qtr was the problem (and the umpiring).

[Nico]

Sid, I don't know where you get this fitness thing from. Big ground yes but we were finishing over the top of them so we at least matched their fitness.

I just don't agree with this small ground phobia a lot of Swans fans have. We play well on the ground that counts, the MCG, and today proved that we can play on any large ground and our game plan can be successful on a big ground.

For one reason and one reason only. WE HAVE THE CATTLE.

[Nico]

On clearances. Big grounds have no bearing on centre clearances. The square is the same size regardless of ground size. We were simply shouse out of the centre in the first half. On Kirk, at least he gets his hands on the ball at centre bounces, an example of which some of our other centre players should take note of.

Certainly our biggest weakness.

[NMWBloods]

I have to say that although naturally disappointed with the loss, I thought it was our "best loss" for the year and probably for a number of years. The character we showed coming back from 32 points down against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium was excellent, particularly in the face of some absymal umpiring.

The first half was a bit ordinary with a lot of fumbling, unsure under the pressure, and some loose checking, but this improve markedly in the second half.

Saddo was quite a disappointment for the game. He did a couple of good things against Carey, but was overall soundly beaten and Dermie was exactly right saying that he played him wrongly. Also, for two of Carey's goals, Carey recovered quickly and Saddo simply watched him run off and kick goals, which was terrible. Schauble did a much better job and I thought he should have been on him all along.

I thought Davis had a very good game, as did J Bolton, Kirk, Barry, and Schauble. Williams was a bit up and down, and well beaten by McLeod early (who is still quite awesome). Maxfield was not particularly good, and his field kicking was a bit astray. LRT did a good job, presenting well and making a contest.

Unbelievably poor umpiring!!

Overall though, I thought we really looked like a top 4 finalist today!!

[Swansinger]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
[B.

Unbelievably poor umpiring!!

) [/B]

Indeed.
Maybe , maybe Schauble was justly penalised for holding.
But Kirk's in the back on Mc.Leod and the deliberate OOB paid v.LRT were plain wrong.

Still , as the great Allan Jeans said , umpires make mistakes , but players make even more.

[jixygirl]

There was definitely some poor umpiring decisions, but in the end, you have to win regardless what the umpires throw at you. Even though we lost, and I became quite hysterical about it (I had to ring my 2 best friends just to calm down), I believe we were fantastic and played like a top four side. I'm very proud of their determination.

[undy]

Originally posted by NMWBloods

:
I thought Davis had a very good game, as did J Bolton, Kirk, Barry, and Schauble. Williams was a bit up and down, and well beaten by McLeod early (who is still quite awesome). Maxfield was not particularly good, and his field kicking was a bit astray. LRT did a good job, presenting well and making a contest.
:

I thought Davis was amazing yesterday - I never thought that his other skills matched his goal-kicking, but he was bloody good. Until yesterday I thought it was a waste of time having him in the midfield, how wrong I was. I love seeing the extra mileage Roosy is getting out of players.

Great game, pity we lost.

Andy

[scurrilous]

Originally posted by DaveW
Not early on. Adelaide killed Sydney through the centre in the first half.

That's four Adelaide-Sydney games in a row where the Swans have allowed the Crows to get off to a fast start. And consequently, four games in a row where Sydney have had to play catch up football for the rest of the day. (Although in last year's two games the Swans just pegged back the margin without ever really looking like winning. But in both this year's matches they've fallen short with victory in sight.)

It's a peculiar recurring pattern.

That's right dave W. But the swans made the crows look inept in the second half. Therefore... "a top four side". Or are u suggesting the crows are a pitiful team?