Brisbane's win revisited

[Go Swannies]

After watching the Lions v Crows again, it just didn't seem very inspired on either side. Nervous start and crap kicking and dodgy passing accuracy throughout.

I'd never underestimate the Lions but how much do we have to fear from premiers that haven't worked out that they are meant to kick BETWEEN the posts, not at them?

[SXP]

If you look at the Melbourne press, the Lions are back in favour, so I would assume that by the beginning of next week, the Swans will be underdogs again.

[Go Swannies]

That's great - we need a few Hun articles towards next weekend about how the Lions have just one easy step to take before they play in their third consecutive GF. That'll get Cressa and Goodsie fired up again.

[Rizzo]

I thought the heat, Voss coming off the bench and the crowd made the difference between the two teams.

Burton was fantastic but the Crows needed Carey to fire as well. I also thought putting Perrie on Lynch was a mistake and he was sorely missed at the other end of the ground.

[CureTheSane]

For the way the Swans beat the Power, coupled with a week off, and add to that the heat they Lion played in last night, don't be surprised if the Swans go in favorites with the media.

At the very least we will be considered a 50% chance.

In the aftermatch interview Leigh is already claiming the underdog title.

Roos need to step up to the plate and also claim it lol
"The Lions are a seasoned finals team" etc etc

[liz]

Adelaide didn't play well at all - Burton aside - apart from the start of the 3rd quarter. The game was played on the Lions' terms.

The Swans have to wrest the initiative away from them and play it on their terms. The top tier Lion players look fantastic when they have space, time and don't have to worry too much about their opponents. But we've seen twice this year what happens to players like Akermanis when they are thwarted. He's still good enough to be a very dangerous player, but Crouch has done the job twice this year and he rarely lets us down in those kind of roles. Similarly, Kirk has done his job week after week and we have no reason to believe he can't keep Black under control again this week.

The two biggest dangers, IMO, are Lynch and Brown. If they get even half decent delivery they have the physical ability to overwhelm over guys, and though Schaubs did brilliantly last time on Lynch, he still looms as a danger. Brown lets himself down with very ordinary kicking for goal - if he can improve in this area he will beat any opponent 9 times out of 10, regardless of how gallant they are.

The Swans will need another start like last week. Even though we came back well at the Lions last time after falling behind, Brisbane allowed us to do that. We can't rely on them doing that a second time. They'll be fired up to do what they did to Collingwood in the first quarter a few weeks ago, blast us early and then sit back and try to hold on, knowing that if we're close enough, we have the ability to keep going right until the final siren.

We need to pressure them right from the start and make them realise they can't win the game with one devastating quarter, that they are going to have to play the whole game to win. So many times this year they've won a game over a short period of time. And if we carry on with the incredibly accurate kicking for goal right from the start, it will hopefully put doubts in their mind, because they'll know we only need a few opportunities to keep right there up with them on the scoreboard. I reckon Matthews would be really frustrated with the Lions' inability to make the most of their scoring shots when the game is still in the balance.

I reckon this one is going to go right down to the wire - and I'm excited!

[CureTheSane]

I'd be more excited had you said "I reckon the Swans will win by 20 goals" lol

[SXP]

Originally posted by CureTheSane
For the way the Swans beat the Power, coupled with a week off, and add to that the heat they Lion played in last night, don't be surprised if the Swans go in favorites with the media.

At the very least we will be considered a 50% chance.

In the aftermatch interview Leigh is already claiming the underdog title.

Roos need to step up to the plate and also claim it lol
"The Lions are a seasoned finals team" etc etc

It's just a wishfull thinking for the Lions. Media doesn't rate the Swans and I'm quite certain they'll be last next week as a premiership favourites. Media usually has a very short memory and would look at the last week's form only and I'd bet that Lions will go as favourites into PF next week.