Disappointing last qtr - but look fwd to '04

[NMWBloods]

A very very disappointing finish in the last qtr, when things were tailor-made for us to go on and win. We should have come home full of running., but instead we seemed to shut up shop and play conservatively.

One of the negative outcomes is that I think Collingwood is a monty to take the flag now.

However, I think we are very well placed for 2004, and I will think of that over the summer!!

[dimelb]

Agree, NMWB - we went into our shells instead of taking our chances, running and playing as boldly as we have for the rest of the season. But it's been a great ride.

[Snowy]

Yes it was a complete capitulation. You would have thought we would have finished stronger but whether it was nerves or inexperience we gave NOTHING. Some like Jude Bolton and Fosdike were extremely disappointing when you compare their form to their h & away showings. The other annoying thing is that we will not get an early draft pick and as I have said several times, despite this year's good showing we are still a few players short. We have played with intensity but that doesn't win back to back finals and flags. What you need is an injection of class and talent. Goodes needs assistance and we need one more classy, strong defender and a classy, fast midfielder. Schneider's misses were disappointing, some goalkicking practice at set shots is required.

[Nico]

We simply ran out of legs, although at 3qtr time you would think it was going to be the other way.

Roos said in his after match interview that our injuries caught up with us.

O'Keefe had his shoulder iced, Cressa clearly was injured and played a lot of the second half up forward, was the rumour about Scnides having flu correct etc, Leo could hardly run after 1/2 time.

I agree on Fosdike and Nicks, both were soft with Fossie making many unforced errors. Rarely goes well against good sides.

Willo was superb as was Goodes.

Still think our big problem is our delivery into the forward line from set kicks. We are too slow to get the ball moving and our kicking is far from pinpoint. In all the games we have lost this year we have squandered countless chances moving into the 50 metre zone by poor kicking. If we get it in quickly on the run we generally score.
Must work on it next season.

Thought Ablett showed a bit tonight.

[NMWBloods]

Yes it was a complete capitulation. You would have thought we would have finished stronger but whether it was nerves or inexperience we gave NOTHING. Some like Jude Bolton and Fosdike were extremely disappointing when you compare their form to their h & away showings.

These two were particularly disappointing tonight, and Bolton also last week. They had stepped up during the season, but didn't go to the next level for finals (like Port players).

The other annoying thing is that we will not get an early draft pick and as I have said several times, despite this year's good showing we are still a few players short. We have played with intensity but that doesn't win back to back finals and flags. What you need is an injection of class and talent. Goodes needs assistance and we need one more classy, strong defender and a classy, fast midfielder.

Yep, agree completely - I think we need a big, mobile, strong defender and a top-flight, classy midfielder. Will be interesting to see how we go next year. I think we should try to find these two guys somewhere and poach them.

Schneider's misses were disappointing, some goalkicking practice at set shots is required.

Very disappointing misses by Schneider after two very disappointing misses last week too.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Nico
Thought Ablett showed a bit tonight.

Yeah, I thought it was one of his best games. Showed some promise in a big game.

[SwansBloke]

Thanks for a great year Swannies. Pity we couldn't do it for O'Laughlin and the heros of the past. Nevertheless I shall be wearing my Swans shirt to work tomorrow in spite of the loss, I am proud of you guys for a great season.

LRT showed great promise, Craig Bolton has a great future as does Goodes, Schneider...

there is a lot to be thankful for

[floppinab]

One other thing for next year..........

could we please find an umpie that gives us a fair go inside our fifty, Bazza can get his head ripped off in a tackle, Schneider can take a low down mark, still no kick, and guys like Cornes can get a mark paid when it hits the deck and Lynch can get an in the back for slipping over.

You can say it doesn't cost us the game on a night like tonight but it really changes the complexion of the game, keeping the Lions in front by a goal or two during the course of the game instead of us.

[chewyonyourboot]

Just got home! Terribly disappointed, but truly looking forward to next year. I think we have the potential to be a team that creates a dynasty!

The atmosphere at the ground was great..particularly during the 3rd quarter..Fell off a lot in the final one though..

I think the Sydney crowd are learning..and I really liked how they greeted Lynch's attempt at goal just before 3 quarter time.

I thought we would overrun them in the final quarter, it really looked like things were going to go our way..

Never mind...The boys did good, the supporters did good and congratulations to all involved on creating a wonderful year...

I don't think Brisbane can overcome Collingwood based on their performance tonight....unfortunately...

[gossipcom]

Just got home from the game.

That last quarter was just dreadful only way to describe it - for the team who had the best final quarter stats going into the match they played like they were the ones with the worst.

I home Brisbane does make the treble though - because then Sydney can say they lost to the eventual winners.

I just checked out the stats and found that Willo topped the possession count with 26 tonight - when it seemed like everyone had given up in that last quarter he seemed to just try that little bit extra than most.

Before I finish this post just wanted to congratulate Cresso on a brilliant career, I only wish like many fans that it could have been a better for him.

Nadine

[Swansinger]

Originally posted by gossipcom
Just got home from the game.

I home Brisbane does make the treble though - because then Sydney can say they lost to the eventual winners.

Nadine

How old are you , Nadine?

I've followed three red-and-white footy teams for in total
thirty-three years (England , Southampton and the Swans).
In that time I've seen just one big win (1976 FA Cup).

But I've now lost count of how many times they've all lost to eventual winners.
I see your logic but it really is cold comfort , especially after a third of a century.

[swans_premiers]

Originally posted by Swansinger
How old are you , Nadine?

I've followed three red-and-white footy teams for in total
thirty-three years (England , Southampton and the Swans).
In that time I've seen just one big win (1976 FA Cup).

But I've now lost count of how many times they've all lost to eventual winners.
I see your logic but it really is cold comfort , especially after a third of a century.

nonono Choose ARSENAL over southampton and you'll have a much better summer

[Xie Shan]

Really enjoyed the game until 3/4 time, was the first time I'd been to a game with such a huge crowd, disappointed with the last quarter like everyone. I thought the siren for 3/4 time really disrupted their momentum which is essential when you're playing on adrenalin like they have, this allowed the Lions to regroup. Perhaps, after so many last quarter surges, they assumed it would happen again? I'm sure the belief was there until 3/4 time, both on the field and in the crowd, but did they think they would just kick on with the crowd support? If so, then I think they've learned another valuable lesson this year - never take anything for granted!

Not to take anything away from Brisbane though, they outmuscled us without a doubt and I expect I'll (even though I don't feel like it now) barrack for them in the GF, hoping the Pies will lose 2 GFs in a row

Sad for Cressa, but I hope he goes out remembering the Port final more so than this one, as it should not be forgotten

I am actually quite optimistic for next year now, I think they will have learned a lot from this year, especially the losses. Encouraging too, to see The Hyphen and Ablett play a role in such a big game.