Swans v Bombers

[Cheer Cheer]

Originally posted by janpa
Powell getting two well done - what is his hair like now?

Still the same as on the swans website profiles - midish length with blonde through it - i reckon his original hairstyle was the best.

[dendol]

Originally posted by Cheer Cheer
Still the same as on the swans website profiles - midish length with blonde through it - i reckon his original hairstyle was the best.

cant beat a good mullet i reckon...

[Swannette]

We were never in trouble all day - had the wood on them from the start. Pre game we sighted J Ball in civvies talking to the doc about his left calf. No limp in sight but clearly he was resting to avoid further injury.
Standouts for us were Powell, who has lost the mullet but gained muscle and blonde tips. His strength was in the air and his second and third efforts (from years in country footy) really shone today. He kicked truly, he tackled fiercely and presented himself in the forwrd line time and time again.
Ditto, Hall, who took a brilliant diving mark and a few snaps for goal ala Lockett, that had the crowd oohing and aahing. He set up plenty more goal scoring opportunities with his brute strength and canny awareness. Through stark absence of crowd noise we could easily hear Baz's booming voice both calling for the ball and scaring the opposition. Several bombers supporters scurried away from the fenceline when big booming barry barked. It was beautiful.
Our Brownlow Medallist was doing an excellent impersonation of the Scarlett Pimpernell - "you saw him here, you saw him there, you saw him EVERYWHERE". If A Goodes's current form is an indicator of this season, we're in damm good shape.
McVeigh#2 was not outshone by his bomber bro today though we were denied a direct tussle between them. He did a good job today and at one point, Crouch, Stuey, Jude, Willo and Goodes were off the ground. Jarrad held up well and our midfield still fired.
For those on Saddo watch - take a break - our #22 had a good, smart game today. His decision making was on track today and he wasn't caught out like on other matches. Heath James also played well, with several crucial possesssions and/or spoils to his credit. For anyone who worries about his health - today he heavily ran into the behind post in about the third minute of the game. Luckily it was the post and not Heath that came off second.
Young Rogers had a fair amount of game time, though we didn't notice him starring/not starring too much.
One of the best things about today was that our running game is clearly here again for 04. Clean, fast handballs, kicks mostly making their marks. We left the opposition for dead for much of the day running out of defence courtesy of Leo and Irish who were dominating. Leo took 2 or 3 marks going backwards with no regard for his health. Irish's convict cut streaked past on numerous occasions while the oppositions attack were wondering where the ball had gone. B#2 resumed his habit of spoiling/hassling opposition forwards and played a key part in minimising the bombers scoreline.
One teensy concern was our inability to go forward from the half forward line at times. A few attempts at pin point passes didn't come off and at other times it seemed that the lack of space to run into, clogged things up a bit.
Ryan O played really well. Kicked truly, passed well and ran all day. Micky O came on in the second qtr for about 10 mins and played like a man jumping out of his skin. Was in everything, looked good. Had a few more appearances and the same description applies. In summary, didn't appear to us that anyone had a bad day, us included. Nice drive, good music, relaxed ground, home town memories!
Sheeds' desparate attempt at inspiration by sending in an RAAF to do barrel rolls failed. The black box will inevitably be found in the turf of the newcastle #1 showground!!

[liz]

Great report Swannette.

You should think about joining the panel of match reporters for 2004 - we could certainly do with reading more like that.

[BAM_BAM]

thanks for the report Swanette. I knew I should have arranged things better and gone up for the game.

[anne]

Excellent report Swanette. You gave me all the information I couldn't get anywhere else as well as answering my questions. very much appreciated.

[desredandwhite]

Originally posted by lizz
Great report Swannette.

You should think about joining the panel of match reporters for 2004 - we could certainly do with reading more like that.

Definitely! Good report Swannette, it's always nice to read match reports from "one of our own" instead of the usual media.

[Bron]

Nice report MJ and thanks for the quarter by quarter updates.

[TheHood]

Was truly a great day's footy for a Swans person. Highlights for mine were:

Baz was unstoppable
Mick getting a run on the ball
Tadhg's run from defence was as confident as ever
ROK's form
Saddo finding some form
and finally, Powelly's form! This kid has all the skills and tough as nails too. Should he have played all game, he would have been BOG.

What was really pleasing for those that couldn't make the game was that our play resembled the great team-work that made us so successful in 2003.

Not so much the score, that was a bit unfair given the Bombers were without Hird and Lloyd (no Hird no Dons as far as I'm concerned), but it was more the skills were polished, the tackles committed and fierce and the running game was a treat to watch. At times the play was really pretty to watch and made my guts glow with excitment for the 27th...can't wait!

[EMJ]

Swannette your report was tops and I laughed at some of your comments but only because they were well put. I also feel you should be writing for rwo. Talent there needs to be used and we will all benefit from it.
You had everything in it and I loved reading it in total.

[The Boot]

No.1 SportsGround

Very slick report Swanette. Are you in journalism? Hindsy has to be sweatin' bullets right now, eh? If you fail to put in a match report after each & every game .. people gonna go through withdrawal symptoms.