Mind games

[SWANSBEST]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/10/1086749843047.html?oneclick=true

[ScottH]

Well, I wonder what "above th Shoulders" aspect will win.

The "They beat us last year when we should 've won, so go out there and smack em"?. Original quote from hemsleys

OR

The "Well fellas you beat them against the odds last year. You know you can do it because you have did last year. Be hard and stick to the game plan"?. Original quote from hemsleys

[Go Swannies]

There's a different mindset from last year when Port was virtually invincible in H&A. But their record at home is pretty good - and they lost last week so will be keen to atone. They are vulnerable so if we play to our potential we can win. But it won't be easy - even if Rodney Eade picks the Swans to win by 11.

[liz]

The Swans have always matched up reasonably well against the Power, regardless of where we have played them. The only sizeable loss I can recall was last year, where the Swans bounced out of the block in the first quarter but kicked appallingly, and then let their heads drop a bit.

The style of the two team is not dissimilar - both prefer to carry the ball through the midfield rather than kick long to a contest. Both rely more on the evenness of their 22 rather than depend on the same handful of superstars to win games for them week after week. Both teams have a defence that looks suspect on paper yet gets the job done more often than not.

Where Sydney won last week's game was in their toughness at the contests and I reckon they have a slight edge over the Power in this department. The Power have some strong tacklers and ball contesters but I think Sydney has more of them.

There's been lots of discussion this week about Hawthorn's behaviour last week, and whether it was a misinterpretation of Dermie's instruction to be tough and not let the Bombers bully them. If he really wants to get his message across I think he should make them all watch the Swans last week and see how they coped with a team that, at least this season, hasn't been scared to get physical in the same way that the Bombers have been doing it for years. He could highlight both Bolton's getting crunched twice in the first quarter but getting up and getting on with it. He could highlight Bevan's and Maxfield's tackles when the Saints players just stayed tackled. He could highlight Kirk and Crouch working hard for 4 quarters so as not to let their opponents get an inch. He could highlight Barry and Bolton giving away kilos to their much-vaunted opponents but not getting intimidated.

Last week's display was a perfect example of how to play tough, brave - but fair - footy. If they can repeat it against the Power, a victory is not out of the question, even at Football Park.

[Go Swannies]

Too true. Last week was the most uncompromising footy I've ever seen the Swans play for four quarters - and that includes the Port final. We never gave an inch - every time a Saint had the ball he had a Swan player arrive a fraction of a second later. That, as much as our sure passing skills, won us the game.

Couldn't agree more Lizz that if we play that way on Sunday - I'd say we're sure to win (this year Port, perhaps because of injuries, just aren't in the same class as the Saints). And we wouldn't have lost to the Bombers, either. The SA papers are suggesting that Port will need to be physical this weekend. They should check with Byron Pickett about how well that works.

I don't know how Roos can get the team to tackle so ferociously but never visit the tribunal. But it's becoming good fun to watch supporters of other teams when you can hear their glee when one of their stars gets the ball only for it to turn into a groan as that player ends up in the dirt while the Swans are passing to each other on the way back to our attacking 50.