Hunter or Hunted

[dawson]

At the trivia night discussed with people the motivation issues the Swans seem to have.

ie They play the way they did against St Kilda compared to the way they performed against Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond.

The Swans must come out on Saturday night with the same intensity, desire and hardness they displayed against the Saints.

Regardless of the final result, if they can't produce or manufacture that against Collingwood they have real issues and the rest of the year should be spent preparing for 2005.

[anne]

Also they must learn to combat the nerves that they have shown in the past in big games. It is a huge stage this weekend - the whole of the AFL world will be watching. They seem to fumble, try too hard, make mistakes and give away free kicks in this situation. I hope they have discussed this and can remedy it.

[Damien]

Totally agree Dawson.

They seem to be fine when everyone is writing them off, backs against the wall stuff, but make them favourites and all of a sudden it is much to much for them.

I think Brisbane play with backs against the wall mentality week in week out, even though they are the hunted, they act like the hunter - we need to as well.

[Go Swannies]

Anne is right, too. I helped with the banner for the Telstra Pies game last year and was surprised to see just how nervous all the players were as they ran onto the ground. They have had some big games since then so let's hope they have adapted. It seems to not be just playing major teams but playing big events - and this will be a big event.

[swansrule100]

the swans need to adapt better to telstra .... otherwise its not worth playing there..
i mean its good for the game and good money but if the swans are gonna lose there every time then geez

[Bart]

Originally posted by swansrule100
but if the swans are gonna lose there every time then geez

8 matches (exc pre-season) 4 wins 4 losses

Ess 2002 L
Car 2002 W
Rich 2002 W
Car 2003 W
Ess 2003 W
Coll 2003 L
Bris 2003 L
Melb 2004 L

[swansrule100]

yeh but the two carlton wins and richmond win were pretty easy and should of been won anyway

only good win there is against essendon

tho i admit the record isnt too bad yes...
also like roosy said last night need to handle the big occasion... i just feel its hasnt become theirs yet...... its like we are visiting too..(which i guess we are) but we need to work towards claiming a home ground advantage like we have at the scg

[monopoly19]

Considering we lost the 2002 Essendon one by less than a kick, and that losing to Brisbane in a prelim final ain't exactly something to be ashamed about, our record at Telstra seems quite good.

[Bart]

Originally posted by swansrule100
also like roosy said last night need to handle the big occasion... i just feel its hasnt become theirs yet...... its like we are visiting too..(which i guess we are) but we need to work towards claiming a home ground advantage like we have at the scg

I think you've hit the nail on the head. It is still quite new, and I do feel like I'm 'visiting' too.

[swansrule100]

regardless of our record im sure other teams prefer telstra to scg....

does anyone see us playing at telstra instead of the scg sometime in the future?

[Damien]

Originally posted by swansrule100
regardless of our record im sure other teams prefer telstra to scg....

does anyone see us playing at telstra instead of the scg sometime in the future?

No. SCG is home.

We don't draw enough people regulary to justify a bigger stadium full time.

[swansrule100]

might be good for the team to play on a bigger ground tho

[Bart]

Originally posted by swansrule100
does anyone see us playing at telstra instead of the scg sometime in the future?

don't think so. Having two grounds keeps the bastards honest at both venues, particularly the SCG Trust. A nightmare scenario would be if the Trust tried to take over Telstra Stadium like they attempted last year. Competition in this respect is a good thing.

[swansrule100]

the trust arent very trustworthy then?

[Bart]

Originally posted by swansrule100
the trust arent very trustworthy then?

I could put up with the crappy facilities at the SCG if they provided us with a decent training facility, or kicked NSW Blues out of there before the start of the footy season. Seriously pees me off to see 200 crusties at a creicket match while Swans are across the road at Hamstring Oval