Round 15: Stone the Crows

[Powerstuff]

A few weeks ago this looked like a walkover. Now it looks like a huge task. Can the Swans at home beat the rejuvenated scalp-hunting Crows?

[TheHood]

Re: Round 15: Stone the Crows

Originally posted by Powerstuff
A few weeks ago this looked like a walkover. Now it looks like a huge task. Can the Swans at home beat the rejuvenated scalp-hunting Crows?

Just about to start a similar thread myself.

I suspect if the Swans do win, the game will mirror the last 2 Swans fixtures. I think the percentage booster won't come this weekend or any time this year, this means we HAVE to rely on wins.

Sydney will need to lock down the Crows midfield which thankfully is not a lot more than the Roo, McLeod, Edwards, Reilly and Biglands.

Roo is one to watch, he has the strength and clean hands similar to Voss and Crouchy needs to use his speed to stay with McLeod. I have the faith in our back 6 to excel on the SCG and Baz and co and cut up any defence if the supply is half decent.

Baz has essentially done the right thing recently by announcing that he is attempting to make contested marks a strength of his game. It means the Crows will go in wondering about their options here. I mean, no point in blocking the leading space if Baz can stand his ground well and no point in crowding him if he is already a great leading mark!

Bassett will get the job, he's in fair form too. Will be a great contest.

[barry]

Our defense and attack is miles ahead of the crows, and their midfield is aging.

If we dont win this by at least 30, something is wrong.

Although I'm glad we didnt play them last week with the new-coach syndrome.

[Go Swannies]

Seriously, if they put down the Dees so easily it will be anything but a walkover. We, on the other hand, have played a couple of bruising games. We could/should win but if there's a margin it'll be a bonus.

[Go Swannies]

The Crows beat the Dees on tactics, too. I'm glad to hear Roos was at the game. I wonder what surprises he'll produce?

[Snowy]

You can bet your life Hall will get even more attention and the forward line is looking a bit one-dimensional. Crows obviously more enthusiastic, McLeod was unhappy with Ayres, has a new lease of life. Some of their youngsters who did well are probably more at home on the wide expanses in Adelaide than on the SCG though. Roos will aim to shut them down. Welsh got most of his close to goal, some soft, believe he can be closed down.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

But don't you always get an improved effort from a team once they sack a coach. The emotional baggage is gone from many players, and they subconsciously have a look at themselves, needing to improve the new man in charge.

I'm expecting it to be expat Croweater night on Saturday. It always is against the Camries.

People asking where you buy the Footy Budgets (!), saying "Hello-oo" "No-oo" and "Crow-oos". Or even pronouncing "bottle" as "bottoo", Lane Whitnell as "Larnce" and calling a bindie eye a "Three Corner Jack" (just put them under Ricciutto

Listen out for the Crows fans. And ask them what is is like to support a corporation not a footy club.

JF

[dread and might]

they can't seem to win back to back games. will scott stevens play?

swans by 5 goals

[timthefish]

if i hear any comments about not coming from a place established by convicts or the glorious wonder of a grid-based road system i'm gonna completely lose it.

swans by 6 goals. we've fought out two close ones, our structure is coming together and the boys are going to be fired up as the crows are the last scalp roos has to collect as a coach.

gotta close down mcleod and roo though.

tim

[swansrule100]

The Swans simply must beat the crows. I dont think many afl games are percentage boosters, perhaps occasionally at half time you may think geez this is a chance to boost the % but basically 4 points is 4 points.

[barry]

Originally posted by swansrule100
The Swans simply must beat the crows. I dont think many afl games are percentage boosters, perhaps occasionally at half time you may think geez this is a chance to boost the % but basically 4 points is 4 points.

Totally agree. We've snuck through 2 games with an under strength side, and we will still be on the mend in this one.
Get over the crows, and we are 9-6 with a side approaching our best.
Its critical.

[Nico]

Basset is ordinary and won't be on Barry for long.

Shut out their midfield and we win. Kirk on Roo, Crouch or Fixter on Mcleod and Leo on Welsh.

Melbourne's problem is they don't have genuine taggers and lets face it Nicholson is a hack.

I expect it to be a very exciting game. If they try to close us down it means they lose their run. They can't afford to lose their run because that's how Ayres coached.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
But don't you always get an improved effort from a team once they sack a coach.

No. This is often said, but I seem to recall someone (maybe me?) put up some info on this a year or two ago, showing that it doesn't always happen, perhaps only 50-50.

[Nico]

From what I saw new coach Craig put a few blokes in their rightful position which gave different dimensions to the team, which you would expect is the structure he will go with from now until season's end. How long will it take opposition coaches to counter it?

Hopefully only 1 week. Don't forget they were also playing at Moron Park and one of Melbourne's prime midfielders, Thompson, was out.

[port1978]

Please please please please please beat the crap out of the Tingles!!!!!!