J Bolton

[ScottH]

I haven't seen anyone mention his efforts on Saturday night.

He was getting quick kicks out of clearances, at least twice he moved the ball on by swatting it clear to a team mate. He took a mark across the CHB flank under pressure from an Eagle to stop their run forward. 8 Tackles!!

All in all, a good nights work from the glamour boy!!!


PS: 1000th post!!!!!!

[TheHood]

Congrats on your 1,000th. Reckon you racked that up in record time.

As for Jude, well he was unbelievable on Saturday night. I thought it was almost his best game for the season. He was first to the ball and typifed the commitment from all on the night, Kirky, Stuey, B2 and Bevo. All those guys dived on the ball when the Eagles wouldn't bend down in the rain.

Jude earned his money (whatever that sum might be) on Saturday night!

[Rizzo]

Have to agree. I was surprised by 8 tackles but that mark sticks in my memory.

I hope the boys are more switched on in the first quarter on Friday night....

[simone]

Originally posted by Rizzo


I hope the boys are more switched on in the first quarter on Friday night....

as long as the outcome is the same, it doesn't bother me how the first quarter goes!

[sharpie]

yeah, 3 weeks in a row now we've played a poor 1st quarter only to control the rest of the game. For the 3rd week in a row I thought we were lucky to be as close as we were at the 1st break.

it seems strange, as if they go into the game unprepared for the opposition, only for Roosy to get them properly set up at quarter time. I mean, everybody knows that WC have a very strong midfield, yet in the 1st quarter, our matchups just didnt seem right, almost non-existent. Then after the 1st break we shut them down really easily.

[Damien]

I have been really busy this weekend, so haven't had a chance to watch a replay, but being there live at the match, I felt the disposals that I noticed were of a very high quality, seem to really find his targets well.

[SXP]

Originally posted by sharpie
yeah, 3 weeks in a row now we've played a poor 1st quarter only to control the rest of the game. For the 3rd week in a row I thought we were lucky to be as close as we were at the 1st break.

it seems strange, as if they go into the game unprepared for the opposition, only for Roosy to get them properly set up at quarter time. I mean, everybody knows that WC have a very strong midfield, yet in the 1st quarter, our matchups just didnt seem right, almost non-existent. Then after the 1st break we shut them down really easily.

I don't understand this first quarter thing either. Has anybody got any idea why is happening?

[NMWBloods]

He's one who needs to start earlier in the game. Only 6 disposals to half time is not really enough for a midfielder. Picked up his work rate in the second half though - hopefully he carries that into the beginning of the game on Friday.

[Damien]

Originally posted by sharpie
yeah, 3 weeks in a row now we've played a poor 1st quarter only to control the rest of the game. For the 3rd week in a row I thought we were lucky to be as close as we were at the 1st break.

it seems strange, as if they go into the game unprepared for the opposition, only for Roosy to get them properly set up at quarter time. I mean, everybody knows that WC have a very strong midfield, yet in the 1st quarter, our matchups just didnt seem right, almost non-existent. Then after the 1st break we shut them down really easily.

Yes has been worrying me....Essendon could have had the game almost wrapped up a few weeks ago if it were not for inaccurate kicking.

Saints are likely to be the most dangerous in the first quarter this week, so I hope the trend doesn't continue.

[liz]

It could be that our opposition just comes out and gives their absolute all in the first quarter but is unable to sustain the intensity. While a good first quarter is important, so is playing a game over four quarters.

The team seems to have been putting in a far more even performance across the whole match in the second half of this season and they should be commended for addressing that, after identifying it as a previous weakness.

[timthefish]

Originally posted by SXP
I don't understand this first quarter thing either. Has anybody got any idea why is happening?

i think the first quarter may consist of a lot of fine tuning of the defensive/tagging/midfield structure out on the field. once that's tightened up (almost always before the end of the quarter) the swans start dictating the way the game is played more. admittedly, we were particularly lucky the bombers failed to capitalise on their first quarter dominance in the midfield, but i think it suits our overall plan and playing list to do things this way.

i'll take a flat first quarter over the third-quarter capitulations of two/three years ago any day.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by timthefish
i think the first quarter may consist of a lot of fine tuning of the defensive/tagging/midfield structure out on the field. once that's tightened up (almost always before the end of the quarter) the swans start dictating the way the game is played more. admittedly, we were particularly lucky the bombers failed to capitalise on their first quarter dominance in the midfield, but i think it suits our overall plan and playing list to do things this way.

i'll take a flat first quarter over the third-quarter capitulations of two/three years ago any day.

Like Meatloaf never said, "you took the text right out of my fingertips".

It's all about the tempo and when it comes to these better sides, ie finalists, it takes a while find our "tempo" (buzz word around Fox Footy these days).

It's a similar style to the way we played when we beat the Lions at the Gabba last year. We absorbed their best, got our understanding of their game and then applied the matchups and game plan accordingly.

It's that game plan that we will need to apply to overcome all opposition from here on in this season because we just don't have the talent to blow these teams off the park from the first bounce!

In the mean time, we have the skill and determination to grind them down to a halt over the course of the game though!

[SXP]

Spot on!

[Bron]

Jude took three fabulous marks on saturday night and had much better disposal. He is getting the ball out of packs more often. Great intensity and commitment (as always).

[CureTheSane]

I have mixed feelings about Bolton.

Personally I don't see him do anything all that great generally during the games.
But that's not to say he doesn't.
I suppose he doesn't stand out like some players (height, colour, hair etc) but he racks up usually the most posessions during a game, so it is something I assume that I miss.
The commentators etc give him props, so either they see what I don't or they are rating players on stats more than their eyes.
So what I am saying is that I am sure he does his job and a lot more, but I just don't notice it as much as others.
Sort of like Crouch with a lot of people, or a player who is given a specific role which isn't very flash.
Same with Matthews. He does a lot more than I see him do.


However, on Sat night I thought Jude had a great game.
It was clear that he was a driving force in the midfield.
Speaking of which, I haven't seen a Maxfiel thread yet either.
Though he had a fantastic game too.
If these guys are gonna continue to play like that in the finals we are giving ourselves EPC of a flag.

Also, I've met Jude a few times at the aftermatch functions etc, and he is probably one of the easiest to talk to of all players.
Seems like a great bloke.