Five Players I Believe Need to Lift!!!

[originalswan]

After watchiong our two Finals games (on TV I must admit) I have analysed our players form and believe these five especially need to lift their performance for us to be a chance against St Kilda:

1. Darren Jolly - (yes) He hasn't really been mentioned but I look at his recent output against the game he played for us first up against Hawthorn. In that game he dominated in the Ruck and was best on field. It seems recently Jason Ball has been more consistent (that tap to Davis' advantage was superb). If he can play like he did against Hawthorn then we have a huge advantage against the Saints.

2. Jude Bolton - His last few weeks have been below par (even though the endeavour has been there). He seems to be possibly trying too hard like he did early in his career and making some simple skill errors. HE HAD 6 Clangers against the Cats.

3. Paul Williams - He is still known to Swans fans as a "Star" but his recent performances have been well below his best. Perhaps the niggling injuries have stifled his output. Would love to see him streaming through the centre with his long bursts of yesterday.

4. Barry Hall - This is stating the obvious but I believe he needs to relax a little more. It was great to see that his frustrations did not boil over on Friday night. Perhaps the Captaincy has put added pressure on him. He seemed so intent and focused when talking to the players that I believe a second lieutenant (eg. Kirk) needs to settle him down during the game. Barry must forget about the added responsibility - His previous great play is all that is required - He leads by example!

5. Adam Goodes - He's seemed to float in and out of games in the last few weeks. If ever he was to repeat his brownlow form it is now against the star studded Saints.

Special mentions to O'Keefe and Luke Ablett (who also seems to be carrying some injury).

If these guys can get back in form then we are half way to the Grand Final - If not then a similar game to last week will see us as spectators during the Grand Final.

[timthefish]

yep

[barry]

I think we need 22 players plus coaching staff to lift.

An average of only around 60 points in 2 finals with margins of less than a kick, is not good enough to win 2 more games.

At the end of the H&A we were 3rd and good form.

Now we are top 4, and average form.

We havent achieved anything yet, and need a substantial return to form quickly.

[Jeffers1984]

Bit harsh on Jolly who has been winning alot of hitouts, just not mostly to our advantage. Probably right about him needing more influence around the ground but if he can get his taps to advantage right, then he's certainly done his bit in my books.

However my 5 lifters in order are:

1. Barry Hall - Most obvious one here. Perhaps we could stick him at FF and let Mickey O lead up the ground. If Barry has a sniff for goals, then he really fires.

2. Adam Goodes - Needs to lift his intensity. He has been very poor since the Adelaide game where he played one of the most inspiring games i have seen (Apart from Nicky D's )

3. Jude Bolton - Surely is still carrying a hamstring injury which is probably why he has had stints at HF. Nothing to lose and everything to gain from now in Jude.

4. Paul Williams - Same with Jude who still has an injury cloud over his thigh. Needs to improve his diposals but still has it all IMO. Can be the major difference against the Saints.

5. Leo Barry - Probably harsh on Leo, and he has been very consistent. However in order to beat Gehrig, he will have to go that extra level. Has been towled the last two times they have met, but we know he can do the job on him as shown last year at the SCG.

Special mention to LRT who has a major job on Reiwoldt, needs to get his confidence back.

[cruiser]

I reckon the five would be Goodes, Hall, ROK, Bolton and Williams. If they do all lift and the rest of the team keeps playing as it has been, we should win.

[Plugger46]

Re: Five Players I Believe Need to Lift!!!

Originally posted by originalswan
1. Darren Jolly - (yes) He hasn't really been mentioned but I look at his recent output against the game he played for us first up against Hawthorn. In that game he dominated in the Ruck and was best on field. It seems recently Jason Ball has been more consistent (that tap to Davis' advantage was superb). If he can play like he did against Hawthorn then we have a huge advantage against the Saints.

Don't agree with that one. I think Jolly and Ball have been working really well together over the last month.

[hammo]

Unfair to put Jolly in that list. We dominated the hit outs against the Cats.

Hall, Goodes, ROK, J.Bolton and MOL all need to lift. If all 5 play to their potential we will win.

Plus I would like to see Crouch and Kenneally do extra goal kicking practice. Unforgivable to keep missing those shots on the run (a mention to C.Bolton here as well).

[Sanecow]

I'm not sure Jolly needs to lift any more than anyone else but I think that he can lift.

For the whole team: goal kicking and tackling practice all week.

[Newbie]

I think we just need Hall to lift. Once he lifts, all will. He is the key. St Kilda has no natural match-up for him so we are in with a huge chance.

[stellation]

Originally posted by Sanecow
I'm not sure Jolly needs to lift any more than anyone else but I think that he can lift.

That is quite perceptive of you moondog. Jolly has been pretty good all year, but I definitely feel that he can go up another notch. Whether that happens this finals series or happens in the next year or two remains to be seen.
For a guy who didn't get much game time at Melbourne he has been a stand out performer for us. Number 5 in the comp in hitouts, fantastic considering the heavy rotation with Ball.

[liz]

Originally posted by Sanecow
I'm not sure Jolly needs to lift any more than anyone else but I think that he can lift.

For the whole team: goal kicking and tackling practice all week.

I reckon every single player on the team is capable of lifting over their Friday night performance, with the possible exception of Crouch, the only four quarter performer.

Degrees of liftability vary but they can all find a wee bit more - and will need to.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by liz
I reckon every single player on the team is capable of lifting over their Friday night performance, with the possible exception of Crouch, the only four quarter performer.

Degrees of liftability vary but they can all find a wee bit more - and will need to.

The leading possession getters around the ground were Davis and Kirk (25 & 26 I think) - then the first Cat. Nicky D leading possessions! Those two - and Bucky and Crouch - gave us the chance for victory. If they play at that level again - and get some support this time - we have a good chance.

And, though I presume it must be part of some master game plan, we have to play on, not stop and look around after every mark.

[Rizzo]

We might not see Williams on the park this week. If he's 50/50 I'drather him sit out and wait for next week ;-)

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
12. Adam Goodes - Needs to lift his intensity. He has been very poor since the Adelaide game where he played one of the most inspiring games i have seen (Apart from Nicky D's )

If he want the captaincy, this is his opportunity.

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Special mention to LRT who has a major job on Reiwoldt, needs to get his confidence back.

I wonder whether he will get Reiwolt? Roos may prefer B2.

[Frog]

I don't think there is any need for any one individual to lift. This is a team game. True, the masses don't have to carry the individual, but if each individual is doing what he is supposed to be doing, then the team will play to its best ability.

Barry Hall got little chance of leather poisoning on Friday due to atrocious delivery and a blinder by Scarlett. Double teaming, dropping a man in front and a litter of Cats in their defensive 50 does not make an open forward line to lead productively. A goalless full forward means that, at least, he kept one, two maybe three Cats busy. His reputation alone did a good enough job to open space for someone else.

Barry Hall will have to be double teamed this Friday. If he doesn't kick a bag full, this thread will be revived. And the perpetrators may well be the same. You reckon the Saints are going to lose sight of one Nick Davis this week ? How about MOL, ROK ?

I don't believe that the Saints (Thomas) will want to play the stop/start game. That, I think, would be to our advantage. It is going to allow the likes of LRT and Goodes to roam at half-back. Create a loose man in the centre and whatever comes from the back, have a bit of target practice getting the ball into the forward fifty.

No need for specific individuals to lift. These guys are professionals. They know what is required, they know what to do, they know the prize at the end. The TEAM needs to be playing as a TEAM - Back each other up, create the loose man, create options, regardless of who it is - Just run the Sainters ragged - I still believe we are the fittest team in the League - We'll outlast them ...