Five Players I Believe Need to Lift!!!

[BonBon]

1. Ryan
2. Ryano
3. Pebbles
4. ROK
5. Ryan O'Keefey baby

[Go Swannies]

At some risk to my personal safety, I thought Ben was one of our better players on a night when so many didn't stand up.

[punter257]

yeah benny mathews was very good on GAblett but if Milburn had have nailed a goal from that turnover then the boys would be at the pub today and bazza would be on his 10th beer

[SimonH]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
At some risk to my personal safety, I thought Ben was one of our better players on a night when so many didn't stand up.

Drew 3 free kicks, at least one of which was questionable, and did for the most part keep G. Ablett accountable when on him. But still sloooooow in decision-making, prefers to go back on the mark when there's space in front to have a bolt, and made a couple of crunch-time disposal errors in the last quarter. I remember thinking, 'that is a delisting offence' at the time, but then I was pretty emotional at the time.

Sure, the whole team needs to lift and implement the game-plan a hell of a lot better than we did in the first half on Friday. But, to use the PC phrase, the following need to help the team plan along more than they did on Friday:
? Luke Ablett
? Paul Bevan (in the unlikely event he gets another go)
? Nic Fosdike (I've always been a Nic apologist, but geez a couple of things he did in the last quarter got me riled)
? ROK ('though the last quarter effort was very good)
? BBBH
? MOL (okay, 2 goals were worth their weight in gold but seemed to be in the wrong position/behind for much of the night)
? Paul Williams (though I think, sadly, it would be foolish to play him-- semi-fit players always get caught out in finals)
? Adam Goodes (gee, he needs to concentrate more for a man of his talent)
? Jude Bolton
? The aforementioned B. Mathews.

That's practically half the team. I would like to include LRT in the above, but to be frank, I think he's playing to the limits of his ability right now, so to expect more from him is unrealistic.

My selection table: Williams (inj) and Bevan (seems well out of sorts) omitted; that 2000 B&F bloke (whatever his name is) and an in-form little man (Moore? McVeigh? Schwatta back from the dead? You choose) included.

And in parting, let's not forget one player who doesn't need to lift, but merely repeat the dose: a Herculean effort (esp. in the 1st half when all around him were losing their heads) of Mr A. Buchanan on Friday night. Stepped up yet again, in a year when he's already exceeded expectations on several occasions. There's an awful lot to like about this guy.

[big bear]

I think you are probably right but think we need to lift across the board to beat saints. I am sure the occasion will lift the team and the mighty swans will prevail. Go the bloods. We must beat the arrogant saints and crush Grant Thomas.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by SimonH
I would like to include LRT in the above, but to be frank, I think he's playing to the limits of his ability right now, so to expect more from him is unrealistic.

He didn't play at his peak against Geelong (the handball) or WCE (did a good job against Gardiner against whom he was a shocking mismatch) but hopefully he can settle down this week.

[swans_premiers]

Nick Davis needs to lift, has he even touched the ball in the last month?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by swans_premiers
Nick Davis needs to lift, has he even touched the ball in the last month?

Goes for the soft option - doesn't even take the catch but just puts it straight onto the boot. Not good enough.

[Newbie]

Originally posted by Sanecow
He didn't play at his peak against Geelong (the handball) or WCE (did a good job against Gardiner against whom he was a shocking mismatch) but hopefully he can settle down this week.

LRT was very decent until that kicking blunder. Kept Gardiner relatively quiet. He showed a bit of nerve in the first half of that game. Played very closely to his man. In the second half, he was much more confident and going for the ball a lot more. Pity that his confidence was snapped a fair bit after that blunder. This is expected from someone inexperience like him.

Just need someone to settle him down during the week and he will be contributive for the game.

[originalswan]

Goodes?

Article in todays Melbourne Herald Sun about Adam Goodes (Garry Lyon) states:

"..I would like to see more desperation in the Brownlow medallist's game...more physical presence, a little more hurt and pain...a little more of the emotion that was so evident during that Brownlow year".

"In football terms this is life and death...If that's not enough to drag you out of your comfort zone, I'm not sure what is".

These words are quite strong but I respect Garry Lyon and his understanding about football. As I stated posting this topic, I really believe he is one of the keys for our Finals chances.

[dimelb]

Just for the hell of it I'll nominate five I think could lift.
1. LRT - a good effort in the last couple of weeks but just needs to hold his nerve and back himself. He's big enough, fast enough and feisty enough to do (the other team) some damage. Go The Hyphen!
2. Amon. Daredevil, throws himself into the ruck and comes out with the ball. Just do it once or twice more per quarter and we have a potential matchwinner. Gutsy player.
3. Ryano. Now a fine link player to add to his goalkicking value. Just needs to straighten up a touch. 2.4 could become 4.2 - another matchwinner.
4. Schneider. Is he a defender with run out of the back or is he a goalsneak? Will he take Milne or will he be crumbing at Barry's feet? Could do either. Take it easy, but take it!
5. Fosdike. Despite the bagging he gets here at times, can be one of the best at delivering into the forward 50, and usually seems to have time and space as an outside receiver. Sharpen the attack.

[TheHood]

Taking Our Chances

It's fair to say that Finals Footy is all about capitalising on your form and momentum when it comes your way.

Kicking 1 goal 6 when you have a run on or dibbling passes into forward 50 or taking that extra bounce BALL can hurt you, because when the opposition come, they will most likely convert!

Match-Ups, set plays and all the rest of it will be long forgotten if the Swannies don't convert when their time comes.

2003, Port Adelaide, first half H & A season, Sydney convert terribly. Completely dominate field play and go in at quarter time 1 goal 7 (I think). First final later that year and Sydney have dominated field play and lead by nearly 50 points at half time. Port came at Sydney in the second half as expected, but simply could not capitalise when it was their turn and it was too late. The lead was unassailable!

Who will take their chances this week? Nick Davis will, Mick and Baz will.

Who do we need to take their chances to win?
* Monty (love him to lift, I reckon the Sts will be discounting him)
* Schneider (must steel himself, hopefully maturing)
* Kennelly (capable of winning it off his own boot, must lift)
* Goodes (been said all over the country, desperation needed)

I suspect if these guys take their chances, set shots, shots on the run, passes inside F50 then Sydney will win.

Anyone else have their thoughts on what we need to do to win?

[liz]

Re: Taking Our Chances

Originally posted by TheHood


Anyone else have their thoughts on what we need to do to win?

Leo and Crouchy are keys.

Leo will get Gehrig, no doubt about it. Crouch is the obvious choice for Milne, though there are other options.

I saw the Saints Geelong game a few weeks ago (live) and the Saints won comfortably against an understrength and very ordinary Geelong. However, Scarlett played a blinder on Gehrig, right up there with Leo's performance on him mid-season 2004.

As the game progressed, the Saints midfield became less direct, less certain about how to bring the ball forward, with Gehrig unable to provide a reliable target up front. Yes, the Saints comfortably won, but largely on the back of a dominant performance by Hamill.

It is always possible that someone else will jump up and dominate even if Gehrig is well-held, but him in form clearly straightens them up and gives them confidence to burst through the middle, playing directly. If the Swans can get the Saints midfield away from this style, they are capable of applying pressure (in a way Geelong didn't that night) and getting well on top.

[originalswan]

It would be great if we had another player able to match up on Milne. I am not sure who that would be though. If we could find this other tagger (perhaps Matthews) then we would be able to allow Crouch the same sort of freedom that he has thrived on in the last two finals. I just love his dash at the moment.

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by originalswan
It would be great if we had another player able to match up on Milne. I am not sure who that would be though. If we could find this other tagger (perhaps Matthews) then we would be able to allow Crouch the same sort of freedom that he has thrived on in the last two finals. I just love his dash at the moment.

Like i said before, the wildcard on Milne is Schneider. Has the closing speed to match Milne and played a good game in defence against Corrie (Lions). Milne is definately a different proposition, but i would back Schneiders acceleration and speed to at least provide a solid contest on Milne.