The word according to Captain Ben

[Go Swannies]

There's a good piece from Ben Mathews on the Swans website.

From:

http://sydneyswans.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=230027

Sydney Swans midfielder Ben Mathews believes the 2005 AFL Grand Final against West Coast will be a mental game rather than a physical battle.

The 26-year-old, a member of the Swans' rotating captaincy group this season, told a packed media conference that all the hard work has been done, and now it will come down to who can put it together on the MCG.

"This week is all about recovery as I don't think you are going to get fitter or faster at this time of year," the Corowa-Rutherglen junior said.

"It's all the mental challenge of getting yourself up and overcoming any obstacles that we might encounter this week and on Saturday.

"So that is where the game can be won or lost, mentally and how we deal with everything and plan and carry out that plan on Saturday."

[timbo]

cause bennie is such a pro when it comes to on-field mentality.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by timbo
cause bennie is such a pro when it comes to on-field mentality.

I haven't seen much to criticise in this finals series. In fact I've seen him a bit in the role of Matty Nicks towards the end of his career - as a steadying influence in our midfield (and it was the penalty that he got in the Cats game that got the ball down to win us the game).

[OldE]

He was at Fox Studios today, when we were there waiting to get our tickets. Having a chat to a couple of fans, he seemed really gracious and chatty. I was impressed.

[dimelb]

And he's right about the mental bit. Steve Waugh reckoned that when you played at Test level, 90% of the game was mental. I don't think it's any different for AFL or any other elite team game. And do we play a team game...

[DST]

Originally posted by timbo
cause bennie is such a pro when it comes to on-field mentality.

Pull your finger out timbo, Ben Matthews has represented our club with distinction over the last couple of years. He has earnt the right to play in a Grand Final and with that the right to offer his opinion on what he sees as important before the game.

He and the other 40 odd players and coaching staff deserve your respect, not silly little snide remarks like that.

DST

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Originally posted by dimelb
And he's right about the mental bit. Steve Waugh reckoned that when you played at Test level, 90% of the game was mental. I don't think it's any different for AFL or any other elite team game. And do we play a team game...

Yep as the old football adage goes: 90% of the game is played above the shoulders. And I reckon we've got it over the eagles in that department. We are the underdogs once again and there is more pressure on them.

[anniswan]

I would just wish that people would stop tipping us, on the Sunday Footy show I think they all tipped us. I want to go in as the underdog as we have done nearly every week

[FredFlintstone]

Don't worry, SportsTab has the Eagles as favourites for Saturday!

[SXP]

Originally posted by anniswan
I would just wish that people would stop tipping us, on the Sunday Footy show I think they all tipped us. I want to go in as the underdog as we have done nearly every week

Not everybody. It was 3-2 for the Swans. Not everybody is tipping us. Most coaches reckon we have no chance next week against Eagles.

[floppinab]

Captain Ben indeed...........

If Hall gets rubbed out, the next man in the rotation is..................

Backdoor Benny Matthews

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by floppinab
Captain Ben indeed...........

If Hall gets rubbed out, the next man in the rotation is..................

Backdoor Benny Matthews

Thanks for adding that. In my general excitement I forgot to say why I'd called him (potentially) Grand Final Captain Ben.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by floppinab
Captain Ben indeed...........

If Hall gets rubbed out, the next man in the rotation is..................

Backdoor Benny Matthews

I get the feeling that if BBBH doesn't play it will be back to Captain Kirk.

[mocaholic]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
I haven't seen much to criticise in this finals series. In fact I've seen him a bit in the role of Matty Nicks towards the end of his career - as a steadying influence in our midfield (and it was the penalty that he got in the Cats game that got the ball down to win us the game).

Christ, don't let the non-Swans fans see that!

I actually thought Ben spoke well.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by mocaholic
Christ, don't let the non-Swans fans see that!

I actually thought Ben spoke well.

I was just writing in English. A free against is a penalty cause it certainly isn't a benefit. If I said that Ben got a free could mean if was for or against. If I said "copped" it'd be clear it was againts but "was awarded" sounds pretentious. So I don't think Baz should be penalised for one incident of a hundred like it that have taken place all over the grounds (or fields??) in all the games (or matches??) of the finals series.