Match Thread. Grand Final!!! Swans v Lions.

[KSAS]

Gerard Healy (SEN) also interviewed Rodney Eade last night on the back of Horse's announcement yesterday & sung his praises on his coaching career which he was initially part of.

Rocket had an observation of our season & GF in particular, that our performance is too reliant on Heeney, Chad & Gulden. When this trio are playing well the rest of the team come on board with them, but don't go to that level if they're a bit off. He cited our 2 finals wins as examples where they played the biggest part with Papley being the 4th Beatle at times.

He said Cox's biggest challenge is to get the next tier to produce more consistently, where he specifically named J Mac, Ollie, Wibur, Campbell & lesser extent the Lizard. He made an exception of Rowbottom who he thought plays his role so consistently well.

Rocket also noted we made experimental positional changes late in the GF, understandably when it was nothing to lose by then, but nevertheless we should have done so during the season rather than the GF when it's too late. Provides more team flexibility & unpredictability.

[MattW]

Gerard Healy (SEN) also interviewed Rodney Eade last night on the back of Horse's announcement yesterday & sung his praises on his coaching career which he was initially part of.

Rocket had an observation of our season & GF in particular, that our performance is too reliant on Heeney, Chad & Gulden. When this trio are playing well the rest of the team come on board with them, but don't go to that level if they're a bit off. He cited our 2 finals wins as examples where they played the biggest part with Papley being the 4th Beatle at times.

He said Cox's biggest challenge is to get the next tier to produce more consistently, where he specifically named J Mac, Ollie, Wibur, Campbell & lesser extent the Lizard. He made an exception of Rowbottom who he thought plays his role so consistently well.

Rocket also noted we made experimental positional changes late in the GF, understandably when it was nothing to lose by then, but nevertheless we should have done so during the season rather than the GF when it's too late. Provides more team flexibility & unpredictability.

All fair points.

[UUaswan]

Said it all year, our Top end being exceptional masked over alot of cracks.

Premierships are about 28 players, not 5 or 6

We played like a Lyon built Saints side if yesteryear, high end great, bottom few ordinary.

We also consistently played guys that didn't perform enough to justify cementing their position in the 22.

I look at our side and think we are vulnerable down back and light up front but then I look at Carlton, Freo, Bullies and other teams that seemingly were stacked across the park and they couldnt get it done either.

So we got alot right, just need that pressure to perform and get rid of this dont change a winning side BS, cos that caught up with us.

[Roadrunner]

Said it all year, our Top end being exceptional masked over alot of cracks.

Premierships are about 28 players, not 5 or 6

We played like a Lyon built Saints side if yesteryear, high end great, bottom few ordinary.

We also consistently played guys that didn't perform enough to justify cementing their position in the 22.

I look at our side and think we are vulnerable down back and light up front but then I look at Carlton, Freo, Bullies and other teams that seemingly were stacked across the park and they couldnt get it done either.

So we got alot right, just need that pressure to perform and get rid of this dont change a winning side BS, cos that caught up with us.

Fair points for sure. Our top 4 lads were underwhelming for various reasons and they are the engine room of the team. Rowy played his heat out but no one stepped up. Where we’re our leaders? Sure, Mills was out but with Ramps stuck down the back, we needed more leadership at the coalface.

[UUaswan]

Fair points for sure. Our top 4 lads were underwhelming for various reasons and they are the engine room of the team. Rowy played his heat out but no one stepped up. Where we’re our leaders? Sure, Mills was out but with Ramps stuck down the back, we needed more leadership at the coalface.

To defend the top 4 lads, we were spoilt all year with 30 possessions and 2 goal games.

That's exactly what masked the cracks.

We have a great age profile, so it's in us to improve.

Mills out not to be understated, was probably best performer over the 3 yrs prior to this season

[Roadrunner]

To defend the top 4 lads, we were spoilt all year with 30 possessions and 2 goal games.

That's exactly what masked the cracks.

We have a great age profile, so it's in us to improve.

Mills out not to be understated, was probably best performer over the 3 yrs prior to this season

We were badly beaten in midfield. Sure, the boys played some incredible games during the year but lost it badly in the GF, which was heartbreaking for all of us and still baffling! Let’s hope we make up for it in 2025!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

[KSAS]

Accurate observations of our season with the benefit of hindsight which led to another GF calamity (but didn't agree with his Aaron Francis point of difference observation).

Rodney Eade made similar observations, which i posted earlier in this thread.

I'm glad at least Cox addressed the GF with the players for an entire day, which needed to be done in order to move forward and not gloss over it as an aberration. It's interesting to see what changes Cox brings.

As shocked & sad as i was with the timing of Horse's resignation, upon reflection, it is probably for the best to help refresh the team. Time will tell. Tip my lid to Horse for being honest & club first mantra.

Like many supporters, this successive heavy GF defeat by this team hurts to the core. Even if we have another stellar H&A season, the hurt & doubt will still remain as only a flag or two will cure the pain. But my faith in the team to do so somehow still remains.

Great article & must read. Thanks RNR.
Go Bloods!!!!