Match thread: Swans v Dockers.

[Dow]

Strange game felt like We stole it, you wouldn't want to play that poorly most weeks - hoping MacDonald and Mills back shortly help sort us out. A win is a win I guess and congratulations Dean Cox on your first win ?

[stevoswan]

Hi all. Didn't see the game, just kept up with the score via the computer. I don't like listening to radio calls involving us these days and have decided I don't really enjoy coming on here during the game either. Too risky in the heat of the moment.....but gee it's fun to visit post match and read the unhinged panic during the game. Anyone would think our team are just a bunch of hacks......so hilarious that we actually won this match.

It has to be remembered we are nowhere near full strength and maybe some are expecting too much from the team as it currently stands. As Deja and Foreign Legion said, the bye may be coming just at the right time and I think the fight we showed today will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.

I'm forever the optimist, I don't suffer pessimists and I love Sandridges never ending positivity. Truly a Swan fan from my heart.

Onward and upward Swannies! See you all next week.

[Velour&Ruffles]

I recall us getting another older player from Albury back in the day, name of Brett Kirk. Bice is a different type but the maturity is similar.

[MattW]

Phew.

3 votes, Chad Warner. Easily our most potent player. Played four quarters and had 10 in the last. Drove it forward all game. 727m gained.

Jordon was our next best. He's been an excellent recruit and he's raised his game his year. He was clean around the packs, as evidenced by his game-high 10 clearances.

Isaac is trying hard but is lacking his usual bankable cleanness around the ball. Seems frustrated.

Others:
- Roberts has become such an important and dependable player.
- Pete Ladhams made a contribution - worth sticking with. First AFL win since 20 May 2023.
- Well done Joel Amartey - 2 game winning goals in his last 4 games. McLean returning to the forward line, McCartin back and a steady Hamling was a serviceable mix.
- Great last quarter by Bice. Good poise and clean. I expected him to kick that goal in the last. Great drafting.
- Rowy tried hard.
- Corey Warner steadily improving. A couple of important tackles late.
- Campbell had some great touches, kicking well out of defence. Pity he missed that set shot.

Pleased for Dean.

[Hotpotato]

When Corey got the ball one time, he weaved so he couldn’t be tackled by his chaser. Its such a critical movement, yet so many still run in a straight line and get caught (BALL) .
Copy Corey . Pls .

[UUaswan]

Glad Rowy stepped up, was cleaner than most.

Did his usual defence and got his hands on it

[Nolie]

I will watch the replay on Kayo. I was at the game and it is somewhat difficult to assess who did well etc live versus the better tv view. But my observations - we were a bit lucky, Fremantle killed us at the stoppages they generally won the clearances, at times our guys looked confused and the decision making and skills poor . Yes Amartey ultimately won the game but is seriously lacking in football "smarts". In the third quarter a pass to him - it was roughly a one-on-one - he was way too concerned about his opponent than going for he ball. Was easily overcome and out marked. That just one example. He played that way most of the day except for the last mark. Just too intent on his man rather than the footy.Do not want to be too critical of Handly either but he is in the same boat.Too intent on trying to wrestle his opponent. Forget your guy go for the pill! Presumably these guys get recruited because they have "big motors" but they need to back it up with some actual footy "smarts". Ladhams - was good. We need him.

[UUaswan]

Suppose that ends the 2 Ruck debate. Ladhams has to play.

With Amartey and Mclean fwd, might be worth playing Logan as a high half fwd as the bail out kick role he tried Tom Mc in.

Good to see Paps up around the ball too

[neilfws]

Phew.

3 votes, Chad Warner. Easily our most potent player. Played four quarters and had 10 in the last. Drove it forward all game. 727m gained.

Jordon was our next best. He's been an excellent recruit and he's raised his game his year. He was clean around the packs, as evidenced by his game-high 10 clearances.

Isaac is trying hard but is lacking his usual bankable cleanness around the ball. Seems frustrated.

Others:
- Roberts has become such an important and dependable player.
- Pete Ladhams made a contribution - worth sticking with. First AFL win since 20 May 2023.
- Well done Joel Amartey - 2 game winning goals in his last 4 games. McLean returning to the forward line, McCartin back and a steady Hamling was a serviceable mix.
- Great last quarter by Bice. Good poise and clean. I expected him to kick that goal in the last. Great drafting.
- Rowy tried hard.
- Corey Warner steadily improving. A couple of important tackles late.
- Campbell had some great touches, kicking well out of defence. Pity he missed that set shot.

Pleased for Dean.

Agree with all of that.

Better team balance this week I thought with McCartin back, McLean forward and Ladhams as second ruck. Good games from the latter two, good to have two players who can kick straight!

They almost stuffed up the wind-down with 30 seconds to go by kicking to a contest instead of chipping it around (Chad got it right with the kick back to a defender), but a win's a win!

[mcs]

Not sure we got 'killed' at the clearances as suggested by some. 37-25 for clearances overall in favour of the Swans, and 10-10 for centre clearances. The key continuing concern is how easily opposition teams are able to clear it when they manage to win the hard ball - our follow up work at the contest when we don't win the ball needs to improve a lot.

Suppose that ends the 2 Ruck debate. Ladhams has to play.

With Amartey and Mclean fwd, might be worth playing Logan as a high half fwd as the bail out kick role he tried Tom Mc in.

Good to see Paps up around the ball too

There are going to be some interesting selection calls to be made when Melican and McDonald are fit again. Hamling has done nothing wrong at all defensively, and I don't think we can afford to play another tall up forward, or we will risk the same issues arising we had last year.

[KSAS]

There are going to be some interesting selection calls to be made when Melican and McDonald are fit again. Hamling has done nothing wrong at all defensively, and I don't think we can afford to play another tall up forward, or we will risk the same issues arising we had last year.

Good problem to have.

Logan will need to play couple games at least in the VFL to gain match fitness, before he is considered. Same with Mills, who struggled upon his return last year with no VFL prep. No need to rush him back, despite being the Captain.

Melican should come straight back in but is a few weeks away, which should give Hamling more time to impress.

Clearly will also press for selection after his blinding VFL performance, but wouldn't be surprised if there are no changes against North after the bye.

Opportunity to perhaps begin resting/managing some of our players to keep them fresh, which we didn't do last season, as more players return from injury.

[Roadrunner]

Ladhams has to play to help out in the ruck. Isaac had an off day- maybe needs to go forward when Mills comes back to regain some confidence as he fumbled quite a bit which is unusual for him. I expect Logan to have a run in the ressies before coming back and then use him as a swing man. Do we bring Cleary in against Norf? I think so, as his game against the Pies would suggest.

Proud of the lads as they kept fighting even though Freo outplayed us for big parts of the game. Chad was immense- loved his game! Corey tried hard and keeps improving and Paps is finding some form. Overall a very gutsy win, with solid contributions from all…

[liz]

They almost stuffed up the wind-down with 30 seconds to go by kicking to a contest instead of chipping it around (Chad got it right with the kick back to a defender), but a win's a win!

Except Chad didn't get it right, because that kick was called 'play on' and because if the siren buzzer person had been a second slower in pressing the buzzer, Amiss would have been lining up for a shot after the siren. Horrible minute or so, and we almost "deserved" to lose the game based purely on how awful that was.

That aside, it is a relief to get the win. We didn't play great (= lots of room for improvement) but nor did Freo. The most valuable thing, I reckon, to come out of the game is how they stuck to the task after going a goal and a half down in the final term, and had the belief to wrestle back the lead.

[KSAS]

One of the criticisms of our team last year was that we were heavily reliant on Chad. Heens & Gulden all having big games in notching up wins. Need the next tier to step up when tbe chips are down.

That"s why i was so pleased with JJ"s game yesterday, with Heeney a bit down & Gulden out injured. Hoping Florent & McInerney (when he returns from suspension) can do the same. This will makes us harder to contain.

Rowey is also slightly down from last season, but is perhaps reflective of the team as we are working into the season rather than off to a flyer.

I'm also pleased we're experimenting with positions which we didn't do last year, to provide flexibility in emergencies. Wicks has reinvented himself down back, while the jury is still out on McCartin up forward but at least it provides an option. Wouldn't be surprised if Logan is tried down back when he returns.

Injuries has provided opportunities to blood some players like Hanily, Bice & Hamling (finally). which improves our depth and provides healthy competition for spots.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Except Chad didn't get it right, because that kick was called 'play on' and because if the siren buzzer person had been a second slower in pressing the buzzer, Amiss would have been lining up for a shot after the siren. Horrible minute or so, and we almost "deserved" to lose the game based purely on how awful that was.

That aside, it is a relief to get the win. We didn't play great (= lots of room for improvement) but nor did Freo. The most valuable thing, I reckon, to come out of the game is how they stuck to the task after going a goal and a half down in the final term, and had the belief to wrestle back the lead.

Chad got it right, but the umpire was also right that it wasn’t 15m; it was about 20m.