Round 7: Swans v Suns.

[longmile]

I forgot about Millsy- thanks for that V&R. He hasn’t played for so long, he’s just a memory- and our captain too!

Easy to forget how good Mills was in 2021 and 2022 - has never had the dazzle of Heeney but performed consistently and was ever reliable. Hopefully he's back at his best in the seniors in a few weeks.

Also, I said it at the time, but trading Parker was a mistake. He was one of the few that put himself out there week in week out in the midfield. While he might of slowed he always had the courage, drive and even the wile to keep going into his 30s

[Kafka's Ghost]

That was poor but not sure where the sack Cox stuff is coming from. We’re seven games in, running on fumes in personnel whilst trying to rewire parts of the game plan. The first half showed what we want to do, but it got putrid after that. Last week we started poorly before clicking. Consistency is a real issue and we often lose our shape around the ball. But you don’t punt your coach in those circumstances. You get the help around him needed to fix it (including a poke around the medical department).

Also you can’t blame the second tier players for that. Cleary deserves an extended run, including on ball. He’s got clear assets to work with. Roberts was hard and deserves a tick too. Corey Warner was ok but you’d like him to finish his work better. And Campbell’s first half was very good.

But as for the midfield in the third quarter in particular, yikes. Grundy got flogged (again), and our starting mids barely touched it. I do wonder if playing two tags makes us too reactive. Rowie seems to do his best work when he’s got a man, but is also given license to go win the ball.

I’m not sure what was going on with McInerney’s disposal. Awful and clearly the worst offender, but Lloyd wasn’t far behind. And if we had any fit, quality soldiers below, the coach would think hard about introducing Hayward and Ollie to Jarrad McVeigh for a week or two. They are both right off.

Oh, and if the Suns can’t win a flag in the next five years with the list they’ve built, it’ll be a criminal waste.

Pretty much what I was going to write, as well. Take 8-9 first pick players out of any team, they’re going to struggle. The problem this year, instead of getting players back, we keep losing more. I can’t see us getting enough wins to make a decent run at it when and if the troops get back, so this year might be a bit fallow. Too early look forward to draft picks?

[Blood Fever]

Considering everything, I'm making zero judgments until a fair way down the track. Around 40% of our best 23 are out.

[KSAS]

Came across YouTube podcast "First Up" with Sarah Ollie & Kane Cornes. Sarah raised whether we have a soft underbelly after yesterday's loss. Kane thinks we should write this year off & reset for next year with early picks, being confident we'll bounce back.

He produced stats showing how so many teams struggle the following year after a heavy GF loss (we did do well after the 2014 GF but went out in straight sets).

Kane thinks we made a mistake going with Mills as Captain (not impressed getting injured during Mad Monday & struggling to play ever since). Thinks Heeney should replace Mills at season's end.

Mind you I recall Kane applauding Mills when he was appointed Captain, adding he will be one of the best in the competition!!!

https://youtu.be/kbPeNcTHhLE?si=s5wYjDhNl_x6eBWd

Personally, yesterday's loss left me with a sinking feeling & starting to think finals is now becoming out of reach. That could change, but geez I don't see majority of our big outs being able to the hit ground running till well into the 2nd half of the season. Taking into consideration they would have missed so much footy.

[neilfws]

I enjoyed the first half. And I dozed off during the second half, missing the worst of it, so I guess I enjoyed that too in a different way.

Here's one take on the game:

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2025/2025/04/28/r7-gold-coast-v-sydney/

The author wonders whether Francis has the makings of a full-time forward. Interesting idea, though I think the article is a bit harsh on the current forwards and has also forgotten all about Papley.

[Jimitron5000]

What concerned me most yesterday was the lack of effort. There were times when players (Will Hayward and Justin McInerny in particular) stood and watched as their direct opponent ran off to receive handballs and then launch a Gold Coast attack. They didn't even bother chasing.
Then there was the complete lack of care when in possession. Dinky 20m kicks to teammates under pressure. Handballs at teammates feet. Poor skill errors compounding poor thought processes.
I understand that we have a lot of injuries and a new coach with a tweaked game plan (although I am not seeing a great deal of evidence of what it is) but getting the basics rights and putting the effort in should be the bare minimum and the second half yesterday showed we had a lot of players falling well short of standard. I'm hoping a few players get a wake up call this week at selection...injuries permitting of course.

[UUaswan]

The biggest concern for me is we have been in or looked like winning every game than we go from Effort and Skills to the total reversal, in the same game.

A gap between best and worst has never been greater.

I get we have a heap out but we have been capable in every game and just as incapable all the same.

Stop playing this negative Ross Lyon submissive sh8t that doesn't win flags, run and gun back in the players. Pick teams that are a Matchup nightmare for the opposing side, like 2 rucks against Port, let them worry about the fact we have 2 rucks and not help them by dropping a player and evening up the contest like its an Auskick game.

Look at George Hewett, averages 30 touches a game, 5 more than our best, because he has the training wheels off and is allowed to chase the ball in a Midfield with Walsh and Cripps

[Auntie.Gerald]

There are some very good footy teams nicely balanced in 2025

Equally AFL and Soccer are such interesting sports in that you will always leave your man and aim for space and a gap when you have players like Gulden and Paps with ball in the hand. Simply because nine times out of ten they will find you and you wont get stripped on a turnover and loose your opposite number running teh opposite way 20m ahead of you.

Those last tow qtrs for me was that............you need those incredible decision makers in numbers and playrs that can take a mark and post up for the run through.

Our list of injuries for me is enough evidence we will struggle to win every other week until a few come back minimum. 1/3 of your best 22 out injured is really tough......


Logan McDonald
Logan developed ankle pain after the VFL game against Werribee. Imaging today revealed a stress reaction of his ankle. He will consult a specialist this week to determine a best course of action. TBC.

Joel Amartey
Joel has recommenced running as part of his hamstring rehabilitation. He is planning to build his speed and volume this week. 3-5 weeks.

Harry Cunningham
Harry has recommenced strength and conditioning work. He is completing off legs fitness work during the early phases of his recovery from his calf strain. 5-7 weeks.

Riak Andrew
Riak is 7 weeks following his AC joint surgery. He has recommenced rehab skills and continues to progress his shoulder strength and power exercises. 5-6 weeks.

Taylor Adams
Taylor will recommence team training this week with skill-based drills. He is progressing his max velocity and running conditioning with a view to full training next week. 2-3 weeks.

Tom Papley
Tom completed an anti-gravity treadmill run over the weekend and will commence running overground this week. He will aim to slowly build his running volume over the next fortnight. 4-6 weeks.

Callum Mills
Callum has completed a block of rehab skills and conditioning running. He will rejoin team skills this week. 1-2 weeks.

Errol Gulden
Errol’s is currently focussing on his ankle range of motion, strength and balance. He is commencing running drills and will look to run on the AlterG in the next fortnight. 7-9 weeks.

Robbie Fox
Robbie is building in running speed and volume. He will reintroduce change of direction and straight-line skills work this week. 3-4 weeks.

Jesse Dattoli
Jesse is progressing well with his lumbar spine stress fracture rehabilitation. He has introduced skill-based training and has a running block targeting improving his conditioning. 4-6 weeks.

[UUaswan]

The frustrating part with Logan is the history of it all, talk about the first dominoe

Logan gets dropped for an injured Reid in a GF, when he shouldnt have.
Logan gets played in a GF when he is injured, (mainly because he was dropped previously and we felt we owed him)
Logan is struggling from the same injury, when he should be leading our fwd line as a vital piece.

The stupid Reid call still biting us 3 yrs later, we got less than a half out of both of them across 2 GFs, talk about self inflicted.

If I was Tom Harley, id be getting an external review done on our Match Committee meetings

[mcs]

The frustrating part with Logan is the history of it all, talk about the first dominoe

Logan gets dropped for an injured Reid in a GF, when he shouldnt have.
Logan gets played in a GF when he is injured, (mainly because he was dropped previously and we felt we owed him)
Logan is struggling from the same injury, when he should be leading our fwd line as a vital piece.

The stupid Reid call still biting us 3 yrs later, we got less than a half out of both of them across 2 GFs, talk about self inflicted.

If I was Tom Harley, id be getting an external review done on our Match Committee meetings

What exactly is a match committee meetings review from season 2024 or before going to do to assist with the here and now? Not doubting that mistakes have been made, and you would hope each year by routine the club is looking at most elements in an informal 'review' manner, through a focus on continual performance improving, but in terms of those calls, what is done is done.

[crackedactor 01]

Came across YouTube podcast "First Up" with Sarah Ollie & Kane Cornes. Sarah raised whether we have a soft underbelly after yesterday's loss. Kane thinks we should write this year off & reset for next year with early picks, being confident we'll bounce back.

He produced stats showing how so many teams struggle the following year after a heavy GF loss (we did do well after the 2014 GF but went out in straight sets).

Kane thinks we made a mistake going with Mills as Captain (not impressed getting injured during Mad Monday & struggling to play ever since). Thinks Heeney should replace Mills at season's end.

Mind you I recall Kane applauding Mills when he was appointed Captain, adding he will be one of the best in the competition!!!

https://youtu.be/kbPeNcTHhLE?si=s5wYjDhNl_x6eBWd

Personally, yesterday's loss left me with a sinking feeling & starting to think finals is now becoming out of reach. That could change, but geez I don't see majority of our big outs being able to the hit ground running till well into the 2nd half of the season. Taking into consideration they would have missed so much footy.

For what its worth, just watched a group of kids under 18 (Swans Academy) destroy a NEAFL team of under 22. There are 5-6 kids there who look like they will be up to AFL level very soon. Now I understand they 2nd half a bit better than yesterday. Not saying tanking, but it was just an observation.

[UUaswan]

What exactly is a match committee meetings review from season 2024 or before going to do to assist with the here and now? Not doubting that mistakes have been made, and you would hope each year by routine the club is looking at most elements in an informal 'review' manner, through a focus on continual performance improving, but in terms of those calls, what is done is done.

it was a bit tongue in cheek but making the point that we are making some very baffling decisions before we send a team onto an oval

[The Big Cat]

For what its worth, just watched a group of kids under 18 (Swans Academy) destroy a NEAFL team of under 22. There are 5-6 kids there who look like they will be up to AFL level very soon. Now I understand they 2nd half a bit better than yesterday. Not saying tanking, but it was just an observation.

You don't tank (sorry, make observations) in round 7!

[Nico]

I enjoyed the first half. And I dozed off during the second half, missing the worst of it, so I guess I enjoyed that too in a different way.

Here's one take on the game:

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2025/2025/04/28/r7-gold-coast-v-sydney/

The author wonders whether Francis has the makings of a full-time forward. Interesting idea, though I think the article is a bit harsh on the current forwards and has also forgotten all about Papley.

Pretty much summed it up perfectly, except he didn't give cInerney a serve for his turnovers. Got it right that Jmac and the imposter refused to chase.

[BRS328]

I enjoyed the first half. And I dozed off during the second half, missing the worst of it, so I guess I enjoyed that too in a different way.

Here's one take on the game:

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2025/2025/04/28/r7-gold-coast-v-sydney/

The author wonders whether Francis has the makings of a full-time forward. Interesting idea, though I think the article is a bit harsh on the current forwards and has also forgotten all about Papley.

That was a good assessment by the Mongrel Punt. I particularly agree with the comments on Aron Francis. He showed his football smarts in the second quarter when instead of blazing away at goal he passed the ball to Campbell on his own 50 meters out that resulted in a goal