Round 11: Swans v Demons.

[UUaswan]

I'd actually prefer we played a riskier style, even if it means getting big scores kicked against us. The foundation of our football last year was the high risk, 45 degree into the corridor. It completely opens up play, puts defences out of shape and enables you to score quickly. I don't think a team will win a premiership in the foreseeable future if they don't have that in their arsenal. It's too easy to defend other methods of moving the ball.

Obviously we're without Errol who, along with Blakey, was our main orchestrator of that kick last year. But others can do it too - and are given licence to. They may not be quite as good as Errol or Nick, but we shouldn't forget that those two contributed to some costly turnovers last year too. It's called high risk, high reward for a reason.

This slow kick-to-the wing, stop, eventually just kick long to a contest is doing my head in, especially as overhead contested marking really is not a strength of this squad. That's a form thing. It's just a fact.

Going into the corridor and turning it over 30m from goal are different things

[imuninformedtwo]

The only player they should be trying to hit in the D50, is Blakey, everyone else clear out and be a down field option.

Obviously switches etc when the play is slow but chipping into traffic needs to stop

Yes, but the chipping into traffic is the operative piece here. I think too often we neglect to run to create pockets of space that allow for those kicks. When our players are static and waving their hands, it gives the opposition a pretty big clue as to where it's heading and the space to close.

[The Big Cat]

Mills gets a week. Wasn’t Merritt lucky he doesn’t play for the Swans.

[liz]

Going into the corridor and turning it over 30m from goal are different things

I don't have an issue with the slower play out after a behind - kick to the pocket, find another uncontested mark on the wing just outside our defensive 50. It's the next kick that needs to be bitten off. But it needs to be created too. It needs someone to get on their bike and be there for that next kick. This is one of the things I find easier to pick up on TV - there is very often a big pocket of space exactly where the ball needs to be, though obviously the opposition are alert to it and will try to close it down. So it needs someone to make a quick lead into that space. And yes, it does need a kicker with some penetration. So not Lloyd. Not McCartin. Roberts does, I think, have the kick in him. He's just a little out of form with it at the moment. Bice probably has it biometrically but he's a bit at sea right now, and very inexperienced at this level.

[mcs]

I'd actually prefer we played a riskier style, even if it means getting big scores kicked against us. The foundation of our football last year was the high risk, 45 degree into the corridor. It completely opens up play, puts defences out of shape and enables you to score quickly. I don't think a team will win a premiership in the foreseeable future if they don't have that in their arsenal. It's too easy to defend other methods of moving the ball.

Obviously we're without Errol who, along with Blakey, was our main orchestrator of that kick last year. But others can do it too - and are given licence to. They may not be quite as good as Errol or Nick, but we shouldn't forget that those two contributed to some costly turnovers last year too. It's called high risk, high reward for a reason.

This slow kick-to-the wing, stop, eventually just kick long to a contest is doing my head in, especially as overhead contested marking really is not a strength of this squad. That's not a form thing. It's just a fact.

A lot of the short riskier kicks this year though have been in totally high risk locations. One thing doing it into the corridor in the middle. Another thing trying a dinky little kick to some one 30 metres from his own goal between 3 opposition players.

I agree about the need to take risks, but it is happening both from players not good enough at hitting targets to make it pay off, and players who aren't as good a decision makers as players like Errol or Nick.

Not McCartin. l.

Far from alone, but what on earth is going on with his ball use at the moment. He has never been a star in any sense of the word, but his last few weeks in particular he has made some shocking disposal errors - a real reflection of the lack of confidence in the squad at the moment I think

[Hotpotato]

I'd actually prefer we played a riskier style, even if it means getting big scores kicked against us. The foundation of our football last year was the high risk, 45 degree into the corridor. It completely opens up play, puts defences out of shape and enables you to score quickly. I don't think a team will win a premiership in the foreseeable future if they don't have that in their arsenal. It's too easy to defend other methods of moving the ball.

Obviously we're without Errol who, along with Blakey, was our main orchestrator of that kick last year. But others can do it too - and are given licence to. They may not be quite as good as Errol or Nick, but we shouldn't forget that those two contributed to some costly turnovers last year too. It's called high risk, high reward for a reason.

This slow kick-to-the wing, stop, eventually just kick long to a contest is doing my head in, especially as overhead contested marking really is not a strength of this squad. That's not a form thing. It's just a fact.

That sums it all up for me, the fast overlap ambush game is the methodology of all the top sides, if it goes belly up a few times, at least it fires up the whole team, the stop, look, hesitate thwarts leads even happening at all - then its another useless bomb and turnover.

Good post Liz .

[Blood Fever]

A lot of the short riskier kicks this year though have been in totally high risk locations. One thing doing it into the corridor in the middle. Another thing trying a dinky little kick to some one 30 metres from his own goal between 3 opposition players.

I agree about the need to take risks, but it is happening both from players not good enough at hitting targets to make it pay off, and players who aren't as good a decision makers as players like Errol or Nick.



Far from alone, but what on earth is going on with his ball use at the moment. He has never been a star in any sense of the word, but his last few weeks in particular he has made some shocking disposal errors - a real reflection of the lack of confidence in the squad at the moment I think

McCartin should swim between the flags with his kicking. Cox said as much in his post game press conference. He said it was important that we take the game on in that regard but that some individuals don't have that licence.

[crackedactor 01]

Just on Roberts, I was disgusted when Pickett took a mark on the boundary line and everyone knew he was going to play on and Roberts had no reaction and was just looking at the ground.Of course Pickett kicked the goal. Makes me think there is some issues going on within the team.

[Roadrunner]

Liz, I really like your analysis above- I got a bit carried away with emotion as I was at the game on Sunday. It looked pretty awful from where I was sitting but I guess not as bad on the TV screen. Of course we’re not going to make wholesale changes but unfortunately I can see that Lloyd’s game has really dropped off- sad to see as he has been a great servant but now he’s not earning his spot.

We lack consistency and can’t apply pressure for a whole game, or at least a large portion of it. It’s frustrating to see players hand balling to teammates who are under pressure and end up losing the ball, while our opponents manage to pass the ball to teammates out on their own and hence start and finish attacks. It’s a confidence issue as by and large these same players could do it in many games last year. I think not having Errol and Paps motivating the team and a makeshift forward structure can account for a large part explaining our current lack of form. Losing a game is something we all have to expect in a team with many inexperienced players like we have at present but they should be able to play more intelligently , creating overlaps and restrict opponents by not letting them roam on their own. Maybe it’s easier said than done!

[UUaswan]

Ollie and Lloyd Fwd ?

That both can find space to get open to kick goals

Something our other small fwds seem lost at

Play Hamling or Francis down back to free up Rampe and let him rebound out of D50

[The Big Cat]

I reckon Buller is a chance to play this week. Nice specialty piece on him on the website. Coincidence?

[imuninformedtwo]

Ollie and Lloyd Fwd ?

That both can find space to get open to kick goals

Something our other small fwds seem lost at

Play Hamling or Francis down back to free up Rampe and let him rebound out of D50

You also need your forwards to have defensive application. And right now, Ollie is lost and has none. At least two of the shots on goal from Pickett were from Ollie simply not paying attention, let alone endeavour.

[UUaswan]

You also need your forwards to have defensive application. And right now, Ollie is lost and has none. At least two of the shots on goal from Pickett were from Ollie simply not paying attention, let alone endeavour.

Maybe he benefits from a switch like Wicks did

He and Lloyd can get open and neither are trusted to kick out of defence, like a no brainer.

Cleary defensive work is great, Corey is like he is running on train tracks. Neither have a real goal sense though

[imuninformedtwo]

And it just gets better. Wicks 1-2 weeks with a low grade hamstring strain. Could have been worse, I guess.

https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1792703/injury-update-wicks-sidelined

[neilfws]

I reckon Buller is a chance to play this week. Nice specialty piece on him on the website. Coincidence?

I wouldn't mind that. Liked what I saw of him before the back injury.