Match thread: Swans v North

[Velour&Ruffles]

1996 was a good year, but it didn't come out of nowhere. During 1994 and 1995 with Barassi as coach, the club culture improved, Sydney won some games that shaped the finals, the club landed some star recruits and drafted others.

The seeds were probably planted in 1994. It was the first full year with Barassi as coach, finished last but it was a competitive last with four wins: Richmond (ninth, the win kept them out of finals), Melbourne (seventh), Adelaide (11th) and Carlton (second, denied them top spot).

1995: 8 wins and finished 12th, including wins over Carlton (by 12 goals, they finished 1st and won the premiership), Essendon (4th), North Melbourne (6th), Fitzroy (last, Plugger kicked 16) and Collingwood (10th, the round 22 win denied Collingwood finals). Barassi stepped down as coach at the end of the year, his job done.

I agree, and some great memories in there. That Carlton victory in 1995 was particularly sweet, and the moment I thought we might really be about to turn around as a club. The Blues were flying and undefeated and we absolutely slaughtered them on a Friday night. A skinny young indigenous kid called Michael something kicked four goals in what I think was his fourth game of senior footy, and you could see from the way he moved that he was destined to be a star.
I think I'm right in saying that our progression through that era was positively mathematical. In terms of wins we went from 2 (1993), to 4 (1994), to 8 (1995) to 16 (1996) so as Thunder Shaker says, 1996 didn't come out of nowhere.

[Thunder Shaker]

When they showed highlights of the 96 GF pre-game. it made me think how 30 years has gone so fast! Still remember like it was yesterday how surreal it felt going to my first Swans GF and the crushing disappointment afterwards.

So glad we spoilt their party yesterday.

96 was the turning point in our club's history and we haven't looked back since.

1996 was a good year, but it didn't come out of nowhere. During 1994 and 1995 with Barassi as coach, the club culture improved, Sydney won some games that shaped the finals, the club landed some star recruits and drafted others.

The seeds were probably planted in 1994. It was the first full year with Barassi as coach, finished last but it was a competitive last with four wins: Richmond (ninth, the win kept them out of finals), Melbourne (seventh), Adelaide (11th) and Carlton (second, denied them top spot).

1995: 8 wins and finished 12th, including wins over Carlton (by 12 goals, they finished 1st and won the premiership), Essendon (4th), North Melbourne (6th), Fitzroy (last, Plugger kicked 16) and Collingwood (10th, the round 22 win denied Collingwood finals). Barassi stepped down as coach at the end of the year, his job done.

[The Big Cat]

Cox said after the match that the Swans are likely to get McCartin, Curnow and Serong back for the game against Collingwood next week.

I don't think he mentioned McCartin. Serong and Curnow, yes.

[KSAS]

When they showed highlights of the 96 GF pre-game. it made me think how 30 years has gone so fast! Still remember like it was yesterday how surreal it felt going to my first Swans GF and the crushing disappointment afterwards.

So glad we spoilt their party yesterday.

96 was the turning point in our club's history and we haven't looked back since.

[KSAS]

My 3 takeaways from the last 2 games:
1. Tom McCartin is amongst our most important players. His absence has been telling.

2. Teams are squeezing our corridor access to limit our effectiveness and even up the contest.

3. Will Edwards has been impressive. On track to win our Most Improved. Cox was full of praise post match.

The commentary is what i'd expected, in that the underdog is always favoured, particularly if it's a Vic team. Have learnt to ignore, but can be frustrating!

Freo becoming the fairytale team to win their first flag.

Happy where we sit being 6 points clear in the top 2, along with Freo. However, we still need areas of improvement in our defensive play and contested ball, which Cox did acknowledge.

Telling comment from Lizard post match "no use being top now if we're not at end of the season".

[Sandridge]

I had to turn the sound off, as they didn’t try to hide their bias the entire match. The commentary has been putrid this season.

And now we have to put up with the "brave Roos" headlines which are now being joined by "gallant Bombers" stories.

So, so glad we won!

GO BLOODS!!

[UUaswan]

G Lyon is bar far the worst in football media

[lwjoyner]

particularly Jack R

[Hotpotato]

If you’ve followed the game forever, you dont
require commentary. I always have it OFF.

[Kafka's Ghost]

I didn't watch the game live - far too stressful for me - but just watched the mini-game on Kayo. The barracking for Norf by commentators was disgusting!

I had to turn the sound off, as they didn’t try to hide their bias the entire match. The commentary has been putrid this season.

[UUaswan]

Great post.

I’ve said I’ve been surprised by Lloyd’s year but shouldn’t have been. He’s used his IQ to find pockets of space and his goal kicking has been excellent.

And good spot re Roberts. 57% game time. Wonder if there was an injury in the end too.

Dylan Stephens didnt use his right boot in 4yrs at Sydney yet we all stayed on his right side

[UUaswan]

I shake my head sometimes with the comments about Lloyd. Once again he bobs up with a goal when we need it. 22 possessions and 8 marks tells me he is playing consistent footy. No way Cleary and Corey Warner are better players.
We had some players well down. Stephens gave Roberts a bath and I didn't see Roberts on the ground in the last quarter.
That was about the worst game Rowbottom has played. Chad struggled at times and looked to me at times that he wasn't quite right.
Rosas, rooster one week, feather duster the next.
Bice. The last 2 weeks he has seemed a bit "soft". He was better when he was put on the wing.
Clarkson said that our versatility helped us when Cunningham went on to McKercher and quelled his effectiveness.
I didn't think Melican was that bad. Most of North's goals came from their smalls.
Edwards did a great job on Larkey.
Another top game from Wicks who kept Curtis quiet.
Good game from Rampe.
Our nucleus probably won the game for us in the end. Heeney, Mills, Papley, Blakey, JMac, all very good.

22 Possessions, 18 uncontested and still 9 Turnovers, massive momentum changing.

Melican I always rate, given his role as and what it does for others.

Agree Rowy, Roberts, Chad, Bice were all way down but they have upside.
Chad needs to stop going for kick of the season when he tries to drill a fwd instead of just kick it in front

Edwards unreal on Larkey, Larkey is a Star.
Wicks a star

Rosas needs to be goal greedy inside 50

Our inside ball and loose ball was terrible and thats why we lose big finals

[imuninformedtwo]

I shake my head sometimes with the comments about Lloyd. Once again he bobs up with a goal when we need it. 22 possessions and 8 marks tells me he is playing consistent footy. No way Cleary and Corey Warner are better players.
We had some players well down. Stephens gave Roberts a bath and I didn't see Roberts on the ground in the last quarter.
That was about the worst game Rowbottom has played. Chad struggled at times and looked to me at times that he wasn't quite right.
Rosas, rooster one week, feather duster the next.
Bice. The last 2 weeks he has seemed a bit "soft". He was better when he was put on the wing.
Clarkson said that our versatility helped us when Cunningham went on to McKercher and quelled his effectiveness.
I didn't think Melican was that bad. Most of North's goals came from their smalls.
Edwards did a great job on Larkey.
Another top game from Wicks who kept Curtis quiet.
Good game from Rampe.
Our nucleus probably won the game for us in the end. Heeney, Mills, Papley, Blakey, JMac, all very good.

Great post.

I’ve said I’ve been surprised by Lloyd’s year but shouldn’t have been. He’s used his IQ to find pockets of space and his goal kicking has been excellent.

And good spot re Roberts. 57% game time. Wonder if there was an injury in the end too.

[Dooloo]

I shake my head sometimes with the comments about Lloyd. Once again he bobs up with a goal when we need it. 22 possessions and 8 marks tells me he is playing consistent footy. No way Cleary and Corey Warner are better players.
We had some players well down. Stephens gave Roberts a bath and I didn't see Roberts on the ground in the last quarter.
That was about the worst game Rowbottom has played. Chad struggled at times and looked to me at times that he wasn't quite right.
Rosas, rooster one week, feather duster the next.
Bice. The last 2 weeks he has seemed a bit "soft". He was better when he was put on the wing.
Clarkson said that our versatility helped us when Cunningham went on to McKercher and quelled his effectiveness.
I didn't think Melican was that bad. Most of North's goals came from their smalls.
Edwards did a great job on Larkey.
Another top game from Wicks who kept Curtis quiet.
Good game from Rampe.
Our nucleus probably won the game for us in the end. Heeney, Mills, Papley, Blakey, JMac, all very good.

Nailed it. My thoughts exactly. Excellent view of the game.

[Nico]

I shake my head sometimes with the comments about Lloyd. Once again he bobs up with a goal when we need it. 22 possessions and 8 marks tells me he is playing consistent footy. No way Cleary and Corey Warner are better players.
We had some players well down. Stephens gave Roberts a bath and I didn't see Roberts on the ground in the last quarter.
That was about the worst game Rowbottom has played. Chad struggled at times and looked to me at times that he wasn't quite right.
Rosas, rooster one week, feather duster the next.
Bice. The last 2 weeks he has seemed a bit "soft". He was better when he was put on the wing.
Clarkson said that our versatility helped us when Cunningham went on to McKercher and quelled his effectiveness.
I didn't think Melican was that bad. Most of North's goals came from their smalls.
Edwards did a great job on Larkey.
Another top game from Wicks who kept Curtis quiet.
Good game from Rampe.
Our nucleus probably won the game for us in the end. Heeney, Mills, Papley, Blakey, JMac, all very good.