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Brisbane will beat them imho if their list is fit enough. They have the troops to take it up to their midfield physically, and have the dirty edge to swing the game that way if they need to. But Freo won't have a better chance - two home finals already all but locked in, almost a fully fit list. The 'fairytale' aspect shouldn't be discounted either - we saw what that could do in 2016, and its clear the media is right in on it - only need to listen to the collect wank sessions in the commentary boxes tonight to see it. This freo team is far better than the dogs were in 2016.
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"You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound." -
"You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."Comment
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Shame it turned to @@@@ in the last quarter, as I thought it was a strong effort for much of the game. Hopefully it won't be too demoralising.
Fremantle have had an excellent run with injuries, with Young being their only current significant injury, while we've been constantly destabilised. So, if Fremantle's luck changes, they might come back to the field. Whereas, we should be improved next week with McDonald coming in for Hamling and possibly Campbell for Cleary. Then in a few weeks, Wicks and McInerney should be welcome inclusions.
I'd also be tempted to try another young player or two. Unfortunately, I thought Rampe was the weakest link in our defence tonight, so maybe it's time to for Snell to come in for a long overdue debut. Maybe Phillipou or Dattoli could come in to give a bit more attacking spark, though I'd be more keen if they both showed a bit more defensive grunt.Comment
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Can anyone explain to me how a team can lay 8 tackles in the first quarter in the forward 50 and only 2 F50 tackles in second half?Comment
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Cleary laid 4 tackles, probably buy him another month. Can't stay on his feet, can't stick a tackle, can't pick it up off the ground, ive seen enough, no other team is playing him, no top 4 team is listing him and I haven't even talked about him kicking a @@@@ing goal, God forbid
Hamling may as well run water
He played one good game as a defensive fwd last year on Taylor, it worked once, Cox and Co have already embarrassed themselves last year by persisting to play him as a defensive fwd.
I think Curnow kicks 5 if I play alongside him. If Hamling was an actual threat Curnow probably kicks 8.
You can't enter any game, let alone a game on the road against Freo, with guys like Hamling and Cleary who offer nothing.Comment
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I can see what they see in Hamling down back. But up forward at AFL level, as you point out, he just isn't in the conversation.
As for Cleary - I maintain a position that I can see why they like his effort. But there is just too much sloppiness in his play - he gives away a stupid free or two every week, fumbles it too much at critical points. I think he has been badly hampered by some bizarre expectation he can play as an effective small forward, and if he is going to be picked, I think he has to be in the midfield group.
I think he has enough talent to be a decent AFL footballer, if played in his best position. I don't think he is a good 'fill the gaps' player however, and imho he has to either be in there because he has earnt his stripes and demanded selection as a pure midfielder, or not selected.
He isn't the only one however we aren't helping by trying to have them fill a role not well suited to their best attributes however. A bit of 'keep it stupid simple' wouldn't go astray at the moment. End a few experiments that aren't working against the best teams and get back to picking our best squad with as many round pegs in round holes would be a good starting point."You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."Comment
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Well said mcs
Its a 5 alarm fire, 100 pts against in a 2nd half by a team coming off a 5 day break.
Cox would have gone out of his way to highlight they are coming off a short break and stay at it we can run over them.
Back to the drawing board, thats the type of warning you get before you go on and play in a GF thats over at qtr time.
Clearly a few out but a Coaching staff that isnt helping itself.Comment
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We are not good enough this year. We have lost against a Fremantle, Hawthorne, Geelong, Brisbane. St kilda, GWS, Collingwood and Melbourne played us very close to finish line.
The only teams that we played really well against were Carlton and Bulldogs ( Carlton in round zero and hence doesn’t count).
That is good enough to reach finals and may be win one but not good enough to win it all.
Having said that, we are tweaking our game style and we have lots of injuries. So we have done better than most years with those many players out over last 10 weeks. So who knows ! If we are fit and play 2 finals on home ground that could get us to the grand final once againComment
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Completely fell away with several underdone players, a couple not up to their usual standard (was Heeney unwell?) and a couple nowhere near it (Hamling, Cleary). Disappointing result, but it’s never as bad as it seems. We have a fair bit of talent and speed to come back into the team, but need our injury curse to lift to be a real chance.Comment
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I think the ugly sister still looms large in the corner - mentality issues. We haven't learnt from 2022 or 2024 for mine - either in list management, in player's ability to push back when the going gets tough, or in our collective ability to take that next step. We could well make the grand final again this year, but I reckon there is a far greater chance if we do that we will see another folding effort like 2022 or 2024 then getting anywhere near winning the flag."You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."Comment
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Agree we can turn it around.
Personnel availability is the biggest issue, like most teams we arent deep enough.
The coaching group have sorted the handball vs hitting targets and going a bit slowly, so thats good.
They need to get their heads out of their ass for Match Committee. The biggest difficiency in the club atm.
Green could do what Hamling did, play him
Dattoli will be asking for a trade if he cant get a game. Imagine him talking to a line coach about what he needs to do, then him watching what Cleary and co have been dishing up after "earning" their chance.
Melican. wtf, best 23.
Rampe or Harry, let Rampes play that role.
Put Gus over the @@@@ing ball and let him play.Comment
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Gus 45% Game time
What the actual @@@@
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