Swans vs. Magpies Match Thread

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Mike_B
From the way the mark was dropped, my first thought was that he lost it coming out of the lights - yes he does sometimes drop straight-forward marks, but not miss them as badly as that.

They made that call on the TV too.

[NMWBloods]

I think our fumbling and inept disposal and decision making were major factors.

However, I also think the game plan is an issue.

At times we need to recognise that the opposition is flooding enormously and we have one of the best forward lines in the competition. Therefore instead of the slow steady buildup, we should be getting the ball in quickly, relying on our forwards to beat their man one-on-one, before the defence can get numbers back.

Sometimes we seem too well drilled...

[liz]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think our fumbling and inept disposal and decision making were major factors.

However, I also think the game plan is an issue.

At times we need to recognise that the opposition is flooding enormously and we have one of the best forward lines in the competition. Therefore instead of the slow steady buildup, we should be getting the ball in quickly, relying on our forwards to beat their man one-on-one, before the defence can get numbers back.

Sometimes we seem too well drilled...

But didn't they do that during the game? I agree that in the first quarter they couldn't cope with the Pies' flooding. But they did seem to adjust things and try to run and carry in the second and first part of the third quarter.

What I found a bit disappointing is that once they'd got themselves back into it 10 minutes into the 3rd term, the work rate seemed to drop off a bit. Did the Pies switch something at this point or was it just a work-rate issue?

[ugg]

They left Hall and O'Keefe as the only two forwards in the forward 50 in that opening 10 minute spell in the 3rd. Even MOL was pushing way up the ground. That gave Hall the space he needed and Buchanan gave a couple of excellent passes.

Not sure what changed after that, whether it was a concerted effort by Malthouse to block the space but we never had the space again.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by liz
But didn't they do that during the game? I agree that in the first quarter they couldn't cope with the Pies' flooding. But they did seem to adjust things and try to run and carry in the second and first part of the third quarter.

What I found a bit disappointing is that once they'd got themselves back into it 10 minutes into the 3rd term, the work rate seemed to drop off a bit. Did the Pies switch something at this point or was it just a work-rate issue?

They did it in parts but then they stop again and revert solely to the careful build up.

I think it's a work-rate and football smarts issue.

[Zlatorog]

Originally posted by eirinn
Usually we're very efficient inside 50, but last night our forwards let us down (with the exception of O'Keefe, who I thought was solid, despite a couple of misses).

A couple? You gottta be joking! He was the most inacurate kicker of them all. Stop fancying him and be more critical. He needs to spend next week practicng set shots at goal. As far as Magic is concerned he's "accurate" kicking at goal has been so, so for some time.

[Tuesday]

Originally posted by liz
And how many times was the ball kicked aimlessly into the forward line, straight onto the chest of a Pie defender?

Too many to mention, but here we return to Eirinn's comment about lacking a forward line. Why would you kick to a Barry Hall continuously for the three quarters after he had decided that his gross motor skills were better left at Maroubra and was more often than not double-teamed?

Ryan worked tirelessly off the ball (again), apart from a few hiccups in front of goal. But Ablett was the pick of the midfield. Chastise me all you desire for that comment, but next time you're at a game, watch him. He does an enormous amount of work off the ball, has a heart as big as Tulloch's and never throws in the towel. One of our most underrated.

Originally posted by liz
And who do you suggest should have been playing on Davis?

Schneider. I had thought it was the only option, but apparently not.

And re Leon Davis: you were not watching the same game. He was all over Kennelly, and surely you must realise that having a good night doesn't neccessarily involve kicking a bag.

Originally posted by liz
the Pies have a multi-pronged forward line.

And we don't?

Originally posted by liz
I'm not saying that the Pies weren't tactically good. Especially in the first quarter they were very disciplined in blocking Sydney's space up the ground, which led to that chipping around. But in the second quarter, when the Swans got themselves back into the contests they missed too many easy goals and gave the ball up when they shouldn't have done.

Give the Pies the credit they deserve. They worked us out! They did their homework and came up with an innovative way to prevent us from ever getting into the game. Irrespective of whether you like the club, the team, the coaching staff or the supporters, the Pies dominated us. You cannot possibly debate that. The second quarter you mention was better and had we kicked truly, we may have had a 'prettier' half time scoreline, but that was it. All is not right with the red and the white.

The ten minute burst in the third was typical Swans style, kicking a few to take the lead for a brief moment and then sat back, admiring their handiwork. And I am sick of seeing complacency creep into my team.

[goswannie14]

I agree with you Tuesday, especially about Ablett. I have never understood the continual bagging of him on this forum. He's not as spectacular as many of the other Abletts, but he certainly is wy more effective than some of them on a consistent basis.

[elroy67]

Originally posted by Zlatorog
A couple? You gottta be joking! He was the most inacurate kicker of them all.

Did you include Jude? He would have to be the most inaccurate disposal when NOT under pressure in the side!

[Glenn]

Originally posted by ScottH
Son of Joffa!! now that would be scary.

Who would want to breed with him?