Swans vs. Magpies Match Thread

[Nico]

Originally posted by ScottH
On the "odd" occasion we turned the ball over, the magpies had free options all over the ground.

Do you mean it was an odds and evens game, with every second disposal being an "odd".

[SimonH]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Yet again our tackling was crap.

If I compare this year to last year, when on song our skill level and fluidity seem buch better.

However, our tackling intensity and effectiveness seems to be down.

Doesn't matter against the weaker sides.

However I particularly noticed it last week and tonight. Too many tackles didn't stick, enabling the opposition to brush them off and get free. Even for tackles that did stick, the opposition is too easily able to stand up in the tackle and find a team mate and get the ball off.

This is one thing that needs to change and I think our game will improve again.

We should be well placed to win 3 of the next 4 and we really need to do so.

I'm putting this in my scrapbook as 'the only thread I've ever seen where NMWB's contribution was more optimistic than the average.' Where is the real NMWB and what have you done with him?

You've stopped short of saying that we will beat Adelaide or Weagles in Perth, but think we "should be well placed" to do so. Geez, I hope you're right, but I'm finding it hard to believe.

If we go to 8-7 (by beating Freo but losing both of them), what had appeared to be an easy run home is becoming a much harder one, with the Power at home now being a game you wouldn't pencil down as a likely win, and Geelong in Geelong probably going to be against a team playing decent footy and still in a scrap for a spot in the 8.

My big prediction as the true crunch game: if we don't beat Port in Adelaide in R17, we won't go top 4 (and therefore won't win the flag).

[Nico]

Did I miss something? Did Schneider go off in the second half. What were his stats? Looked like he went missing after a good first half.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Nico
Do you mean it was an odds and evens game, with every second disposal being an "odd".

LOL, we only turned it over a couple of times. Didn't we??

Fosdike was a star when he was on thye ground got plenty of the ball. (turned it over a couple of times). But was very good over all.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by SimonH
I'm putting this in my scrapbook as 'the only thread I've ever seen where NMWB's contribution was more optimistic than the average.' Where is the real NMWB and what have you done with him?

You've stopped short of saying that we will beat Adelaide or Weagles in Perth, but think we "should be well placed" to do so. Geez, I hope you're right, but I'm finding it hard to believe.

As I said in another thread I've completely given up trying to guess what we might do next. We have the ability to win three of those next four. But we could just as easily win only one, and that would be the one in Perth!!

[The Boot]

Malthouse made the observation to his daughter that Sydney ("to their credit") had used 24 players this year, and the Pies had rotated 30 - "bringing younger ones in and out of the side to give them a taste" (or words to that effect).

Sounds like the chorus to bring in the best from the twos, is starting to sound like a definite sense of urgency.

[Nico]

Originally posted by ScottH
LOL, we only turned it over a couple of times. Didn't we??

Fosdike was a star when he was on thye ground got plenty of the ball. (turned it over a couple of times). But was very good over all.

Probably our best but you are being generous to him on poor kicks. Recall he kicked across ground out on the full to ROK in 3rdQ. Early in the last quarter did a couple of his mongrel floaters to opponents and then turned back into play for HTB.

Gotta say though he was clearly our hardest working midfielder. Buchy must stop trying to be a hero every time he gets it and appeared to play as an individual tonight.

I thought Leo did some pretty good stuff, but boy he stifles backline run almost every time he gets it by stopping, propping and trying to dodge a man and when gets clear to stream downfield, turns around and back passes. He could be so damaging if got it into the forward line on his first run. No wonder they choked our half forward line so well.

[sWAns63]

That was a disaster I can't remember a game where the opposition completley dominated for the whole game barring a brief period in the 3rd term.
We did kick some some goals in the final term which repaired our for and against but it's because the game was lost.
We really miss some young legs out there like Malceski.....is he still injured and what about Vogels, Dempster & Bevan coming back in we need some young legs out there.Also Kenelly is being wasted in defence he should be spending more time around the centre so we can utilise his leg speed.
Give the youngsters a go!
O'loughlin, Matthews & Williams will retire soon so we have to get the younsters ready

[Nico]

Originally posted by sWAns63
That was a disaster I can't remember a game where the opposition completley dominated for the whole game barring a brief period in the 3rd term.
We did kick some some goals in the final term which repaired our for and against but it's because the game was lost.
We really miss some young legs out there like Malceski.....is he still injured and what about Vogels, Dempster & Bevan coming back in we need some young legs out there.Also Kenelly is being wasted in defence he should be spending more time around the centre so we can utilise his leg speed.
Give the youngsters a go!
O'loughlin, Matthews & Williams will retire soon so we have to get the younsters ready

I reckon you hit thr nail right on the head.

Collingwoods leg speed really did show up some of our players for pace. Put a couple of quick young players in and it certainly will pick up the pace of our game.

Mathews, Jolly, Chambers, Willo (last Q Ok), Ablett, McVeigh all lack leg speed.

[Nico]

Has the rain in Sydney affected our training the past 2 weeks?

[Chow-Chicker]

The machinations of the coaching department in regard to our opponenets are slowly coming undone. Some plans ought to be jettisoned, such as Ted Richards at fullback. A more ruthless approach is required.

[shole]

maybe it's time to inject the team with new players? wouldn't mind seeing how schmidt or a willoughby would go

[goswannie14]

I had to laugh a few times at the channel 10 commentary, the classic call was by Hudson and Lane when Luke Ablett was ridden ionto the ground and hada free kick awarded against him for holding the ball.

HUDSON: Apparently now you can ride someone into the ground and be paid a free kick for it.

LANE: I didn't think that was possible until just then.

BTW I think LRT killed Boofhead Rocca tonight. Kept him to just 9 touches.

[Leeroy]

Malthouse's comment about the number of players used is a good observation. Sydney looked flat for much of the night. (I was at the match, but home in time for the wrap on tv). They lacked run and pace for much of the night and neither took risks, nor played it hard in the tight spots. Eski's enthusiasm is badly missed and it's time to bring in a kid or two to freshen up the team and provide some spark. Sure wouldn't hurt to send a subtle message that a place in the 22 is a privilege, not a right.

[ugg]

Collingwood were really switched on tonight. They just worked and ran harder than us. Their pressure was outstanding all night and did not allow us any room. They were also noticeably much quicker than us, and that's not just because of our fondness for holding the ball up. At the end of the day, we were outclassed by a good side who came ready to play.