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Well...Here I am. Stuck on the other side of the world, where the only other supporter of the AFL I know is, yeah you guessed it, a WCE supporter....I'm in hell.
I missed the jump with registration difficulties, so here is an email between a friend of mine in OZ and myself out lining the game, trades and the future.
Opinions anyone???
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Had a housewarming for our new place on Friday night....didn't realise that at the only place to watch the AFL it was being played at 10.30 Saturday morning (full game on free to air next
saturady, which is pretty good). Most fans after being very tanked and getting to bed at 4am would miss that game...not me!
Soul destroying stuff...1 point...1 @@@@@@ing point.
To be honest we didn't deserve to win, but with how crap we played in the first half (it couldn't get any worse) - WCE didn't derserve to win either considering we got back to 1 point.
The pub was going ape @@@@ in the last 10 mins...I think there were 5 goals scored - goal for goal, amazing finish.
You outline a few things that could have swung the game. But I think Kirky's snap from 40....if that had held it's line instead of shaving the post....we would have been in
front. Then from there who knows??? I've only seen the game once, and in a bit of a haze, but I've already got a million of these...no use dwelling on the past though.
On top of your Ted and Davo - you've got to add Kirk. I reckon he was BOG (for us anyway). In the second half he single handed got us back in the game. He was racking up clearance
after clearance. Kirk of old...haven't seen him play that well for ages.
Old Nick Davis ...he's back!!!!
When he was telling everyone to @@@@@@ of outside the 50 cause he was towelling up Banfield/Wirra...bought a smile to my face. That's what the swans need. There's too many team
players. They need guys to stand up and back themselves - and say "Keep out of my way and I'll win it off my own boot."
It's OK when you've got a team of Benny Matthews to do the team think all the time, but when there's true class...just look at Goodes. He's given free reign -> he wins a Brownlow, sure most aren't up to Goodes standard (in the whole league)...but look at Hall. He should be told "If you think there is any possibility you might reach the distance go for goal." That hand off for the Goodes goal was top shelf...but how many dinky handpasses hit the dirt...I lost count.
Goodesy played a blinding 2nd half (but then so did most of the team) - I think this is a problem with the swans (not goodsey) but a lot of the players are confidence players. In the "team" environment the swans pride themselves on, this compounds the problem , as the players feel more they are not only letting themselves down but also letting their teammates down - (if I could be bothered I'd go into the psycology more, but you get the gist).
Bolton and Barry...both had dogs. If only some **** had been able to pick the ball up cleanly in the first half and hit a target.....
I've been thinking about the future too...no point dwelling in the present, this year anyway.
And to be honest I think you've nailed everything I've been thinking.
Ted Richards - never had any time for him. But that game showed with a little confidence how good he can be. I think this is my Barry replacement. (was thinking the same as you -
can you image him in the weekly team meetings - "Leo...you've got Richo this week"...."You're @@@@@@in' what?")
Right on the money with LRT and Ablett...and Chambers...waste of a trade. I've got two other for you.
BEN MATTHEWS...waste of space. In the last swans email I sent I said he wouldn't get back into the team and finish the season in Res's. I don't know who looks more stupid, me or Roos? (I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that.) There is NO way this guy is better than Bevan...Bevan has what the swans need as well, genuine pace. BOG in res's GF.
NIC FOSDIKE...never been a fan and might as well dispose of him while he has value. The ONLY reason he seems valuable is he is the only outside receiving midfielder we have. As a result he racks up the possessions - he's not as damaging as he seems. He is NEVER tagged. There was a rumour last year he wanted to return to Adelaide...let him. I heard some talk that Spriggs might be a good outside receiver - only seen him in the first couple of games he played for the swans and apparently he won B&F for the Canberra league, (not that that's a great achievement).
But yes the swans definitely need a receiver with class - and pace.
Malcheski looks great on the HBF - could develop nicely into a Gilbee/Young Yze type player. Like Yze he looks to be a great leaping mark and obviously a great kick.
Shaun Dempster - last email said how good he was - looked excellent on the HFF towards the end of the game (He made Embley more accountable in the back half than he was in the front) . He needs to be stopped being used as a midfield tagger. He can play HHF and HBF -> versitility the swans lack at the moment. He's one of the few swans who ALWAYS picks the ball up on the first grab (under pressure) and always keeps his feet...SOLID. (not like Fumbles Fosdike)
Luke Vogels - MUST be given a go from round 1. Tall enough to play as a key position (defender), but very mobile - which is where the swans strenght in defense has lay in the past few years-> can play front and back as well.
Swans Back 6 Round 1:
Leo Barry Ted Richards Paul Bevan
Craig Bolton Luke Vogels Nick Malcheski
Where does Tadgh go? -->midfield...he's one of your attacking midfielders.
Between us I think we've got it sorted.
Anybody got Roosy's email?
Mobile, Pace, Run out of defense.
You might not agree with Vogels, but he's got something. I think he's 23 now? (They picked him up as a 21 y.o)...you've got to give him a decent chance or drop him off the list.
Also I'm not sure, but I think Ted might be a meat head. So it would be good to have Leo in the last line of defense to help him out. (Not sure if he's suited to FB...but there's only one
way to find out!)
Swans Midfield -
Always been the place where it is won and lost - (except when forwards have the yips).
Too many in and under players - noone to run through/out of pack with the ball (except Buchanan) -> Crouch was sorely missed, pace, run and tough as nails. Our lack of pace and
run was exposed in the GF. Run was left to the HB's.
Who do you have to root to get a Chris Judd???? Just point me in the direction.
Swans Forwards -
As you say not a lot wrong with the forward line. I hope to Christ, Hall and O'Loughlin don't retire at the same time.
No doubt Grundy will play next year as a leading FF (The forward structure worked well with his addition this year). Micky O, will play as a stay at home FF and be giving master classes in
contested marking (take note BBBH), or play further up the ground (depending on how the body holds up - I notice he seems to be having more and more trouble riding out the season).
As I said earlier, I think Shaun Dempster (Blue Steel) should play as a lock down HHF on the opposing teams "quarterback" HBF. I reckon he's capable of kicking a bag. He's a thumping kick and always looks comfortable (sign of class). ROK used to play this role - till he got too good for it. I think Dempster would be, probably, one of the best match ups in the league for ROK -> both big lads with big engines.
All that said I think we could make no changes and still challenge for the flag next year. No need to throw out the baby with the bathwater, was they say....
Anyway,
Cheer, Cheer for next year!!!
On 2 Oct 2006 at 14:01:
Bugger!
Bolton missed two easy-gets in the first qtr. Baz had his worst ever game and missed a shocker in both the 1st and 4th qtrs.
Amon Buchanon's effort in the 1st qtr (which led to Judd's goal) was shameful.
Teddy Richards & Nick Davis had blinders and near won us the game alone.
This was a hard pill to swallow.......rather lose by 10goals than get this close.
I thought we were ready to steamroll them after Goodesey's goal in the opening part of the final term.
I can't believe ROK would kick the ball into Daniel Chicks
face....stupid!!!! ...and this led to their winning goal.
I only hope this fires the boys right up and we can have another crack at it next year.
Just remember, we (aside from Port) have the youngest list in the comp and apart from Willo, we should keep the entire group together - unless we decide to trade.
This brings me to another entirely new topic and thus endeth last
weekend history lesson.
TRADE WEEK.....who to axe?
Let's start by getting rid of that nong Chambers (he has to go).
Apart from that it is pretty diificult. You could trade Spriggs - but I
don't know if anyone wants him.
Luke Ablett & LRT are really starting to give me the sh#$ts too. (Aren't up to big games - but the hierarchy will keep them around).
TRADE WEEK.....who to pick-up?
We need height in defence - a good Centre Half Back or Full Back to allow Barry to play in a pocket or Flank. He is not as quick or as
springy now that he is 29. The guy gives away 6inches in height and 10kg+ in weight to
the opposing full forward every week.
NO SPIDER EVERITT OR AKER PLEASE (Both won't pass our no Duckheads policy).
We need some genuine pace in the mid field. I know our game is based on stoppages - but the We-girls murdered us out of the centre.
Forward line is good (Baz will avenge this years result) and apart from Mick & Baz, who are 29/30yrs the others are quite young.
Kirky is 30 and Leo is 29 so these are our only possible departures in the next few seasons.
Let's pray that Kennelly stays though.
6mnths to prepare......and then onwards to VICTORY (Again)!
I missed the jump with registration difficulties, so here is an email between a friend of mine in OZ and myself out lining the game, trades and the future.
Opinions anyone???
__________________________________________________
Had a housewarming for our new place on Friday night....didn't realise that at the only place to watch the AFL it was being played at 10.30 Saturday morning (full game on free to air next
saturady, which is pretty good). Most fans after being very tanked and getting to bed at 4am would miss that game...not me!
Soul destroying stuff...1 point...1 @@@@@@ing point.
To be honest we didn't deserve to win, but with how crap we played in the first half (it couldn't get any worse) - WCE didn't derserve to win either considering we got back to 1 point.
The pub was going ape @@@@ in the last 10 mins...I think there were 5 goals scored - goal for goal, amazing finish.
You outline a few things that could have swung the game. But I think Kirky's snap from 40....if that had held it's line instead of shaving the post....we would have been in
front. Then from there who knows??? I've only seen the game once, and in a bit of a haze, but I've already got a million of these...no use dwelling on the past though.
On top of your Ted and Davo - you've got to add Kirk. I reckon he was BOG (for us anyway). In the second half he single handed got us back in the game. He was racking up clearance
after clearance. Kirk of old...haven't seen him play that well for ages.
Old Nick Davis ...he's back!!!!
When he was telling everyone to @@@@@@ of outside the 50 cause he was towelling up Banfield/Wirra...bought a smile to my face. That's what the swans need. There's too many team
players. They need guys to stand up and back themselves - and say "Keep out of my way and I'll win it off my own boot."
It's OK when you've got a team of Benny Matthews to do the team think all the time, but when there's true class...just look at Goodes. He's given free reign -> he wins a Brownlow, sure most aren't up to Goodes standard (in the whole league)...but look at Hall. He should be told "If you think there is any possibility you might reach the distance go for goal." That hand off for the Goodes goal was top shelf...but how many dinky handpasses hit the dirt...I lost count.
Goodesy played a blinding 2nd half (but then so did most of the team) - I think this is a problem with the swans (not goodsey) but a lot of the players are confidence players. In the "team" environment the swans pride themselves on, this compounds the problem , as the players feel more they are not only letting themselves down but also letting their teammates down - (if I could be bothered I'd go into the psycology more, but you get the gist).
Bolton and Barry...both had dogs. If only some **** had been able to pick the ball up cleanly in the first half and hit a target.....
I've been thinking about the future too...no point dwelling in the present, this year anyway.
And to be honest I think you've nailed everything I've been thinking.
Ted Richards - never had any time for him. But that game showed with a little confidence how good he can be. I think this is my Barry replacement. (was thinking the same as you -
can you image him in the weekly team meetings - "Leo...you've got Richo this week"...."You're @@@@@@in' what?")
Right on the money with LRT and Ablett...and Chambers...waste of a trade. I've got two other for you.
BEN MATTHEWS...waste of space. In the last swans email I sent I said he wouldn't get back into the team and finish the season in Res's. I don't know who looks more stupid, me or Roos? (I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that.) There is NO way this guy is better than Bevan...Bevan has what the swans need as well, genuine pace. BOG in res's GF.
NIC FOSDIKE...never been a fan and might as well dispose of him while he has value. The ONLY reason he seems valuable is he is the only outside receiving midfielder we have. As a result he racks up the possessions - he's not as damaging as he seems. He is NEVER tagged. There was a rumour last year he wanted to return to Adelaide...let him. I heard some talk that Spriggs might be a good outside receiver - only seen him in the first couple of games he played for the swans and apparently he won B&F for the Canberra league, (not that that's a great achievement).
But yes the swans definitely need a receiver with class - and pace.
Malcheski looks great on the HBF - could develop nicely into a Gilbee/Young Yze type player. Like Yze he looks to be a great leaping mark and obviously a great kick.
Shaun Dempster - last email said how good he was - looked excellent on the HFF towards the end of the game (He made Embley more accountable in the back half than he was in the front) . He needs to be stopped being used as a midfield tagger. He can play HHF and HBF -> versitility the swans lack at the moment. He's one of the few swans who ALWAYS picks the ball up on the first grab (under pressure) and always keeps his feet...SOLID. (not like Fumbles Fosdike)
Luke Vogels - MUST be given a go from round 1. Tall enough to play as a key position (defender), but very mobile - which is where the swans strenght in defense has lay in the past few years-> can play front and back as well.
Swans Back 6 Round 1:
Leo Barry Ted Richards Paul Bevan
Craig Bolton Luke Vogels Nick Malcheski
Where does Tadgh go? -->midfield...he's one of your attacking midfielders.
Between us I think we've got it sorted.
Anybody got Roosy's email?
Mobile, Pace, Run out of defense.
You might not agree with Vogels, but he's got something. I think he's 23 now? (They picked him up as a 21 y.o)...you've got to give him a decent chance or drop him off the list.
Also I'm not sure, but I think Ted might be a meat head. So it would be good to have Leo in the last line of defense to help him out. (Not sure if he's suited to FB...but there's only one
way to find out!)
Swans Midfield -
Always been the place where it is won and lost - (except when forwards have the yips).
Too many in and under players - noone to run through/out of pack with the ball (except Buchanan) -> Crouch was sorely missed, pace, run and tough as nails. Our lack of pace and
run was exposed in the GF. Run was left to the HB's.
Who do you have to root to get a Chris Judd???? Just point me in the direction.
Swans Forwards -
As you say not a lot wrong with the forward line. I hope to Christ, Hall and O'Loughlin don't retire at the same time.
No doubt Grundy will play next year as a leading FF (The forward structure worked well with his addition this year). Micky O, will play as a stay at home FF and be giving master classes in
contested marking (take note BBBH), or play further up the ground (depending on how the body holds up - I notice he seems to be having more and more trouble riding out the season).
As I said earlier, I think Shaun Dempster (Blue Steel) should play as a lock down HHF on the opposing teams "quarterback" HBF. I reckon he's capable of kicking a bag. He's a thumping kick and always looks comfortable (sign of class). ROK used to play this role - till he got too good for it. I think Dempster would be, probably, one of the best match ups in the league for ROK -> both big lads with big engines.
All that said I think we could make no changes and still challenge for the flag next year. No need to throw out the baby with the bathwater, was they say....
Anyway,
Cheer, Cheer for next year!!!
On 2 Oct 2006 at 14:01:
Bugger!
Bolton missed two easy-gets in the first qtr. Baz had his worst ever game and missed a shocker in both the 1st and 4th qtrs.
Amon Buchanon's effort in the 1st qtr (which led to Judd's goal) was shameful.
Teddy Richards & Nick Davis had blinders and near won us the game alone.
This was a hard pill to swallow.......rather lose by 10goals than get this close.
I thought we were ready to steamroll them after Goodesey's goal in the opening part of the final term.
I can't believe ROK would kick the ball into Daniel Chicks
face....stupid!!!! ...and this led to their winning goal.
I only hope this fires the boys right up and we can have another crack at it next year.
Just remember, we (aside from Port) have the youngest list in the comp and apart from Willo, we should keep the entire group together - unless we decide to trade.
This brings me to another entirely new topic and thus endeth last
weekend history lesson.
TRADE WEEK.....who to axe?
Let's start by getting rid of that nong Chambers (he has to go).
Apart from that it is pretty diificult. You could trade Spriggs - but I
don't know if anyone wants him.
Luke Ablett & LRT are really starting to give me the sh#$ts too. (Aren't up to big games - but the hierarchy will keep them around).
TRADE WEEK.....who to pick-up?
We need height in defence - a good Centre Half Back or Full Back to allow Barry to play in a pocket or Flank. He is not as quick or as
springy now that he is 29. The guy gives away 6inches in height and 10kg+ in weight to
the opposing full forward every week.
NO SPIDER EVERITT OR AKER PLEASE (Both won't pass our no Duckheads policy).
We need some genuine pace in the mid field. I know our game is based on stoppages - but the We-girls murdered us out of the centre.
Forward line is good (Baz will avenge this years result) and apart from Mick & Baz, who are 29/30yrs the others are quite young.
Kirky is 30 and Leo is 29 so these are our only possible departures in the next few seasons.
Let's pray that Kennelly stays though.
6mnths to prepare......and then onwards to VICTORY (Again)!
I only support one team: The 
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