GF: We weren't 'up' for the game

[Bear]

A lot has been said about the great fightback, etc, but IMO we simply weren't ready to play from the opening bounce, and this cost us a GF we should have won.

To play half a game and lose by a point was simply a wasted opportunity to create a back to back premiership for the first time in our history.

Why?

One thing that sticks in my mind is that the club was so low key throughout the week and in the lead up to the game, and in fact one Channel 10 comentator stated just hours before the game whilst standing outside of the changerooms that "the Swans are so relaxed it's scary".

Any good sports psychologist knows that you need to build yourself up for a game and I think this contributed in a big way to our slow start.

As wonderful as Paul Roos has been for our club, as the focal point throughout the week, I think he had a major infuence on the players going in a overly-relaxed state given his approach to it all. He was even relaxed about tha fact that it was now 1-1, which I find disappointing.

Again, there has been a lot of "well done on a great effort boys", but I have not heard that from any of the players - in fact quite the opposite - and I think they realise they threw away a premiership that was there for the taking.

[ROK Lobster]

The club does not need fans like you Bear. You are a disgrace. They need your unquestioning support. Of course they were pumped and Roos 'the infallible' prepared them perfectly. It was some dodgey umpiring at crucial moments that lost the game, some crazy bounces of the ball, NOG's injury and the fact that the final qtr was not 15 secs longer. You should be ashamed - the club does not need supporters like you!

[TheMase]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
The club does not need fans like you Bear. You are a disgrace. They need your unquestioning support. Of course they were pumped and Roos 'the infallible' prepared them perfectly. It was some dodgey umpiring at crucial moments that lost the game, some crazy bounces of the ball, NOG's injury and the fact that the final qtr was not 15 secs longer. You should be ashamed - the club does not need supporters like you!

ROK you always crack me up. Classic.

I 100% agree with Bear, we certainly were not ready to turn up and play. But we will learn from the experience and hope next year delivers a better result...

[NMWBloods]

Re: GF: We weren't 'up' for the game

Originally posted by Bear
A lot has been said about the great fightback, etc, but IMO we simply weren't ready to play from the opening bounce, and this cost us a GF we should have won.

To play half a game and lose by a point was simply a wasted opportunity to create a back to back premiership for the first time in our history.

I agree.

Why?

One thing that sticks in my mind is that the club was so low key throughout the week and in the lead up to the game, and in fact one Channel 10 comentator stated just hours before the game whilst standing outside of the changerooms that "the Swans are so relaxed it's scary".

Any good sports psychologist knows that you need to build yourself up for a game and I think this contributed in a big way to our slow start.

Incidentally I think this contributed a bit to Brisbane's 2004 loss to Port too. Recall the pictures of the players in the rooms before the game. Brisbane players looked like they were about to head out for a day at the beach.

As wonderful as Paul Roos has been for our club, as the focal point throughout the week, I think he had a major infuence on the players going in a overly-relaxed state given his approach to it all. He was even relaxed about tha fact that it was now 1-1, which I find disappointing.

Again, there has been a lot of "well done on a great effort boys", but I have not heard that from any of the players - in fact quite the opposite - and I think they realise they threw away a premiership that was there for the taking.

I hope they realise it and come out with renewed vigour in 2007. I'd hate to see a repeat of what happened after we last won a flag.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
The club does not need fans like you Bear. You are a disgrace. They need your unquestioning support. Of course they were pumped and Roos 'the infallible' prepared them perfectly. It was some dodgey umpiring at crucial moments that lost the game, some crazy bounces of the ball, NOG's injury and the fact that the final qtr was not 15 secs longer. You should be ashamed - the club does not need supporters like you!

Oops. I take back everything I said. You've convinced me. We were unlucky. West Coast were just lucky. We were robbed!

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Oops. I take back everything I said. You've convinced me. We were unlucky. West Coast were just lucky. We were robbed!

Wear a 2005 Premiership polo every time you leave the house and you can be a real fan.

[Go Swannies]

Last year we were relaxed and they were pumped and it was widely regarded as working in our favour. This year they took it to a whole new level - bodyguards on the three midfielers! - and they came out pumped and confident rather than pumped and nervous.

It's possible that what we saw in the Grand Final was exactly the difference between the two teams. They play faster in the midfield and we looked flat footed, especially without Crouch. And we were outcoached, which was probably as much of a surprise for us in the stands as it was in the coaching boxes. In the second half, our superior fitness and easier run in the finals got us within a point. I also think that if we'd been playing any other team our second half effort would have got us across the line. But the Eagles are a mentally tough team - and they had the benefit of a fair share of close wins to convince themselves they could do it.

[Sanecow]

The usual m?nage ? trois stirring up @@@@. We are lucky to lose a grand final by a point, most of the other teams were not that successful.

[The Big Cat]

Originally posted by Sanecow
The usual m?nage ? trois stirring up @@@@. We are lucky to lose a grand final by a point, most of the other teams were not that successful.

Just finished talking to a Pies supporter who said them going out in the first round of the finals is more satifying than losing the GF by a point. What planet is he on?

[mocaholic]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Wear a 2005 Premiership polo every time you leave the house and you can be a real fan.

I'm still proudly wearing my "Minor Premiers 1996" t-shirt. It's got a bit of wear left...