Swans v Tigers Match Thread

[Sanecow]

If he'd nailed that shot in the last quarter it would have been superb. Still probably B.O.G.

I liked his tackle too! Lurking and waiting!

[Gary]

I do not expect Schmidt to be dropped...thought his was an encouraging cameo...not so Grundy (is his middle name Paul...hope I have reason to regret that analogy!).
I would have thought Mathews & B1 are on a par in disposal i.e. both awful.

[hammo]

If he'd nailed that shot in the last quarter it would have been superb. Still probably B.O.G.

He played a brilliant game. We always thought he'd need a few to get up to speed but he can't be far away now.

And I thought last last mark was clearly Spida's also. Jolly barely got his hands on the ball and was paid the mark despite it being nestled in Spida's chest!

[DeadlyAkkuret]

To be honest, i'm just happy we have the 4 points. We start in this fashion every year, and the doomsayers come out of the woodwork, then come round 16 we're timing it beautifully. That might not happen this time, but i'm not panicking.

I'm suprised that everyone seems to worried about the performances of J. Bolton and Mathews, they've been playing this way for years now, and it hasn't effected us too much in the past.

[NMWBloods]

I liked his tackle too! Lurking and waiting!

LOL!! I loved that - highlight of the game. Like a spider lurking...

[dimelb]

*cough*Plugger*cough*Richo*cough*

Plugger was more than fast enough over the first 20 metres which is when it really counts. Richo likewise a season or two ago, not quite so much now.

[liz]

I thought Schmidt had a decent game. He was responsible for a couple of clean clearances, would have taken that mark had he not been fouled, and converted it confidently enough (albeit the shot was a bread-and-butter one). He made a couple of disposal errors but got involved well enough.

As for Grundy, his selection was an extraordinary decision given he's played no competitive football this year. And it wasn't vindicated by his performance. But clearly he must have had a ripper pre-season to be given the chance and we shouldn't write him off on one game. Hall's injury is likely to give him another chance next week and hopefully he'll adjust to the speed of the game a bit more.

As for his speed, he may not be a whippet but a large part of speed happens in the brain, not the feet. He showed decent enough pace at times last year and he'll show it again sooner rather than later.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Thanks Liz, it's good to see some people aren't writing Schmidt and Grundy off yet, it must get tiring jumping onto the bandwagon of a different player each week. Schmidt was the most impressive out of the two, he seems solid to me, and given more game time he could be a real find. Grundy has only JUST returned from injury, and it's not his fault that the coaches probably selected him a week or two too early. I'm confident he can show the form of last year, but it'd be better if he was in defence, we have more than enough forwards.

[revolsnaws]

They say "a horse is a horse of course of course but a win is a win of course,OF COURSE",and that'll do.I reckon

[ROK Lobster]

Thanks Liz, it's good to see some people aren't writing Schmidt and Grundy off yet, it must get tiring jumping onto the bandwagon of a different player each week. Schmidt was the most impressive out of the two, he seems solid to me, and given more game time he could be a real find. Grundy has only JUST returned from injury, and it's not his fault that the coaches probably selected him a week or two too early. I'm confident he can show the form of last year, but it'd be better if he was in defence, we have more than enough forwards.

I'm with you and Liz on this. I thought Schmidt looked pretty good, especially in the second half. Why Grundy played ahead of Vogels is anyone's guess - he looked about 2 weeks short of ready.

Spider was excellent, as mentioned above by most. I actually thought today was pretty encouraging. We were good when we needed to be, and early season Swans the rest of the time. We were a lot better than Rd 2 v Port last season, and way way better than the first win of the season against Carlton...

[Nico]

Can't agree with that. He ain't quick and his penetration isn't great but he used the ball pretty solidly today and played as an effective link man in the centre. Best game he's played for possibly a season.

Not as important as his possession count suggests, but certainly handy today.

As you know Liz I am one of Mathew's greatest critics. It was really interesting to guage what the crowd around us was saying about him. Everyone to a person groaned when he got it and in many cases simply laughed at the options he took.

I watched what he did really carefully and I dont reckon he carried the ball past the back centre square line and almost exclusively his kicks went sideways or backwards. He refused to move it on quickly when clear and didn't attempt to create anything. He must have eyes in the back of his head because he just turns around instinctively and kicks backwards 30 metres to an unmarked man.

Yes he had plenty of possessions and I remarked to P46 before the game that he would probably get heaps of possessions against Richmond because of a lack of pressure. That is what happened and Richmond paid him no respect and let him run free and he didn't hurt them. To his credit he did pass accurately a couple of times, but boy many of them were awful.

In his case today stats will lie.

[Nico]

You forgot hospital pass.

That was a shocker too right.

[Nico]

I thought it was a very ordinary performance.

Best: Everitt, Kennelly, C Bolton, Buchanan, Malceski.

Poor: J Bolton, Barry, Jolly, McVeigh

Mathews wasn't at his worst, but he's so slow to make decisions and his disposal is average at best.

Disappointing outings for Grundy and Schmidt.

Our midfield continues to have no idea how to read the ruckmen. Quiet games by Kirk, Ablett, Fosdike, O'Keefe.

Stupid to let Hall go back on. Haven't heard any prognosis, but MCL grade 2 tear is perhaps up to 4 weeks.

It will be interesting to see how much time on the ground Schmidt had. He didn't appear to get much time in the middle, but I reckon gave 2 goal assists and kicked that one in the last Q. Just imagine if it was in the hands of J.Bolton, who by the way turned up again at 3Q time. Up until then he did not look interested in the close in hard stuff.

Agree on the midfield which is almost non existent. Fosdike finished the game well and Kirk was tagged all day by Tuck, but we got killed at the centre bounces and hardly had an effective centre break. The one we did have McVeigh did a pathetic kick that directly resulted in Barry's injury.

There is no excuse for not putting that directly onto his chest. Felt sorry for Ted Richards who must have a bad back from bending forward for marks or deliveries that were metres short of what they should have been.

[Wardy]

Baz should have been taken off and left off for the rest of the game once the injury occurred simple. But they stuffed that up. Matthews - well he probably had about 3 good passes - the rest you could raffle, he is just way too slow at making decisions and I feel that there are much better players waiting in the wings in reserves who are not getting a chance because Matthews is in the leadership group. If he is supposed to be such a "leader" then bloody well act like one and make a difference! Stop kicking it backwards - go forward and take a risk its way better than half the mamby pamby disposals he does. As for Spida - thank God we got him - he really saved the day for us.

And the commentators were having orgasms about Richo again - god only knows why. Well done to Craig Bolton to - great game and a goal for your efforts!

[Doctor]

I thought Schmidt went pretty well too - certainly well enough to keep him in the side for another week, although I though Flipper deserved another run too mind you.