Are the Swans passed it?

[originalswan]

I must admit I have been loathe to log on in the last few days for fear of my likely offensive language, or in particular the likelihood of harping on the bleeding obvious - Swans poor form.

What is now crystal clear is that our recent wins against the Power and Bulldogs were false guides to our own form. This is particularly clear when you analyse the Powers last two games and also that of the Bulldogs - who lost against Carlton of all teams! The Power seem to be far off early season promise of a top four finish and the Bulldogs, well how much pressure were we under against them? It seems that the Swans cannot beat a team that is switched on - but only ever beat teams that are off boil - like the Power and the Western Bulldogs of recent weeks. I dread to think what will transpire on the weekend if the Hawks play in a similar fashion to how they have been playing for the last few weeks.

I am sick of seeing players refuse to attack the ball but be so immersed in their so called accountability that they simply pass an opportunity to do something positive for the team. I am also dumbfounded as to why we constantly give average teams like Essendon an opportunity to get their confidence up at the start of the game (remember the Kangaroos) and don't switch on until 15 minutes into the game or sometime after half time- perhaps because our team is also only AVERAGE!

We have now lost two games by 1 point, let's hope these games don't come back to hurt us later in the year - Unfortunately I feel they will, as we simply don't seem to be able to match any team that is giving 100% in endeavour and commitment.

[LittleSchneider]

I was going to post a thread about whether we can still make the top 4 this year, and we are only 2 wins out of the 4 at this stage, so I guess it is possible.

I dont think we are past it, unfortunately it was some very very very poor umpiring (I have never been so upset over umpiring for so long after a game like I have been this week. The single worst umpiring display from any sport that I have ever seen) that cost us dearly on saturday.

Form wise - I think we are very capable of playing finals again this season, the last 3 weeks has shown that. I guess the acid test to answer your question will be if they can beat the Hawks this weekend at the MCG. If they win and win well then I would say that September isnt unrealistic.

[TheHood]

No, Sydney are not "passed it" at all. Yes Port and the Dogs got done by other teams, but that's not unusual after the Swans have rolled you.

Sydney have't been outcoached, out fitnessed or out anything except out committed.

When we have turned up from bounce 1, we have sailed home comfortably. I think there is some consistent mental aptitude required to engage for a win...we're not doing that enough.

We all know the ingredients for Swan success, when we run for each other, when we play intelligent footy and when we share the load across half forward to half back.

I was disappointed in Jolly on Sat night given the opposition, we needed a bit more from him. Very quiet night, our ruck work is vital in 2007. Our midfield breaking even is essential for victory.

[ROK Lobster]

I'm pretty sure Davis passed it to Mathews once on Saturday night, so yes.

[Lucky Knickers]

I am sick of seeing players refuse to attack the ball but be so immersed in their so called accountability that they simply pass an opportunity to do something positive for the team.

Me too. There were a couple of moments on Sat when the ball was there to be had.

What's disappointing is how little enjoyment there seems to be out on the field. I hope the boys find their mojo.

[hammo]

I am sick of seeing players refuse to attack the ball but be so immersed in their so called accountability that they simply pass an opportunity to do something positive for the team.

Under the mysterious Bloods code, KPIs are not measured by possessions so for all we know sticking with your man is considered a more valued contribution than picking up the ball.

[ernie koala]

It's too early for all this pessimism....With a 'fair' umpiring performance against the Bombers, we would have won comfortably by 3 or 4 goals.
Intensity from the openning bounce, and we can beat any team, any where. So let's just hope they still have the fire in the belly !?

[ScottH]

It's too early for all this pessimism....With a 'fair' umpiring performance against the Bombers, we would have won comfortably by 3 or 4 goals.
Intensity from the openning bounce, and we can beat any team, any where. So let's just hope they still have the fire in the belly !?

The latter is more the point than the former.

[hammo]

It's too early for all this pessimism....With a 'fair' umpiring performance against the Bombers, we would have won comfortably by 3 or 4 goals.
Intensity from the openning bounce, and we can beat any team, any where. So let's just hope they still have the fire in the belly !?

I don't think the pessimism is misplaced. The season is almost half over. Unless we quickly turn things around then we can kiss goodbye to playing any meaningful role in the finals. Losing home games to weaker teams is unforgivable, especially when there are trips to Subiaco and Skilled Stadium in the second half of the season. We will need to win these games to make the top 4, and not drop any more 'winnable' games which we're proving more than capable of losing this season.

[reigning premier]

We've done it before and we'll do it again.. Come home with a wet sail that is. It drives you to drink but that's just the way they play. They aren't desperate or committed enough until they know they have no alternative but to win every game. 05 & 06 were the same.

[NMWBloods]

'06 was different. Yes, we started badly at 1-3, but from there we went to 7-3 and 4th on the ladder. We had a hiccup in rds 11-12, and then went 7-3 again.

In '05 we were 2-4, then won 6-2 but never looked fantastic, then hit our straps with a 7-1 finish.

In '07 we've never strung any form together to be 5-5. So in some ways it's like '05 (also 5-5 at this stage) but it's a bit different to '06. I still think it's far more like '04 (also 5-5, and then 8-4, never managing more than 3 wins in a row).

I think we absolutely have to win 2 of the next 4 to be an outside chance of making top 4, and win 3 to be a reasonable chance.

[ernie koala]

I don't think the pessimism is misplaced. The season is almost half over. Unless we quickly turn things around then we can kiss goodbye to playing any meaningful role in the finals. Losing home games to weaker teams is unforgivable, especially when there are trips to Subiaco and Skilled Stadium in the second half of the season. We will need to win these games to make the top 4, and not drop any more 'winnable' games which we're proving more than capable of losing this season.

Your pessimism is misplaced, every team in the comp looses games they shouldn't, the Swans have every year. Had we not suffered from poor onesided umpiring, we would have won comfortably.
Just dump Mc Veigh and move on to next week

[hammo]

Your pessimism is misplaced, every team in the comp looses games they shouldn't, the Swans have every year. Had we not suffered from poor onesided umpiring, we would have won comfortably.
Just dump Mc Veigh and move on to next week

Time will tell who's right.

Pessism however is a more common trait of Swans supporters than optimism.

[ernie koala]

Time will tell who's right.

Pessism however is a more common trait of Swans supporters than optimism.

Agreed, but in the 31, mostly ordinary, seasons I've followed them, I think this team, this season, still deserves optimism.

[AnnieH]

because we've drunk from the premiership cup, any performance that is less than grand-final inspiring is going to upset many.

i'd like us to finish top four, but more likely our finish will be as finals fodder. at that point, they've gotta pull out something very, very special to make it all the way.