Are we the only ones who flood?

[Danzar]

I was chatting to a Bombers supporter a couple of weeks ago who told me Sheeds invented the flood. This guy was a reasonable fair-minded kind of fan so I didn't disregard what he was saying. I suggested that if that was true, Sheeds used it as a tactic rather than as a mantra. Can anyone offer an opinion as to whether he was right?

I'd be careful with that. Most Bombers suporters believes Sheeds invented everything, including writing, space flight and the motor vehicle.

[reigning premier]

I'd be careful with that. Most Bombers suporters believes Sheeds invented everything, including writing, space flight and the motor vehicle.

Well he's been around long enough....

But one thing he didn't invent was good taste in fashion... Having seen him at the pub on many occassions in the most trashed pair of tracky dacks you're ever likely to see, I'll vouch for that.

[giant]

Sheedy is the master of saying one thing and practising the opposite. The Bombers flood the backline as much as most other teams. He talks about how it's a blight on the game, but does it when it suits him.

On the one hand Fletcher was used as the spare man (another euphimism, though strictly speaking it's not quite the same as the full on Noah's ark job) against us,and other times there were only one or two bombers in their attacking half. So i would agree that it is used only at times rather than as a single, continuous plan i.e saints v hawks

They had two spare men in defence basically all night against us AND tagged both our half back flankers! That may not be flooding but it's not exactly free for all shootout footy either.

Anyway, it worked (just) so good luck to them.

[goswannie14]

I'd be careful with that. Most Bombers suporters believes Sheeds invented everything, including writing, space flight and the motor vehicle.

Don't forget the ANZAC day blockbuster, Sheedy invented that, despite the fact Carlton and Essendon were packing out VFL park each ANZAC day in the 70's, ie before Sheedy was coach.

[Glenn]

Media and football supporters love cliches.

Kangaroos have the shinboner spirit, West Coast are all drug taking criminals, Swans are boring flooders.

Accuracy is rarely a consideration.

Well 1 out of 3 isn't bad

Seriously, Sydney are not the only team that "floods", watch the games over the round and if it only applies to Sydney I would be very surprised.

[NMWBloods]

Don't forget the ANZAC day blockbuster, Sheedy invented that, despite the fact Carlton and Essendon were packing out VFL park each ANZAC day in the 70's, ie before Sheedy was coach.

First football match I ever went to was 1975 ANZAC clash between Ess and Car at Waverly. It was packed - 78K. We had to sit on the steps. I still remember how dazzled I was by the colours!

I would note though that was one of only two Car v. Ess ANZAC matches in the 1970s. Sheedy did invent the concept of an ANZAC Day blockbuster. Previously it was just part of the split round and anyone played on it.

[ernie koala]

And liz is right on the money as Sydney play tight, contested, finals-type footy with the hard run and carry from half back.

Even Mick Malthouse has acknowledged for the last 3 years, Sydney play mostly man on man contested finals footy.
That being said..... we do like to flood the stopages.

[Nolie]

Media and football supporters love cliches.

Kangaroos have the shinboner spirit, West Coast are all drug taking criminals, Swans are boring flooders.

Accuracy is rarely a consideration.

Hammo is spot on. The media think only in cliches because they are unimaginative - think the public are stupid. Have to "explain" the game and teams in simple one-line terms. Over here in the West I got the "Sydney floods, ugly style etc" taunts after several of the Swans games over here over the last few years because Channel Ten apparently during their telecasts ( I was at the games so didn't see the telly) went to great pains to pan the cameras back to the empty forward line of the Swans accompanied by the "gee whizz" commentary of either Quartermaine or Walls saying "Just look at the massive flood Sydney are emloying at the moment to ..blah,blah..close down..blah,blah..tempo football..blah,blah".

West Coast on the other hand - no vision of their flood because they don't flood , they "get back in numbers". Apparently a wise and sensible and thoroughly acceptable practice it seems.

[NMWBloods]

Given there are hundreds of journos covering the AFL, you'd think they could up with something more interesting and imaginative than the same old cliches.

[goswannie14]

I have been known to point out to opposition supporters things like, "Do you think St Kilda can get any more than 18 players in their defensive 50?"or "If Hawthorn flood any more than that we'll need an Ark!" It is my duty to point out that other teams flood as well. In St Kilda and Carltons case, waaaaaay more than we do.