Raising the Benchmark

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  • FootyontheBrain
    On the Rookie List
    • Apr 2005
    • 146
    #1

    Raising the Benchmark

    Having read a few posts here this afternoon, it got me thinking about our form compared to previous years under Roosy's direction.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but my take on it has less to do with us playing poorly and more to do with the fact that we've raised the benchmark to the point that:

    1. Teams no longer underestimate us.

    2. Teams have learned what it takes to play at a top 4/8 standard in the AFL...and low and behold the Swans "ugly" style of play wins games of footy.

    3. We're playing as well as we ever have. We're just running into teams who are prepared to play the Swans and have schemed against our strengths by getting numbers behind the ball and stuffing up our forward line.
    Tags: benchmark, raising, Swans, sydney
    • ScottH
      It's Goodes to cheer!!
      • Sep 2003
      • 23665
      #2
      1) Yep. They are developing ways to beat us, rather than developing their own game plan.

      2) Yep.

      3) Our skill level is not as good as previous years. Too many missed targets, esp. in the last few weeks.

        Comment

        • FootyontheBrain
          On the Rookie List
          • Apr 2005
          • 146
          #3
          Originally posted by ScottH
          1)
          3) Our skill level is not as good as previous years. Too many missed targets, esp. in the last few weeks.
          Good point there. However, I think our intensity is still as good as it's ever been, but it's being matched by our opponents.

          Maybe it's me, but watching the games this season it seems like teams have really stepped up the pressure, hence a rise in skill errors by our boys.

            Comment

            • hammo
              Veterans List
              • Jul 2003
              • 5554
              #4
              Originally posted by FootyontheBrain
              Good point there. However, I think our intensity is still as good as it's ever been, but it's being matched by our opponents.

              Maybe it's me, but watching the games this season it seems like teams have really stepped up the pressure, hence a rise in skill errors by our boys.
              I think this explanation is far too simplistic. Most coaches have always said that to stay at the top you need to improve every year. This is becuase there are always other teams on the rise looking to knock you off - be it a Hawthorn in 2007 or Bulldogs in 2006 (this is me being simplistic )

              But the mere fact that Hall and Goodes are down on form, we're struggling to get goals out of ROK and McVeigh who last year scored 20+ each, would indicate there is more to our current form than simply other teams trying harder against us.
              "As everyone knows our style of football is defensive and unattractive, and as such I have completely forgotten how to mark or kick over the years" - Brett Kirk

                Comment

                • reigning premier
                  Suspended by the MRP
                  • Sep 2006
                  • 4335
                  #5
                  I think to a certain extent yes they have worked us out. But that doesn't mean we still can't beat them. And our poor performance has been more of an issue than other teams being better than us.

                  If we had of played the 1st Quarter against Essendon - win.

                  If we had of showed some ticker against Adelaide - win.

                  If we had bothered to play the 2nd quarter against west coast - win.

                  If we had an even performannce from all players against Saints - win.

                  Now we're sitting on top of the ladder by ourselves. The only reason we aren't is our own fault.

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