Late Change for tonight's game - Davis OUT (Official Game Thread)

[Margie]

If teams keep beating us at our own game, why don't we try the same tactics? Just for the hell of it, have a go at playing Geelong's faster attacking style next week? At least spring a few surprises. Imagine trying to contain Gary Jnr, Bartel, Ling et al?

[nat]

Do you guys think Davis will be right for next week?

[NMWBloods]

If teams keep beating us at our own game, why don't we try the same tactics? Just for the hell of it, have a go at playing Geelong's faster attacking style next week? At least spring a few surprises. Imagine trying to contain Gary Jnr, Bartel, Ling et al?

That was a constant theme in commentary last night. When are the Swans going to try something different, such as kick long to the forward line and put the defence under pressure, rather than trying to always get the perfect pass.

[Xie Shan]

Just kills me to see a team which i adamantly believed had one more shot at the flag. I had no doubts in my mind that last years pain was going to spur them up for good things this year if they kept working.

Got it in one. I agree with NMWBloods' earlier post that there was always a risk we *might* slip back this year, but I really did believe we were a serious chance to win the flag again this year, and that the players would bounce back from the disappointment of last year. I thought last night would have been the time to step up if this was going to happen, but instead it's just marked (apparently) the end of an era.

[Ludwig]

I think we should drop Hall for a couple of weeks, not so much because he is out of form, but just to force the rest of the team to look for other options going forward.

We really need a different look going forward. Just saying that we are not going to be so Barry-centric, is not working. When players are under pressure, the first thing they think is to kick it to anywhere Hall might be, regardless of the situation, triple-teamed or whatever.

This is a big challenge for Roos. He really needs to transform the Swans into an aggressive attacking team. It may not happen this year, and maybe not any time soon.

Bevan (not an AFL level player by any stretch of the imagination), Mathews and Jude Bolton cannot be a part of an attacking quick moving team.

I would stick with McVeigh, since he's still quite young and can hopefully get back to improving his game (while recognizing that much of the criticism levelled at him has been valid). And I though Grundy showed a bit also, but he will never get a real chance to show his stuff with Bazza a the key forward.

If I thought there was any chance Bazza could be a key defender, I would move him to fullback. Leo and Craig are just too small to take on these 100 KG+ forwards. If the swans midfield can't win in the centre, these small defenders are going to get smashed.

Disagree with the many that have been critical of Richards. I think his is a very skilful payer that is a committed to the contest. Another one that could go forward to give the swans a different look. But may not be able to do so until LRT or Kennelly return.

Collingwood showed that bringing in a few younger players doesn't hurt the team at all if all 22 players are fully committed to the game.

My respect for Mick Malthouse as coach has really been elevated. I hardly rated this team at any time during the season, but he has really got them playing well. Roos talks about the team approach, but Malthouse is really the one that puts it into practice.

[NMWBloods]

I think we should drop Hall for a couple of weeks, not so much because he is out of form, but just to force the rest of the team to look for other options going forward.

I agree with the sentiment, but I think it would work better for a number of reasons if he simply played a well-up CHF. That way he takes a key defender, makes a good link man for attacks towards the forward line, and we still have to look for other forward options. I just don't think Roos has the ability nor willingness to dramatically change the game plan.

We really need a different look going forward. Just saying that we are not going to be so Barry-centric, is not working. When players are under pressure, the first thing they think is to kick it to anywhere Hall might be, regardless of the situation, triple-teamed or whatever.

Yep - players revert to what has been drilled into them when under pressure. And let's face it - our guys are not the smartest or most skillful footballers. They are simply well drilled, so can't be expected to step outside the game plan because they are just told to.

This is a big challenge for Roos. He really needs to transform the Swans into an aggressive attacking team. It may not happen this year, and maybe not any time soon.

He definitely needs to do this, but I doubt we can for various reasons.

Bevan (not an AFL level player by any stretch of the imagination), Mathews and Jude Bolton cannot be a part of an attacking quick moving team.

Yep.

I would stick with McVeigh, since he's still quite young and can hopefully get back to improving his game (while recognizing that much of the criticism levelled at him has been valid).

I understand your point as he always looks pretty skillful, but unfortunately I doubt he will make it - too slow and indecisive. Having said that, if we dropped the above three we could persist for a little longer with him.

And I though Grundy showed a bit also, but he will never get a real chance to show his stuff with Bazza a the key forward.

Yep - why not try him at FF with Hall well up at CHF. It might work well with Grundy, MOL and a ruckman deep forward, plus a couple of smaller players.

If I thought there was any chance Bazza could be a key defender, I would move him to fullback. Leo and Craig are just too small to take on these 100 KG+ forwards. If the swans midfield can't win in the centre, these small defenders are going to get smashed.

Yes, we really need a large defender.

Disagree with the many that have been critical of Richards. I think his is a very skilful payer that is a committed to the contest. Another one that could go forward to give the swans a different look. But may not be able to do so until LRT or Kennelly return.

I see Richards as just an average footballer who has his uses. Not much chop as a forward though as his kicking is unreliable.

Collingwood showed that bringing in a few younger players doesn't hurt the team at all if all 22 players are fully committed to the game.

Strongly agree.

My respect for Mick Malthouse as coach has really been elevated. I hardly rated this team at any time during the season, but he has really got them playing well. Roos talks about the team approach, but Malthouse is really the one that puts it into practice.

Malthouse seems to have done a pretty good job, hence why I found some comments on the 'worst coaches' thread a bit strange.

[Gary]

Good summation Ludwig...but I cannot see Grundy making it, & McVeigh shows no sign of having the ability to try new things...perhaps it's the absence of coaching!
Also can't agree re Richards...pretty useless last night & basically most of the time apart from the second half of last year when he played some nice games. Sheedy is not that bad a judge. His little farce with Thomas was right in front of me...you could see it coming as he quite pathetically did nothing...the scared rabbit look was prominent, while the real footballer (is he yet 19?) just played him on a break.

[Nico]

Did anyone see the Saints V Eagles game.

The second Q was long kicking to key forwards, no mucking around. The saints completely changed their game plan and attacked and went direct almost everytime. To say players cant change of night to another game plan is absolute rubbish.

Perhaps our esteemed coach should take note of what can happen because that is exactly what we should do to turn this around. I bet Ross Lyon copped a fair grilling from all and sundry at St Kilda over the break to change the game plan.

[ROK Lobster]

Perhaps our esteemed coach should take note of what can happen because that is exactly what we should do to turn this around. I bet Ross Lyon copped a fair grilling from all and sundry at St Kilda over the break to change the game plan.

Paul is above criticism Nico. Nothing will change.

[Nico]

Hey ROK was it you who marked Jude Bolton's scintillating pass ten rows back on the wing. Geez that was an awful kick, but sums up this bumbling dunce of a footballer.

[ROK Lobster]

Hey ROK was it you who marked Jude Bolton's scintillating pass ten rows back on the wing. Geez that was an awful kick, but sums up this bumbling dunce of a footballer.

Nope, the best thing about last night's game was that I was in Canberra.

[NMWBloods]

Hey ROK was it you who marked Jude Bolton's scintillating pass ten rows back on the wing. Geez that was an awful kick, but sums up this bumbling dunce of a footballer.

That really was one of the worst kicks I have seen in quite a while.

[Ludwig]

Also can't agree re Richards...pretty useless last night & basically most of the time apart from the second half of last year when he played some nice games. Sheedy is not that bad a judge. His little farce with Thomas was right in front of me...you could see it coming as he quite pathetically did nothing...the scared rabbit look was prominent, while the real footballer (is he yet 19?) just played him on a break.

Ted makes a few mental errors just about every game, but he has definitely improved in this area compared to a year ago, and we should keep in mind that he has only played about 70 senior games so far. His 'little farce with Thomas' was on about the same order as Melcho's in the 1st Qtr. If you really look at Ted's game, he is quite a good kick on both sides and has very quick hands and can get the ball moving quickly by hand and foot, even under pressure. He's a strong mark in contests and often helps out. Was far from the worst last night and was one of the best in the previous 2 matches. IMO, not far out of Swans' top 10 so far this year.

Hoping in another year he can tidy up his game a bit more and become a more consistent player. A real chance to become a key player over the next 5 years.

[Ludwig]

As for Dale Thomas, he's been a really cleaver footballer from day 1. Can win the ball in some very difficult situations, but has not often hurt teams on the scoreboard like he did last night. Just unlucky for the Swannies that we got him on a night where his goal kicking was so good. Kicked only 3-10 before last night. I think he missed 4 sitters in Round 10 against Freo.

[Triple B]

Ted.......He's a strong mark in contests

Clearly marked the ball at CHB in the final quarter when Rocca knocked it from his hands, play on, short kick to Thomas(?), goal, comeback snuffed out.