Can the Swans really beat Collingwood?

[originalswan]

Good points Liz except that if the Pies forwards are given the same service from their midfield that they received last game, I don't think even the fastest man on Earth would be able to stop a Rusling lead. The Swans really have to do a better job in the centre as well as all round pressure to have a chance in this game.

The benefit of gaining the extra defenders is that naturally inclined attackers such as Malceski will now have confidence that his man will be covered when he goes for one of his customary runs. We would hopefully not be a man short when a backman goes on the attack as per our last match with Collingwood.

As Buckley may play around the half forward to half back lines I would like to see Dempster perhaps on him to also be able to counter attack and exploit his lack of pace (or drop off in pace in his final years).

An overall improvement in personel should hopefully hold the Swans in good stead for this rematch. We should have also learned a thing or two from two previous defeats and adjust our style as West Coast did so well in last years final.

[connolly]

Bevan on Buckley is an interesting idea and it's one that hadn't occured to me. I agree with you that - on recent form - he'd probably give it a good crack. The main problem I have with it is that he did a pretty reasonable job on Neon Leon last time. Davis tends not to dominate games but he has a habit of popping up with team lifting goals when they most need them and he's not a player you want to give a lot of space to. Even though Crouch is back in the team now, I don't think he's got enough speed at the moment to keep up with Davis.

Another possibility for Buckley is Dempster. He's done some decent tagging jobs in his time and has the ability to play on Buckley either as a midfield tagger or as a defender if Buckley plays in the forward line.

However, I reckon Dempster might come into consideration for Rusling, if he returns from his injury. I put last time's loss down to midfield domination by the Pies creating far too many opportunities for their forwards, rather than their forward line creating chances out of nothing. But the one forward who was clearly a mismatch on his opponent was Rusling on Brennan. He was just too quick. Rusling doesn't have too many tricks in his book but his very fast leading is a pretty good trick if he's getting the service. I think Dempster has the speed to keep up with him - or at least, more so than Brennan - and his spoiling last weekend against the Hawks was sensational.

Another option for Buckley is our Mr Fixit man, B2. He's played on him before, and also has the advantage of being versatile enough to match Buckley wherever he plays. I guess we wouldn't want him out of our backline since he represents the only consistent face we've had there all year. But with Richards doing a decent job on Cloke last time, and the luxury of Leo and LRT back as well, maybe he can be spared.

I don't think Goldsack will be a match-up for us to worry about. His success has come in a primarily defensive role, with him doing a very good job on Magic the last two times we've played the Pies. You'd expect Malthouse to start with the same plan for Goldsack this time around, though some Pies fans are pushing Goldsack as a possible match-up for Goodes. (And I'd love to see that!)

Crouch perhaps should take Davis. Goldsack has exploited Magic's difficulty in running up the ground. If they put Goldsack on Goodesy that would solve two of our problems. Goodsey would annihilate him and Magic wouldn't be run ragged out of defence. Still like to see Dempster up around the half forward line. Is he strong enough in the tackle to consistently pressure Buckley? By putting close match ups on the maggots young pretenders such as Pendelbury, Goldsack and Thomas we might see a Hawthorn type implosion in their first real finals test.

[Industrial Fan]

Bevan on Buckley is an interesting idea and it's one that hadn't occured to me. I agree with you that - on recent form - he'd probably give it a good crack. The main problem I have with it is that he did a pretty reasonable job on Neon Leon last time.

If only we had two of Bevan!

[Xie Shan]

If only we had two of Bevan!

Never thought I'd read that on RWO. In other news, hell froze over today...

Nah, I do like Bevo, and he's been playing some decent footy recently. Hope he can keep it up and show some more of the form that got us excited about him in 2004!

[hammo]

Never thought I'd read that on RWO. In other news, hell froze over today...

Nah, I do like Bevo, and he's been playing some decent footy recently. Hope he can keep it up and show some more of the form that got us excited about him in 2004!

Apart from the howler at the Gabba and the odd high tackle, he's been quite solid without being spectacular.

[Sanecow]

Apart from the howler at the Gabba and the odd high tackle, he's been quite solid without being spectacular.

He has more Premiership medallions than Malceski which means he's a better leader.

[Claret]

He has more Premiership medallions than Malceski which means he's a better leader.

As a captain . . . .

Bevan > Skilton

[doctor swan]

no praise for bevan, as soon as we praise and laud his performances he turns in a shocker the next week. so lets keep the lid on bevo.

[barry]

McVeigh, the gun tagger, will get buckley.

To be honest I'm not worried about Buckley too much. I think the lack of match fitness will be just about kicking in now...similar to how cousins tappered off after a flashy start.

I agree about Bevo though. I think he's playing really well, and will be a gun next year.

[NMWBloods]

I don't think Cousins is showing any signs of tapering off.

Doubt if Bevan will be a gun, but we'll see if he improves next year. A pretty critical one for him.

I think Buckley will kill McVeigh.

[Layby]

If only we had two of Bevan!

So true, but champions only come along very rarely

[connolly]

I think Buckley will kill McVeigh.

Thats right unfortunately. McVeigh is too weak in the tackle for Bucks and is more dangerous for us playing up forward. If NOG was fit he would get him. Bucks tapering off or not, is still the critical player for the maggots in the finals. He is the experienced on field general in a fairly inexperienced team. Negate Bucks wherever he plays, as an outside midfielder or on the forward line and we have an important psychological drop on them. Really important to put Buckley on the ground when he is tackled and under pressure when he is kicking.

[connolly]

If only we had two of Bevan!

Post of the Year!

[barry]

I don't think Cousins is showing any signs of tapering off.

He is, and any meaningless statistics you can drag up wont change it.

Doubt if Bevan will be a gun, but we'll see if he improves next year. A pretty critical one for him.

Like we've got anyone else to do that role??

I think Buckley will kill McVeigh.

Buckley wont kill anyone.

[Ludwig]

How about Bucky on Bucks.
Give our little cannonball a bigger target to launch into.