NAB Cup v Hawthorn @ Launceston

[WASwansFanatic]

Our season is looking like poo this year. We still seem to be playing that sideways messy crap, J Bolton is still running around and now we are without Malceski. On the plus side, 2009 and 2010 could be good!

Nice to see the pessimists are alive and well! or should that be bad......

[Lucky Knickers]

Poor Melcho - it looks so innocuous, just a simple weight transfer. Looked serious to me. Fingers crossed Dr Gibbs and that Sydney water works a miracle.
Overall, I really enjoyed that game and thought the youngsters can hold their heads up high. Hello LRT - thought he was sensational today. I'm reserving judgement on Mattner - I thought he was pretty up and down. McVeigh and Matthews were poor. McVeigh did manage to play his way back into the game. As for the OOBOTF - I was wondering if that had something to do with the wind which seemed to have quite a big impact on the sunny side of the ground.
I liked Bird particularly but thought all the youngsters did well.
Limiting the interchange also gets a thumbs down from me. Just made it a big mess by the end of the game.
HOW GOOD IS IT THAT FOOTY IS BACK?????

[Damien]

How is there any difference in doing a knee in round one of the NAB Cup or round one of a 25 game AFL season? In both cases you're out for a year.

It's not my view based on injuries, the NAB Cup just annoys me as it is so rarely taken seriously and the winner so rarely seen as a champion side.

However, in terms of injuries and the NAB Cup, I would prefer injuries if they have to happen to happen in the heat of battle for 4 points.

Players are always going to have a dip, it just seems like a waste to have such a dip in a competition that means nothing to anyone.

[Nico]

I am very happy with the effort of the Swans today - haven't been this excited about a NAB cup game for a long time.

The young blokes we had in tried very hard and made a few skill errors but that is to be expected when the pressure is on.

Bad luck for Malceski - he would've had a blinder this year I reckon. But the positive to come out of the game for me is O'Dwyer - to quote someone.......he is "Special" - he will make it. Maybe he will have a spot on the list now with Mal's bad injury.

Chins up - here are the blokes who didnt play: Ablett, Barry, Bolton, Crouch, Everitt, Fosdike, Goodes, Hall, Jolly, Kennelly, Kirk, O'Loughlin and Richards.

Good effort Bloods.

I trust that Crouch is not included because he is Crouch. Both Thornton and Brabazon showed they could easily fill his boots in the backline, although Brabazon looks a midfielder who covers enormous ground. They both find the footy and appear to have the footy smarts.

On the mistakes: it was the first game and Hawthorn had their share of poor disposals as well. Would like to see the likes of Mathews, Bolton, Bevan and Buchy get rid of those unforced turnovers, but they have been doing it all their careers so I am probably whistling into the wind on that one.

[Jeffers1984]

can't really think too much about the game since im just so shattered for the eski. Saw him slumped down in tears at the back of the rooms at the end of the coverage.

On the game though:

LRT - fantastic. Seriously good game from the makeshift ruckman.
Bird - this man knows how to work a clearance and use it pretty well as well. He will justify having the honour of being #14.
O'Dwyer - great game. Finds space and can use it very well. Looks to have a quick footy brain which is a great change to see in a Sydney player.
Barlow - no no no, terrible. He models his game around Goodes obviously but boy did he show some of the softness that Goodesy showed when he struggled in his early years. Alot to learn.
Faulks- suprise packet for mine. Little skills but boy can he spoil. If he can keep motivated he might actually make it.
Grundy - another suprise for mine. Looks to of done alot of work with his pace in the off-season. Could be a chance for round 1 in defence.
DOK - ordinary. geez i know its poor form to put pressure on the bloke but the words "Mitch Brown" will haunt me if DOK doesn't make inroads this year.

[Foreign Legion]

I trust that Crouch is not included because he is Crouch. Both Thornton and Brabazon showed they could easily fill his boots in the backline, although Brabazon looks a midfielder who covers enormous ground. They both find the footy and appear to have the footy smarts.

On the mistakes: it was the first game and Hawthorn had their share of poor disposals as well. Would like to see the likes of Mathews, Bolton, Bevan and Buchy get rid of those unforced turnovers, but they have been doing it all their careers so I am probably whistling into the wind on that one.

Yep Nico, Crouchy will be lucky indeed to hold his spot this year - unless the coaches like helicopter kicks. He has been a good servant of the club but is really only a depth player now - hope he proves us wrong. The others are all certs if fit.

Thornton was good - looked poised. Where is Laidlaw? Injured??

[WASwansFanatic]

We can't express a view unless it is a glowing one?

Did I say that.....however after one NAB game you have dismissed this year....I wonder what you did after about six rounds in 2005....
Chin up...the glass is half full!

[bigswan]

Courageous young Swans pipped in NAB Cup

Courageous young Swans pipped in NAB Cup

An inexperienced side falls to Hawthorn by two points in a scrappy game in Launceston

[TheGrimReaper]

I was really proud of them today. I expected them to get flogged but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm still gutted about Nick Malceski. I can't get over it.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Colbert et al are now confirming that Malceski has done his ACL and out for season.

Oh my I wanna cry

[WASwansFanatic]

Sorry - I was confused about the purpose of your whinging post. I based it on more than the one game this afternoon.* As usual though, the nonsense about early 2005 comes out...

* To clarify - we looked very slow last year - a combination of pace and sideways play. We still seem to be playing sideways. Losing Malceski will make our pace worse. Keeping hacks such as J Bolton and Crouch will make this even worse. Young players look good, but will not be ready en masse for a couple of years.

How is it nonsense?
I agree if we do play sideways etc we will get shown up...but I will reserve my judgement till at least some way through the H & A season, NOT after one NAB cup game, especially when three quarters of our regular side were not even playing.
The sky is not falling, though you may like to believe it is!

[Foreign Legion]

Laidlaw is out for a month or so with a knee injury.

Thanks Doc.

[WASwansFanatic]

It's as much nonsense as your comment about the sky falling.

Roos was still coaching and the guys were playing in the same style as we have for the past few seasons. Suggests that nothing new will be tried this season and losing one of our main running players will emphasise that.

Some great observations there.....

Like I said....I will reserve my judgement..... I am looking forward to the 08 season...if you are not why not go watch some League or something and come back in 09 or 10 if that's when the bandwagon will start choo chooing again!

[WASwansFanatic]

No need with the pathetic snipes about bandwagons, especially when I was supporting the Swans before you were born. Just because I don't think we will have a great season doesn't mean I won't be supporting us. And I don't follow League anyway.

Wasn't a snipe.... you said you were looking forward to 09 and 10?
Anyway let's hope they prove you wrong and have a sensatioal year!

[gazza]

Reg can boast that he kept Buddy goalless

BUDDY KEPT BUDDY GOALLESS.GRUNDY WILL REMEMBER NUMBER 23.

HE SPENT ALL DAY LOOKING AT IT.

REINFORCES MY LOW OPINION OF HIM,WILL NEVER BE A SENIOR PLAYER