Game Thread - Swans v. Port / Comments, Assessments etc

**Margie** · 31 March 2008, 10:05 PM

Leo had a good game - Ebert was MIA most of the time. Also, it seemed wasteful for Port to use Chad Cornes as a tag on Kennelly. He's normally one of their best attacking players and yet had little impact yesterday.

I made a point of watching Jude Bolton's work off the ball and thought he played much better this week.

***NMWBloods*** · 31 March 2008, 10:11 PM

Kane Cornes was on Kennelly. Did a great job too.

**liz** · 31 March 2008, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods

Kane Cornes was on Kennelly. Did a great job too.

He did, but in the process Port sacrificed one of their midfielders who seems able to win the ball when others can't. And while Kennelly might have been stemmed, it didn't stop the ball flowing out of our backline. I think we saw last year that it's possible to stop one rebounding half-back flanker but when a team has a few quality options, it becomes almost pointless stopping one. That was why Roos went out and got Mattner.

It also has to be said that, great player though Chad Cornes is, his accountability leaves a huge amount to be desired. I know that even when he plays in the backline he has little concept of man-marking, preferring to rely on his reading of the play. But for the large stints of the game he played in the forward line and was matched up by Bolton, he paid absolutely no respect to Bolton's rebounding ability. I think Bolton had something like 18 uncontested possessions, which is almost unheard of when a player isn't playing "spare man in defence".

**Margie** · 31 March 2008, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods

Kane Cornes was on Kennelly. Did a great job too.

So who was Chad on?

***NMWBloods*** · 31 March 2008, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by Margie

So who was Chad on?

He was everywhere. Was up forward for a long time, matched by C Bolton. Was in the midfield on Goodes for a while. Seemed to have minimal influence.

***NMWBloods*** · 31 March 2008, 10:34 PM

Originally posted by liz

He did, but in the process Port sacrificed one of their midfielders who seems able to win the ball when others can't. And while Kennelly might have been stemmed, it didn't stop the ball flowing out of our backline. I think we saw last year that it's possible to stop one rebounding half-back flanker but when a team has a few quality options, it becomes almost pointless stopping one. That was why Roos went out and got Mattner.

Yep - in the past it was stop Kennelly, stop the Swans.

It also has to be said that, great player though Chad Cornes is, his accountability leaves a huge amount to be desired. I know that even when he plays in the backline he has little concept of man-marking, preferring to rely on his reading of the play.

He's never been a good 'defensive' player.

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 31 March 2008, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods

He was everywhere. Was up forward for a long time, matched by C Bolton. Was in the midfield on Goodes for a while. Seemed to have minimal influence.

Just curious as to how Leo played? and to a lesser extent, Craig Bolton. I've read a lot about the youngsters, but if anyone could give me some feedback on their games on Sunday, I'd appreciate it!

***NMWBloods*** · 31 March 2008, 10:36 PM

Barry was very good. Completely shut down Ebert and his disposal was generally reasonable.

C Bolton was his usual dependable self. Made a few clangers with disposal, but also created a lot of rebounding options.

**Margie** · 31 March 2008, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by NMWBloods

He was everywhere. Was up forward for a long time, matched by C Bolton. Was in the midfield on Goodes for a while. Seemed to have minimal influence.

He's usually one of their most dominant players but I rarely sighted him.

And I thought my eye surgery late last year had given me pinpoint vision

**Margie** · 31 March 2008, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret

Just curious as to how Leo played? and to a lesser extent, Craig Bolton. I've read a lot about the youngsters, but if anyone could give me some feedback on their games on Sunday, I'd appreciate it!

One of Leo's best games for a while - as NMW said, he nullified Ebert (better height for Leo to defend).

Craig Bolton was as consistent as usual.

**liz** · 31 March 2008, 11:04 PM

Leo has claims to be BOG. He did have one of his obligatory brain fades when he tried to play on despite having one of Port's speed brigade standing right next to him. But he was also in the mood for a fly, nearly bringing down one spekky, and taking a superb diving mark in the forward line.

Speaking of flying, how long is it since we've seen the Big Bad One jump that far off the ground?

**DeadlyAkkuret** · 31 March 2008, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by liz

Speaking of flying, how long is it since we've seen the Big Bad One jump that far off the ground?

Was it a chest mark or a two hander? I did see it, but I've forgotten.

**AnnieH** · 1 April 2008, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret

Just curious as to how Leo played? and to a lesser extent, Craig Bolton. I've read a lot about the youngsters, but if anyone could give me some feedback on their games on Sunday, I'd appreciate it!

Leo kicked a goal !!!

I love it when the backs come up forward to have a go.
Dunkley was my all-time favourite. We used to go absolutely nuts when Dunks kicked a goal.

**liz** · 1 April 2008, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by DeadlyAkkuret

Was it a chest mark or a two hander? I did see it, but I've forgotten.

Two hander - hands in front rather than overhead and then quickly pulled onto the chest as he descended towards the ground.

**AnnieH** · 1 April 2008, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by liz

Leo has claims to be BOG. He did have one of his obligatory brain fades when he tried to play on despite having one of Port's speed brigade standing right next to him. But he was also in the mood for a fly, nearly bringing down one spekky, and taking a superb diving mark in the forward line.

Speaking of flying, how long is it since we've seen the Big Bad One jump that far off the ground?

He can't. It'll hurt his butt.

I forgot about the near-spekky. That in itself was almost sensational.
He had a great game.