Are we overrating the win against Port?

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Now, don't get me wrong, it was great to see some free-flowing footy from Sydney, and the boys looked like they really enjoyed the whole game, but how soft is Port Adelaide?

The week before we struggled against the flooding and tight-checking from the Saints, and we do seem to have a similar pattern against particular teams, which would suggest we still need to work on some things.

The matches against the Power are always faster and less congested than most games, and we tend to break the shackles against them more often than not. Games against the Eagles are usually a mix of attacking plays with a strong emphasis on defensive tactics and set-plays, which usually result in scores between 50-90 for both sides, and a close finish. Whenever we plays St. Kilda both teams tend to just scrap it out, or one of them goes into uber-flood mode and goals are like diamonds.

My point is we seem to stick with old habits against particular teams, so I'm not sure if the huge win was extremely suprising or really means much when it comes to next week. Obviously it will help with confidence, but I'm reserving my excitement until after the Brisbane and West Coast matches.

[goswannie14]

Considering Port got within 9 points of Geelong the week before, I was pretty happy to beat them by this much. But you're right, we need to keep it all in perspective.

[CureTheSane]

Nope, and I say that having only seen the highlights.

The reason I can say "no" is that we kept on going, which really doesn't happen all that often.
We spanked them.
Very un-Swans like.
And good to see.

So I rate the win very highly, especially given that at least PA are middle of the road team. Possibly a top 4 team but that remains to be seen.

Right now I see us playing extremely well against a team that did well last year, and rate the Saints as an all powerful Goliath who we put up a good fight to

should pretty much be clear sailing from here on....

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Love the unadulterated optimism, Cure. Stop helping me get carried away, dammit!

[liz]

It was a very good win, though Port were lousy (and not entirely because our boys made them look lousy).

In terms of a pointer towards what we can expect from this season I take very little from it other than

- Hall looks like he's regained his speed, touch and daytime marking ability
- Barlow, Jack and Moore are well and truly ready to play senior footy and hence add to our depth
- MickeyO and Leapin' Leo still have plenty of footy in them still

For me, they were three big question marks heading into the season and they've been answered in the positive thus far.

In terms of whether that performance indicates a greater consistency this year, we'll have to wait and see. They played footy of that quality last season, and a reasonable amount of it too. It's just that they couldn't back it up, especially at night.

[ShockOfHair]

The manner of the win was what stood out: Hall running into form, the new guys playing well, and the team showing off an attacking game plan.

It means so far so good.

But we have had the wood on Port a bit recently. I look forward to us smacking Collingwood or the Crows by ten goals.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

The manner of the win was what stood out: Hall running into form, the new guys playing well, and the team showing off an attacking game plan.

It means so far so good.

But we have had the wood on Port a bit recently. I look forward to us smacking Collingwood or the Crows by ten goals.

Can we add West Coast to that list? How sweet would it be to belt them, aka the 2004 Elimination Final, or that 70 point drubbing we handed them about 3 years earlier.

[connolly]

My point is we seem to stick with old habits against particular teams, so I'm not sure if the huge win was extremely suprising or really means much when it comes to next week. .

Choc Williams was surprised

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Choc Williams was surprised

Choco is an idiot. The same tricks work on his mob over and over

[connolly]

It was a very good win, though Port were lousy (and not entirely because our boys made them look lousy).

In terms of a pointer towards what we can expect from this season I take very little from it other than

- Hall looks like he's regained his speed, touch and daytime marking ability
- Barlow, Jack and Moore are well and truly ready to play senior footy and hence add to our depth
- MickeyO and Leapin' Leo still have plenty of footy in them still

For me, they were three big question marks heading into the season and they've been answered in the positive thus far.

In terms of whether that performance indicates a greater consistency this year, we'll have to wait and see. They played footy of that quality last season, and a reasonable amount of it too. It's just that they couldn't back it up, especially at night.

Agree with all that. Don't know if this was ever in issue but Marty Mattner is undoubetdly a very good player and is fitting into our game plan very well. When Malceski gets back his value will be even greater.

[bloodboy]

Choc Williams was surprised

Hahaha...just as well Choco was surprised. I think I would be a bit worried if I heard the coach, of the previous years runners-up, say that he expected an 11 goal loss in a round of football!

[barry]

We've had 1 bad game v Saints, and 1 good game v Port. Jury is still out IMO.

Brisbane this week would be a good test. If we get beaten by more than 20, then there will be concerns. A narrow loss or a win would be ok.

[Margie]

Choco is an idiot. The same tricks work on his mob over and over

I don't mind Mark Williams - he usually says it how it is.

As for him being surprised at the result, I think Roos' innovation of coaching from the sidelines is already having an effect. Throwing players into different positions certainly confused the opposition yesterday.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I don't mind Mark Williams - he usually says it how it is.

As for him being surprised at the result, I think Roos' innovation of coaching from the sidelines is already having an effect. Throwing players into different positions certainly confused the opposition yesterday.

I don't mind him either, I have nothing against idiots. He seems like one of the better, more straight forward coaches, but just a little slow.

[originalswan]

The win while being fantastic has done nothing to disprove the fact that the Swans forwards simply struggle when the opposition clutters our forward line.

Port simply gave our forwards too much latitude (except for some brilliance eg. Halls mark) and left the spaces open for them to lead into.

Teams like St. Kilda, Collingwood, Geelong and Adelaide will not give us the same space to move in the forward line - that's when our true test will come - How do we counter that tactic???