Round 5 - Geelong

[liz]

This will be our first test this year of top quality 4 qtr football.

It will, but the most impressive thing about the Swans thus far is that they themselves have been playing very evenly across a game. The first quarter against the Saints was rubbish (and the rest not much better) but we didn't get blown away. In each of the last 3 games it has been a consistent effort that has won the game rather than one super quarter to turn the tide.

[barry]

Geelong played particularly poorly against Melbourne though. Then again, StKilda matched them pretty well in the first qtr. High intensity is the key. However, you need to maintain that all game, combined with good execution, because Geelong does. This will be our first test this year of top quality 4 qtr football.

The difficulty we face playing at Geelong is the wind. Its a @@@@ty cold, windblown ground. In contrast, Sydney is a relatively wind-free city. we're not used to it.

[NMWBloods]

It will, but the most impressive thing about the Swans thus far is that they themselves have been playing very evenly across a game. The first quarter against the Saints was rubbish (and the rest not much better) but we didn't get blown away. In each of the last 3 games it has been a consistent effort that has won the game rather than one super quarter to turn the tide.

Yes. It was pleasing to see that we've won 12 quarters so far this year, which is only 1 behind Geelong (& Hawthorn?) on top.

[NMWBloods]

The difficulty we face playing at Geelong is the wind. Its a @@@@ty cold, windblown ground. In contrast, Sydney is a relatively wind-free city. we're not used to it.

Yep - That was particularly noticeable in the Geel v. Melb game. Our guys may struggle with their attempts at pinpoint passing (as they often do at SS).

[elroy67]

Yep - That was particularly noticeable in the Geel v. Melb game. Our guys may struggle with their attempts at pinpoint passing (as they often do at SS).

The random element of the wind may counteract the random element of our teams kicking ability......

[mcs]

hahaha elroy!
The wind is always a factor but I think itll be a cracking game down there. I hope Roos doesnt try to alter the game plan and tries to continue what we have done so far with just some minor tweakign to cope with the loss of Hall/ try to shut down there run. The two key areas for us will be stopping their run out of defence and our taggers. If Kirk/Jack etc can limit the influence of at least 2 of their midfield then we might just have a shot. Cant wait, I reckon it will be a super match.

[liz]

The difficulty we face playing at Geelong is the wind. Its a @@@@ty cold, windblown ground. In contrast, Sydney is a relatively wind-free city. we're not used to it.

That was part of our downfall last year at KP. In the pouring rain and sweeping wind they were trying to pinpoint passes to players in a forward pocket. Dumb dumb dumb football in those conditions.

In the second half they started playing more directly, just hoofing it forward down the middle of the ground. It clearly wasn't enough to claw back the horrendous start but it was a darned sight more effective than the first half approach.

[swantastic]

Geelong this geelong that pfffttt the media(billy brownless) is carrying on like this game is a gimme ,what a flamin joke.

IMHO we will sneak under the radar as the under dogs and just get over the line.

[#73]

swans 107 to cats 45

What he said.

Geelong = no worries especially with that douche-bag Mooney out. Douche-bag.

[NMWBloods]

swans 107 to cats 45

Seems rather unlikely...

[Go Swannies]

Cats 503 for 323 against
Swans 390 for 245 against

The Cats have a great ability to swarm back so you can't get into your forward 50 then swarming back in attack. They are wonderful at a series of short passes with shepherding to get a player clear through traffic. We are doing really well at shutting down a team - the next best this year is the Hawks at 303 against.

The Cats flood and run, we stifle and run. And the Roos' Swans love an impossible challenge. If ROK can kick straight and Nick D comes in and works hard I expect us to win by about 20 points. It will be more if Goodes surprises and becomes effective.

I haven't been so excited about a game since the undefeated Saints came to the SCG in 2005 (?). Of course, if it pours or blows it'll be scrappy and I'd give it to the Cats 60%/40%.

If we destroy their running game - and run ourselves - wait for the bleating on BF on Monday about the Swans ruining the game.

[Thunder Shaker]

So we wont see Gambell on Jack? There goes the ironic match-up

I thought Jack on King would be the ironic match-up.

[#73]

I thought Jack on King would be the ironic match-up.

That's not irony. Jack on Gambell is ironic as it relates to Jack getting busted for betting $5 on a footy match.

[Lucky Knickers]

I thought Jack on King would be the ironic match-up.

SNAP

[Cheer Squad]

After dreading this game, I am actually looking forward to it. To counterbalance Hall, geelong have lost Mooney.
In my mind Mooney is a bigger loss. Who else do the cats have as a power forward. That Tom Hawkins is severly overrated IMO.

We have a ready forward replacement in Davis. The cats would normally replace him with playfair but he's ours now (What astute trading!).

Ottens out, Mooney out, Everitt out, Hall out. Its all even.

Unfortunetly, I think without our power forward, Roos will adopt a lock-down game plan which wont be pretty to watch.

Mooney has been cleared to play. Doesn't that change the equation a little bit against us? We seem to be more confident against Geelong than we were against St. Kilda, and we won't have Hall when we take on Geelong.