Swan's defence

[royboy42]

Our defence has had easily the lowest score kicked against it this year. Adelaide is the closest to us and they have had over 15 goals more against them ... 92 points , I think.
So, to Bolts Leo Matts and the boys, we do notice and respect the work you do!

[31 hard at it]

After such a good win against a strong Port side we need to congratulate the WHOLE team.

The defence made a few mistakes but generally kept pumping it back to a winning midfield.

It's tougher than ever as a backman with the current rules meaning you can't touch a man in front. No touch on the arm, no gentle push .. and don't even try to outbody your opponent or your get caught up in media hysteria for tunnelling ??

The glory tends to go to the goalkickers. Congrats to the forgotten defenders.

[573v30]

It wasn't their best performance against Port but our backline have been superb like they have for the past few seasons. Currently the Swans are conceding 75.7 points per game, slightly higher than in 2005 (74.5 per game) so full credit to the backmen.

It's now just a matter of kicking straight when going for goal.

[ScottH]

Sydney are 2nd to North by 67 point, the Geelong, then Adelaide.

PRO-STATS Australian Rules Football - The Stats The Coaches Use

[573v30]

That doesn't include the game against the Bulldogs.

2008 AFL Season Review

[ScottH]

That doesn't include the game against the Bulldogs.

2008 AFL Season Review

Ah OK.

So it's 83 points between swans and Geelong.

[573v30]

Interesting stat: the Swans have conceded the 2nd least points against since 2004. C'mon Swans, do one better!

[dimelb]

It's tougher than ever as a backman with the current rules meaning you can't touch a man in front. No touch on the arm, no gentle push .. and don't even try to outbody your opponent or your get caught up in media hysteria for tunnelling ??

Unless your name's Scarlett.
But yes, well done those men.

[royboy42]

Yep Scott, it's now syd 681 against and geelong 764

[Donners]

A lot of that comes down to defensive work in the midfield, though. We've had a strong tagging division for the last few years, and even with Crouch and Mathews out, Bevan, Bird, Ablett and co have stepped up. We got belted in the ruck, but still their delivery wasn't that great.

[AnnieH]

For a pack of "smalls", our defence is fantastic.

They're also pretty handy up forward. The goal that B2 kicked yesterday was unreal - from 55 out - straight through the big sticks.

Gotta love that.

[Big Al]

While the defense has stood up brilliantly, it's the midfield pressure that doesn't allow the ball to come in quickly that should get the kudos as well.

[reigning premier]

Watching the game on Saturday it was pretty heart in the mouth stuff...

I mean watching LRT pass to Leo pass to Bevan.... You just had the feeling that any second it was going to get coughed up....

[NMWBloods]

While the defense has stood up brilliantly, it's the midfield pressure that doesn't allow the ball to come in quickly that should get the kudos as well.

Spot on. As good as the defence has been, it's the overall ground pressure, slowing opposition teams down, forcing a lot of stoppages and allowing a flood over half the ground that make it difficult for the opposition to score goals. This can be clearly seen in the number of disposals against us compared with the number of disposals those teams normally have.