Game Thread Swans Vs Hawks

[giant]

Didn't see last week's game (thank god) so can't compare, but I thought other than an uncompetitive spell in 2Q that wasn't a bad effort - fair comparison of where we - and the rest of the competition - are at. There are three very good sides and we're probably around the top of the next batch.

Let's hope we can find that extra something but whoever beats the Cats this year is going to need something very special indeed.

I thought it was a good tuff game of footy marred by some appalling goal kicking by both sides and some unexceptional umpiring. Interesting to see if the media gives any exposure to the treatment handed out to Goodes - I counted 4 occasions in the second half where he was needlessly dumped after disposing of the footy, clearly a deliberate and pretty nasty tactic.

[Legs Akimbo]

Jusat got in "wish I had a daughter who got the @@@ at wanted to go home. My wife and daughter refuse to leave at any time no matter what.

My five year old can be very persuasive.

Another thing I noticed today, which you reminded me about, is the total lack of system in our play. I do think Hawthorn destroyed our run out of defence, but we clearly have no plan B, something which has been commented upon many times before on this site.

One thing that sticks in my mind is Goodes passing to Leo Barry on the last line. Goodes immediately takes off along the boundary when he sees Leo ducking and weaving straight into a pack of Hawthorn players. So Goodes gets set up for the perfect 'one two' but LEO, totally lacking peripheral vision or 'chat' from Goodes, turns back the other way and kicks it across the face of goal to, I think Bevan, who managed to old on to a contest mark.

Another example would be Jolly's mark and miss on goal in the first quarter form about 45 out. He marked and turned back his to walk away from the mark with a free ROK 20m out unmarked in the forward pocket, screaming and waving his arms to no effect.

This was just two incidents, but I think I saw similar things happen to repeatedly in the first half. Dinky little passes to no advantage, dubious handballs to static teammates in no better position, and generally a lack of coherent structure running out of defence with players upfield not leading and creating space.

Like last week, too much stop and prop and not enough flow and movement. LRT and Playfair are both the main offenders. In a way LEO, Kenneally and Mattner are guilty too because they are failing to break the lines, although they are trying.

[NMWBloods]

Lack of system shows up in the stats:

Hawks 195 kicks, 88 handballs, 283 disposals (69% kicks), 117 contested disposals

Swans 180 kicks, 147 handballs, 327 disposals (55% kicks), 110 contested disposals

Swans ran around in circles handballing to each other.

[Danzar]

Like the Pies game, I think the stats do not tell the story.

They just don't have the hunger that creates the clear mind you need to avoid the mistakes.

[hammo]

A very poor performance with next to no positives to speak of.

The obvious place to start is LRT. As I said in the thread last week, he has played one good match in his entire career and just isn't up to AFL standard. As long as he is in our side he will be exploited by opposing coaches. I am not sure what Roos was trying to prove by starting him on Buddy but I hope it was to prove to himself for once and all that he is not an AFL defender.

Today was Kennelly's worst game for the Swans. His body looks shot and could really do with a rest.

Overall we just looked too slow and our skills are deplorable.

Kieran Jack should be sent back to Canberra, just some shocking mistakes today that were too costly.

Our forward line lacked structure and does not look capable of kicking a score. Not sure how long we can afford to have Hall out. The ongoing Davis saga has to be put to bed with Roos recalling him if fit next week. Surely Roos can see that Davis will offer us more p forward than muppets like Buchanan and Playfair.

[Danzar]

A very poor performance with next to no positives to speak of.
Today was Kennelly's worst game for the Swans. His body looks shot and could really do with a rest.

Two dislocated shoulders in one game can be quite distracting though, don't you think?

[31 hard at it]

The forward line lined up at one stage in the last quarter had Kennelly and Richards at full forward / pocket!.
A clear sign that the forward options had dried up.
Only Micky at the end started to take some big grabs and Henry(Heart in mouth every time) early.

BBBH very urgently needed to put a forward structure together.
I thought the backline played well given the costly turnovers giving such great delivery to the Hawks forwards.

We need to get a handle on the ball and stop the very costly turnovers!

Why Kennelly was left on the ground is a major issue.
The man popped a shoulder, with great courage didn't want to go off, but could not use it for the rest of the game. I think he risked further injury for no return.

[smasher]

I actually thought Craig Bird was one of our better players today.Easily his best game for us.

[hammo]

Two dislocated shoulders in one game can be quite distracting though, don't you think?

Yes but not sure if that can excuse the brain fades, skill errors and lack of urgency.

[swansrule100]

I actually thought Craig Bird was one of our better players today.Easily his best game for us.

18 possies. i think he has more control polish and football sense than just about all the other midfielders. Just lacks the engine at the moment.

Will be out best player in 4 years time

[NMWBloods]

Why Kennelly was left on the ground is a major issue.
The man popped a shoulder, with great courage didn't want to go off, but could not use it for the rest of the game. I think he risked further injury for no return.

I don't know what Roos is thinking - Kennelly should be made to come off.

[Danzar]

Yes but not sure if that can excuse the brain fades, skill errors and lack of urgency.

Agreed but I'm saying it should at least be taken into account. It happened in the first quarter and again in the third.

[lwjoyner]

another go

Just been watching Tigers v weagles. Nathan Brown doesnt chase but still very handy. I am not convinced that is why ND isnt playing. MUst be some other reason. Good half forwards are not paid to chase much. Kick goals is their job. Most threads seem to know what needs to be done but I am not sure the coaching panel do.

[AlexC]

Shocker in the 1st half. Looked like this in 2005 when people didn't like our style of play. I remember Roos commenting on the commitment of players just before a game against Carlton. We ended up beating Carlton on the back of a few losses. I don't know if we can do the same again. Week off definatly hurt us. Also need goal kickers. Playfair is a strong marker but can miss the easy ones and unreliable goal kicker. I think maybe Nick Davis can be the answer up forward.

On another note damn channel 7 with their pope headline, start of the 4th 16 points down the screen goes black, and a 7 news headline. Not good by Channel 7

[giant]

Lack of system shows up in the stats:

Hawks 195 kicks, 88 handballs, 283 disposals (69% kicks), 117 contested disposals

Swans 180 kicks, 147 handballs, 327 disposals (55% kicks), 110 contested disposals

Swans ran around in circles handballing to each other.

I haven't seen the comparable stats but I understand the teams that have beaten the hawks have done it with judicious handball. I thought we looked our best today when moving it fast by hand.

They had the better midfielders, more potent forwards and a back line prepared to run and carry - that would be my diagnosis anyway.