Tonights Game

[ScottH]

Fair assessment, Nico.

I thought LRT ran like a gazelle last night. Not like the giraffe he was. Had a tough job, and a couple of unfair umpire decisions against him.
Considering they had Rooey, Kosi, and Goddard up fwd at times, it was a tough job for all invlovled.

Bevan went for a mark, instead of being aware of his opponent, Milne, who mark uncontested and goaled on hte goal line (2nd q).

White looked much better than the last game I saw him play.

Shaw did alright and straightened us up a couple of times with some dash. A free against him in the 4th(??) where he was being buffeted at a ball up by 2 Saints (one was the dog Baker), not sure what it was for, but he obviously reacted to the rough treatment he was getting. Showed that the Saints rated him a danger player.

Goodes effective stats was about 50ish% IIRC. As you said wasted most possessions. Looked to be trying to be fancy rather than just DO.

Teddy was a star in the 1st Q. Always works hard.

When we ran out after half time the body language was ordinary. A few knee lifts and a jog where as the Saints came out bouncing. Were we lacking fitness?

Stagnant was the word I was thinking of.

[Bas]

Why does he insist on starting Bird on the bench at the start of every quarter? Why does he, when he has Bird on the ground start him on the wing at most centre bounces.

For goodness sakes, don't you know that a bird on the bench is worth two at the bounce!

I seriously think dont play Bird on the wing, play him off the drumstick and get the run out of defence.

[ScottH]

Another telling stat:

Frees for 16, against 24. It was almost even at 1/2 time I think it was 7-9.

[liz]

Another telling stat:

Frees for 16, against 24. It was almost even at 1/2 time I think it was 7-9.

I know we were bad, but have they nicked two goals off us and gifted them to the Saints? That table has us kicking 7 and the Saints 14.

[ScottH]

I know we were bad, but have they nicked two goals off us and gifted them to the Saints? That table has us kicking 7 and the Saints 14.

Ha. wouldn't surprise me.
I'll check tonite and make sure it wasn't my mistake.

[Wardy]

There are 2 GLARING standouts with the SWANS right now :

1 . PACE : We are so ,so slow and predictable
We will get carved up all year in the department especially in the middle
Watch Carlton ,Geelong ,Hawthorn ,Crows and you will get the drift.

2 : KIDS
We are They ?? Who are they ??? When will they deliver ????

How can a Jeff Gartlett,Mitch Robinson,Sam Jacobs, (Carlton) play so early @ so well on the big stage.
Taylor Walker & Jason Petrenko (Crows ) standouts in there Ist games yesterday after being drafted this year.
We must stop this premiership credits things if it does exist.

Seriously we would struggle to beat Richmond right now.

some excellent points there- I couldnt believe what I was watching, but then again ,as Aussie Ange told me via sms "should you have expected anything different?" - it was appalling and proved once and for all that we are a one trick pony.

You can have all the technology in the world, all the new age guru blood brothers culture crap - it counts for nothing if it doesnt produce results. And on Saturday night the failure was there for all to see. What ever happened to kicking the ball forward? what ever happend to kicking the ball full stop? I have never seen so many handpasses in my life! I recall not too long ago how I was howled down on here for wanting the Swans to play free flowing fast attacking footy like Geelong or Hawthorn, for us to have an actual plan B, but some preferred the stoppage style rubbish which won us the flag in '05, but the game has changed now - its time we got with the programme. There were glimpses of a change in the first quarter, then they got stage fright - a positive is that we know they can do it, but it has to go for more than one quarter.

Re the kids such as Garlett & Robinson etc they were breathtaking weren't they?, I think that their coaches just said "well this is it, the big time, go out there do your best, enjoy yourselves and play your NATURAL GAME!!!" the same cant be said for the Swans.
The mantra under Hari Roos & Dalai Kirk is that there is to be no individual brilliance, personality or exuberance. The Swans have gone away from the basics of footy - yes footy - all the mamby pamby gimmicks and mantras in the world are not going to produce success on the footy field.

Time to take a good hard look at themselves, the Swans are breaking alot of hearts with the rubbish they are producing. If they are wanting to be taken seriously in the competition, get back to basics, cut all the other distractions out - get fitter, learn to kick goals, actually learn to kick in the first instance, learn to man up, learn to get into spaces when a team mate has the ball - provide options, study other teams tactics as to how they implement plays and contests that wont produce free kicks. Its not rocket science - its footy!!!

If we dont implement change now - all those critics who said that we wouldn't make the 8 , or worse, get the wooden spoon, will have every right to say 'I told you so".

Yes I admit that I am probably over the top with my reaction but I'm angry. Honestly we have seen this year in year out - '05 is but a memory, its the fourth season down the track and nothing has changed. As for premiership credits - they should have well and truly expired by now.

If a plan B isn't implemented soon - the Swans are going to lose alot more than just matches, fans will walk away in droves.

[Lucky Knickers]

Should I be glad I am in Houston at the moment and didn't get to see it?
As I was reading through the thread I thought "Oh another crap game and performance against the Saints for our first meeting" and nothing to get too excited about.
Then I got to Wardy's above and now I'm wondering if I should ever go to the footy again.
Sanity has prevailed and I am still getting on the plane on Thursday to be home in time for Super Saturday.

[Wardy]

Should I be glad I am in Houston at the moment and didn't get to see it?
As I was reading through the thread I thought "Oh another crap game and performance against the Saints for our first meeting" and nothing to get too excited about.
Then I got to Wardy's above and now I'm wondering if I should ever go to the footy again.
Sanity has prevailed and I am still getting on the plane on Thursday to be home in time for Super Saturday.

I was just venting Lucky - as I said over the top as I was angry - but it really was crap!!! I will be there on Saturday night though - hopefully they will put on a better performance.

[AnnieH]

Well.
Wasn't that a load of crap.
Goodesy's dropped.

[Lucky Knickers]

Well I shall be there and hope to be kept awake by a more competitive performance.
.

[Wardy]

Well I shall be there and hope to be kept awake by a more competitive performance.
.

well - that may be stretching it - but at least its a night out!

[Wardy]

Well.
Wasn't that a load of crap.
Goodesy's dropped.

short but sweet, to the point and bang on the money there Annie!

[AnnieH]

If I were Roosey, I'd put Horse back in charge of the forward line.

Our backs ... fan-bloody-tastic.

Our midfield ... fan-bloody-tastic.

Our forwards ... sheesh.

EVERY TIME THE BALL WENT NEAR THE FORWARD LINE WE LOST POSSESSION.

That's wrong Roosey. Do the right thing by the team and get bloody Horse back where he belongs.

[Jewels]

If I were Roosey, I'd put Horse back in charge of the forward line.

Our backs ... fan-bloody-tastic.

Our midfield ... fan-bloody-tastic.

Our forwards ... sheesh.

EVERY TIME THE BALL WENT NEAR THE FORWARD LINE WE LOST POSSESSION.

That's wrong Roosey. Do the right thing by the team and get bloody Horse back where he belongs.

Annie, that's the most sensible bloody post that has been posted on this forum for ages.

[stellation]

Did the ball actually go into the forward line that often?