We need to change our game

[IrishSwanPerth]

Jack, Pyke, Grundy, LRT, J Bolton and Brett Kirk's kicking is all well below par. Brett Kirk is a great player. Marty or LRT should not be doing kick outs, please leave to R Shaw.

We dont have enough skillful and talented players, we dont need no more rugby or basketball players. They will never be gifted players, you cant change a donkey into a race horse. Ur a footy player or not.

I felt for Hall today, the balls into the 50 were shocking and the decision making by some of our players when on the ball is the worst in the comp.
Good job we have lots of heart....
There are better footballers in Ireland and in the WAFL than Jack, Pyke and Grundy

We are so far behind the black ball its frightning.

[hammo]

Buchanan's skills are not AFL standard either.

Every pre season we are told that there has been an emphasis on skills but it never seems to materialise during the season.

The butchering of the ball by foot and sometimes hand today was by far the most frustrating part for me. You'd hate to be a Swans forward the way we deliver it inside 50.

[mcs]

I agree re:skills problems, but you are being very harsh on Pyke! He's played 2 senior games, and to judge his kicking on what about 5 kicks is utterly ridiculous. If you can't see the potential merit in his recruitment then you are not trying very hard. He has shown plenty so far and has only just started learning the game.

Also being a bit harsh on Grundy. Some of his kicking around the ground is not the best, but he is a decent set shot and imo should be given a proper run for an extended period playing either from the Goal square or from HF.

Our skills have been a major problem for years and something that does not look like improving significantly anytime soon.

[Blood]

Been saying this for a while.

Rooseys inability to conjure up a plan B when needed is a major weakness IMO.

[Lucky Knickers]

Our game is ok. It's our skills that are the problem. Our run out of defence was good, our stoppage and clearance work was pretty good for 3 qtrs but poor decision making and execution ruined many good forays forward.
If we look at each match-up, the only ones that I think were in our favour by the end of the game was Goodes, Shaw and MOL.
We were beaten well by 18 opponents. Just shows that Geelong are that much in front of us.

[liz]

It is dangerous to make assessments purely based on reactions to today's game. We were up against the best of the best.

It is true that many of our players' skills compare unfavourably to Geelong, but we've not been the most skilful team at any time under Roos. Didn't stop us having a modicum of success. We're not going to win the premiership this year, but you can't just change games / personnel overnight. Recent drafts suggest an emphasis on player with good disposal skills. But it will take time before the likes of Meredith, Vez, Hannebury, Gilchrist et al are an integral part of the team.

[timthefish]

Been saying this for a while.

Rooseys inability to conjure up a plan B when needed is a major weakness IMO.

i'd agree with you in the case that plan A was being implemented properly by the players and was found to be lacking; however, today the players were nowhere near putting together any plan given to them.

[Alison]

It would be good though if Roosey had a plan B - put Hally on the wing to get him involved in the game etc. He rarely makes in positional changes.

[EMJ]

Colless said at three quarter time - we had a chance back to 15 points but our skills let us down. Many kicks to Geelong and many missed chances.

[timbo]

Actually our biggest loss in nearly five years. Not looking good.

[Triple B]

....put Hally on the wing to get him involved in the game ....

When Healy and co came out with that one today I immediately questioned if they had permission off Wallsy to use his old chestnut.

Seriously, Barry needs to play where Barry plays, but play without all the arm waving and stupidity.

Why would you move Barry to a wing? So Scarlett can tear Grundy, MOL, Richards a new one?

[swans_premiers]

last time we lost by this much was what....middle of 2005 against the saints??? hmmmmm....

[Lucky Knickers]

When Healy and co came out with that one today I immediately questioned if they had permission off Wallsy to use his old chestnut.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

[Xie Shan]

last time we lost by this much was what....middle of 2005 against the saints??? hmmmmm....

Stop. Right. There.

Not. Going. To. Happen.



I think we actually played worse in that game than we did today (though the margin was 40-odd) but it would be a MASSIVE shock if we did that again this year, I don't think we're quite the team we were then...I have a feeling it's going to be another 6th-place-and-honourable-loss-in-2nd-week-of-the-finals kind of year.

2005 was special.

[BSA5]

Very harsh on Grundy. I reckon he's actually a very good kick. Also, I still don't get peoples' obsession with LRT's kicking. It's not that bad at all. Really, it's actually quite good. Just because he looks awkward when he lopes across the ground, and USED to get caught out and be forced to kick under immense pressure on occasions, doesn't mean his footskills are bad. He hits his target far more often than not.