Round 10 - Western Bulldogs

[Cheer Squad]

Saturday's match against the Bulldogs is the start of a challenging four-match sequence of difficult games for us.

We lost all three games against the Bulldogs last year. Remember Round 7 at the SCG, and then Round 18 at Manuka Oval? In both games we got off to a good start, and were then held to a single goal in the second quarter while they raced away with 7 and 8 goals respectively. In last year's semi-final, the damage was done in the third quarter, with us being held goal-less while they piled on 5 goals to set up a solid win.

That was then and this is now, but will anything change? Although both teams are sitting on 5 wins and 4 losses with similar percentages, the Bulldogs are coming off a narrow loss in a tough game against Geelong, while we are coming off a relatively easy win against Port Adelaide.

Since the semi-final there have been a couple of personnel changes. We won't have Spida, Leo Barry, Kennelly, or Vespremi, and LRT may not play. Will that make a difference in our favour?

It's a tough call, but I think the Bulldogs are going to win. Probably by 14 points. Hope I'm wrong.

[johnno]

put us down to win by 20-39 points. We have to win this week against the dogs as this would be 4 loses in a row if we were to lose to them again this week. That would officially make them nemesis III after the crows and pies.

[ScottH]

O ye of little faith!!

[Yuri H]

If we can play like this past game, I'm optimistic. Which may be a bad thing; it's always when I get hopeful that disaster strikes (said the typical Slav).

[AnnieH]

Swans by under 9.

[Dalai Lama]

time to worm the Dogs?

[Haz]

Vespa Vespa Vespa!!! should get a game in the ressies this week no?
Hopefully he comes back in the side to give us a bit of flair for the upcoming weeks! Just love his passion and antics when he kicks a goal! If he could get his accuracy right he could give us that X factor, complementing the magic of micky and even goodes now in the forward line!!

[AnnieH]

Vespa Vespa Vespa!!! should get a game in the ressies this week no?
Hopefully he comes back in the side to give us a bit of flair for the upcoming weeks! Just love his passion and antics when he kicks a goal! If he could get his accuracy right he could give us that X factor, complementing the magic of micky and even goodes now in the forward line!!

Who are you going to get rid of for Vespa?

IMO the only change that can be made from yesterday's team is to give poor Ablett a rest (for the rest of the season).

[Jeffers1984]

Prepare for another Heart attack i reckon (I said the same thing last week in the Port thread, hoping this works again).

[Triple B]

As previously mentioned, in both H&A games last year we outplayed them for 3 of the 4 quarters, but got absolutely slaughtered in the 2nd quarter in both games.

In the final, we were more than holding our own, but just stopped to a walk after halftime. I remember DrJ and myself looked at each other and we both said at the same time 'We're @@@@@@, they've stopped running'. I guess the wet, heavy Homebush ground the week before took it's toll.

If we can keep the pressure up, we've a great chance this week, especially them being without Murphy who was the catalyst for them in both the Canberra game and the final to keep the Dogs in the game before they took charge.

[johnno]

As previously mentioned, in both H&A games last year we outplayed them for 3 of the 4 quarters, but got absolutely slaughtered in the 2nd quarter in both games.

In the final, we were more than holding our own, but just stopped to a walk after halftime. I remember DrJ and myself looked at each other and we both said at the same time 'We're @@@@@@, they've stopped running'. I guess the wet, heavy Homebush ground the week before took it's toll.

If we can keep the pressure up, we've a great chance this week, especially them being without Murphy who was the catalyst for them in both the Canberra game and the final to keep the Dogs in the game before they took charge.

They are also going to be without Gilbee and Higgins.

[TheHood]

The Dogs are and enigma and the came home fast against the Cats. It was good to watch.

BUT, it was at the Dome and I think some of the Cats who played were under-done, Ablett had 3 gettables on goal and missed, Chapman was fatigued and Harley isn't at full tilt either.

Finally, Mooney was missing and that meant when you are fatigued in the middle and there is no easy forward target, it's hard work getting past the Dogs determined half back line for a reasonable shot on goal (as the game wore on it was obvious).

The Dogs must be harrassed into error all over the field.

Hall needs to run Lake around and create room for Mick and others. My feeling is Micky O will be very important ie 4 or 5 goals from him.

This will be a pretty good game. One to look forward to.

[desredandwhite]

I think we will just sneak over the line.. But there are a hell of a lot of wotifs.

[ShockOfHair]

IMO the only change that can be made from yesterday's team is to give poor Ablett a rest (for the rest of the season).

Annie's right (two words you don't often see side by side ).

He's been out of form for a year and a half. Give him a rest until he finds it.

This week against the Doggies depends on which Swans team turns up.

The mob from yesterday or the team that went scoreless for two quarters against the Saints, got pantsed in the first half by Freo, nearly run over by Richmond, belted by the Cats, etc., etc..

[top40]

Saturday's match against the Bulldogs is the start of a challenging four-match sequence of difficult games for us.

We lost all three games against the Bulldogs last year. Remember Round 7 at the SCG, and then Round 18 at Manuka Oval? In both games we got off to a good start, and were then held to a single goal in the second quarter while they raced away with 7 and 8 goals respectively. In last year's semi-final, the damage was done in the third quarter, with us being held goal-less while they piled on 5 goals to set up a solid win.

That was then and this is now, but will anything change? Although both teams are sitting on 5 wins and 4 losses with similar percentages, the Bulldogs are coming off a narrow loss in a tough game against Geelong, while we are coming off a relatively easy win against Port Adelaide.

Since the semi-final there have been a couple of personnel changes. We won't have Spida, Leo Barry, Kennelly, or Vespremi, and LRT may not play. Will that make a difference in our favour?

It's a tough call, but I think the Bulldogs are going to win. Probably by 14 points. Hope I'm wrong.

A good recent historical analysis.

It certainly was the case that in each of those 2008 three games, one single middle quarter, (whether it was the second or third), killed the Swans.

If Sydney does not repeat a one bad quarter scenerio, they are in with a chance. However, on the Bulldogs' form against Geelong, the Swans will have to play as good a game in Round 10, as the performance in Round 9 against Port Adelaide. Herein, my concern is that Sydney '09 is just not good enough a team to play two great games straight.

On a positive side, the last time the Swans faced a team that were magnificient in defeat against the Cats the week before, was Hawthorn in Round 2. (Remember that fantastic Round one Grand Final replay between the Hawks and Geelong, where Hawthorn almost won at the end, kicking 6 goals to 1 in the final quarter? ) I thought Sydney would have no chance the next week. The Swans proved me wrong.