Is Roos for real this time?

[BSA5]

Ablett and Buchanan would be the most likely to go. I actually thought that Melcho looked a lot better. He wasn't as involved, but he actually used his body and won, or at least tried to win, some hard ball, chased and tackled a bit more, and didn't look quite so sluggish as he has been. Seeing it from the stands, he looked a bit more promising. I'd give him another game to see if he can build on that.

I'd like to see Currie come in against Hawthorn, and White to move forward, to really stretch their backline. Perhaps Nick Smith or Barlow could come in as well.

[Go Swannies]

I'll be fascinated to learn how keeping the opposition's most damaging player completely blanketed is adding nothing to the game plan.

However, agree that most at risk are Moore, Ablett & Grundy - no idea who's available to replace them tho.

Agree with that. The only four Swans players that could hold their heads high today would be firstly Goodes and Crouch who both did everything that could be asked of them and then Baz and B2 for performing well in a team that wasn't. The rest need to have a good look at themselves.

For a while it seemed the Swans players were having a competition to give away the next goal - and Bevan, LRT and Shaw starred in that comp. The first two had to work to give away frees and Shaw looking then hand passing to a teammate about to be tackled was an amazing brain fade.

That's the first Swans game I've fast forwarded through because it was too awful - and inevitable - to watch. I posted last week that this was a danger game for Roos to be outcoached. He was, again. I see no reason right now to think he'll find a way to win against Malthouse or Craig. He's a good coach and deserves the job but his blind spots can frustrate.

[liz]

Agree with that. The only four Swans players that could hold their heads high today would be firstly Goodes and Crouch who both did everything that could be asked of them and then Baz and B2 for performing well in a team that wasn't. The rest need to have a good look at themselves.

.

Bit tough on Kirky and O'Keefe. I reckon those two were busting a gut throughout the game to try and get things kick-started.

On the otherhand, Hall himself has said he didn't think he played very well, and certainly he was beaten in pretty much every one-on-one contest in the quarter-and-a-half demolition period. Few of the balls were kicked to anything like his advantage but still remains he was soundly beaten while the rest of the team was being shredded.

[Go Swannies]

Bit tough on Kirky and O'Keefe. I reckon those two were busting a gut throughout the game to try and get things kick-started.

On the otherhand, Hall himself has said he didn't think he played very well, and certainly he was beaten in pretty much every one-on-one contest in the quarter-and-a-half demolition period. Few of the balls were kicked to anything like his advantage but still remains he was soundly beaten while the rest of the team was being shredded.

It was a bit like watching a train wreck - everyone sees different things. I may have overlooked RO'K and Kirk in the wreckage and if so, my apologies. I did see some stupid errors and non-team things that a lot of individuals are going to have to face up to over the week. On the other hand, Goodes was a beacon and could well be regarded as BOG. Hall made the most of his limited opportunities I thought - and I was very impressed when he kicked his 600th and didn't celebrate but rather looked like a determined goalkicker in a losing team.

Maybe the two days extra break really hurt - especially against a quick team like the Dogs. But I'm disappointed that Roos didn't tell the team to wait for the onslaught and resist it (tempo footy) rather than continue with a failing gameplan.

[giant]

Lake and Morris are outstanding defenders - Micky may have had a bad day but Morris was quite brilliant. And Lake could be forgiven for thinking what went wrong when Hall kicked 6 even when Lake beat him regularly in the first half.

With Williams out, you would have thought their defence might have been suspect, instead it set up the win for them, esp given quiet games from Aka & Johnno.

Kirk & ROK were fine, but no better. So much fumbling at the stoppages, I just can't remember it that bad - was the Dog's "perceived pressure" that good or did we just have a collective "shocker"? Tuff to tell but time to move on...

[10Totti10]

Grundy gone, Ablett Gone

Laidlaw, Veszpa in.

Crouch dropped, get real. Among our bests and just becuase he is 30 he needs to be dropped. Just rubbish talk. We must field the best team and sometimes that involves dropping some of the young guys. I agree to giving them a go, but right now if they r not performing they should not play. Moore is a bit inconsistent but he is a form player. His form depends on the overall fomr of the team. Mickey O has been playing poorly for the last 2 games yet no one is talking about him. Just get rid of the junk players that r playing poorly. Would love for Tagh to come back .

[sidswan]

Aker and Jonno having quiet games.... give me a break ... did they have quiet games OR were they negated by excellent defenders?

[Lohengrin]

Aker and Jonno having quiet games.... give me a break ... did they have quiet games OR were they negated by excellent defenders?

Give me a break Don't be so precious.

[Go Swannies]

Give me a break Don't be so precious.

Dunno, if I was a Dogs supporter I'd decide that Aker was too old and tell Eade it was time to move him to the twos. Can't have a game like that and expect to play 1s.

[connolly]

Grundy gone, Ablett Gone

Laidlaw, Veszpa in.

Crouch dropped, get real. Among our bests and just becuase he is 30 he needs to be dropped. Just rubbish talk. We must field the best team and sometimes that involves dropping some of the young guys. I agree to giving them a go, but right now if they r not performing they should not play. Moore is a bit inconsistent but he is a form player. His form depends on the overall fomr of the team. Mickey O has been playing poorly for the last 2 games yet no one is talking about him. Just get rid of the junk players that r playing poorly. Would love for Tagh to come back .

I think you are living in the past re. Kennelly and Crouch. Get real indeed. The suggestion was in response to Roos statement that he will will play the kids and risk defeat. Well just what is Crouch adding to the team? Sure he tags OK still but that about it. By the way he had less possessions than almost any other defender because he plays just like we did three seasons ago. Defenders can't just be taggers especially small defenders. They must run off their opponents. Not only has Crouch never done this why on earth would his style change at the age of 31. In case you missed it this is a rebuilding season. Much better to give Laidlaw and Smith a run and gain valuable firsts experience than play Crouch who is surely in his last season. If he was a KPP or a playmaker different story but as a one dimensional tagger just what is he contributing to the rebiulding of the teams future? Zilch

[connolly]

I'll be fascinated to learn how keeping the opposition's most damaging player completely blanketed is adding nothing to the game plan.

However, agree that most at risk are Moore, Ablett & Grundy - no idea who's available to replace them tho.

He adds nothing to the gameplan which is now a run and carry game because he simply won't, (can't perhaps and too old to change his style) run off his opponent. He is the old style of tagger. That wouldn't be so bad but on Saturday we needed the senior players to stand up and try and take the game by the scruff of the neck and turn the momentum. When Crouch could have been trying to run the lines, try to create out of defence as the young bloke's confidence and skills visibly disintegrated what did he do - tug Aker's shorts. Not good enough from a senior player in a crisis. Sure he kept the yapper quiet but his and other senior players responsibilities in the second quarter deluge went beyond blanketing their opponents. But he really just is a negative player and what that does for the team development at this stage of his career and the teams future beats me.

[Triple B]

connolly, I know where you're coming from and I agree with a lot of your rants, but I can't go with u on this one.

At this stage we are still a realistic finals chance and whilst we may be 'rebuilding' of sorts, we still have designs on making our mark.

Crouch is playing well at the minute and is certainly in our best 22. Until the time comes when we accept we cannot make finals, or we decide that because we cannot win the flag we will look to blood for the future, u still need to select your best 22 each week.

FWIW, your boy is also well inside the best 22 as well, IMO.

[connolly]

connolly, I know where you're coming from and I agree with a lot of your rants, but I can't go with u on this one.

At this stage we are still a realistic finals chance and whilst we may be 'rebuilding' of sorts, we still have designs on making our mark.

Crouch is playing well at the minute and is certainly in our best 22. Until the time comes when we accept we cannot make finals, or we decide that because we cannot win the flag we will look to blood for the future, u still need to select your best 22 each week.

FWIW, your boy is also well inside the best 22 as well, IMO.

Fair enough but i do think our season has become rebuilding. Don't see us bridging the gap between being a real flag contender and 7th where we might finish with the help of the Crouch tagging effort. Very frustrating that Laidlaw, Smith, Curry, Smith, Pyke and Thornton (especially - the kid can really take a great grab) are languishing in the reserves. Time to bite the bullet and give the kids the run. Rather finish out of the finals this season if we have given these kids some valuable firsts experience. Not suggesting tanking but banking on the future.

[Chilcott]

Ablett & Grundy must go for a start.

Ablett provides no postive input to the team. He can play a negating role at times, but we have quiet a few of those players that can do it better.

We need height in the backline, but you could play a short bloke and he would do a better job than Grundy. At least someone with a bit ot pace, could put some sort of defensive pressure on his opponent. Grundy has shown glimpses, but he is simply not up to AFL standard.

Malceski and Buchanan would have to go as well.

Ins: Currie, Smith, Thornton and Ves.

[Triple B]

Fair enough but i do think our season has become rebuilding. Don't see us bridging the gap between being a real flag contender and 7th where we might finish with the help of the Crouch tagging effort.....

I don't think, and I'd be surprised if the club did as well, that we are flag contenders.

I meant in my post, if:

A) We are no longer finals chances.
or
B) Even though we are finals chances we cannot realistically push for a flag so will blood for the future.

Until the club decides either a) or b), we need to pick the best 22 each week on current form.