Rd 17, 2010 Demons V Swans Pre-Game Discussion (with Teams)

[liz]

I think it partly reflects the fact we started the season with three tall forward targets and not many genuine smaller forwards (resting mids or otherwise) and maybe the fact that McGlynn was injured for quite a while. But we don't have an abundance of small, pacy tackling machines and we have observed how easily the ball often rebounds from our forward 50.

It is actually a positive, in a way, that we are quite poor at this area because it is something that can be addressed - if not in the next two months, certainly in the next year or so. You don't need an abundance of top draft picks to be able to improve this facet of the game. If we were struggling to take contested marks inside forward 50, win centre clearances, or win ruck hit-outs, it is not quite as easy to address. (I have no idea where we sit in these stats BTW - not suggesting these are strengths per se, just illustrations of harder things to address.)

[ShockOfHair]

It also seems to confirm what has been in the case in some games where (eg, Collingwood) where our kick-ins are easily trapped and the opposition's kick-ins glide easily through our forward defensive setup.

[johnno]

I honestly cant remember the last time we played the Demons in Melbourne.

Must be some time ago?

[Auntie.Gerald]

given that Mcviegh and Smithy were out for 2/3 of the game each approx..............we did extremely well against a solid team (carlton)..............I can wait to see what we can do in the second half against Melbourne with 22 healthy players.........

Lets rock !!

[giant]

It's interesting coz the forward pressure mantra has been such a touchstone for commentators, and presumably coaching staff, that you would think it's been discussed at the Swans. Still, it may be one of those stats that actually doesn't stand up to deeper scrutiny - when I look at the way footy is won and lost these days, things like field kicking efficiency, conversion rates, tackle counts and the quality of your clearances seem way more important (as well as the generally incalculable "intensity" level!).

[Plugger46]

I honestly cant remember the last time we played the Demons in Melbourne.

Must be some time ago?

Yeah, normally played home games against us in Canberra. I reckon 2006 was the last time.

[ScottH]

I honestly cant remember the last time we played the Demons in Melbourne.

Must be some time ago?

Rnd 19, 2006 (12, aug). MCG
Swans 95-63.

A young H Grundy, played his 4th game.

[Margo]

Back to Shaw. The commentators on Ch 7 were saying that the forward can push the defender in the back as long as it is with the forearms or/and (unsure) with fists, not open hands. Is that right ? Makes it sound much easier to get rid of your opponent. And if so, why don't they all do that ? I thought Shaw did that several times with no free against so maybe it is right. Yes, I am naive.

[Triple B]

Back to Shaw. The commentators on Ch 7 were saying that the forward can push the defender in the back as long as it is with the forearms or/and (unsure) with fists, not open hands. Is that right ? Makes it sound much easier to get rid of your opponent. And if so, why don't they all do that ? I thought Shaw did that several times with no free against so maybe it is right. Yes, I am naive.

Margo, it is such a grey area.

The general current interpretation appears to be you can't actually 'push' regardless of whether you use hands or forearm, but you can sort of hold your position by placing a forearm firmly in their back to stop them pushing back but you cannot place your hands in their back to stop them coming back.

Of course, that is this weeks interpretation and next weeks may be entirely different.

[dimelb]

Margo, it is such a grey area.

The general current interpretation appears to be you can't actually 'push' regardless of whether you use hands or forearm, but you can sort of hold your position by placing a forearm firmly in their back to stop them pushing back but you cannot place your hands in their back to stop them coming back.

Of course, that is this weeks interpretation and next weeks may be entirely different.

That seems to be the current position. Mind you, on Sunday a couple of times Shaw used his body sideways to knock the defender out of the way, which (I understand) is perfectly OK.

[gumby_bolts]

Any news on Bevan? Looked like a pretty nasty knock on his shoulder and he couldn't shake hands with his right fter the game.

[liz]

That seems to be the current position. Mind you, on Sunday a couple of times Shaw used his body sideways to knock the defender out of the way, which (I understand) is perfectly OK.

Any action where the opponent is unfairly prevented from competing for a mark is meant to be against the rules, though there is inconsistency in application. The umpires seem to use a "one motion" / "two motion" criterion to distinguish, although again not entirely consistently. I thought Rhys' mark was OK because he used his arm to launch himself backwards to take the mark and didn't really push his opponent forward per se.

If you watch the mark which Eddie took coming in from the side in the Blues' goal square, you will see a Swan (Mattner I think) clearly being pushed off balance as the ball was arriving, not by Betts but by another Blue. Whether Mattner could have effected a spoil had he not been pushed out of the way is debateable, but was definitely a clear push and softer ones have been paid. (Not that I am claiming we were hard done by overall - we weren't.)

[TheHood]

I think if Sydney enter this game with complete respect for the Demons, then the lift should get the Swans the chocolates. There are many teams this year that have paid no heed to the Demons and gotten jumped or just beaten because they do have heart and play with great enthusiasm and free-wheeling ways.

It's encumbant upon the Swans to teach the young Demons the meaning of pressure and accountability the hard way, I think a 45 point loss should do the trick.

[Peace]

would be good to see both Jettas play

[Matt79]

Bringing 9 other staff members down from Sydney (most Leagies) for a footy (lads) weekend in Melbourne. Each has brought a Swannies Polo which has been embroided to remember the weekend. Just hope we win!