Round 18: Geelong pre-game discussion (With Teams)

[Bas]

Having my son's birthday party next Saturday afternoon. I thought I would make the game BUT after dealing with a dozen kids, controlling, manipulative ex-wife and the crap the Swans dished up last Sunday, I will be staying at home with my two little angels and watching the game on telly. I will probably watch most of Iron Chef as well.

And it was last Sunday's performance that made up my mind.

[Bleed Red Blood]

No I don't hate any of the players. From memory Roos promoted Nick Smith, Mathew O'Dwyer, Gary Rohan for the first games against the cats as well as promoting Ed Barlow for his one and only appearance this year. Maybe he might pick someone else e'g Sam Reid, Lewis Johnston??
Maybe it's his modis operandi as an introduction to the firsts.

I think the count also includes the now departed Matthew Laidlaw.

[Nich]

Its quite possible that Carlton, Sydney, North and Adelaide will all lose next week.

Amazingly Melbourne have an outside chance of making it. They have the easiest run home of all of those sides. 10 points behind us and realistically could win 4 of their last 5 if they really have a dig and play close to like they did on Sunday.

[Ratna]

Geelong are a great side but I think we will look better against them than against Melbourne. Teams with lots of pace, who spread from the contest well and have good skills (eg. Collingwood and Dogs of the last few years) show us up badly like Melbourne did. Geelong are more tough and skilled than fast, so at least the swans are fighting on their terms even if outgunned. The Geelong forward line without LRT or B2 to slow them will be scary, only Grundy as a Key position option he will have to be in 4 places at once as I think they will try to stretch us. No Smith will also hurt with their smaller forwards. I don't get to watch reserves often but will be interesting to see if they throw Reid in. I have mixed feelings about Reid as it may be a slaughter but from reports he deserves his chance.

Despite all this I think the swans will dig in and limit it to a 5-6 goal loss. Something to look forward to after the last effort.

[Go Swannies]

The Adjudicator: AFL R18 - AFL Premiership - Fox Sports

Sydney Swans v Geelong, ANZ Stadium, Saturday 7.10pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "There's a TV commercial doing the rounds in Sydney this week promoting this match at ANZ Stadium. No surprises there, but the players used to tempt Sydney fans into making the dreaded trip west are bothering me. It's billed as a battle of the big guns; Ablett, Bartel, Chapman and Mooney vs Goodes, Bolton, Pyke and Mumford. Wait ... what? Let's read that again. Ablett, Bartel, Chapman and Mooney vs Goodes, Bolton, Pyke and Mumford. A date with Mrs A if you can tell me who the odd one out is. And a second date if you can tell me who'll win this one."

[agro]

Anyone have any predictions on crowd numbers? 20,000?..... 30,000?...... 40,000?....... 50,000?.......

[Doctor]

The Adjudicator: AFL R18 - AFL Premiership - Fox Sports

Sydney Swans v Geelong, ANZ Stadium, Saturday 7.10pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "There's a TV commercial doing the rounds in Sydney this week promoting this match at ANZ Stadium. No surprises there, but the players used to tempt Sydney fans into making the dreaded trip west are bothering me. It's billed as a battle of the big guns; Ablett, Bartel, Chapman and Mooney vs Goodes, Bolton, Pyke and Mumford. Wait ... what? Let's read that again. Ablett, Bartel, Chapman and Mooney vs Goodes, Bolton, Pyke and Mumford. A date with Mrs A if you can tell me who the odd one out is. And a second date if you can tell me who'll win this one."

I've seen that ad a few times. I think I did a double take the first 4 times I saw it until I realised what I was actually seeing. Perhaps the Canadian Trade Show is in town or something?

[Cheer_Cheer]

I would like to see someone (ie Jack) at least try and tag Ablett this time.. Roos joking last time that he had less possessions when not being tagged doesn't cut it for me.. Other teams seem to be able to keep him to less than 40 touches a game..

[Go Swannies]

Anyone got any idea who will be available for selection this week? I hope it's Nic and LRT for a start.

[Go Swannies]

Anyone got any idea who will be available for selection this week? I hope it's Nic and LRT for a start.

To answer my own question, here's the list from the Swans' site (but it's a week old):

Injury list - July 20

PLAYER INJURY STATUS
Jake Orreal Back season
Craig Bolton Achilles 3-4 weeks
Mark Seaby Ankle 3-4 weeks
Nick Smith
Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Lewis Roberts-Thomson Hamstring 2-3 weeks
Daniel Bradshaw Hamstring 2 weeks
Craig Bird Foot 1-2 weeks
Matt O'Dwyer Shoulder Test
Gary Rohan Ankle Test
Campbell Heath Ankle Test

[Bas]

Anyone got any idea who will be available for selection this week? I hope it's Nic and LRT for a start.

Barlow, Barlow and Barlow.

[Jewels]

Anyone have any predictions on crowd numbers? 20,000?..... 30,000?...... 40,000?....... 50,000?.......

About 10,000 to 15,000 less than there would have been prior to the weekends debacle!

[CJK]

On Sunday I was outraged and wasn't gonna bother.

Now I can't wait. Football!!!!

[sWAns63]

Miracles do happen though I don't think one will happen against the cats

[jono2707]

I'd be happy to focus on the process rather than the result. I won't mind if we don't win as long as I see 22 guys hard at the ball, chasing like hell, tackling with gusto and basically just looking like they want to be out there giving their all. Anything else will be a bonus...