Round 2 - Swans vs Dons Match Thread.

[Nico]

Yep Jude played a blinder. He must have remarkable stamina. At one point late in the game when he forced the ball over the line he looked like he wouldn't have blown out a candle. Goodes was the same. I belive Jude had 16 hard ball gets. Are RC's training methods producing the goods as per body strength. Our blokes just kept on bouncing up and laying tackles when the chips were down.

Even though we drew with Melbourne last week we may have knocked the stuffing out of them as they have stopped to a walk in the second half.

[DST]

There could have easily been a free to Stanton when mattner tackled him directly in front of goals, my first thoughts were that we had lost the game but the whistle never sounded. Also jude's free for holding the ball when he kicked the winner helped us a lot, there was definitely a hand ball in there from the Essendon player
But I'm stoked we one!

Can't agree on the Bolton decision.

He tried to handball, but only could get the hand to it that was holding the ball and therefore it was incorrect disposal.

The umpire was hot on it as he had already tried to break one tackle before Bolton got him.

DST

[Nico]

There could have easily been a free to Stanton when mattner tackled him directly in front of goals, my first thoughts were that we had lost the game but the whistle never sounded. Also jude's free for holding the ball when he kicked the winner helped us a lot, there was definitely a hand ball in there from the Essendon player
But I'm stoked we one!

Stanton threw himself forward and sure there was an arm across his back, but Mattner seemed to go down by his side. Stanton needed to keep his feet. That was about Mattners best game for us.

[Nico]

Can't agree on the Bolton decision.

He tried to handball, but only could get the hand to it that was holding the ball and therefore it was incorrect disposal.

The umpire was hot on it as he had already tried to break one tackle before Bolton got him.

DST

From the close in angle it looked like he handballed but the up the ground long shot showed one of our players knocking it away before his hand got to it so it was deemed a throw. He did also have a prior opportunity.

[swansrule100]

happy with the win, we won the free kick count, but i thought they did get the run especially early, but i need to have my non tense, casual second watch of the game to judge for sure.

I thought apart from the obvious good players like bolton okeefe goodes and hannenberry, i was happy with players like mattner- almost stuffed the end though, shaw and bevan- bevan should stay forward. Richards battled well but probably had the wrong match up, was also good to see bird back.

I agree with people on jettas fumbles and turn overs but on the plus side he found the ball quite a bit, white was also good early.

Was good to get the win, essendon played the best they probably could, i think we can play a lot better

[cowcar]

jetta would be most in line to lose his spot IMHO... cant hit a target. I thought Bird was unlucky to come off.. but i am assuming that was because of a lack of match fitness..
Have to agree .. it is a rare thing, but we actually got the better from the Umps against Essendon! I am pretty sure Longmire will be geting phone calls from 15 other coaches asking how this happened...

[swansrule100]

Stanton threw himself forward and sure there was an arm across his back, but Mattner seemed to go down by his side. Stanton needed to keep his feet. That was about Mattners best game for us.

stanton just plays for frees, people give joel selwood a hard time, but stanton just chucks his head in expecting a free.

[Swansinger]

Was the Marn Grook trophy shared ?
Thought I heard Goodesy say "HMMM..there's a footy on this - I guess we better give it to an Essendon defender."

Appalling turnovers , soft goals conceded , skills rusty , but a massive load of effort and courage from the lads.
Some fine individual stuff - Smith cool under pressure in the last quarter and Mummy - who I thought was well below his best , thoug it can't have been easy rucking alone on a warm day - took a strong , steadying mark.

Tremendous game by Jubba - he filled the Kirk void.

[swansrule100]

are we gonna have to put up with whingy essendon fans because of the free kick count? if your a dirty side u will get called for it

[Nich]

Looks like Bomber Thompson has imparted his 'free kick' winning techniques to his new side. There were a few Stevie J/Chapman specials by the Dons players this arvo.

[swansrule100]

Looks like Bomber Thompson has imparted his 'free kick' winning techniques to his new side. There were a few Stevie J/Chapman specials by the Dons players this arvo.

especially from stanton

they will still whinge, free kick count doesnt have to be even

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I think its a luxury to have Goodes being able to swing from the forward line into the middle. A move to the midfield at half time is something we may see quite a bit of this year. Needs to practice his kicking though.

I don't see Goodes as a luxury up forward. In my view he plays his best football when he doesn't have to worry about being in a set position & can just freely worry about following the ball. With White AND Reid up there we end up having 3 talls up forward. I think that destabilises the team.

I guess Horse thinks that Goodes can't last a full game on the wing any more. He needs to be running smoothly chasing the ball to kick well. This is the way I put down his often awful kicking from a set shot, because he is flat footed and not charging after the ball.

JF

[Nich]

Let the Goodes run free!!!

[liz]

I thought as the game went on our midfielders improved and how much better are we with Goodes in the midfield. His ball handling when he went in there in the second was clean and what we needed. I would keep White and Reid up forward and play Goodes up there when he needs a rest, as he will certainly provide a goal or two and put mid game pressure on oppostion backs.

Definitely agree on Goodes. Was very surprised Horse didn't pull that move last week, especially since Garland had got Goodes' measure. Learning from his mistakes?

I was whinging like mad when the FK count was 11-5 Bombers favour - by the last qr, it was 33-17 our favour. In the 2nd & 3rd qr, we got 23 to their 5. Our winning goal came from a soft free, and in the dying mins the Mattner tackle could easily have been paid as a push on a different day. I think we might have to accept we did all right...

That said, we were the better team at all the crunch moments and entirely objectively I declare us worthy winners. Fab effort from the defenders who gutsed it out all day - some of them will be sore boys, do hope we have at least one of Tadhg or LRT to lighten the load next week.

Brilliant game from Bolton - there may be a few of us who can sheepishly 'fess up to saying he might struggle for a game this season.

Yes, predictions of his imminent demise look foolish at the moment. And I confess I was one who wondered if we'd start to see him struggle this year. His three goals last week were obviously important. This week it wasn't just his three goals but his work in the middle of the ground too. Great game.

We definitely had the better of the umpiring after quarter time. There was a contest late in the game where Hurley (who is becoming an excellent player) looked like he was infringed twice. It was in the lead up to the Paddy Ryder kick from the boundary line that snuck through for a behind - Hurley would have been on a much better angle to kick the goal had he been awarded that free.

We might see Tadhg back next week but I doubt we'll see Lewis - he was a no show for the reserves today.


Overall, I think we were maybe lucky to get away with that one but I am not complaining. It was definitely a case of will and heart over skill. Fumbles on the ground cost us badly in the first half, and the inability to weight a kick to the advantage of a team mate (or even kick it vaguely to them) was painful to watch at times. Still, many teams are rusty early in the season and I hope that is what we're seeing - just the early season cobwebs.

Lot of man-love on this thread for Reid and I can understand why. But I am saving mine this week for Benny McGlynn. Not his absolute best game for the Swans but he has so much heart and is so fearless I just can't help myself.

[Hartijon]

Evert time I see Bevan as a defensive forward its like he is perfect for that role and really adds something to the team. Todays match reaffirms this view. Keep him there!