Pleasant Surprise

[old blood]

I know its fun to get stuck into Robert Walls (I suspect he likes it that way) but I haven't forgotten that he was the only commentator who tipped us to make the finals in 2003. He based that on the players' reactions to Paul Roos's coaching style.

At least he doesn't just follow the herd.

[mcs]

To me the key this week (and hopefully in the following two weeks) is for us to play 4 full quarters of good, contested footy, like we did against Geelong a few weeks ago and like we did against the Pies in the middle of the year. For us to challenge any of the teams left and potentially beat them, we have to be at our best for the full 4 quarters. Play good footy for half the game or 2/3s of it or 3/4's of it, and in that 1/4 we don't play well we will get beat. For while against most teams, our bad patch can be covered over by our ability to limit the damage done by the opposition, a bad patch against any of the remaining teams will see our chances mortally wounded.

But if we turn up willing to play, and play our brand of footy for 4 quarters, then we are good enough to beat any team left in the competition. We may just find we aren't quite ready to take that next step and beat the Dawks or Collingwood in a big game just yet, but I have no doubt we are good enough to do so.

While goodes will be tagged very hard on Friday, he is in the sort of form that he can still influence the game with limited touches, and if he plays well on Friday, then I think we will win! Perhaps Friday may be the true break out game for one of our youngsters - maybe it will be the moment Sammy Reid truly arrives on the AFL stage.

I am not feeling confident about Friday, but I have a good feeling about it all the same. Start well, be there or there abouts at half time, then I think we can come over the top of them. Our 4th quarters have been very good recently. Whatever happens on Friday, I think we've had a good year and that we are going to genuinely challenge for (and hopefully win) a flag over the next few years.

[AnnieH]

Goodesy?? Tagged??

Only if they can catch him.

[SwansFan1972]

Hard to feel other than cautiously optimistic about beating hawks, even though every pointer indicates we are in better form and shape.

One interesting element is hearing some of the commentators (mostly on 360 last night on Fox) saying the Hawks need to use their 'best player' to tag Goodesy.

When you hear Hawks 'best player' the names that immediately pop into the head are Buddy, Hodgey, Cyril and Sammy Mitchell. But no! They were talking about Josh Gibson!!!

Now - not to disrespect Gibson - he's had a great season - but if he is their best, then they have big issues and maybe our confidence should be sky high! Go Swans!

[penga]

Walls' Keys to the Game: Give Sam Reid a run in the ruck.

Bahahahahaha!!