Game day thread - Rnd 2 v Freo

[aardvark]

Well done boys. Highlight for me was Lewis Jetta slam tackling Pav in the centre square just after half time. I was shocked. Josh Kennedy just gets classier with every game.

[liz]

Good grief, did you all watch a different game to me? At the ground, it was an engrossing game with some great hard tackling and some thrilling goals. We recovered from the third quarter fadeout well and finished with a brilliant piece of teamwork with Kennedy kicking a huge kick for Jetta to run onto and kick a goal.

Very happy with the way we held Freo for three quarters and that we won another 4 points. Happy for LRT that we celebrated his 150th with a win. Can't do better than two out of two at the end of round two.

Yeah, I thought it was a pretty solid performance. The tackling was excellent in the first half, and the ball spent almost the entire 2nd quarter locked in our forward line. We probably didn't get quite enough reward for effort in that first half, though Jetta's kick on the siren made the score a bit more reflective of the dominance.

One of the main negatives for me was some half-hearted defensive efforts around the half-back line early in the 3rd quarter. I thought the first couple of goals Freo scored during their six goal run were the result of the defenders not attacking the ball well enough when they outnumbered Freo players, allowing the ball to run Freo's way. At that point we were so far ahead it didn't seem too catastrophic, but it gave Freo some confidence and they started playing quite well from then on.

Loved Jetta's goal - well, goals, really, but especially the one where he beat two opponents for sheer pace. It certainly adds a different dimension to the team. And it is great knowing we have two players capable of doing that. Ball usage was a mixed bag, but so was Freo's.

We beat a pretty decent team without Mumford and with Goodes far from dominant, notwithstanding his handy two goals towards the end.

[ScottH]

Away for Easter in a fox free zone so no visual of the game. So stressful "watching" on the iphone. MSG'd Triple B at halftime and wasn't confident. Just so typical Sydney. when the opportunity is there to put a team to the sword we choose to put our fans heart rates and stress levels to the sword instead.
I'll take the 4 points and move on to Port next week.

I was doing the same, watching on my phone.
Lost 3G with the clock at 29:05 last qtr. I assumed we won.
Thankfully, swantastic SMS'd me.
Couldn't believe what was showing on the little screen during the 3rd.

[jono2707]

I agree with Erica and SCGOASD in that it was an engrossing game for those at the SCG - our pressure was fantastic for most of the game and the Jetta goal got me to my feet. Kennedy was absolutely top notch in the clutches in the final quarter and when they had to dig in and repel a strong Freo challenge, they did. Big ups to LRT for an excellent 150th and AJ was pretty darn good in defence too. For a game that had a lot of us worried this week, the boys really stood up and put in a manful performance. A great day at a warm and sunny SCG - can you beat it?

[Kirkari]

A great day out at the SCG.

Having those stands closed forces the crowd into a smaller space and creates a sea of red and white. The opposition cheer squad is relegated to a flank towards the same end of the ground as our own. (A long run for the goal scorer to get some love... ;-))

In addition to the previous mentions - how about Nick Smith's turn of speed in (I think) Q4? What a champion!

And big love for LRT - that tackle was a turning point. Fractured cheek is quite the souvenir for his 150th though, even for the God of Thunder. :-(

[wolftone57]

Sam Ried is Royce Hart reborn or re-animated. He is freaky and some of the early marks he took were just sensational. I loved his game. ROK did ok for a first up but of course subbed off. I loved little Luke Parker knocking Pav off the ball before a field bounce just beautiful. Kizza got him and so did Jetts so Pav was having a pretty rough day in the rough-house. AJ good, Reg's delivery really bad, Goodsie tried to take them on too often today. There was once down the left flank when he had the chance to offload to Jetts who could have taken off and he just took them on.

I liked the change in style and importantly I loved the excitement of the young blokes when we kicked a goal. It was like watching a junior footy match they were so excited, just wonderful and bodes well for the future. Rohan was good, most were good but still need to watch some of the disposal in the defence and some of the decision making there as well. I loved Mal's game he was great as was Joey. Seabs held his own and was really important in the end.

Now to the most imporatant man today, LRT, a sensational game one of his best. He epitomised what is great about the Swans today and was just as excited as the young blokes every time he kicked or had a hand in a goal.

[stellation]

What a lovely, lovely day at the footy.

Josh Kennedy is just amazing to watch, he really uses his body as a battering ram. I enjoyed Jetta's game at lot today, as well. Sam Reid was fantastic in the first half.

Nat Fyfe was an absolute joy to watch I have to say, he hunts the balls at stoppages wonderfully- he runs in lines to the fall of the ball really well.

[Vonsteinman]

Everyone I know who watched it on tv thoroughly enjoyed the first half, as I did. Unfortunately (or not as it turned out) I had to duck out for the third term and was on the receiving end of several negative texts updating me on the third term, sounded like it looked pretty ordinary on the box at that point.

By the time I got back they were just barely holding on, couldn't get it passed halfway but were standing reasonably tall in defence.

Two games, two wins. A solid first half win of 40 points against a team that just knocked over the competition benchmark. I think they will all be better for another run and will give an improved effort next week.

Forget about the nay-sayers. Sometimes people make negative comments about footy as it makes them feel more knowledgeable. Not always... just sometimes. The Swans gave it everything again this arvo. They will give good value for money for those of you that can get out and see them this year.

Just enjoy it a bit more!!

[Lucky Knickers]

Loved Jetta's goal - well, goals, really, but especially the one where he beat two opponents for sheer pace.

I'm wondering if they've finally cracked the code to Jetta on the SCG. He really played well and his defensive work is outstanding. He laid some fabulous tackles just seems much more confident.
It was a very good win against a good opponent and was a very tough game. There were quite a few bruised and battered bodies.
Sam Reid showed us how much we have to look forward to in the future.
JPK was the real steadier IMO when Freo got a sniff and we let them back into the game in Q3 and Q4 he was in everything.
THought the umpiring was very poor. Not that I'm unhappy but Tendai very unlucky in front of goal,
Smooches legs were going so fast he was a like cartoon blur! I expected to see a big trench behind him he was moving so fast.
Kudos to Bird - he was great on Fyfe.
As for LRT, is there better big game player better that the Big Viking at the Swans?
It was a great team effort today.

[longmile]

Seems that many of young players are starting to come into there own. It's really exciting to see.
Feels good to beat Freo after last years controversy

[Melbourne_Blood]

Jettas tackling has improved out of sight. Looking forward to seeing his year unfold.

[Cpt. Kirk]

Seems that many of young players are starting to come into there own. It's really exciting to see.
Feels good to beat Freo after last years controversy

Nearly repeated with the paperwork controversy.

[Lucky Knickers]

Great quote from Horse in his press conference about how to play Sandilands:
"you've got to have a pretty big man to restrict Sandilands in the ruck. Probably a big man with a ladder."

[jono2707]

We should also remember that the wind was quite tricky today and that's always going to affect disposal efficiency. Not that we were great but it didn't help. What we did do well was hit it long with the wind to good effect a few times - Jett's goal was the highlight of this and it was a superb example of an excellent chase and finish...

[wolftone57]

I loved the way we played today. The young blokes are just starting to show us how much we have to look forward to. They were sensational and I include Benny, Joey and Smooch in this. They were all so excited with what was happening out there and every time a goal was scored they jumped up and down and hugged each other. That is so exciting, they are bringing youthful enthusiasm into our team and it is great. All played pretty well, especially the young brigade.

Like to say Freemantle are a good side and are going to tear some sides apart with their quick ball movement. If I had the choice of Freo with all their exciting talent or St Kilda and their tired old lot I know who I'd choose.

I watched both games and I loved the fact we have so many talented youngsters out there. There has been a bit of talk about Lamb being outclassed today, I think he had an off day and there was some pretty woeful delivery in the last half when he went forward. Nipper did get a lot of it I just thought he was wasteful in the last half, probably tired he got so much ball. Sad for Lockyer as I thought he was playing very well before he got injured. He has beautiful balance and his delivery is very good.