Changes for Rnd 5 v Hawks

[nicko18]

Sydney finally got weekly footy, which was one of the AFL's priorities. So I can't see the swans playing home games in Melbourne on top of the half dozen games they already play down there yearly.

I also think it involves throwing away a significant scg advantage to do this, its bad enough playing the pies at anz... so I hope they don't consider doing it, you'll probably find a lot of melb based supporters who agree as well

[swansprincess]

Sydney finally got weekly footy, which was one of the AFL's priorities. So I can't see the swans playing home games in Melbourne on top of the half dozen games they already play down there yearly.

I also think it involves throwing away a significant scg advantage to do this, its bad enough playing the pies at anz... so I hope they don't consider doing it, you'll probably find a lot of melb based supporters who agree as well

I am a victorian based supporter and while it would be nice to have more swans game to go to (rather than the 4 at etihad, 1 mcg and 1 geelong? ) I would obviously want the swans to win as many games as possible in the year over anything else and they have more chance of doing that playing in sydney. So I am happy to have not many games here as it is in theory better for the team.

Although having said that the GF and many finals games are played in melbourne, more specifically at the mcg and we have not played well there in a long time, so more games there in the season could be better for us to have more practice playing there, but also bad, as getting the points comes into play.
So as previously said, I think the amount of melb games is fair and should stay about as is, but it would be better imo to play more at the mcg and less at etihad.

(Also sorry if this doesn't make alot of sense; I know what I'm trying to say, just having trouble conveying it and this is clearly the wrong thread.)

[cruiser]

Waiting until round 7 for a game in Melbourne is a joke. Surely the AFL are aware of the following the swans have in Melbourne? I'd hope they will fix that up next year.

I agree. This game against Hawthorn should be played in Melbourne. And why do we always play Geelong down at Skilled every year? What's the deal with limiting Sydney to five games a year in Melbourne?

[wolftone57]

I am a victorian based supporter and while it would be nice to have more swans game to go to (rather than the 4 at etihad, 1 mcg and 1 geelong? ) I would obviously want the swans to win as many games as possible in the year over anything else and they have more chance of doing that playing in sydney. So I am happy to have not many games here as it is in theory better for the team.

Although having said that the GF and many finals games are played in melbourne, more specifically at the mcg and we have not played well there in a long time, so more games there in the season could be better for us to have more practice playing there, but also bad, as getting the points comes into play.
So as previously said, I think the amount of melb games is fair and should stay about as is, but it would be better imo to play more at the mcg and less at etihad.

(Also sorry if this doesn't make alot of sense; I know what I'm trying to say, just having trouble conveying it and this is clearly the wrong thread.)

No home games in Melbourne. Games at the G yes please, because we have to get used to playing there. If we don't play there during the year how are we going to play come finals time?

[wolftone57]

You disagree on whose run and spread is better, but the ability to do so will determine the outcome of this game. Although not on "the field of combat" wolfie . . . . the match review panel wouldn't go for that at all! :-)

Footy is a combat of sorts. As soon as you set opposing sides to even an argument they become combatants. I don't agree with the sentiment that they are a better run and spread side than us this year as we have yet to play them and either prove or disprove that statement.

[wolftone57]

Yes. Because I am in Melbourne I have yet to see a live game this year. All I have to go on is what I can see on a limited TV screen, so I am prepared to be corrected by those who have been to a game. Last year our spread was a problem, however if you are now saying that we have sorted this then you have made me a happy dosser.

Have a look at some of Jetta's goals, they came from running from the back half and bombing it long to open space. We still have moments when the players seem to be almost lazy in the kick outs but generally it has been very good and we are running the ball very fast. The reserves are doing the same things and last week got it right in a big way. One goal against North took a matter of 30 seconds from FB. Yes we are better.

Where you beat the Hawks though is through stopping up the gaps. Play man on man and make them kick long. Stop the incessant leads they seem to be able to produce, Eagles did that very well. You also need to control the midfield. I thing we have one of the best midfields in the comp and are just as good if not better than the Hawks. We definitely have more talent there but they have the experience. Our mids are faster, cleverer and better tacklers.

[ernie koala]

I disagree. The Hawks' run and spread is far superior to ours and on a big ground they will find themselves in a lot of space on the counter attack. Against Norf we were able to stifle it because of the smaller ground and they couldnt get away from us, but now we need to adjust from the SCG to York Park. Not impossible by any means, but it will test us to see just how far we have come in that area.

I agree.
More space will certainly suit the Hawks more than us. It will give them more space for their style of pinpoint passing
It will be harder the Swans to maintain enough pressure to disrupt it.
By no means impossible, but a better team, on a bigger ground, makes this much more difficult than last week.

[ernie koala]

Longmire said lrt and smith will Likely come into the squad...

Not necessarily the final team.

That's true, but Horse seems to like having LRT in his team.
Personally I think both White and Everitt deserve to be in the 21 this week....

[GongSwan]

I disagree. The Hawks' run and spread is far superior to ours and on a big ground they will find themselves in a lot of space on the counter attack. Against Norf we were able to stifle it because of the smaller ground and they couldnt get away from us, but now we need to adjust from the SCG to York Park. Not impossible by any means, but it will test us to see just how far we have come in that area.

Actually, I agree that Hawks spread is better than ours, probably better than Norf, who beat us in that area as well, what I'm saying is if we play the game on our terms, ie hard contested tight footy, winning the clearances and keeping it firmly lodged in our forward 50, and when I say winning the clearances I mean winning them in a big way and finding targets, if teh ball goes into open space too much the Hawks will kill us with their foot skills and the keepings off footy

[Dosser]

I've just been reading the Hawks thread on BF (instead of writing emails for work...) and the only Swans player that they talk about in 14 pages is Malceski. It seems that if they stop Eski then they win the game. Hmmm...

(sorry - changed that to Hawks)

[undy]

That's true, but Horse seems to like having LRT in his team.
Personally I think both White and Everitt deserve to be in the 21 this week....

The plus for having LRT in the side, sometimes overlooked when comparing his ruck/forward work with Jesse, is that if Grundy or Superted is injured, LRT can play d on a power forward. If Hawthorn had anyone in that category.

[Beerman]

Actually, I agree that Hawks spread is better than ours, probably better than Norf, who beat us in that area as well, what I'm saying is if we play the game on our terms, ie hard contested tight footy, winning the clearances and keeping it firmly lodged in our forward 50, and when I say winning the clearances I mean winning them in a big way and finding targets, if teh ball goes into open space too much the Hawks will kill us with their foot skills and the keepings off footy

Remember how Port killed us with their spread in the 2nd quarter? They scored several times by switching it across half back and then kicking to players without a Swan within 15 metres of them. If we play like that against Hawthorn, we lose. Fortunately we tightened it up in the second half. Play like we did against Geelong last year with pressure both on the ball carrier and the receiver and we can force errors, force contests and get our share of the ball.

It's going to be tough - hopefully Hawks will be tired from the trip to Perth and a tough game against West Coast

[nomae]

Mumford out for 3-4 weeks due to back infection from syringe. Bit disappointing Dr Gibbs...

At least Seabs gets a good run at it though.

Hopefully everyone's favourite Nick Smith to come in this week for Rohan. LRT stiff to miss but can't find a place for him - I prefer natural forwards up there.

[Dan]

From Facebook:

HE'S BACK!

Adam Goodes returns for his record breaking 304th game against Hawthorn on Sunday. Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Nick Smith and Tommy Walsh have all been included in the squad.

Injured forward Gary Rohan the only confirmed out at this stage - http://bit.ly/IpQudt

[stellation]

Hawthorn v Sydney Swans
Sunday April 29, 2012
1.10pm AEST,
Aurora Stadium, Launceston, Tasmania

B M.Mattner, H.Grundy, A.Johnson
HB J.McVeigh, T.Richards, R.Shaw
C K.Jack, J.Bolton, L.Jetta
HF N.Malceski, A.Goodes, A.Everitt
F C.Bird, S.Reid, B.McGlynn
Foll M.Seaby, J.Kennedy, R.O'Keefe
I/C (from) T.Armstrong, D.Hannebery, L.Parker, L.Roberts-Thomson, N.Smith, J.White, T.Walsh

In: L.Roberts-Thomson , N.Smith , T.Walsh , A.Goodes
Out: G.Rohan (Broken Leg)

New: T.Walsh (St Kilda)

?Lewie is capable of playing in a few roles. If he feels training-wise that he?s going OK and he?s really comfortable, he will come into the mix and he can play anywhere.

?We?re fortunate that Jesse White played pretty well last week and (Mark) Seaby as well, so it gives us a bit of flexibility and a bit of depth and we can play them in a few different roles if required.?