Round 5 vs hawthorn gameday thread

[Captain]

Only problem is the lid is off. No chance we're under the radar now, unfortunately.

Bookies still have us only 6th for the premiership.

[Dirtyburt]

The hawks could of given goodes a guard of honour as record breaker

A bit unrealistic, he is the swans record holder, no more. Great for us but hardly something the hawks need to recognize in that manner.

[BSA5]

One of the most exciting things I took from the game was Smith's performance as an offensive midfielder. 14 touches, 2 clearances and 4 inside 50s in a half of footy is superb for a player playing a role he's not used to, especially with the quality of his touches. Of course, he's played the role at reserves level, so it's not unexpected that he'd have some success, but it gives us another very dangerous weapon. I'd really love to see Horse play him in the midfield full time, and as an attacking player, not just a tagger. He's so tough, clean, composed and smart, and his disposal is good enough. With Mattner, Shaw and Johnson all excellent options as small defenders (when Johnson isn't required to play on talls, at least), we can afford to do it.

Also, WE STILL HAVE MUMFORD TO RETURN!!!!!!!

[Triple B]

The hawks could of given goodes a guard of honour as record breaker

In fairness to the Hawks, the Swans themselves have indicated that they will celebrate the milestone next week in Sydney. Even Goodes' family did not travel to Tassie today, they are attending next week for the festivities.

[mcs]

I watched the first half live, then went to play a game of soccer and came back after that dreading what I might watch on the 2nd half highlights after watching what was a tepid first half (but credit where credit is due - we hung on grimly in that 2nd quarter and did not let them kick away). But to play like that in the second half was just sensational - we have an extra gear or two that just weren't there over the previous two seasons.

What has impressed me so far this season is not that we've played perfect footy (far from it) or put in 4 quarter performances or any of that. It is that when we run hot, we are very very good, much like we were in2005-06. I.e. what that our very best footy is at a level at which it will trouble most, if not all teams in the competition. Hawthorn, bar the brief period early in the 4th quarter, just had NO answer to us in the 2nd half. Our contested play was fantastic, workrate brilliant, pressure unrelenting and defensively we were very solid. That 2nd half today was some of the very best footy we have played since we won the flag.

Our challenge is to turn it into 4 quarter performances, week in week out and to become an ultra consistent footy team. It will come in time - every week that passes is another game into the youngsters, another game playing together and working together as a team. Our draw this year will help in that way - if we are serious about really going deep into September, we should be winning most of the games coming up to the bye. Every win builds confidence, every win makes the players believe they are good enough, and for the young guys, every game (and especially every win) is another step in their development.

Walking out of the ground last week after we beat the Roos, I just had a feeling that there was something about this team. Today confirmed that thought for me - we are on the right track well and truly, and whilst it may not be this year, we are going to give the flag a real shake very soon.

Cheer Cheer!!!

[mcs]

One of the most exciting things I took from the game was Smith's performance as an offensive midfielder. 14 touches, 2 clearances and 4 inside 50s in a half of footy is superb for a player playing a role he's not used to, especially with the quality of his touches. Of course, he's played the role at reserves level, so it's not unexpected that he'd have some success, but it gives us another very dangerous weapon. I'd really love to see Horse play him in the midfield full time, and as an attacking player, not just a tagger. He's so tough, clean, composed and smart, and his disposal is good enough. With Mattner, Shaw and Johnson all excellent options as small defenders (when Johnson isn't required to play on talls, at least), we can afford to do it.

Also, WE STILL HAVE MUMFORD TO RETURN!!!!!!!

And we still don't have a structured, functioning forward line. There is only upside to come from this team - that is what truly excites me about what we have seen so far!

[Triple B]

One of the most exciting things I took from the game was Smith's performance as an offensive midfielder. 14 touches, 2 clearances and 4 inside 50s in a half of footy is superb for a player playing a role he's not used to, especially with the quality of his touches. Of course, he's played the role at reserves level, so it's not unexpected that he'd have some success, but it gives us another very dangerous weapon. I'd really love to see Horse play him in the midfield full time, and as an attacking player, not just a tagger. He's so tough, clean, composed and smart, and his disposal is good enough. With Mattner, Shaw and Johnson all excellent options as small defenders (when Johnson isn't required to play on talls, at least), we can afford to do it.

Agree totally. Not only has he played the role in reserves, he excelled for years at it, a real ball magnet and smart with it.

With Eski getting back to some nice form and Armstrong waiting in the wings, the run and carry from the back that Rhyce gave us is not so missed anymore. I look forward to Smooch getting more and more chances rotating thru the midfield with Rhyce taking that opposition small forward tag role.

[Beerman]

One of the most exciting things I took from the game was Smith's performance as an offensive midfielder. 14 touches, 2 clearances and 4 inside 50s in a half of footy is superb for a player playing a role he's not used to, especially with the quality of his touches.

I totally expected him to go to Rioli to free up Shaw to generate some run for us as Mal wasn't having that much of an impact. Great to see Smith carving it up and being so damaging. Would love to see him used more like his if we can

[Mountain Man]

I may have missed it in an earlier post, but why was Malceski subbed off? Injured or coaching decision?

[liz]

I may have missed it in an earlier post, but why was Malceski subbed off? Injured or coaching decision?

Longmire noted in his post match press conference that he had taken a knock to his knee, and then confirmed his was his non-LARS knee.

[Dirtyburt]

In fairness to the Hawks, the Swans themselves have indicated that they will celebrate the milestone next week in Sydney. Even Goodes' family did not travel to Tassie today, they are attending next week for the festivities.

Big big night at the home of the swans. It would be nice to see the swans or a sponsor hand out aboriginal flags for the event (Jenny?) I know goodsey would appreciate it.

[Matt79]

Simply INCREDIBLE 2nd half! The immense pressure, ferocious tackling, ball use was outstanding!!!! You could tell how much the lads played for Goodsey!

Just hoping Melcho and LRT are ok. Seems to be no news coming through for either?

[cruiser]

It's late Sunday night and I dont think that I can add anything to what has already been said, other than to say how much I have enjoyed reading this thread about such a magnificent win.

[MattW]

Random guy on twitter: "If a nuclear bomb was dropped on Australia, the only survivor would be the Sydney Swans."

Not a random guy but Greg Baum, The Age's best sports writer.

[swansprincess]

I think either he or someone else copied. It was an Arni who's tweet I read, definitely a random.