Swans v Bombers Game Day Thread

[SwansFan1972]

It's hard to appreciate that win fully after what happened in the last quarter, but we really deserved that. Puts to bed the doubters (even from within, including me) that we couldn't win in Melbourne this year. That game will hold us in good stead for the second half of the season as into the finals.

Our backline did a great job for most of the game, Jetta was of a high standard yet again, and Armstrong looked composed and at home in the squad. There'll be some sore boys out of this game and they thoroughly deserve the week off after that.

+1. Just after the game, was feeling that a 55-12 quarter really does suck, and takes a lot of the gloss off. But then, the half empty cup is really half full - that quarter doesn't matter a lot if the rest of the game is enough to cover it - phew hey!?!?. Would prefer they NOT run it so close next time!

Swans have been pretty good front runners this season, which has taken some getting used to! Certainly hasn't been our modus operandi for a long time, so there will be some kinks I suppose (I like to think of the last quarter tonight as a kink to iron out. Like the first quarter against the Crows, first and last against the Tigers, and second and third against the Saints)! When we get all the kinks out and put together four quarters per game, look out the rest of the competition!!!!

Lots to look forward to with players coming back in second half of the year. Just need to stop picking up an injury each week (although that is a common afflication across the entire competition this year - West Coast, Pies and the Bombers themselves know a bit about it too). Quite amazing these three and our Swans are among this year's best sides so far!

[mcs]

I am not going to comment on the last quarter, apart from saying thank goodness we won.

Those first 3 quarters showed me that this team is really starting to develop nicely. The game was never played on our terms, in a swans style of football. But the way we adapted and created enormous pressure on the bombers was wonderful - despite what there arrogant fans at the ground thought, so many of their errors and mistakes were directly a result of the pressure and 'perceived' pressure we applied.

There has been signs at times this season, small snippets of this pressure. Tonight was the first time we managed it for a sustained period. As the last quarter showed, its a very taxing way to play, but we must keep developing it as it will make the difference in the big games.

We might have only just snuck over the line tonight, but the team can take an enormous amount from it. Make no mistake, in an open competition we are a genuine chance to finish top 4 and dare I say it challenge for the flag.

I thought our defence did magnificently well and Lewis jetta is a joy to watch - it has clicked for him and he is becoming a game breaker.

Oh and it is always wonderful to beat the bombers... the whining, twats that support them are infuriating to listen to - many of them seem to hold our club in disdain, like we aren't a real team or something, so I take great joy in winning against them.

Cheer cheer!

[Doctor]

Like everyone else I went through an extraordinary range of emotions during the game. A friend messaged me at 3/4 time to say we had it won and I could have killed him. Never call it that early!

Ultimately though if you'd offered me a 4 point win before the game I'd have taken it. We were clearly exhausted in the last quarter and badly missed Hannebery because with Parker and McGlynn also out our balance was too badly affected and they just ran over the top of us. The dodgy umpiring didn't help, although they were spot on with the call on Dempsey. A 'controversial' call isn't controversial because it's the last decision in a close game, it's controversial if there's some doubt over its accuracy. There's not doubt the ump was right, so end of story.

Great effort, nearly undone by momentum and exhaustion but we hung on, we have a week off and we get Goodes and McGlynn back for next game. I'm satisfied, even though I need a blood pressure check.

[Goal Sneak]

Ultimately though if you'd offered me a 4 point win before the game I'd have taken it.

I'm not sure where these offers are coming from. Do you have the authority to make such deals?

[MightyBloods]

I, like most of you, had the taste of victory soured by that last quarter........however until i watched the game fully in the cold light of day:

We were out on our feet from late third quarter;
Hannebury concussed and off the ground;
McVeigh in the rooms during play in the last half obviously not well;
Bolton attended by the doctor on field in final quater(doctor more concerned which shouldnt surprise us all);
Smith off with a sore kneee in second half but returned under duress;
Mumford 'stuffed' obviously'underdone';

A courageous win and we needed the lead which the coaching staff knew....so we went at them early.

Real positives:
We hung on for the win when they got within 4 points with over 5 mins playing time left:
The umpiring got 'on board' with the 30,000 odd red and black army in that last quarter and we hung in there;
Jetta is quickly becoming elite...dare I say it...brownlow material!
Armstrong is a HUGE pick up!
Sadly, Malcevski and Everritt dont belong in our best 22. Also, probably not Pyke but I do ike his development. As for Malcevski, a strange sub option.I prefer an impact player with speed and carry as a sub. So we got our sub wrong;
Parker, McGlynn,Goodes didnt play...all upside;...and one could only think with Rohan in this side;
Hannebury's reaction on being subbed....future captain! Why does he remind me of Luke Hodge?
Okeefe behind the ball was the wrong option....would have preferred malcevski with less game time to get to contests.

...but , let me get back to looking at the league ladder...well done Swannies!

[Swans500]

I LOVE this description of the emotional rollercoaster that indeed WAS that game....

I really don't know how to respond to that game.

Before it started I was mentally preparing myself for a bad loss, rationalising that we had some key players missing.

Halfway through the 2nd quarter I was calling myself an arsehole for doubting this committed, balanced, WEAPON of a team that was playing beautiful footy.

At 3/4 time I was daydreaming about how pretty our percentage was going to look and preparing to revel in the massive fallout. How good would it be seeing the rabid Dons fans loose their minds? Umpire obsessed @@@@wits.

Halfway though the last I was thinking 'stop trying to @@@@ with me Sydney!!' *Angry grumble grumble*

10 minutes to go and I was ready to slit my wrists.

5 minutes to go and I was mentally preparing to lose and thinking 'there is no rational explanation for this level of ineptitude!'

THAT mark 1 sec before the siren and I realised the cruel irony.

Now at the end of the game, I think I'm just relieved. It wasn't the best way to end, but 4 points is 4 points in more ways than one.

[BillyRayCypress]

Any other burning questions out there Swans folk - just send em through to our pickled friend Billy here and see what the footy gods have to say!!

No buddy, I don't partake of the demon drink. I was just commenting on the Ozzie culture.

Have to get up to early to milk the cows and tryin to do that with a hangover is just not pleasing.

You put some effort there into your questions though. You forgot why are the chips at SKODA $3:90 and the SCG they're $5:00. Now that is a football mystery.

[BillyRayCypress]

BTW, any news on Hanners?

After a good spanking he settled down. Looked fine at the end of the game.

I think the bye saved him from missing a game next week.

The days of players continuing to play after a head knock are well and truly gone now.

[JudesaGun]

Did anyone see the NLM elbow to Jude's head? He'll have to get cited.

[Sandridge]

So glad to see that most posters have concentrated on the positives here. We beat a top team in Melbourne and killed 'em for 3 quarters!

Anyone who's a little disappointed that we blew a 3 quarter time 47 point lead and only won by 4 points, go to the Swans website and watch the players sing the song after the game. They were stoked and so am I!

Go Bloods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Anyone else think that the mark paid to Watson which led to their final goal was REALLY soft?)

[Wardy]

Am watching the replay now we were out on our feet in the last. But we clung on. Jude Bolton never gave up he just gets better. The only thing I like about the bombers is Jobe Watson - he's a class act. Jetta & Keiran back each other up beautifully. I noticed a numbrt of "hand In the back" that were obvious but werent paid to us yet the bombers got theirs. Still it was karma in the end - Dempsey played on, the hooter went - happy days!!!!

[bandwagon]

That was a fantastic win. But it made for really unpleasant viewing. Still seeing the Essendon supporters' faces at the end made it somehow all worthwhile. Schadenfreude is such a sweet joy.

[BRISWAN]

Great to get the 4pts - but the fade outs are a concern.

Good news is - that our normal game is upto the standard of anyone in the league (I believe).

Below is a list of our worst quarters this season for each game:

R1: GWS 4th qtr 1.8 vs 2.3 (Won 3 qtrs)
R2: Freo 3rd qtr 2.2 vs 6.1 (Won 2 qtrs)*
R3: Port 3rd qtr 2.2 vs 4.3 (Won 3 qtrs)
R4: Roos 2nd qtr 4.2 vs 5.4 (Won 2 qtrs)
R5: Haw 1st qtr 2.2 vs 5.3 (Won 2 qtrs)*
R6: Adel 1st qtr 1.2 vs 5.2 (Won 2 qtrs)*
R7: Rich 1st qtr 0.2 vs 5.6 (Won 2 qtrs)*
R8: Melb (Won 4 qtrs)
R9: StK 3rd qtr 3.2 vs 6.7 (Won 2 qtrs)*
R10: WB 2nd qtr 1.5 vs 2.0 (Won 3 qtrs)
R11: Ess 4th qtr 2.0 vs 9.1 (Won 3 qtrs)*

Apart from the Tigers game - our worst quarters come against top 8 teams.

[Beerman]

(Anyone else think that the mark paid to Watson which led to their final goal was REALLY soft?)

This is one decision I am ok with. It looked like he had it under control and as he shifted it in his hands to make it more comfortable and secure and that's when it was knocked out.

For the sake of my health I've had to give up analysing umpiring decisions. It causes too much grief and stress for too little gain.

[Captain]

What an amazing game.

Jetta is a total gun and is the x factor that will help push us deep into September.

I thought Jude and Teddy had fantastic games as well. You know with both of them that they are going to compete to the end and win most of their battles. Jude's goal kicking is still one of the best in the AFL. He never misses a set shot and hasn't for years.

Pyke was ordinary and Mummy looks well down on fitness. Hopefully the week off helps that back.

TDL and Reid started well but were barely sighted after half time. That can happen but would be nice to see them get to more contests.

Goodes for Everitt would be my only change next week.