Game Day Thread; Swans v Crows

[bloodsbigot]

I can't wait to see what happens when Buddy and Tippett are both in the side. Will it be a success immediately or will it take a few weeks for the team to get used to a new set-up (As it did with Buddy)?

See how both Adelaide players were distracted by Buddy after that Jack mark?

Surely the opposition can't double-team both Buddy and Tippett. Heck, even if they do it will give Reid or our crumbers a good chance of snaring goals.

Looking forward, realistically, we probably won't beat Fremantle and Hawthorn in the first half of the season (We're in warm-up mode), but I can see us putting a big dent in them due to our intensity.

[Hartijon]

Umpires

I was impressed with the umpiring. Usually in Crowland you get some home town umpiring but these guys were fair to both sides.They had the sense to let it go with the whistle when the match was up for grabs which is what you usually see in a GF and nowhere else.They made a few mistakes for sure but don't we all? Reporting Macca when the Crow player dropped at the knees was rough.The Crows crowd could watch the match in silence without any hope of an easy free.

[stellation]

See how both Adelaide players were distracted by Buddy after that Jack mark?

That was pretty funny, the reverse angle replay was great.

[stellation]

I'll need to watch the replay to see why Derrickx was getting maligned for today. I thought he was terrific, some of his work off the ball was great and he was more than a handy backup. I think most are forgetting that's only his 4th game of senior football.

I thought he was quite good, he's a big lad and doesn't seem to mind throwing his weight around a bit. Showed a bit of potential.

[barry]

That game reinforced to me how valuable LRT is. His blocking and bullocking freed up buddy to do his thing.

[0918330512]

I thought he was quite good, he's a big lad and doesn't seem to mind throwing his weight around a bit. Showed a bit of potential.

So the opposite of Jesse White then who by RWO posts over the years was a big unit who showed a LOT of potential but until the end DIDN'T like throwing his weight around much

[Primmy]

I was impressed with the umpiring. Usually in Crowland you get some home town umpiring but these guys were fair to both sides.They had the sense to let it go with the whistle when the match was up for grabs which is what you usually see in a GF and nowhere else.They made a few mistakes for sure but don't we all? Reporting Macca when the Crow player dropped at the knees was rough.The Crows crowd could watch the match in silence without any hope of an easy free.

Well noted. I didn't find myself wanting to dong any of them this game. Most unusual.
Think Macca will be ok. It was all accidental and in the play.
Enjoyed this game, mostly. Must be remembered, that the boys did not take their foot off the pedal, they kept the pressure up and we won by a massive expansion on the 2 points up we were at at one stage. OK Crows fell over, but the boys didn't slack off. That's the one thing that gives me the yips.
One thing I want to say is that Dane Rampe is a massive keeper. Talk about cool customer and safe hands. Disposal sometimes.....but not all the time. Future looking good.

[Matt80]

So the opposite of Jesse White then who by RWO posts over the years was a big unit who showed a LOT of potential but until the end DIDN'T like throwing his weight around much

I checked the stats this morning and Jesse White had 2 goals, 14 possessions, 7 marks, 3 tackles and a couple of hit outs against a AFL top 4 team. He was better than Travis Cloke. I don't think its fair for that blogger to call him a spud.

LRT and Tom D did their jobs well and should retain their positions until Tippett comes back. Pyke was strong again and his kicking improved.

A lot of people are saying that Shaw needs to be dropped, but I'm not sure. He is the only defender with that crazy dash out of the backline. He is also a very good man on man defender. If you are going to drop him you need someone who is going to do his job better than him! Maybe Towers is the player, but his being developed as a half forward flanker. Lewis Jetta could be a wonderful prospect as a running defender but his one on one defence is nowhere near as good as Shaw's.

[Primmy]

Shaw missed a motza last year, he has had LARS surgery, he is getting his 'game' back. Give him (and me) a break!
LRT is not running like mad, but he is doing a fine job as a protector, a vastly underrated position. Missed most of last year.
Derryks will be just fine. He is damned good looking and that is a plus. He is also ready to play his role and wants to.
Laidler will also be just fine. He is playing nervous, and who would blame him. Couldn't get a gig under Malthouse, and that has to undermine your confidence.

The kids have to play like there is no Jude and muscle memory has him still hovering. They got better this game. I found the kids more inclined to take action instead of waiting for the more senior players to lead the way. And you have to admit that having Franklin in red and white has to discomode the brainwaves of the players. The very idea of having him play with you and not against you is still new, to everyone!

Everything will be fine. Even the drink soaking shows that a) Buddy is loving it, b) the players love the new blokes, c) they are a team that is starting to gell.

[aguy]

Shaw missed a motza last year, he has had LARS surgery, he is getting his 'game' back. Give him (and me) a break!
LRT is not running like mad, but he is doing a fine job as a protector, a vastly underrated position. Missed most of last year.
Derryks will be just fine. He is damned good looking and that is a plus. He is also ready to play his role and wants to.
Laidler will also be just fine. He is playing nervous, and who would blame him. Couldn't get a gig under Malthouse, and that has to undermine your confidence.

The kids have to play like there is no Jude and muscle memory has him still hovering. They got better this game. I found the kids more inclined to take action instead of waiting for the more senior players to lead the way. And you have to admit that having Franklin in red and white has to discomode the brainwaves of the players. The very idea of having him play with you and not against you is still new, to everyone!

Everything will be fine. Even the drink soaking shows that a) Buddy is loving it, b) the players love the new blokes, c) they are a team that is starting to gell.

As much as I was calling for a few changes during the week I have to agree this is a pretty good post. Do have to keep remembering shaw is still finding his mojo after surgery.

Derrickx for me is still 50 50. So I'll withhold judgement

Rampe is very interesting. I like him a lot. And I think he may be ideal to take over that running out of half back role that shaw does.

Laidler is probably going to end up playing a backup defender on the fringe of the team who is in it out depends on injuries and availability.

[Matt80]

[QUOTE=aguy;636727]As much as I was calling for a few changes during the week I have to agree this is a pretty good post. Do have to keep remembering shaw is still finding his mojo after surgery.

Derrickx for me is still 50 50. So I'll withhold judgement

Rampe is very interesting. I like him a lot. And I think he may be ideal to take over that running out of half back role that shaw does.

It's amazing to think that Rampe was running around the Sydney AFL comp only two seasons ago. He has come along way and there is more to come. Be patient with him. I think he is still building his confidence in his defensive game, which he is doing a great job with. In 2015 I think you will see his offensive game coming along in a big way.

It's a credit to the Swans that they can derive such great value out of players such as Pyke and Rampe.

[Ludwig]

Shaw missed a motza last year, he has had LARS surgery, he is getting his 'game' back. Give him (and me) a break!
LRT is not running like mad, but he is doing a fine job as a protector, a vastly underrated position. Missed most of last year.
Derryks will be just fine. He is damned good looking and that is a plus. He is also ready to play his role and wants to.
Laidler will also be just fine. He is playing nervous, and who would blame him. Couldn't get a gig under Malthouse, and that has to undermine your confidence.

The kids have to play like there is no Jude and muscle memory has him still hovering. They got better this game. I found the kids more inclined to take action instead of waiting for the more senior players to lead the way. And you have to admit that having Franklin in red and white has to discomode the brainwaves of the players. The very idea of having him play with you and not against you is still new, to everyone!

Everything will be fine. Even the drink soaking shows that a) Buddy is loving it, b) the players love the new blokes, c) they are a team that is starting to gell.

Pot_smoking.jpg

[DK_]

Need to watch the game first but don't be too hard on LRT. Even tho he didn't get many stats, according to the commentators I was listening to he made an invaluable contribution by blocking for Buddy - doing what no one was able to do last week!

Was there ever a time that he racked up big stats? LRT works hard to create opportunities for others. It was great seeing him back to his best!

[Swansinger]

Like wot somebody said "It's deja-vu .....all over again".


The raw stats do not seem to show we hammered them , so I will watch with interest to find out how we did it.
Straight kicking?
I was on the 'plane so did not see it live , but I will watch the replay in the morning.

Cunningham impressed me in patches last week , so delighted he bagged three goals today.
A bit early to say after nine games ,I suppose , but I wonder if we have a future "Bloods Culture" champion?

Yep - straight kicking was a key factor.
We were far from perfect , but a ten-goal away win is a fine result.

I enjoyed JD's comment , clearly a compliment , about Benny being "a nasty little player".
I swear that Benny has become yet more intense , even more determined , since missing out on the GF win.
Love how he approaches the game.

Good to see Laidler's fine mark and first goal for us celebrated by the senior players, even though the game was well over by then.
These little things count.

[Ludwig]

Benny's having a great season so far. But I'm worried that he's heading for a suspension. He's became our answer to Hayden Ballantyne. Will be interesting to see them playing against each other.