Changes for Round 5 versus Fremantle

[mcs]

I particularly despise the action of fans leaving the game before the final siren has gone, because their team is losing.

I can comprehend, if your team is getting flogged, and you want to beat the traffic, why you might leave early. I've done it before - its a long drive down the highway after a disparaging performance, so I can see why people do it, and find criticism of such behaviour a bit rich!

[Aaron]

We cannot change what's in their heads, but we can change the mix to see if we can facilitate some genuine hardness and enthusiasm.

I will suggest the following to Horse:

B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Jeremy Laidler
C: Lewis Jetta, Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery
HF: Craig Bird, Lance Franklin, Ben McGlynn
F: Harry Cunningham, Kurt Tippett, Luke Parker
FOL: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack
I/C: Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jack Llyod
SUB: Towers

Out: ROK, DerickX, Mitchell, Rohan - they are all down on form and need to run some confidence in the seconds
In: Bird, Tippet, Lloyd (To be promoted from Rookies) ,Towers

Yes, if Tippet is really fit! If he needs to run in the reserve first, then have Toby in.
Rhyce Shaw as a hard tagger to Fyfe - not the backline "general". He did tried , just too hard.
Benny should attack more and not as a full time tagger
LRT as the second ruck.
If we don't want to elevate any rookies yet, give Mitchell another week.

[goods78]

I was sitting in the members section of the crowd on Sunday, and there were cynical supporters who were laughing and making wise cracks when something did not work out for Buddy on the field. They seemed to forget that it was wet day and handling the ball is difficult!

As for how he is going with his teammates I said I was not sure, but there has been many articles written about that. The real story will come out with a player autobiography years down the track. To call my stuff BS is frankly BS, unless you have all the answers.

Yep. Quite a few around me at the top of the Brewongle were giving Franklin bronx cheers.

[Matt80]

I can comprehend, if your team is getting flogged, and you want to beat the traffic, why you might leave early. I've done it before - its a long drive down the highway after a disparaging performance, so I can see why people do it, and find criticism of such behaviour a bit rich!

MCS, if you leave the ground at the same time regardless of the result, then my criticism is rich. But if people leave with 10 minutes to to go because there team is down by 38 points, but are happy to stay if the scores are equal, then my criticism is warranted.

Our relationship with the Swans is a give and take arrangement. The team and officials have given the Swans fans wonderful memories over the last decade and a half with their effort and achievements. When they are struggling on the field, the players don't want to look up at the stand to see masses of people leaving. They need the fans staying with them through the losing game and giving positive encouragement.

Could I get some people to back me up here or am I on my own.

[Big Al]

Non Issue as far as I'm concerned. People can do what they want.

[Ludwig]

We cannot change what's in their heads, but we can change the mix to see if we can facilitate some genuine hardness and enthusiasm.

I will suggest the following to Horse:

B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Nick Malceski, Heath Grundy, Jeremy Laidler
C: Lewis Jetta, Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery
HF: Craig Bird, Lance Franklin, Ben McGlynn
F: Harry Cunningham, Kurt Tippett, Luke Parker
FOL: Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack
I/C: Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jack Llyod
SUB: Towers

Out: ROK, DerickX, Mitchell, Rohan - they are all down on form and need to run some confidence in the seconds
In: Bird, Tippet, Lloyd (To be promoted from Rookies) ,Towers

Yes, if Tippet is really fit! If he needs to run in the reserve first, then have Toby in.
Rhyce Shaw as a hard tagger to Fyfe - not the backline "general". He did tried , just too hard.
Benny should attack more and not as a full time tagger
LRT as the second ruck.
If we don't want to elevate any rookies yet, give Mitchell another week.

I like your team Aaron, especially the inclusion of Jake Lloyd. After watching the reserves highlights video, I noticed once again how classy he was. Every time you see the number 44, he's doing something skilled or clever. I don't know why this guy is languishing in the reserves. If he was senior listed, I think he'd be playing already.

We should take advantage of what is perhaps the final couple of weeks of Walsh's LTIL status and put AJ on the list as well, which would give us the opportunity to elevate 2 rookies. I would also give a go to Biggs, who had another good week. I'd have him in place of Shaw. I'd also be more inclined to give Rohan another full game than drop him. He's been the sub the last 2 weeks. If it's a dry track, I think he'll produce. Towers didn't play last week, so might get a full game in the reserves.

I am sure we will see far fewer changes than we hope for.

[mcs]

MCS, if you leave the ground at the same time regardless of the result, then my criticism is rich. But if people leave with 10 minutes to to go because there team is down by 38 points, but are happy to stay if the scores are equal, then my criticism is warranted.

Our relationship with the Swans is a give and take arrangement. The team and officials have given the Swans fans wonderful memories over the last decade and a half with their effort and achievements. When they are struggling on the field, the players don't want to look up at the stand to see masses of people leaving. They need the fans staying with them through the losing game and giving positive encouragement.

Could I get some people to back me up here or am I on my own.

Your criticism is, in my humble opinion, not warranted in any situation.

If the Swans have played poorly and it is clear they are going to lose, I sometimes choose to leave early (usually at ANZ as there is at least a bit of a chance of getting away easily) - why hang around for the inevitable when I have 3+ hours on the road to get back to Canberra? This equally applies for anyone that might have 30 minutes, 45 minutes, whatever - there is no some sort of 'contract' situation going on to say we have to stay to the bitter end, no matter the result. I hardly think the players are looking up at the stands and being discouraged because people are leaving!

I would hang around if it was a match such as our last game of the season, or someone is retiring, or I have a reason to want to be there at the final siren, even when getting beat.

I however, am never going to leave if its a close game and we might be in with a chance to win it - but even then, if people choose to leave early, that is their choice, and there is no relationship contract saying what fans must or must not do. As Big Al says, its a non issue - people can do what they want.

[wolftone57]

i just looked at the reserves highlights and wow Big Sammy Naismith caused at least 4 goals through great ruck work. I mean great ruck work, his hit outs were sensational. Straight to a player to the player's advantage where he could run onto the ball. Just wonderful footy. Our ruck coach is just heaven and is delivering a pupil that will honour the master very soon. The taps reminded me of Ball ion the 2005 finals.

[Matt80]

Your criticism is, in my humble opinion, not warranted in any situation.

If the Swans have played poorly and it is clear they are going to lose, I sometimes choose to leave early (usually at ANZ as there is at least a bit of a chance of getting away easily) - why hang around for the inevitable when I have 3+ hours on the road to get back to Canberra? This equally applies for anyone that might have 30 minutes, 45 minutes, whatever - there is no some sort of 'contract' situation going on to say we have to stay to the bitter end, no matter the result. I hardly think the players are looking up at the stands and being discouraged because people are leaving!

I would hang around if it was a match such as our last game of the season, or someone is retiring, or I have a reason to want to be there at the final siren, even when getting beat.

I however, am never going to leave if its a close game and we might be in with a chance to win it - but even then, if people choose to leave early, that is their choice, and there is no relationship contract saying what fans must or must not do. As Big Al says, its a non issue - people can do what they want.

Do you come up from Canberra for all home games? That's amazing commitment to the team? Do you spend 6 hours on the road on game day, going up and back?

[jono2707]

I particularly despise the action of fans leaving the game before the final siren has gone, because their team is losing.

This is a worldwide phenomenon across pretty much all team sports. You can watch a range of different sports across the globe, and where you see the home team losing by a lot, you'll also see a stadium slowly emptying as the match draws to its conclusion. No big deal.

[Triple B]

It's just my thing. My fiancee had corporate passes to the 2006 Grand Final. After the final siren, the people we were with jumped up to leave. I was annoyed with my fianc?e, because I wanted to watch the losing ceremony presentation, and pay respect to the defeated Swans moping on the grass. She told me to pull my head in, and that we were leaving!

I note you say fianc? and not 'now wife', so I'm guessing you didn't marry her. Good work.

I can only imagine my reaction if I was told to 'pull my head in' 30secs after we just lost a flag by a point.

[Ludwig]

i just looked at the reserves highlights and wow Big Sammy Naismith caused at least 4 goals through great ruck work. I mean great ruck work, his hit outs were sensational. Straight to a player to the player's advantage where he could run onto the ball. Just wonderful footy. Our ruck coach is just heaven and is delivering a pupil that will honour the master very soon. The taps reminded me of Ball ion the 2005 finals.

And Paddy Mitchell is not looking bad either, especially when you think of where he's come from. He runs, he blocks, he can handball and kicks goals. He's a star. Actually moves very well for a ruckman. Good signs.

I think our supposedly weak ruck situation is looking very promising.

[baskin]

My Dad has followed the Swans for over 80 years, myself over 50 and my son for over 20 and we have never left a game early. That includes many years of end on end losses. My dad is a passionate follower but has always considered watching the game as a day out. If the team is losing (even badly) he can appreciate the skills of other players on the ground (yes, even Collingwood players!) He has instilled that in me, and in turn my son. He will be the first to applaud any piece of good play, a mark, kick, etc. even from the opposition.
We hate it when the Swans lose but also just enjoy the game as a spectacle. What anyone else does is up to them, but we just love to be at the game.

[Melbourne_Blood]

I normally stay and cop my medicine , but I normally get transport in to the grounds in Melbourne and go out for a beer with mates afterward so getting home ( with kids especially) in traffic isn't a concern of mine. Once were getting flogged it just becomes a bit of a banter game with the opposition supporters which is a bit of fun. Each to their own as has been said, non issue.

[BRISWAN]

Well , I believe that the players don't have a choice to leave?so I stick with it at games or on TV ?..might not like it, but i lump it because of the team?..support is appreciated for both highs and lows