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He is improving given how little experience he's had. Dunno that he's great in the ruck, but he does contest. That's his role in the absence of a bonafide top-shelf ruckman. And he's certainly better around the ground than he was ... but is he as good as a fit & firing Pyke at this stage of Tom's development? That's the question. If we can only play one of them when Mike's ready, has Tom improved enough to usurp Mike? Tom has a bit to go for me. Only a few weeks ago many were wanting to see Naismith or Nakervis get a run
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Loved Bird's work tonight, but then I'm biased. A credit to his number.
Kennedy was magnificent. Again. So was Hanners. Ted was solid, as was Reg. Rampe is sometimes a bit over-exuberant, but his overall contribution is very good.
The midfield ran like clockwork a lot of the time. I agree with those who thought the intensity was down at times, but I think that was quite appropriate to the occasion. It seemed to me as if they thought, "We've got hold of this and we're not letting it go, but we're not going to bust a gut unnecessarily." Except Hanners of course, who knows no other way.
At one stage I looked at the forward setup and saw Kurt, Lance, Adam and Sam, complemented by Jetts and Birdy. Truly formidable. Then we have Parker, McGlynn, McVeigh, Kieren, Lloyd - the list goes on. It is by now a nightmare for any team's defence.
Derickx had a good solid game. I'm one of those who thinks "This is in effect his first season - he's doing OK."
My impression was that elements of the crowd booed Adam because of the 50m free, but it was there, not that different from Sam Mitchell's effort in the GF. I think there are some who still think of him as a protected species, after all the water under the bridge; unbelievable really.
The umpiring was pretty ordinary. I agreed with the comment above about getting tackled around the throat. If they'd paid frees for holding, we'd have had another 4 or 5 goals from Tippett. (Or behinds).He reminds him of the guys, close-set, slow, and never rattled, who were play-makers on the team. (John Updike, seeing Josh Kennedy in a crystal ball)Comment
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I thought it was really funny. But I thought he was justified in trying to be positive about his players. They could have given the game up at quarter time but they didn't, and several had very decent games in terms of winning the ball. They just don't have a clue how to move it quickly.
Agree with that. Sounds like he doesn't have the appetite to drive the players to be ruthless and relentless. He spent a few years coaching a team that was so supremely skilful and confident, it moved the ball with ease. Even with that team, he found himself burned out a few years ago.
And while I have little sympathy for the cavalier way the club let its sports science people run amok - regardless of whether any players actually took performance enhancing drugs, the fact the club didn't and still doesn't really know what went on - I am starting to feel sorry for the players with how long the whole thing is dragging out. It has to be having an effect.Comment
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Loved how before the game it was all "the Bombers have performed well every game that the supplements saga has reared it's head"
At the end of the game it was "do you think it's taken it's toll" (Bruce I think)
Canna have it both ways.
Swans played well enough that I didn't care about the commentators hoping that the Bombers would get back into the game.
Or maybe they didn't harp on about it as much as usual...
Really happy that Carey has seemed to have finally got past his cheating saga and moved on. I've always felt that not only did he cop x10 what he should have, but also that he's one of the more insightful commentators out there.The difference between insanity and genius is measured only in success.Comment
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I think a lot of the crowd were confusing Goodes for Franklin. Not joking. Typical Melbourne crowd.Comment
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Second highest, judging by those stats. He got 33 against Carlton last year. I was a bit surprised looking at those that he hadn't hit the 30 a couple more times. I know he's not a regular really high possession winner but he's had plenty of excellent games throughout his career.Comment
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Glad Liz maintained her consistent tipping result!Comment
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Unimpressed with B Jack with his lack of effort in the final qtr. I expect more from a speedy sub. He appeared to be floating in his own bath water or the team's bath water on the work that they did prior to him coming on. I may sound tough with the comment but I've actually been of fan of this kid. It was out of character and he needs to show more urgency to keep his place.
Kudos to Parker, Bird and Tommy D.
Parker is quickly moving into 'A' midfield status.
Bird is certainly in our best 21. He has grunt, footy smarts and gives us greater depth to rotate through midfield.
Tommy D....wow, this guy has pleasantly surprised me. You can see how confident our midfield are around him. He gives a great contest and generally brings the ball down to the feet.....gravy for Kennedy, Parker, Hannebury, Jack and co.
..and how good again was Buddy? You can visually see the opposition defence being unnerved. Tippett and Reid can only get better with more time. I'm not as convinced on Goodesey. No doubt we will carry him until the end of the year and he has deserved it with his history. However, I cant help feel that we would be a better team with Membrey in his position.Comment
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Derickx plays a really interesting defensive ruck game. He never jumps, he simply puts himself in an obstructing position and he blocks clear lines and easy taps.
His game is best described as energy-conserving. He's there to be a warm tall body and absorb 80% of time on ground and not completely lose the contests. By doing this he allows us to play one specialist ruckman and have an extra pair of another type. As long as we're breaking even in clearances, goals from stoppages, etc, then clearly hitouts and hitouts to advantage don't matter.Comment
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Also Buddy destroyed Hurley physically and mentally and spiritually tonight. It was glorious.Comment
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Everybody's heard about the bird? Bird bird bird is the word"Lance" is not a dirty word
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I would not get too carried away about us beating, Essendon a team racked by controversy and injuries.We did what we were expected to do and woeful kicking for goal by Essendon made the result look even better than the field play warranted. Geelong and Port will be the real test which will define our season so far and our Premiership chances.A victory or narrow loss against these two will mean we are right up there in competition for the flag. Essendon was a good workout particularly needed by the forward line but I am certain the next 2 games will not be that easy.If we win both we will become Premiership favourites perhaps not a good thing too early in the year.Comment
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If it wasn't for the rest of our great midfield, Parker would rightly be being lauded as one of the finest young midfielders in the game with a lot more attention.... he is another star in a star studded group. And to think ge is still so young - a 300+ gamer to go with hanners id like to think
I think goodesy will come good per say, buy he still looks far from 100% and looks tentative in the contest. I hope we will see one last run of something approaching goodesy's best, because we will need it come September, and we know he can deliver in the biggest games.
I must say last night was a most glorious evening - some excellent footy from our team, and there are few better feelings than giving pathetic bombers fans a good serve as they head for the exits with plenty of time left
"You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."Comment
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