Swans v Dockers QF1

[Matt80]

Joey was tough on himself when his kicking was intercepted for their score. He seemed to be playing better as the game went on.

Benny is the energiser bunny. He took about 20 seconds to get back to being match ready.

Gaz had a shocking start but really worked his way back into the game. You'd be mad to drop him for the PF. I'm guessing it's Laidler or Mitchell for Mal.

I really really hope that's not the last game Mal plays for the Swans. He's such a part of our culture.

I think Bird will start in the midfield. McVeigh will play off half back and Towers will come in as the Sub. If you have to replace a Sub then you go for an electric player.

The biggest loss with Malceski is the distribution skills and McVeigh covers that.

[barry]

I would hae thought laidker would be the obvious replacement for mal.

[ernie koala]

My take is that Goodes did more than Tippett today. He hasn't tackled for about 3-4 years and I presume it's because of instructions. However he is such a clever player that he is worth more than anyone we'd put in the team in his place.

I wouldn't be surprised if he played on next year. He has said that the club has said it's entirely his call.

The fact that his impact on games has come down to cameo's suggests there's not much left in the tank.

IMO, to go around next year would be a classic case of 1 season too many.

He's done it all and will go down in history as one of the greats, regardless of the mud raking by McGuire and co.

I sincerely hope he goes out in style at the end of this season.

I also think Laidler will replace Mal, and deservedly so, he's had a really good, consistent, year.

[mcs]

Here's a radical idea we might try: forwards leading into space.

The fact that his impact on games has come down to cameo's suggests there's not much left in the tank.

IMO, to go around next year would be a classic case of 1 season too many.

He's done it all and will go down in history as one of the greats, regardless of the mud raking by McGuire and co.

I sincerely hope he goes out in style at the end of this season.

I also think Laidler will replace Mal, and deservedly so, he's had a really good, consistent, year.

I hope goodesy calls it a day at the end of the season and doesnt go 1 year too many. We need to send him out in style though - the only swan to be a triple premiership player would be appropriate.

[barry]

Tippet is playing more ruck time, and even at adelaide when he did this his output at full forward was down.

Its a price worth paying I think when we have goodes and buddy in the team, and only pyke.

Speaking of tall forwards, has reids marking actually got worse. Its looks like bad technique.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i just loved Pykes goal in the last qtr yest !!!!!

what amazing effort and execution under pressure

[mcs]

i just loved Pykes goal in the last qtr yest !!!!!

what amazing effort and execution under pressure

I thought pyke was fantastic yesterday. Toiled wonderfully against sandipants and had some key involvements in big plays like that goal. His best game of the season.

[ernie koala]

I agree Re: Pyke. It was his best game of the year by some stretch...

Beautiful timing, he should be at his best for the next, hopefully, 2 games.

[Nico]

Tippet is playing more ruck time, and even at adelaide when he did this his output at full forward was down.

Its a price worth paying I think when we have goodes and buddy in the team, and only pyke.

Speaking of tall forwards, has reids marking actually got worse. Its looks like bad technique.

Hate to say it but is Reid overrated?

[Mountain Man]

Reid does seem to have difficulty reading the flight of the ball.
When he gets it right he is a fantastic mark, but yesterday I saw him twice just not compete for a one-on-one mark because he moved to the wrong spot.

[Gary]

Don't really get the Laidler hype ... solid is generous ... too slow for Hawthorn who we will eventually have to beat or Geelong high forwards for that matter ... did someone call Towers electric.. perhaps mistook him for a power pole? bird into 21 for Malceski ... take your pick of Mitchell, Biggs or Towers (modest version) for sub.
Proud of all today ... great to see Pyke do so well and Shaw who has absorbed a fair bit of criticism lately . Calm down Rohan but not too much!

[Zlatorog]

I agree with Gary re Laidler. He was dropped after our loss to Hawthorn, which indicates that he couldn't play his role in the team. IMO, Laidler and TD are on borrowed time and are probably used as a stop gap players until younger players finish their development and replace them. They were awarded extension of their contracts but it is very likely that after that they'll probably have to find their "fame&fortune" somewhere else.

[aardvark]

Breaks my heart seeing Kirky in the Freo box. Surely we could find a job for him here in Sydney.

[DamY]

I'd rather Macca on HB distributing rather than Laidler, unless Gaz is moved mid/forward, then I don't see Laidler coming in unfortunately. Gaz had a few clangers but his second half was really good and I feel he was unfairly pinged for traveling.
Re: the venue, ANZ said the venue was TBC so it seems it is up in the air, and considering a) QF turnout and b) venue capacity, SCG would be a better fit.

[Flying South]

If Mal is out for the PF I think we need to do like for like. Someone who is going to bring run and creativity. I would bring in Biggs or move Lloyd back and bring in Mitchell.