Swans v Dockers QF1

[Ampersand]

Yeah, I think it was in a contest with Teddy. It was a bit of poetic justice because he'd absolutely creamed McVeigh in the exact same spot earlier.

[Nico]

While we're all having a whinge and filling in the next couple of weeks.......what WAS dear Goodesy thinking, when he faffed around in front of the goal-posts in the first quarter? And didn't kick the ball? In all of my 56 footy watching years, I don't think I've EVER been so astounded.

I too was astounded by my own astonishment.

- - - Updated - - -

Always a tough call to predict.
There was one in the game that went against the player on the ground.

If reg had gone for a genuine smothering attempt he should not have been penalised.

If he had dived on the ball (I thought McVeigh was closer) and got penalized then it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

[Nico]

Watched the replay this afternoon and boy Lloyd was good in the first half. He was about our best in the first half. He had nobody marking him and always positioned himself really well. He appeared to play as a defensive midfielder and got back in support of the backs consistently. There was a passage in defence where he contested the ball then dropped back into the square. A series of handballs ended up with him for a clean clearance. Then shortly after marked again on his own on the HBF. In the second half his second and third efforts were superb as was his smothering. I can't say I saw him venture into the forward 50. I will be happy if the opposition pay him no attention next week. His endurance is elite and he is still going right up to the final siren. He has THE all round game.

[ugg]

The reason he had no one marking him was that he rolled up the ground from his starting spot at HFF, and Fremantle elected not to send his man with him but rather stay back and be the spare man in defence to combat Bud and Tip. It was as a win for both sides as Lloyd was influential as you've noted but Duffield and Ibbotson who were the loose men were critical in Freo's defensive setup in the first half.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i wonder how we would have went on sat if we were missing Grundy and Teddy like Free0 were missing McPharlin and Johnson ?

[Ludwig]

This comes from a thread from 4 months ago.

Originally Posted by liz
The only reason Mitchell is not in the senior team is that he has had an ankle issue that has prevented him training and thus keeping his fitness at top level. As soon as the coaches think his fitness is back where it needs to be, he'll be back in the senior team, probably at the expense of Lloyd. Lloyd has shown a bit in his outings so far but I don't think there is any way he can be seen to have moved ahead of Mitchell.

Ludwig reply on 13 May:

I don't think it is all that clear that Mitchell is ahead of Lloyd. Mitchell is best as an inside midfielder with his contested ball winning ability and good hands. But Lloyd is more versatile, a more accurate kick and quick on his feet. Mitchell is often indecisive after taking a mark. Our midfield is packed with young inside players, with some that offer good outside spread, so Tom may not have quite so many strings in his bow at the moment.

I think Rohan is more likely to get in the side ahead of Mitchell atm, and with the number of Emergency listings Towers has had, it seems we are looking to give him a shot in the seniors at some time in the near future. Tom's lack of pace and accurate goal kicking also works against him for getting the sub role, which we tend to give to speedy goal scorers.

.........................................

Lloyd's rapid development has even surprised an early like bandwagoner me. It seems that Lloyd has indeed moved ahead of Mitchell in the pecking order and has solidified his place in the side, at least for this season. What has impressed me is the maturity of decision making. I don't want to take anything away from Mitchell though. He appears a very intelligent footballer and his recent performances at both Senior and reserves level suggest he will a very good player. The only thing keeping Tom out of the team is the experience and reliability of Bird rather than any lack of ability on Tom's part.

Lloyd has become the 2014 version of Dane Rampe. Someone who has performed well above expectations and keeps getting better with every week. I think that Dane has been performing at a level worthy of AA consideration, but selectors would be too embarrassed to name 3 defenders from the Swans in one year. Buddy's been fantastic, but it's these 2 along with Harry and Luke that have lifted to the Swans to where we are today.

[dimelb]

I wonder how we would have gone on Sat if we were missing Grundy and Teddy like Free0 were missing McPharlin and Johnson ?

In the immortal words of President Bush, we'd have been in deep do-do.

We would probably have had Sam Reid and one of Laidler (most likely), Tommy Walsh or Xav down the back.

[Conor_Dillon]

I thought we'd all agreed that we couldn't compare Tom and Jake? Apples and oranges

[Conor_Dillon]

Also, not sure if it has been mentioned in a previous post...but in a head to head battle with arguably the best midfielder in the game, how good was Parker?.

He beat Fyfe comprehensively which is pretty incredible given the amount of hit-outs to advantage that Fremantle had. I watch most games most weeks and can't remember another player taking on Fyfe like that and beating him all season. Luke is something special.

[Jewels]

Also, not sure if it has been mentioned in a previous post...but in a head to head battle with arguably the best midfielder in the game, how good was Parker?.

He beat Fyfe comprehensively which is pretty incredible given the amount of hit-outs to advantage that Fremantle had. I watch most games most weeks and can't remember another player taking on Fyfe like that and beating him all season. Luke is something special.

On AFL360 (i think) last night they commented on how good Parkers game on Fyffe was and that he matched him in most stats and I had the same thoughts as you CD, that if Luke had been getting the silver service that Sandigiants was giving Fyffe, particularly in the second half, he would have not only matched him, but comprehensibly beaten him.

[neilfws]

Did anyone else think Crowley was far less of a pest than usual? I was looking out for it on Saturday but he seemed to have a pretty ineffective game, not playing on anyone in particular or getting much attention from our players.

Thought it was an OK game on the whole. Yes, a lot of poor mistakes and gifted goals to Freo, but Swans stuck at it, didn't lose their nerve and never really looked threatened. Probably looked worse on TV at the ground you could see it was a real grind on the wet surface.

[ScottH]

Did anyone else think Crowley was far less of a pest than usual? I was looking out for it on Saturday but he seemed to have a pretty ineffective game, not playing on anyone in particular or getting much attention from our players.

Thought it was an OK game on the whole. Yes, a lot of poor mistakes and gifted goals to Freo, but Swans stuck at it, didn't lose their nerve and never really looked threatened. Probably looked worse on TV at the ground you could see it was a real grind on the wet surface.

Who??

[ugg]

I didn't understand Crowley's role at all. One of the best run with players in the past few years, he didn't have a direct opponent for the day

[Plugger1300]

I'm still trying to work out why you can $100 + on Parker to win the brownlow. He has had the equal of Buddy and JPK if you ask me.
Take the $13 on top 5

PS wouldn't say he comprehensively beat Fyfe. Fyfe was enormous as well

[Conor_Dillon]

I thought he went to Hanners for most of the second half?

At the start of the game it almost seemed as though Freo were waiting to see which Swans mid started well before they decided who he was going to play on...very strange!

It was also apparent that the Swans boys crashed into Crowley harder than any other Freo player at every opportunity...he really copped it - all fairly though.