Swans vs Nth Melb PF

[Jewels]

We are so flag favourites that theyve decided to play the final at hawthorn s home ground to even it up.

[stellation]

Only the seventh page, we must have enjoyed ourselves.

Have to note one thing that made me laugh. They were all polished and pomaded for the event.

Rampe has shaved that moth off his upper lip,
Reg was fully shaved......!!!!
NicMal's face and head was groomed to perfection (his anyway)
Those with bald heads were polished.
All beards were trimmed.
Hair was freshly cut.

Not a sloppy look amongst any of them.

Yeah yeah, I know, but it was something I noticed and thought well that's a bit different! I mean Reg always looks like a hessian bag. Didn't spot him at first.

Wonder who drove that!

Sneaky tradition- look like a hobo for most of the year, then get cleaned up for the Prelim so you'll look good in Grand Final pics for history but when someone ribs you about just getting dolled up for the Grand Final you can point out "nah, here's a pic from the prelim- you're mistaken!".

[Conor_Dillon]

That was even better the second time around...it's so enjoyable watching the replay completely relaxed and being able to enjoy every play and analyse the game.

Loved that we dominated possession yet still out-tackled them.

Also loved the evenness of our midfield performance...no player had 30 touches but we had 9 who touched it between 18 and 27 times. McVeigh, Jetta, Hannebery and Malceski all have another gear which is a huge positive.

Shouldn't be understated the advantage of how easy that last quarter and a half was from a physical point of view...being that far ahead that early gave us the chance to ease off and swap players around to ensure everyone still has plenty in the tank.

Lets hope Port and Hawf belt the living suitcases out of each other today!!

[ScottH]

Was that the most unselfish game ever by buddy? Did the team thing more often than I can remember.

[Meg]

Swans vs Nth Melb PF

Was that the most unselfish game ever by buddy? Did the team thing more often than I can remember.

Yes he was great wasn't he? Both individually and as a team man. And he was simply overjoyed after the siren, beaming grin and hugging the other players.

The allegations he would destroy the Swans culture seem ridiculous looking back now!

[Jewels]

The allegations he would destroy the Swans culture seem ridiculous looking back now!

Yep, a truer word has never been written!
How many RWO naysayers have fessed up?????

[Conor_Dillon]

Would be interesting comparing his reactions from last years prelim to this years...

[Mountain Man]

Well, I fess up that I thought Benny was gone this year - a futile attempt to make him a midfielder from his small forward role.

So glad he is in a GF!

[liz]

Was that the most unselfish game ever by buddy? Did the team thing more often than I can remember.

He's been pretty unselfish all year. It comes whenever you watch a very good player all the time, rather than just through fingers over your eyes as he rips your team apart - you realise just how good they really are. He's a great team player - he shares the ball when appropriate but is also willing to take the responsibility of taking shots at goal too. It takes experience and judgement to know when to do which, and he obviously doesn't get it right all the time. Just most of the time.

His defensive skills have also been far better all year than I ever expected.

[Untamed Snark]

This will be Buddy's third Grand Final in a row!
And I agree, he's a team player, so glad he's ours.

[giant]

He's been pretty unselfish all year. It comes whenever you watch a very good player all the time, rather than just through fingers over your eyes as he rips your team apart - you realise just how good they really are. He's a great team player - he shares the ball when appropriate but is also willing to take the responsibility of taking shots at goal too. It takes experience and judgement to know when to do which, and he obviously doesn't get it right all the time. Just most of the time.

His defensive skills have also been far better all year than I ever expected.

It was great to see Goodesy, who has been too quick to lay off the ball lately for mine, look up and seeing no one else take the responsibility to score that first goal, even though it meant screwing the ball around the body with his left foot from 40m.

for the rest of the night, he looked like he wanted the ball and wanted to put his stamp on the game. Early in the season, Buddy looked like he was trying a little hard, taking shots when there were better options available, Lately he's found the perfect balance of sharing and responsibility. And his defensive work is astounding.

What a treat to see him play in the flesh every other week.

[neilfws]

I thought everyone was great. But especially:

- as others noted already, Buddy, for the defensive and team stuff not just the goals
- Rohan: because there was a time, I admit, when I feared he might never be what he could have been - but he is back, big time
- Goodesy: I thought this would be the last year, then I see him tearing down the middle like a 20 year-old and think "please play on next year."
- Parker, that screaming mark and goal, just wow

oh look, and everyone else Not much of a contest in the end but everyone got through OK and bring on the Hawks.

[Auntie.Gerald]

What else does Parker have to do to be considered elite ?

Joel Selwood AA Captain could only dream of having a game like Parker did friday night !!!!!!!!

Parker is in his 1st year of elite and the last two years prior ie 2012/13 he was still a very very good player

[liz]

What else does Parker have to do to be considered elite ?

He has to back it up and do it for a few more years. In my book, "elite" requires some degree of longevity and consistency. Nonetheless, his football this year has been superb. It started off very good, became excellent and finished the season sensationally. There are few players, let alone those barely into their 20s, who can win their own ball to the extent he can AND tackle like he can AND mark about his head like he can AND slot a goal from close to the boundary line like he can. Comparisons to Fyfe are a little early IMO but this season he wasn't too far off that level.

[Meg]

Great article by Alistair Lynch (except for reference to Leroy Jetta .....). But thinly veiled swipe at Eddie is refreshing!

"tiresome talk about Bondi billionaires, and suggestions that the only reason Sydney landed Franklin and Kurt Tippett is the now adjusted Sydney cost of living allowance, is a gross injustice to the Swans.

They are the best sporting club in the country.

Despite being in the heart of rugby league territory, the Swans have made the finals 16 times in the past 19 years since their 1996 Grand Final breakthrough appearance.

Seven times they have finished top four or better, with five grand finals.

They have built a legitimate AFL superpower, not on salary cap allowances but through an elite culture and an administrative and recruiting staff second to none."

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