What happens next

[jetts32]

So there's been a few tough calls - some I agree, some I don't.

We had 2 major problems yesterday that kept us out of the game.

1) Our midfield: besides J. Kennedy almost all our midfield had their worst day, they looked content, they looked like it would be handed to them (kind of like hawks in 2012) there was no tackle pressure on the Hawks, they're an elite kicking team, they way we've beaten them before is the pressure, they're not great under pressure but we are. We just didn't bring it.
Jack had his moments but wasn't good enough (should've had 4 goals). Parker probably played his worst all season. Mcglynn who should've had a huge game was terrible. Mcveigh - ehh. Hanners worked but not hard or long enough.

2) Coaching:
In 2012 we got smashed in the first quarter a lot due to the spare Hawks had down back. The second quarter we went man on man and brought the pressure a long. Yesterday we got killed by the spare man - the few times we went in - they ran off with it. Tippet in the ruck and Franklin on the wing? No wonder we got smashed. We have an amazing forward line that has destroyed backlines when all fully fit. But for some reason yesterday Longmire decided not to use then like that.

One more before I go - this is not the decline of Mcveigh but I believe he should give up the Captain position - he's become a bit of a pointer and he should've lead by example like Jack tried to yesterday.

I think Kennedy or Parker for captain.

Anyways, we're still in a golden era - this is not the end, we've just got to improve and stick to our game.

Let's do what Hawks did after 2012, use this as motivation!

[mcs]

If McVeigh isn't able to stand up in the big games when he should, then he shouldn't be captain. KJ, despite having far from his best game, kept going hard till the end and tried to lead from the front. McVeigh got a grand total of 11 touches in 4 quarter of football, and I can't remember one of them being decisive. Not good enough from a captain.

[ASSASSIN]

How about the swannies stop falling to the ground all the time after every failed ruck or jump - the top teams burn the swans for not being on their feet at crucial moments. Check out the really good teams, 80% of the time if possible they try and remain standing (on their feet) as they are contesting for the ball.

As most have commented here already, McVeigh shouldn't be captain, the guy goes missing way too often. Can't say i am to happy with Jacks indecisions when things get tight though. Yest proved in all the chaos that was the swans, only 2 players actually didn't crumble, Buddy and kennedy. Maybe out of one of them, there is your next cptn.

Still think the swans will be in the GF again next year, hope they go one better.

[jetts32]

Yeah I've realised the falling part, It's not great.

Not sure if Buddy is a captain type? I could be wrong.

I see Parker as a ready made captain and hopefully he continues to improve.

Kennedy being my favorite player, I would love to see him leading the team next year.

I think Tippet was one of our best aswell yesterday. He didn't get played like usual, still took a few contested grabs, a few hit outs and a few clearances.


This pre season I think we need players like Mitchell, B.Jack and Jones get a big tank and really challenge other players spots.

[ernie koala]

Hearing McVeigh, talk about how disgusted he was in the teams performance, including his, not giving a yelp etc....

It's all a bit hollow now. Yesterday at quarter time was when he needed to say this.

Then he needed to start the 2nd quarter like a player possessed, lay an early tackle, throw himself at a contest...something... lead the way.

But alas there was nothing.

[Ludwig]

Hearing McVeigh, talk about how disgusted he was in the teams performance, including his, not giving a yelp etc....

It's all a bit hollow now. Yesterday at quarter time was when he needed to say this.

Then he needed to start the 2nd quarter like a player possessed, lay an early tackle, throw himself at a contest...something... lead the way.

But alas there was nothing.

Every time we put up an insipid performance it's the same old speech from Macca. He might as well have it pre-recorded so he doesn't have to expend his energy giving the same boring interview.

[liz]

Every time we put up an insipid performance it's the same old speech from Macca. He might as well have it pre-recorded so he doesn't have to expend his energy giving the same boring interview.

What could he have said that would make you feel any better. Sure, the words are empty. I am sure he knows that better than you do. Or any of us does. And yes, our leadership group failed yesterday when they most needed to stand up. But if a journo stuck a microphone in front of him and he refuse to speak, or he cracked a joke or otherwise made light of the situation, would you feel any better for it.

There is nothing any of them can say right now. They need to "speak" on the ground, this time next year when it really matters.

[MarshallG]

I concur on the comments on McVeigh, when we desperately needed some leadership to snap out team out of the malaise, he was sadly lacking.

Goodes showed some leadership when he could, taking it on and running, Buddy did too. I haven't read many comments on Malceski but I'm not too annoyed with him, he did alright given he was besieged for 4 quarters.

McVeigh should step down, personally. I wouldn't mind seeing Buddy get a co-captaincy but I am not sure if he is a good fit to the off-field duties it would give him. I already see him as an on-field general so maybe it is not necessary.

We do need some change in the leadership ranks.

[rojo]

It's usually, 'We didn't come to play', or 'We didn't play the way we wanted to'!, which always begs the question, "Well, why not'? I guess it is the question all coaches ask when the team is well beaten. Coaches, leaders and players all have to have a look at themselves and take responsibility.

I would definitely have Buddy in the leadership team next year (assuming he is not now). I think he has earned his stripes already. If, as it seems, he has taken over the role of Mr. Fix It from Goodesy, he should have input into the inner circle. He has been a surprise for me. At least in regard to the football side of his life he shows a diligence and even maturity that I didn't expect.

[Ludwig]

What could he have said that would make you feel any better. Sure, the words are empty. I am sure he knows that better than you do. Or any of us does. And yes, our leadership group failed yesterday when they most needed to stand up. But if a journo stuck a microphone in front of him and he refuse to speak, or he cracked a joke or otherwise made light of the situation, would you feel any better for it.

There is nothing any of them can say right now. They need to "speak" on the ground, this time next year when it really matters.

Nothing he is going to say will make me feel better. I'm not expecting to feel better. But it would be nice to get some reasonable explanation as to why the team appeared to have been struck down with the Ebola virus.

I always figured it would be a 50-50 sort of game and a lucky bounce here or there would be the decider. But I think all the fans are thoroughly shocked by the performance, which is why I think it requires a bit more than the usual platitudes.

[Ampersand]

How about the swannies stop falling to the ground all the time after every failed ruck or jump - the top teams burn the swans for not being on their feet at crucial moments. Check out the really good teams, 80% of the time if possible they try and remain standing (on their feet) as they are contesting for the ball.

One thing I think our coaching staff need to realize is that good defensive work is no longer rewarded under the current rules. It's really interesting to go back and watch a game from 20-30 years ago and just see how quickly the umpires blew the whistle for a ball up after a maul had formed. Players didn't need to "get it out", they either had prior opportunity or they didn't.

So often this season I've seen two of our players monster a guy like Langford to the ground and then five seconds later, while the umpire is sitting on his whistle, the kid just pushes the ball through his legs to his teammate who kept his feet. The game looks more like rugby union these days.

[mcs]

One thing I think our coaching staff need to realize is that good defensive work is no longer rewarded under the current rules. It's really interesting to go back and watch a game from 20-30 years ago and just see how quickly the umpires blew the whistle for a ball up after a maul had formed. Players didn't need to "get it out", they either had prior opportunity or they didn't.

So often this season I've seen two of our players monster a guy like Langford to the ground and then five seconds later, while the umpire is sitting on his whistle, the kid just pushes the ball through his legs to his teammate who kept his feet. The game looks more like rugby union these days.

The Hawks idea of a disposal doesn't just include a handball or a kick - it includes a drop, a rugby scrum tunnel ball, a throw - basically everything that they can get away with. Its ridiculous and because the umps let teams get away with it, it is infecting the sport.

If they want to get footy back to what it should be, then they'd be well advised to start pinging players ALL THE TIME for incorrect disposal and rewarding tackling again.

[Nico]

If McVeigh isn't able to stand up in the big games when he should, then he shouldn't be captain. KJ, despite having far from his best game, kept going hard till the end and tried to lead from the front. McVeigh got a grand total of 11 touches in 4 quarter of football, and I can't remember one of them being decisive. Not good enough from a captain.

What do you mean that McVeigh doesn't stand up in big games? Utter tripe: I do recall he had a fair game in the 2012 GF. Was last week's PF not a big game as was the Freo final. Short memories. Perhaps we take a massive knee jerk reaction and trade him!!!!!!!!!!

Someone else says he goes missing too often. If that's the case I must be watching a different team. His consistency is his great hallmark.

[Ampersand]

All they need to do is return to the principles of "prior opportunity". When a tackle is made and the ball is locked in, umpires should immediately blow the whistle. If there was prior opportunity it's holding the ball. If there wasn't: ball up. Rinse and repeat. It shouldn't be up to the players to get the ball out of a maul unless they dive on it. That's what the ball up was made for.

[liz]

Nothing he is going to say will make me feel better. I'm not expecting to feel better. But it would be nice to get some reasonable explanation as to why the team appeared to have been struck down with the Ebola virus.

I always figured it would be a 50-50 sort of game and a lucky bounce here or there would be the decider. But I think all the fans are thoroughly shocked by the performance, which is why I think it requires a bit more than the usual platitudes.

I don't suppose they really have a clue right now what went wrong - other than the obvious they have stated. They will need to spend the next 6 months working out why they didn't show up for the biggest game of the year. If there were clear answers it would be even more exasperating than it already is. What exactly are you expecting he's going to tell you?