1st Qualifying Final Freo v Sydney Pre Match Discussion

[Triple B]

Bay 345, Row J. I assume it's a Sydney bay...

[rojo]

The Swans have got to play this game like its the GF (or perhaps not!) because to win and have the week's rest could be vital to going all the way.

It will be very interesting to see how they handle the finals pressure, especially those players who disappeared from sight in last year's GF. Hopefully KT and Sam can carry their good form of the last few games forward. Our back line is going to have to be a whole lot sharper than it was last Saturday. Having Buddy, Rohan, Macca, Smithy and Benny, if he is in, potentially all a bit rusty is going to be a factor.

However if they are all focussed as a team and play with the bloods ethos, ie doggedly scrapping but with a touches of class, they can cause a big Swan-style upset.

[Doctor J.]

Bay 345, Row J. I assume it's a Sydney bay...

Good one mate.

Lets hope you can repeat your 2003 interstate finals success

[barry]

I think it'd be at our own peril to talk down Freo but has there ever been as much speculation about a minor premiership side. When was the last time minor premiers had a percentage of 118% or less? I think they've either been preserving themselves very well for the finals or theyve completely fallen apart. Only the weekend will tell. Feeling pretty tense about it

You make a good point regarding percentage. I have, in the past, used a percentage ladder to see where teams are at, with some success.

If you look at it that way, WC and Hawthorn are miles ahead, so we are blessed not to have to play them.
We are 125%, they are 118%. Horses for courses really.

Considering our year, we have fallen into about the best finals scenario we could hope for. Up to us to make the most of it.

[stevoswan]

Ignoring that great footy cliche, if we don't take it one week at a time then I suspect McGlynn would be likely to come in for the next final- so we probably need to think of whether a full game in the magoos or a quarter as the sub (assuming he wouldn't play out a full game) would be better for him.

I have no idea, I should add!

Reserves eliminated on the weekend.....they're out! So no more back up games for those trying to squeeze in. McGlynn to come in, in my opinion. Straight swap for KJ?

[Mountain Man]

With Parker and KJ out, then the need is someone to fill those roles - would McVeigh do it for 4 quarters or continue only an occasional appearance; BJ maybe to step up; probably not Lloyd or Towers; McGlynn probably underdone.

Mr September for me is BJ

[stevoswan]

With Parker and KJ out, then the need is someone to fill those roles - would McVeigh do it for 4 quarters or continue only an occasional appearance; BJ maybe to step up; probably not Lloyd or Towers; McGlynn probably underdone.

Mr September for me is BJ

Well, due to my above point, he will be even more underdone next week.....has to come in this week. Two games back and in the best players on the weekend, should be enough.

[longmile]

After K. Jack went down, Cunningham moved into the midfield. I'd suspect him to maybe play a run with role in the midfield with Fyfe or maybe even Hill?

[ugg]

With Parker and KJ out, then the need is someone to fill those roles - would McVeigh do it for 4 quarters or continue only an occasional appearance; BJ maybe to step up; probably not Lloyd or Towers; McGlynn probably underdone.

Mr September for me is BJ

McVeigh has been used in the middle a lot since Parker's injury, save for the Collingwood game and the 2nd half of Geelong.

In the GWS game when Mitchell was out with that poke in the eye, they kept it very simple and had a 4 man rotation with Kennedy, Hanners, KJ and McVeigh taking most of the bounces until very late in the game when the result was long past known, then we had Jetta and Lloyd taking a few. So I imagine that's what will happen (with Mitchell replacing KJ in this scenario) if neither Bird nor McGlynn come into the side

[AnnieH]

Don't underestimate the WA crowds. They will take every dirty advantage they can.

Fweo aren't the ones who boo... it's the Wet Cokers.

- - - Updated - - -

1) Let Hodge get away with drink driving.
2) Only a two week holiday for Hodge for deliberately attempting to end Wingards career.
3) Letting Sam Mitchell get away with cheating and crippling Walker and Fyfe.
4) Banned us from trading for following the rules.
5) Didn't allow us to rest players but let Freo get away with murder.

The AFL (Langford, Fitzpatrick and co.) seriously want the hawks to win this years Premiership. Langford should not even be on the AFL commission because his son is on a playing list.

I don't think we asked to rest players.
I believe that Horse said from the outset that we will be fielding a full team and not resting anyone.
... but let's not let fact get in the way of your rant.

[annew]

Fweo aren't the ones who boo... it's the Wet Cokers.

- - - Updated - - -



I don't think we asked to rest players.
I believe that Horse said from the outset that we will be fielding a full team and not resting anyone.
... but let's not let fact get in the way of your rant.

Rodney said in after match interview he had heard that the swans were not allowed to rest players but may have been a tongue in cheek remark.

Most experts say without Parker, Jack and an unfit Buddy swans are no chance but let's prove them all wrong. How sweet Hawks lose and swans win.

[stellation]

Reserves eliminated on the weekend.....they're out! So no more back up games for those trying to squeeze in. McGlynn to come in, in my opinion. Straight swap for KJ?

Oh, I didn't twig! Well I say bring him in then! He'd be in this game or next anyway, if match fitness is a concern probably better to do it now.

[baskin]

1) Let Hodge get away with drink driving.
2) Only a two week holiday for Hodge for deliberately attempting to end Wingards career.
3) Letting Sam Mitchell get away with cheating and crippling Walker and Fyfe.
4) Banned us from trading for following the rules.
5) Didn't allow us to rest players but let Freo get away with murder.

The AFL (Langford, Fitzpatrick and co.) seriously want the hawks to win this years Premiership. Langford should not even be on the AFL commission because his son is on a playing list.

Jake Niall wrote a piece in Sunday's Age stating his case for Hodge letting go of the captaincy. I'm not able to attach it as I read newsprint not screen!

The paragraph that interested me was as follows:

"He has been suspended for acts of brutality twice in 2015, clobbering Andrew Swallow early this season (3 matches) and then incurring a 3 match ban for a crude head-high bump on the sublime Chad Wingard. Like Sam Mitchell (who corked Nat Fyfe and Taylor Walker) and vice-captain Jordan Lewis (round arm on Tod Goldstein), Hodge has not wasted his excessive physicality on ordinary players this year."
It's not only Swans supporters who think this way Hawthorn play dirty.

[liz]

Rodney said in after match interview he had heard that the swans were not allowed to rest players but may have been a tongue in cheek remark.

Most experts say without Parker, Jack and an unfit Buddy swans are no chance but let's prove them all wrong. How sweet Hawks lose and swans win.

I interpreted that as cryptic reference to the Swans' trade ban (on the basis that Longmire had previously said he wasn't interested in resting players, so it made no sense that we might have been banned from doing so).

[6'2, 220, 4.53]

McVeigh has been used in the middle a lot since Parker's injury, save for the Collingwood game and the 2nd half of Geelong.

In the GWS game when Mitchell was out with that poke in the eye, they kept it very simple and had a 4 man rotation with Kennedy, Hanners, KJ and McVeigh taking most of the bounces until very late in the game when the result was long past known, then we had Jetta and Lloyd taking a few. So I imagine that's what will happen (with Mitchell replacing KJ in this scenario) if neither Bird nor McGlynn come into the side

Team for Freemantle

B Smith Richards Rampe
HB Shaw Grundy Laidler
C Jetta McVeigh Hannas
HF Goodes Franklin B.Jack
F Reid Tippet Cunnigham
R Pyke Mitchell Kennedy

Inter

Rohan
Heeney
Jones

Sub
Lloyd

This is a quick side that will put on a lot of pressure. Heeney may be needed for the midfield rotation with K.Jack out.