First Qualifying Final: Fremantle v Sydney

[Scottee]

One of the reasons Goodes was so great yesterday is that he played predominantly as a midfielder, not a forward. I don't know whether his move to the forward line was because he could no longer run out games in the midfield, or because the Swans needed him more forward. Watching him run around yesterday, even well past his best, was a reminder that he was an elite midfielder but has rarely been more than a decent forward. Assuming Buddy can get appropriate treatment, our forward line is decently stocked now. Tippett is showing what he can do when his body lets him. Reid seems to be maturing (though soft tissue injuries at inopportune times remain a concern). Heeney may play another season or so predominantly up forward before he graduates full time to the midfield. Towers is showing signs he might be an AFL player long term. BJ maybe also. And Rose is in the wings.

We don't need Goodsey in the forward line. If his knees will let him run around as an oversized ruck or wingman for one more year, wouldn't that be great to behold.

You are spot on Liz about the reason he went forward and the fact that we don't need him there now. He has created great drive and attack from the midfield since going there and to have a big midfielder is something we have been lacking. When available we have Reid, Tippett and Franklin up forward and it would appear that Towers is capable of playing a key forward role.

If Goodsey can repeat yesterday's performance in the midfield next week there is no way he should retire. We need him.

[Scottee]

We will go in next week without Buddy, Reid, Jack and Parker. We might get Smith back. That is equivalent to the Hawks going in without Gunston (who they've already lost) plus, say, Lewis, Shiels and Bruest - not like for like players but similar in where they rate in terms of importance to their teams. At their best, they can win without those players. We can win next week without ours too, though our bottom six next week will be far less experienced that a bottom six the Hawks can dredge up.

Heeney (under duress), Jones and Towers did their bit yesterday. We just need a little more from Rohan and/or BJ. And the coaches need to decide whether McGlynn is physically capable of contributing in a finals game, given how much footy he has missed this season. Is there anyone left to replace him? Smith, if he comes up. But if not, it comes down to whether Bird is in any better physical shape than McGlynn, or whether a Rose or Davis or Hewett or Richards can provide any more.

I would add Newman as another possible, however unlikley.

McGlynn is the big issue however. Worst game he has ever played for the club, as much as we love him he may not be up to it.

The question about Rohan is how sore is he really? He started to contribute late in the game but was way "out of sorts" to quote the commentators.Never quite know how much is mental and how much is physical with him.

BJ looked a bit overawed but will learn from the experience and find a game in Sydney far less daunting. At least he is physically fit. Probably the best candidate for the vest though.

[mcsquirta]

Ross Lyon must surely be questioning his decision to rest so many players before a big final. A lot of good it did, most of them were blowing like a field of 2yo's trying to run out a Melbourne Cup by the end. A few were flatfooted all 2nd half. Rhyce in a 3 on 1 split them down the middle and waltzed off like a teenager! LOL It's hard to tell if Goodsey's gained a length in running or whether the opposition had lost condition over their sabatical.

It was just glorious to watch though. When Adam gets the ball, and Jarrad too, them seem to be able to make time slow down. I was a bit surprised Pykey didn't sneak down to the top of the square occassionally though, all we needed was a bit of extra height and experience down the forward. I'm gonna have to watch the replay to get a grip on Jetta, but compared to his previous game against Fremantle, one quarter of finals footy is not good enough - he's 26 not 18 any more.

Regardless of all that. Now the stage is set for a classic Swans comeback.

[liz]

I would add Newman as another possible, however unlikley.

Think he's injured.

[annew]

Luke Parker according to Doc Larkins a chance for this week but swans have the most injuries than any other team, as if we didn't know that.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

No depth but our best reserves Hewett and Marsh can't get a game. The Swans never never drop premiership players even after a month of poor footy.

[barry]

Lyons decision to rest players in the last round will bear fruit in the coming weeks.

- - - Updated - - -

BJ is now lost to me. Very badly exposed yesterday. Finals sort out the wheat from the charf. Hes charf. Depth player at best.

[Scottee]

Think he's injured.

Due back this week.

[liz]

Due back this week.

Hard to see a player make his debut coming straight off an injury, in a final, having played no footy for a fortnight or so.

[liz]

No depth but our best reserves Hewett and Marsh can't get a game. The Swans never never drop premiership players even after a month of poor footy.

Which premiership players are coming off a month of poor footy?

[Scottee]

I did say it was unlikely but he has talent, is mature, is an excellent and confident kick, the injury was to an arm and would not have stopped him running, and he is better than some others depending on the role.

[mcs]

On the road in Adelaide most of yesterday listening to the game on Dribble M. Mark Ricciutto, doing special comments, suggested the Swans looked back to their old ways in some aspects; tackling, running to space & pressure. He was of the opinion that we won the game everywhere but the score. Gave me great confidence that we will get to a Prelim. We have not seen our old ways in the second half of the year.

PS. Normally listen to ABC but reception was crap!

We will make the prelim - mark my words. Feels like 2013, but there is too much pride in this group for us to go out in straight sets, even with the injury issues we have.

[Meg]

BJ is now lost to me. Very badly exposed yesterday. Finals sort out the wheat from the charf. Hes charf. Depth player at best.

Bit unfair. Remember Hayden Ballantyne's shocker in the 2013'grand final? He was totally overwhelmed by the occasion. But yesterday he was in Fremantle's best player list. BJ is much younger and much less experienced than Ballantyne was in 2013 so I think to write BJ off is very premature.

[Ludwig]

I don't know what to make of McGlynn and Rohan for next week. Both looked so out of form, and clearly not quite fit enough. Maybe we have to see how they train this week.

The only untried player I would consider is Hewett. He seems a very composed character, but it would still be a big call to pick him for a final, even if it's over a somewhat unfit McGlynn.

I was disappointed with BJ. He still seems so far from having a decent feel for the game. I think he's got the tools to be a senior players, but needs more development time. I would give Rose a shot at the sub role, in a close call over BJ.

The biggest obstacle for Lloyd at this time is his lack of physical strength, which forces him to use his evasive skills as his only option to break loose from opposition players, and it's just not good enough at this stage of his career. I think he's got a good shot of improving in this area. Anyway, we really don't have much choice about selecting him in the starting 21 given our injury situation. He works hard all game and gets a fair amount of the ball.

[aardvark]

BJ is now lost to me. Very badly exposed yesterday. Finals sort out the wheat from the chaff. He's chaff. Depth player at best.

4 weeks ago we were still unsure if he could compete at AFL level and now you expect him to star in probably his first AFL final. I'm sure he will be better for the run. These kids have to start somewhere and i'm willing to bet he has a much improved game next week.