Semi Final: Sydney Swans v North Melbourne Kangaroos

[Ludwig]

Hawthorn smashed Freo and us in consecutive weeks in July. That was a good indication of where things stood. Fyfe was never the same after the knee he took in that game from Mitchell. And Buddy was never the same after our game against them and only made a few cameo appearances after that.

I think Freo are headed for a serious rebuild. I like our chances next year and going forward because of the some of seriously good young talent coming through the system. I don't know if it will be good enough for next year, but I hope we can have a solid competitive year.

[0918330512]

I'd just like to see some recruiting sanctions applied to the Hawks. While money was freed up from Buddy, the have raped & pillaged talent from other clubs like the Vikings of yester year. Sure we picked up a couple of bona fide stars (Buddy & arguably Tippet) most of our other recruits were recycled discards. The Hawks cherry pick top end talent, all too often from bottom end clubs.

[chalbilto]

One thing that has really stood out this year in the final series and is the X -factor has been the injuries to key players. Apart from Gunstan the Hawks have been blessed. Issac Smith sustained a minor injury where at first it looked that he had a serious one. Unfortunately we were not that lucky with our injuries.

[annew]

One thing that has really stood out this year in the final series and is the X -factor has been the injuries to key players. Apart from Gunstan the Hawks have been blessed. Issac Smith sustained a minor injury where at first it looked that he had a serious one. Unfortunately we were not that lucky with our injuries.

I would like to know how Hawks avoid injury and all their players can run and run even the old ones. West coast appear to be the same, I will watch Carlton with interest.

[liz]

I would like to know how Hawks avoid injury and all their players can run and run even the old ones. West coast appear to be the same, I will watch Carlton with interest.

To be fair to the Hawks, they suffered a heavy injury toll last year but they managed to get close to a full squad available by the time the finals came along. This year they've had a pretty reasonable run all year. West Coast have had a reasonable run this year, but bear in mind they've been without two experienced key defenders all year.

We had a decent run with our senior team most of the year. The luck just ran out in the final month or so. Amongst our younger players, things weren't great. This won't have impacted the current year too much, but does mean that players like Naismith, Perris, Melican have missed close to a full year of development opportunity, while Robinson and Newman were also hampered for shorter periods.

[annew]

To be fair to the Hawks, they suffered a heavy injury toll last year but they managed to get close to a full squad available by the time the finals came along. This year they've had a pretty reasonable run all year. West Coast have had a reasonable run this year, but bear in mind they've been without two experienced key defenders all year.

We had a decent run with our senior team most of the year. The luck just ran out in the final month or so. Amongst our younger players, things weren't great. This won't have impacted the current year too much, but does mean that players like Naismith, Perris, Melican have missed close to a full year of development opportunity, while Robinson and Newman were also hampered for shorter periods.

True but they do seem to develop their players better. Maybe the NEAFL is our handicap.

[aardvark]

True but they do seem to develop their players better. Maybe the NEAFL is our handicap.

Dead right. I know all the arguments against it so don't bother but a South Melbourne team in the VFL would be the icing on the cake.

[dimelb]

I don't think the NEAFL is such a problem - the standard has been improving each season - but apart from reducing injuries (and how does one do that?) I think the main priority needs to be development at the coaching level. In order of priority these are: foot skills, hand skills (marking and disposal, especially when tackled), the ballup and centre square set-up (including the spread), and use of the spare man in defence.

[aardvark]

Good skills are a prime prerequisite but the opportunity to practice them in a top class competitive situation on a regular basis is paramount. Anyone can execute against witches hats.

[barry]

Beating hawrhorn is sinple. Man up. Their game plan revolves around free ing players up.

[aardvark]

Beating hawrhorn is sinple. Man up. Their game plan revolves around free ing players up.

You been on the turps again Barry?

[barry]

The NEAFL is a strategic investment for us. Abandoning for the VFL would be a backwards step.

The only alternative is a national reserves comp.

[aardvark]

Abandoning for the VFL would be a backwards step.

Why?

[ernie koala]

Dead right. I know all the arguments against it so don't bother but a South Melbourne team in the VFL would be the icing on the cake.

The problem with the NEAFL, in terms of developing our players, is that the team is made up of 1/3, sometimes 1/2, with top ups.

This makes continuity in developing the team structures, and playing with trust for your teammates, ie when to leave your man etc, near impossible to achieve...

It's all looks a bit disjointed on game day.

I agree with Barry, and would like to see a national reserves comp reinstated...Money obviously gets in the way, as lists would need to increase etc.

[Meg]

Semi Final: Sydney Swans v North Melbourne Kangaroos

Gary Rohan's injury from that head clash in the Nth Melbourne match was really nasty. Just read in the Swans' injury report that he fractured his cheekbone, had surgery during the week and that after the swelling subsides he will have further surgery.
Harley described it as "a pretty nasty break in the upper cheek point through the eye socket,?

Poor guy, he must be sick of hospitals. I recall Rohan got engaged earlier this year. Hope he wasn't planning an off-season wedding. He wouldn't look very handsome in the wedding photos.