2015 Vs 2016

[dimelb]

I actually had pretty high hopes going into this year. I don't think any of us really know just how much impact the ugly goings on of last year affected the team, and the late season injuries and illnesses only made things worse. We're back to playing with a bit of joie de vivre and it's making the world of difference. Having said that, we've generally done ok with injuries so far this year. Any team is a couple of bad ones away from a shift in expectations.

You sure that stuff's not on the banned list?

[dejavoodoo44]

You sure that stuff's not on the banned list?

Only in North Korea.

[aardvark]

I spent most of 2015 recovering from that "day that must not be mentioned". I am enjoying this season however, especially the kids.

[Beerman]

What was our percentage last year? I think a couple of uncharacteristic big wins early on helped set the tone.

Also, I feel like this year is the first time in years that we've demonstrated that we have a plan to beat the Hawks. Our recent victories have felt very much like flukes that relied on them having key outs. This year is different and it gives me hope.

I am still not overconfident about this year though. The kids will find it tough in finals and a few injuries could weaken us drastically.

Still, so far so good and the future does look bright.

[Zlatorog]

What was our percentage last year? I think a couple of uncharacteristic big wins early on helped set the tone.

Also, I feel like this year is the first time in years that we've demonstrated that we have a plan to beat the Hawks. Our recent victories have felt very much like flukes that relied on them having key outs. This year is different and it gives me hope.

I am still not overconfident about this year though. The kids will find it tough in finals and a few injuries could weaken us drastically.

Still, so far so good and the future does look bright.

Our percentage was 138.4, which is lower than this year. WC (3rd on the ladder) and Hawthorn (6th) had the highest percentage: over 155. As we know those two teams played in GF later that year.

[neilfws]

What was our percentage last year? I think a couple of uncharacteristic big wins early on helped set the tone.

If my quick calculations are right, it's a little more this year than the same point last year: 146.47 versus 138.39. We did start with a couple of big margins.

Mean margin this year is 32.27 points, versus 25.09 for first 11 rounds last year.

[penga]

For mine, a major influence on the game style has been the exit of Jetta. We would often try to play through him as a playmaker, and required him to put the jets on, but he would often double back and slow the progression up. He became a very lateral player in the last two seasons with the Swans. Lloyd has directly taken his role, and he is playing more run and gun.

Two other things:
- We seem to have really worked on our "handles". We don't need a lace out handball these days, it can be to the toes, but Kennedy (unbelievable in this facet), Mitchell, Parker, and Hannebery seem to be able to snatch it one grab. So instead of giving the opposition the opportunity to close us down, where other teams have a little fumble, the play flows on.
- Breaking tackles to break the lines: that is, we seem to be able to shake off the first tackler a lot more than other teams, and it instantly creates an overlap. With quick ball movement by hand, it creates a free runner, and the forwards have been given excellent service this year as a result of the initial wiggle of the hips.

And thirdly, long down the line is no longer the go-to play.. #thankful

[Nico]

The differences; less injuries, improvement of less experienced players and young players who have been able to slot straight in.

[Industrial Fan]

Biggest difference is expectations for mine, followed by not dealing with the booing every week.

Still not expecting us to really challenge at the pointy end, but we've done well so far.

[dejavoodoo44]

For mine, a major influence on the game style has been the exit of Jetta. We would often try to play through him as a playmaker, and required him to put the jets on, but he would often double back and slow the progression up. He became a very lateral player in the last two seasons with the Swans. Lloyd has directly taken his role, and he is playing more run and gun.

Two other things:
- We seem to have really worked on our "handles". We don't need a lace out handball these days, it can be to the toes, but Kennedy (unbelievable in this facet), Mitchell, Parker, and Hannebery seem to be able to snatch it one grab. So instead of giving the opposition the opportunity to close us down, where other teams have a little fumble, the play flows on.
- Breaking tackles to break the lines: that is, we seem to be able to shake off the first tackler a lot more than other teams, and it instantly creates an overlap. With quick ball movement by hand, it creates a free runner, and the forwards have been given excellent service this year as a result of the initial wiggle of the hips.

And thirdly, long down the line is no longer the go-to play.. #thankful

Possibly a little bit harsh on Jetta? But hey, since he is now an Eagle. And I have been impressed by Lloyd this season and his ability to continually get to the edges of packs.
And good point about the ability of many of our players to break tackles. If the first player misses, then somebody has to leave their man and this creates another immediate option. Possibly a benefit of having a midfield core that are largely in their prime playing years.

[707]

Someone mentioned the dark days of the early 90s, I remember going to a Thursday training session at the SCG in about 1993 and I was the ONLY supporter there. Players looked at me as they jogged around the oval as if I was an oddity.

Remember players breaking from training routines to do boxing with some old boxer, Simon Garlick is the player I remember doing it.

Yes, dark days indeed :-( But this year is looking :-) Just need to put away GWS this week.

[Doctor]

You sure that stuff's not on the banned list?

Yep. The banned one is joie de vivre Beta 4.

[dawson]

As was said booing was hard for the whole team but also:
Jetta and Towers were dead weight
Losing Buddy was enough but then to lose Parker and Jack on top was just too much.

Having said that, still should have beaten Freo but then would have been smashed by Hawthorn.

[dejavoodoo44]

Yep. The banned one is joie de vivre Beta 4.

A marketing idea for men's fragrances that may not quite work: Joie de Vivre, by Dank.

[penga]

Possibly a little bit harsh on Jetta? But hey, since he is now an Eagle.

Jetta and Towers were dead weight

Hmm. That is a little harsh on Jetta, but spot on for Towers (yes, apart from that one game). 2012 Jetta was amazing, when he had the bit between his teeth, but he seemed to be going through the motions since that season.