Rnd16 MDT. Geelong V Sydney. 19.50 pm at SS.

[Mug Punter]

Outstanding performance from the head coach right down to the water carriers. I was confident we'd win tonight but did not expect that we'd play that well. The recalled players all did very well and we dominated most of the game other than that section of the first quarter where the umps gave Geelong a couple of softies. A few players worth mentioning:-
Naismith - Terrific effort tonight. Added far more than Nanko has. A genuine ruckman rather than a ruck forward
Papley - Welcome back. Sadly I think it might spell the end for Benny though.
Aliir - He's starting to look like an inspired draft selection.
Mills - Class. First year players shouldn't look that composed
Jack - That was a performance at the level we know he is capable of
Rampe - Best on ground by miles
Everyone who figured out how to stop Dangerfield at quarter time - Well done

Agree with all of that, Dane Rampe would be my favourite for the Bob Skilton Medal at this stage, his development is nothing short of phenomenal

[CureTheSane]

Have to say the umpires were amazing tonight.
Which probably means that Cats fans thought they were crap.
Most of the poor calls were in favor to the Swans I thought - doesn't happen all that often.

[Mug Punter]

I've been down on Towers, accusing him of shirking the contest and so on...

Tonight he went back with the flight a couple of times, laid some tackles. Played a really good game...

Not for the first time, I was wrong.

Yep he was hard and tough tonight, if he keeps playing like that he won't be dropped.

I would very like to see us keep Deano but I think footy economics may see him playing elsewhere in 2017. For some reason he is a player that I feel really embodies our spirit, the way he came from country league late in (football) life and all. I'd love it if he stays with us but if he gets a great chance somewhere else (reckon the Saints or Brisbane could really use him) then good luck to him. He'd be worth at least a second rounder on form but I could see him more likely being bundled up in a player swap plus pick deal tbh

[Swanny40519]

Fantastic effort by the whole team tonight. I was also very nervous about how we would go but all credit to the coaching staff and team for their great effort.

I thought Naismith was terrific and really overshadowed Sinclair. If you look at some of the replay his tackling was very good and he kept running and I agree - Tippett and Naismith for the finals.

Ali Alir was terrific and Jack lead superbly for the whole night. I thought Bruces's comment when he kicked a goal was appalling and I actually want to ring Ch7 and complain. Terrible effort.

Rampe, Mills Parker, Hanners, Kennedy, Mitchell never stopped all night. Towers had some moments but overall he did enough to stay in the side.

Very happy swans tragic.

[liz]

Wow. Just wow. One of the best performances for a while, given the quality of the opposition and the location.

I loved the way the game unfolded in distinct chapters, and how the Swans were able to adjust along the way.

1. Come out firing early to set the scene. But unlike other big away games in recent years when we've done this, actually get some goals on the board early.
2. Withstand the pressure when the home team finally clicks into gear. Don't let the heads drop even when the opposition scores a couple of goals with an element of good fortune (the Cockatoo mark that was touched first by Aliir) or a massive blunder (the Mitchell HTB).
3. Get into massive team defence mode in the second quarter to prevent the Cats continuing on with their momentum.
4. Realise that the forward structure is stuffed when the ball keeps rebounding back and actually adjust to do something about it.
5. Clamp down on the obvious opposition matchwinner with players not apparently equipped to do so. It was reminiscent of the second half of the final at Stadium Australia several years back when Judd was tearing the team a new one, but the much slower Kennedy was able to nullify his influence.
6. Gradually start using the ball better going forward as the game wears on. Get some real slingshot footy going.
7. Rattle and frustrate the ultra-experienced Geelong backline, so that they start giving away stupid frees like the one to Parker.

I also love how the team answered the critics' suggestion that the Swans don't have any scoring options apart from Buddy. In fact, this is the element of the game that I really hope the team remembers. They won't always structure up that way, with Buddy staying largely outside the forward 50 so the team is forced to find other options, and he'll still win games off his own boot for us. But before we got Buddy, we had typically had a wide array of goal kickers, and all our mids were competent goal kickers. How much more potent the team can be if it can blend this knowledge that we have lots of guys who can hit the scoreboard with the individual brilliance of Buddy.

One other thing I love about the team, not just tonight but usually a feature of the game, is that they know they are going to make mistakes, sometimes plenty of them, but so often react immediately to make amends. The passage of play where Mills muffed a simple kick and sent it straight to a Geelong player, but then followed up with that tackle on Hawkins, epitomised this doggedness and composure. It speaks volumes for the development coaches at the club when they are able to drill even young players to approach each play in the moment, and not worry about what happened a few seconds ago, whether it's a bad bounce of the ball, some opposition brilliance, or just a downright blunder.

Thought Naismith was wonderful for just his second game. The contributions around the ground will come in time, but just to see a ruckman really trying to win a tap at centre bounces and thump the ball forward was fantastic. Even Tippett, at centre bounces at least, tends to try to negate the opposition ruckman rather than really hit to the team's advantage. Sammy's efforts didn't always come off but it was a great glimpse of what we have in store if he can put his run of injuries behind him.

There were too many wonderful moments to reflect on all, but two that stand out were Mills' intercept thump of the Motlop ball, and that mark by Papley when he looked completely out of position.

[mcs]

One stat that worries me with the ruck duo tonight is the big 0 in the mark department. We need our big men to do more of this, Naismith only playing his 2nd senior game will get a pass, Sinclair not so much...

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Yep this is a big worry - just 2 marks last week and a big fat donut tonight.

[Levii3]

Did longmire say in post match that he might throw Mills forward?

[mcs]

One other thing I love about the team, not just tonight but usually a feature of the game, is that they know they are going to make mistakes, sometimes plenty of them, but so often react immediately to make amends. The passage of play where Mills muffed a simple kick and sent it straight to a Geelong player, but then followed up with that tackle on Hawkins, epitomised this doggedness and composure. It speaks volumes for the development coaches at the club when they are able to drill even young players to approach each play in the moment, and not worry about what happened a few seconds ago, whether it's a bad bounce of the ball, some opposition brilliance, or just a downright blunder.

This! As fans we are often critical of individual lapses and mistakes - but the way the players just shrug it off and keep going is fantastic. That Mills passage summed it up perfectly, and it will hold us in great stead into the future, as the kids coming through have got spades of this ability to just keep going and forget about what may have just happened and get on with it.

[Flying South]

Very impressive performance tonight and like everyone else proud. I've harped on about this before, but i thought our balance and structures were just about spot on. Everyone who came in tonight added to the team. Just a few observations
Hewett is quickly becoming a key plsyer in our midfield. He was influential in a number of 50/50 contests. He has a very good footy brain.
Rohans marking and pressure across the half forward line again reiterated his rightful position is forward
Mills got a lot of ball and used it well. But also hard at it. There was one instance in the 3rd quarter where he threw his body into the contest, we won the ball and I simply raised my beer in solute.
Allir has won me over and Laidler will be worried.
Naismith repaid my faith. Fought his way back into the game when Smith got on top in the 2nd quarter.
And finally Towers. I have been critical as many know. But at half time i was on the bandwagon. He was playing great off half back. By games end i had one foot off the wagon due to some really silly mistakes. But I'm warming to him.
And i still don't get Teddies selection in the forward line.
Bring on Hawthorn.

[CureTheSane]

Also, I have to say that I really enjoyed this game from start to finish.
At half time I was thinking "this is the kind of game I can wear as a loss if it stays as entertaining as this"
Don't think that very often at all, and luckily was irrelevant in the end.

Agree on Sinclair.
If Tippo got fit for next week, he'd be dropped for sure.
there may even be an argument for Naismith and Nankervis next week.

All the young guys played well.
the future looks very bright...

[Bloods05]

She's a nurse at St Vincent's Hospital.

Former drug kingpin Bill Bayeh charged with assaulting Geoffrey Edelsten's ex-wife Leanne Nesbitt

She was the nicest of all his wives.

She was not nice. Ask Clive James.

[Triple B]

Did longmire say in post match that he might throw Mills forward?

He was just talking about trying to get him noticed to get a Rising Star nomination. He was joking and I imagine would have no intention of moving him forward...

[ugg]

It was clearly a joke but it got zero laughs from the reporters. Horse was not amused.

[goswannies]

I can't recall a more composed young tall defender than Aliir.

AJ

[0918330512]

I mean no offence to anyone but I just have to chuckle. Last we lost in a close one & the heavy criticism directed at players & coach was at times harsh (not unwarranted, mind you, but vocal). Tonight, on the back of a fantastic win, it's a gushing love-fest.

I'm thankful that the coaches see the big picture and are forgiving of players following a loss (or are, at least usually more respectful to them). The mass public flailing by frustrated fans on forums, of a player after a loss is forgiven & forgotten after a win, when that very same player is hailed a hero, by the very same critics.

I want to applaud those RWO supporters who can find positives in the losses, who remain calm in the wake of defeat & who support the Club & players in spite of a loss. I hope that they take particular satisfaction & vindication from the result against the Cats.