WTF?

[Mel_C]

Is it just a coincidence that we have fallen so suddenly along with the Hawks? Or could it be that the number of years at the top have taken their toll?

The hawks lost 2 senior players but that doesn't explain their sudden lack of skills and effort.

Now I know we were never a really skillful side, but yesterday the number of kicks that landed at the players feet, the number of dropped marks, the fumbles and the lack of work rate was just unbelievable. It was embarrassing. And this was from senior players.

We are just so devoid of any confidence at the moment. I don't know what the answer is to fix this apart from winning a game, which is easier said than done!

To top it all off an ex work mate who barracks for the saints is sending me a screenshot of the ladder and having a go at me. ???? There are so many things I could respond with but I am just ignoring him.

[goswannies]

To top it all off an ex work mate who barracks for the saints is sending me a screenshot of the ladder and having a go at me. ???? There are so many things I could respond with but I am just ignoring him.

I'm getting it too - but I'm surrounded by Crows & Port "supporters"

[sprite]

I am sick to death of people talking about internal division when there is absolutely nothing to point to this except a team totally devoid of confidence and stability of personal. In 6 games we have played 34 players and that's without McVeigh and Johnson who are automatic ins when fit. Try and get system with that many changes

+1

[Billericay]

I am sick to death of people talking about internal division when there is absolutely nothing to point to this except a team totally devoid of confidence and stability of personal. In 6 games we have played 34 players and that's without McVeigh and Johnson who are automatic ins when fit. Try and get system with that many changes

+1 There has also been a major change of leadership since last year and the loss of Mitchell has been more significant than we initially thought.

[Auntie.Gerald]

If Jetta and Rohan and towers and lamb turned out half as good as expected we would probably be in a lethal position

4 top picks that have lived up to what we hoped for

[bodgie]

Last year we were able to blood young players with a well performing senior core, keeping the same structure, with players coming in who were prepared for clear roles. This year with too many gaps to fill the structure has broken down. Shaw and Crouchy are sending in raw youth without the clear roles they once understood. And with the senior players struggling to provide the usual guidance .... well its a nervous rabble.

[mcs]

Is it just a coincidence that we have fallen so suddenly along with the Hawks? Or could it be that the number of years at the top have taken their toll?

The hawks lost 2 senior players but that doesn't explain their sudden lack of skills and effort.

Now I know we were never a really skillful side, but yesterday the number of kicks that landed at the players feet, the number of dropped marks, the fumbles and the lack of work rate was just unbelievable. It was embarrassing. And this was from senior players.

We are just so devoid of any confidence at the moment. I don't know what the answer is to fix this apart from winning a game, which is easier said than done!

To top it all off an ex work mate who barracks for the saints is sending me a screenshot of the ladder and having a go at me. ???? There are so many things I could respond with but I am just ignoring him.

The one common factor between the Swans and Hawks are they are probably the 2 sides worst placed to (at least in the short term of season 2017) actively adjust their gameplans to fit the changing style of footy, in which quick midfields in particular are increasingly critical.

The Hawks relied solely on elite skills to overcome their lack of pace (and got rid of two of their better midfielders in this regard) and recruited another that is a contested ball king but not a good use of the ball, and we've never had a 'fast' midfield in the same regard as GWS/Dogs etc, and now are struggling in our usual areas of dominance (Such as contested possession). Both teams are really struggling to make games be played 'on their terms' per say.

[mcs]

totally disagree that there is not some internal division. Watch the SF against Adelaide last year and now watch yesterday some eight games later with almost an identical side. We were outstanding against Adelaide. You don't lose that much skills and co-ordination unless there is something mentally happening. If it was just draft picks, it would be a slow drop off of form, not a dramatic one.

I don't want to think there is internal discontent at the club, but I find it hard to see how we have dropped off so incredibly much without something going very wrong that we don't know about it. It would not surprise me at all, as we have a lot of 'passengers' at the moment, in particular the senior players, which is a worry.

[rb4x]

Like us the Hawks also have a new captain.

[crackedactor]

I am a bit shocked at this thread. Heeney said yesterday when he returned to the team there was an eerie silence on the field. To me that is one big warning bell that players are not proud to wear the Red and White. There is some internal conflict. Maybe its the Tippett/Grundy GF fight. Maybe Tippett has upset more than one person??? I am not sure but WTF?????

[bloodspirit]

I am sick to death of people talking about internal division when there is absolutely nothing to point to this except a team totally devoid of confidence and stability of personal. In 6 games we have played 34 players and that's without McVeigh and Johnson who are automatic ins when fit. Try and get system with that many changes

This.

Also, here's an explanation from Ash Browne at afl.com.au:

But the Swans are winless at the bottom of the ladder and a few clear ideas are starting to emerge as to why.

The first are the injuries and what the Swans haven't been able to do is settle their side down. Too many key Swans, notably All Australian defender Dane Rampe (one game) and former skipper Jarrad McVeigh have barely played and the defence has suffered. Isaac Heeney has only managed two games after a bout of glandular fever, while Kurt Tippett lacks continuity.

Sydney's blue-collar but blue ribbon midfield is also down. Josh Kennedy has been OK, while Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery are battling. Neither appears fully fit although they have both played all six games so far. Tom Mitchell is sorely missed for his ball-getting abilities and over at Hawthorn he has been the one shining light so far this season.

Lance Franklin has been good this season, but even a player of his stature can't carry the team on his formidable shoulders. Sam Reid kicked six goals against the Bulldogs in round two, but various injuries haven't allowed him to settle in one part of the ground. Gary Rohan and Tom Papley haven't played enough, either.

[RogueSwan]

This.

Also, here's an explanation from Ash Browne at afl.com.au:

But the Swans are winless at the bottom of the ladder and a few clear ideas are starting to emerge as to why. ..

I think the key word being continuity and not just for Tippo. In the past, when we were good, we were able to carry a stable team with minimal changes and the team was able to gel. I am hoping once we are able to keep the same team on the field for 4-5 weeks we will start to the team play like we know they can.

[frankee]

Its all confidence IMO. Teams know they can beat us, we are unsure if we can win.

[Blue Sun]

I think there are some serious problems at the club because there does not appear to be any enthusiasm, teamwork, being prepared to work your guts out etc etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if the boys are still deflated after their questionable loss in the GF last year. Compounded again this year when they were dudded by the umpires in the GF rematch. Its hard to play a hard brand of footy when you are penalised for it and makes you question how to go about your footy.

[RogueSwan]

Its all confidence IMO. Teams know they can beat us, we are unsure if we can win.

My uneducated opinion - the lack of confidence shows when everyone around the ball is going for it because they lack confidence in their team mate getting the ball. This in turn leads to no one being just on the outside of the ruck, Hanners and Lloyd's most dangerous position, and often gives the opposition a clean getaway from the contest and an unhurried kick into of D50.
Last year Kennedy, Mitchell and Parker (to a lesser extent) were able to win the ball inside and give to our better kicks. This year sees that structure just collapsing onto the ball.