Match Day Thread Rnd 12 Sydney V Western Bulldogs. SCG. 19.20 pm.

[bloodspirit]

I think it was a little from column A and a little from column B. But I also think that our preferred game style - based on keeping the ball in dispute for long periods of the game - works far better against the three teams we've looked impressive against (North, St Kilda, Bulldogs) because those teams like to run and carry the ball and use quite a lot of handball. That means that the ball is winnable via pressure far more than a team that likes to move the ball via short kicks, as Hawthorn has been doing for years, and how Carlton and Collingwood were able to sustain for decent periods of their games against us.

Defeating the Hawthorn style is hard, simply because it limits the amount of time the ball is in dispute. However, it's also a very hard style to execute for a whole game because you need an entire team with good kicking skills. That's what the Hawks had over their period of premierships and, while their team-wide kicking skills aren't quite that that level, they did execute well against us a couple of weeks ago. Sure, the Swans' pressure could have been better, but the Hawks still did their thing quite well. Despite that, the Swans were able to change the tempo of the game to one that suited their preferred style as that game progressed, but just didn't have the legs to hang on at the end.



In an absolute sense, there were a fair number of handling errors but, given the conditions, I thought the skill level was reasonable enough. Hanners, in particular, execute some handballs that were really creative, and opened up play for team mates. Indeed, I had him as my BOG watching the game live and even after watching a replay, I'm not sure I've changed my mind. Though I've noticed a lot more of the great stuff Kennedy did, on replay, and was reminded on how much of an influence Heeney had throughout the game.)



Watching live, I thought Towers was just OK. A contributor but not much more. On replay I've seen a few really lovely things he did in traffic. He seems to be more comfortable in contested situations than earlier in the year. He's never going to be one of our top dozen or so players, when the stars are playing well, he's a good foot soldier to have. When he was dropped after round 1 his first couple of NEAFL games looked like those of a man completely bereft of confidence so I'm really happy to see him contributing positively to the team.

liz, I think I have made it clear already that I am an unabashed fan of your posts and the sense they make (and love the fact that they have recently been feistier than I had noticed before too). But this post goes further and is actually illuminating (for me). It also raises questions. How did we change the tempo of the game to get it on our terms against the Hawks? Why, if the Hawks' style is so effective, don't more teams try to emulate it (despite its difficulty)? What do you see as our path to victory against that gamestyle? Do you think our current gamestyle is up to it? Also how about v Richmond? They are quite good at using short passes. Do you think they will be a sterner test for us than the Bulldogs?

Thanks for sharing your insights. I realise you're not an oracle but I find them valuable.

[bloodspirit]

Lloyd and Newman are playing great footy - all I would like to see is Lloyd take more care with his kicking - he kicks into the man on the mark more times than any other player - but that aside a great game last night.

The team had a generally excellent disposal efficiency, especially considering the conditions last night, but even still Lloyd was top 10 and went at better than 80% (as he should, given his outside role and his typically unambitious kicks).

[Beerman]

Watching live, I thought Towers was just OK. A contributor but not much more. On replay I've seen a few really lovely things he did in traffic. He seems to be more comfortable in contested situations than earlier in the year. He's never going to be one of our top dozen or so players, when the stars are playing well, he's a good foot soldier to have. When he was dropped after round 1 his first couple of NEAFL games looked like those of a man completely bereft of confidence so I'm really happy to see him contributing positively to the team.

I wonder if Towers is overthinking things. Only saw the game on tele, but it seems his best play is in contested situations, or in fluid play where the right option is immediate. When he gets the ball in space with time, he seems to make more errors.

Also, Heeney has not been much talked about on this forum, but he was fantastic last night, and has been all year. Joey, Hanners et co are great, but I think Heeney adds a level of class we haven't had for a while. I would expect him to be up there in the best & fairest count.

[Ludwig]

I think it was a little from column A and a little from column B.

When you start a post with a Chinese Proverb, everything that follows seems to make sense.

[bloodspirit]

Also, Heeney has not been much talked about on this forum, but he was fantastic last night, and has been all year. Joey, Hanners et co are great, but I think Heeney adds a level of class we haven't had for a while. I would expect him to be up there in the best & fairest count.

Agreed.

Lloyd also was huge last night and has been all year and will be up there in the B&F count, although he doesn't have Heeney's class.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

A few more comments and the different from GF winners and losers:

Man up on the mark and be manic about it. The Wood goal came partially from Newman just wandering of the mark with Rampe covering another bulldog going past. The Bont get 0% and weighted the kick to Wood.

If Newman had to gone to the mark and gone to his right the Bont might have had to go back or a harder kick to Wood and Reg might have go to Wood. HOLD THE MARK.

Longmire and I both agree on this one. Hahaha. Out on the wing defending and both Rampe and Reid go up to mark but Stringer stayed down. Both missed the mark and allowed the ball over the back. Stringer picks it up and lace out to Dickson for the mark and later the goal. You HAVE to win or neutralise the contest and a big fail.

ALL players you have the look at both the forward and goal posts whilst either on or in F50s. If you look at the goal the defender rolls off his man and runs to goal as goal keeping. Also a good forward would turn back to player and lead and the defender must make a decision. If you only look at one option you may missed both chances. Jones x 2, Papley x1 and some others all want to goal.

Sinkers, Naismith, Marsh and Melican need to work on the marks. Strong, soft hands.

PS: Longmire smirked quickly before back to stone after Reid missed a soda.

If we keep going this way we will be a better allround team who can defend and attack with more balance and more options.

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[Danzar]

Every time I see him on the big screen he's mouthing off at someone. It's hilarious. He was clearly telling Hodge that he was over the hill during the Hawks game.

And he kicks timely goals too.

And most of those goals, at least in his first year, are off the deck. He seems to have a talent for it.


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[Danzar]

Obligatory xkcd reference:

xkcd: Lunch Order

Hah hah!


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[Nico]

The Bullies had 9 players out from their GF side. It is a year of swings and roundabouts. First time we played them injury fortunes were reversed. We finally got close to our best side on the ground and played accordingly.

After watching the game and reading almost every post mortem I think Longmire should be sacked and Grundy retired.

[S.S. Bleeder]

+1
Is there an RWOer who doesn't love Gazza? All the same, I wasn't disappointed he was ill and couldn't play. I'd actually been hoping both he and Tippett would be dropped for this game, so I was watching keenly to see how we'd go without him. There's no doubting his manic courage, and I know Longmire says he doesn't have to get a high possession count to influence a game, but sadly I don't think he's developed as we could have expected. He's looked a bit lost from what I've seen this season (his Carlton game was excruciating, right until he knocked himself out cold), and I just can't get out my head the image of him trying to dummy Easton Wood on the wing in the GF. Like Tippett, I think he should be worked hard to get his place in the best 22.

Unfortunately Gazza hasn't been the same since his broken leg. That was terrible timing. He was really starting to hit his straps when that happened. I have no inside knowledge on how it is effecting him at present but I suspect that his pace, and maybe confidence, has dropped off as a result.

[Velour&Ruffles]

I'm a Towers fan, but thought his game was average.

Couldn't disagree more. Not sure what you were watching if you thought this.

Also don't understand the criticism of Naismith, Melican and a few others for dropping marks. It was a wet and greasy night. Most players are going to fluff 'em on a night like that. All it really proved was what an amazing mark Sam Reid is .... but we already knew that.

[Bloody Hell]

Sinclair was powerful at and around the contest and applied good pressure including some good chase down tackles (which is great to see from a big bloke). So I would say he was valuable apart from his rucking. Arguably as valuable as another player might have been. He has the advantage of having a big, strong body to throw around and he was prepared to put in the effort and do that. I don't think he has to take lots of marks - that doesn't seem to be a great strength of his. Bringing the ball to ground and preventing the opposition from taking possession and giving our smalls a chance to get a hold of it is also important. That said, I agree, once we can start relying on Naismith to do the bulk of the rucking we need a 2nd ruck who does offer something different like goals and marks. At this stage I don't have confidence that Naismith can ruck a whole game. Naismith and Sinclair seemed to split it pretty evenly last night.

Incidentally, Ludwig, Beveridge made some interesting comments about the value of rucks in his post-match interviews. He made the point that they took Roughead away from the ruck contests and sent him down back to replace Adams because they weren't winning the hitouts anyway and thought that sending another mid would be more valuable. However he said it didn't work. He also said that when a midfield is well organised and playing with intensity, having a good ruck that can give the mids first use really is valuable. Since Bevo is one of the main poster boys for "no ruck theory" I think you would find those comments very pertinent.

Sinclair has an issue with marking the ball. Despite his efforts, this failing was still evident.

[Markwebbos]

I wonder if Towers is overthinking things. Only saw the game on tele, but it seems his best play is in contested situations, or in fluid play where the right option is immediate. When he gets the ball in space with time, he seems to make more errors.

Towers definitely plays better when he plays instinctively and doesn't engage his brain. I am a huge fan of Towers_v2.0_contested

[MattW]

Towers definitely plays better when he plays instinctively and doesn't engage his brain. I am a huge fan of Towers_v2.0_contested

Towers v2.0 is using the ball a lot better. He set up at least three scoring shots on Thursday, including an excellent long kicks for goals to Hewett and Reid, and a kick into the corridor from defence which led to a chain of passes which should have resulted in another goal to Reid (I think, he missed). He seems to make a particular impact in the second half of games. He can still struggle a bit when he takes a mark and has to stop to decide what to do, and he also gets pushed off the ball a little bit, but he's working on these too. Good on him, he's becoming a real contributor.

[Markwebbos]

Towers v2.0 is using the ball a lot better. He set up at least three scoring shots on Thursday, including an excellent long kicks for goals to Hewett and Reid, and a kick into the corridor from defence which led to a chain of passes which should have resulted in another goal to Reid (I think, he missed). He seems to make a particular impact in the second half of games. He can still struggle a bit when he takes a mark and has to stop to decide what to do, and he also gets pushed off the ball a little bit, but he's working on these too. Good on him, he's becoming a real contributor.

I agree. I had completely given up on him, and think he might have too earlier in the season.

He has a lot of great assets. I'm overjoyed that the Swans have found a way to harness them and find an effective role for him.