Match Day Rnd 13 V Richmond. MCG. 13.45 pm.

[Goal Sneak]

What a great day. Today I got to experience one of those father son experiences I will remember for the rest of my life. Got to sing the club song with my 7yo son for the 1st time together at a game. Don't mind admitting there were some tears rolling down my cheek. Not just because we won and seeing the elation on his face. But in the manner of the win and the important little life lesson he got to experience. All through out the game I kept telling him to believe in the team and to never give up. They can do it, if you have belief. For the last 5min he was physically trembling with anxiety and fear. I kept reassuring him and we celebrated every little win along the way. The Kennedy clearances, the Papley mark, Newmans effort on the wing and gazz goal. When the siren sounded and we embraced it was a special moment. Thanks to all fellow supporters at the swans end for sharing it with us.

This is so cool, i love hearing these kind of stories and this kind of attitude being passed on from generation to generation. Don't underestimate how important the belief you were encouraging is. The never say die approach and momentum lessons will have a lasting impression.

[Markwebbos]

Maybe sometimes "breakout" games can be a curse in disguise. Zak consistently tries to do too much and be too clever with the ball. Love him for his hardness and his will to win, but want to see him get rid of the ball quicker - at least sometimes!

Gary Rohan is unbelievable. How can a bloke do so little all day, be so close to another game in the 2s, and then contribute a couple of priceless moments. It wasn't just the last thirty seconds. His attack on the ball coming out of Richmond defence, risking his life as usual going full speed and with his head low, knocking the ball to Sam Reid - maybe 80% of that goal was Gazza's. And then the sealer. But can we please not play him in defence again?

Dean Towers was quiet, but last week he played a critical role in several goals. Cut him some slack.

Some really good points there agree about Gaz and Towers but surely Dawson has to get a go in the firsts, and Robinson is a first team player too. Who makes way for them?

How come it's blindingly obvious to nearly everyone on RWO that Rohan should not play in defence but not to the coaches? I'm mystified. Also why we start each game with a zone defence (so I'm told) only to abandon it after a disastrous first Q?

I know what you mean about Jones, but I'd rather he took the game on and I assume the coaches encourage him to try to break the lines at every opportunity.

[Goal Sneak]

Newman was ferocious in defence. People have (rightly so) talked up his foot skills, but I was massively impressed with his tackling today. Papley was hugely influential and Sinclair had his best pressure game for the Swans. The fact that Tippett is playing NEAFL has put the fire into both Naismith and Sinclair and it's making them better players.

[Goal Sneak]

I know what you mean about Jones, but I'd rather he took the game on and I assume the coaches encourage him to try to break the lines at every opportunity.

Yep, I realise Zac will get himself into trouble at times playing the way he does, but it's worth giving him a licence to reap the rewards of a naturally attacking player.

[0918330512]

Gary Rohan is unbelievable. How can a bloke do so little all day, be so close to another game in the 2s, and then contribute a couple of priceless moments. It wasn't just the last thirty seconds. His attack on the ball coming out of Richmond defence, risking his life as usual going full speed and with his head low, knocking the ball to Sam Reid - maybe 80% of that goal was Gazza's. And then the sealer. But can we please not play him in defence again?

He's mentored by Nick Davis

[Danzar]

Back online folks

[Sandridge]

What a great day. Today I got to experience one of those father son experiences I will remember for the rest of my life. Got to sing the club song with my 7yo son for the 1st time together at a game. Don't mind admitting there were some tears rolling down my cheek. Not just because we won and seeing the elation on his face. But in the manner of the win and the important little life lesson he got to experience. All through out the game I kept telling him to believe in the team and to never give up. They can do it, if you have belief. For the last 5min he was physically trembling with anxiety and fear. I kept reassuring him and we celebrated every little win along the way. The Kennedy clearances, the Papley mark, Newmans effort on the wing and gazz goal. When the siren sounded and we embraced it was a special moment. Thanks to all fellow supporters at the swans end for sharing it with us.

Beautiful stuff, FS! You and he will remember it forever!

[longmile]

Obviously Rohan was useless all day in defence but when he was thrown forward in the final quarter I thought he was terrific. Swans have to forget that elimination final when he played outstandingly as a half back. He has to play as a that half-forward/wing role otherwise he's not worth it. I think he'll always be an enigma but he's worth keeping in the 22 as he will always find a few goals. He's played some terrific games as a forward.

Towers has to go, we have to make the hard call, sure he's improved but Dawson is a better option and younger, you have to reward Dawson and give him a consistent run. Good to see Robbo back, getting some great depth.

[ernie koala]

Went to the game today and am still calming down from an amazing win.


Dean Towers was quiet, but last week he played a critical role in several goals. Cut him some slack. Only six disposals? Yeah, but no-one's saying Nick Smith should be dropped after today's game.

Are you kidding? You can't compare Towers to Smith...

An all Australian back pocket who gets the unenviable task of keeping the best small forwards in the country quiet...And generally does it superbly. It's not about possessions for Smith.

Towers rarely sticks a tackle, gets very few possessions, and makes bad panicked decisions when he does get it.

I don't think we can afford to have both Towers and Rohan in the team together given how little impact they have...

But Rohan is miles ahead of Towers in what he does deliver, both with and without the ball, even if it is fleeting.

[dimelb]

Obviously Rohan was useless all day in defence but when he was thrown forward in the final quarter I thought he was terrific. Swans have to forget that elimination final when he played outstandingly as a half back. He has to play as a that half-forward/wing role otherwise he's not worth it. I think he'll always be an enigma but he's worth keeping in the 22 as he will always find a few goals. He's played some terrific games as a forward.

Towers has to go, we have to make the hard call, sure he's improved but Dawson is a better option and younger, you have to reward Dawson and give him a consistent run. Good to see Robbo back, getting some great depth.

Sometimes the bleeding obvious needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

And while I understand people's doubts about Towers he showed sheer determination and genuine skill to get that goal from Papley.

But I agree we should give Dawson a run. Such pleasant problems ...

[Markwebbos]

Is someone is going out of the team to make way for Dawson / Robinson it has to be Towers.

[MattW]

Are you kidding? You can't compare Towers to Smith...

An all Australian back pocket who gets the unenviable task of keeping the best small forwards in the country quiet...And generally does it superbly. It's not about possessions for Smith.

Towers rarely sticks a tackle, gets very few possessions, and makes bad panicked decisions when he does get it.

I don't think we can afford to have both Towers and Rohan in the team together given how little impact they have...

But Rohan is miles ahead of Towers in what he does deliver, both with and without the ball, even if it is fleeting.

I agree. Towers' ball use has improved a little, but he missed a lot of tackles yesterday.

[Odysseus]

Are you kidding? You can't compare Towers to Smith...

An all Australian back pocket who gets the unenviable task of keeping the best small forwards in the country quiet...And generally does it superbly. It's not about possessions for Smith.

Towers rarely sticks a tackle, gets very few possessions, and makes bad panicked decisions when he does get it.

I don't think we can afford to have both Towers and Rohan in the team together given how little impact they have...

But Rohan is miles ahead of Towers in what he does deliver, both with and without the ball, even if it is fleeting.

I don't disagree with the thrust of this argument, except the conclusion. I wasn't intending to suggest Nick Smith should be dropped, just suggesting that we cut Dean some slack after what was clearly not one of his better performances, and pointing out - and I still hold to it - that counting disposals in one game shouldn't be the criterion for dropping a player. As another poster said last week, Towers v2 is an improvement on his previous version, and because of our memories of past clangers it's easy to suggest he makes panicked decisions under pressure (something which is true of most of us?), but not quite so easy to recall fine decisions made even just last week that led to goals.

I do think you're right about Towers and Rohan in the one team. The difference in our point of view is perhaps simply that, despite my love of Gazza for his courage and my acknowledgement of the talent that he's displayed, I'm now leaning in the direction of Towers as being more consistent than the enigma that is Gazza. I'm not sure that I'm entirely convinced of my own view, myself, and I don't particularly envy those who have to make the choice. What I would argue is that there is a more nuanced argument than some RWOers might have us believe.

Go Bloods!

[Blood Fever]

Interception that led to Reid's goal was heroic. Thought Newman and Naismith's efforts one on one with Rioli were also outstanding.

[Matty10]

Beautiful stuff, FS! You and he will remember it forever!

That's what I was saying to my 5-year-old son after the game - "we'll remember this forever".

Plus he got to touch Sinclair's hand when they thanked the crowd. It's the little things, like that gesture, that makes all the difference to little kids.

The one point loss last year nearly killed us, so it was nice to experience another high at the G.


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