#AFL Rd 20 Swans v Collingwood, SCG, Sat 4 Aug 7:25pm @SydneySwans #AFLSwansPies

[Markwebbos]

Dawson looks good just need to play him more in his natural mid forward role
I hate Dermie but starting to believe his opinionif we got the ball to Buddy more or even forward more last night he would have kicked 10

Hope Heeney and a few of the younger ones start getting more of it soon

I was surprised to see Dawson defending Cox in the 1stQ, presumably his direct opponent as back up ruckman. Can’t imagine he’s got too much experience playing against 7footers.

There was one long kick he made from defence that hit his man and opened the Pies right up. He’s a pretty handy shot for goal too. If he and Buddy can score from outside 50 gives defences something to think about.

[S.S. Bleeder]

In the bigger picture i think missing the 8 would be a good thing. Our players need to rest and recover and since i don't think our best is near good enough we would simply be pretenders in the finals.

Also still think we need a major revamp of our tactics which cant happen till next year.

Well done to the boys and especially AJ for great perseverance and a pretty good return.

I'm in your camp Merdo. As exciting as was to win last night, especially for the sake of AJ, a loss would have been better for us strategically.

We have too many important players missing, our youngsters are tired and we have some important players who need to recover from injury and there is no way we will win a premiership this year. Sure Richmond and Bulldogs have been surprises in the last couple of years but they were at full strength, played on their home grounds and were gifted by the umpires/VFL.

IMO Lloyd is a certainty to go, possibly to GCS. The higher our first pick is the better position we will be in to get something of value for him. We need a pick higher that where Blakey will most likely be selected.

[Ludwig]

Collingwood's pressure was great, as it has been all year. I'm not a fan of Bucks, but I have to say that he's probably coach of the year the way he's turned the team around, especially given their injuries. They forced us to match them in pressure, work rate and defence, and I think we did a pretty good job overall. Neither team had the depth of quality to crack the other's high pressure game and it took the mismatch of Franklin on anyone they put up to defend him to decide the game.

This is the Richmond game plan, but played at a lower level of quality. It's hard to keep the work rate up all game and have everyone on board when it's time to attack. Collingwood have been doing a reasonable job at it most of the year, but were probably just a bit short on personnel to pull it off the past couple of weeks. It's not the most attractive footy at this level, but the Richmond-Geelong game showed it's exciting to watch when played well.

I was initially critical of the way we kicked backwards and switched play instead of pushing hard forward, but came to accept that it's better than constantly turning the ball over by kicking blindly downfield or to a contest (especially with Mason Cox hanging around the marking contest). Newman and Aliir were hesitant to move the ball quickly at times, but in retrospect, I would say it was good decision making and both had solid games using the ball by foot and played key parts in many of our better scoring opportunities.

Newman would be an important player for us with just a bit more improvement, even if he's not quite best 22. Fox is another one who can come in and play a solid game. I think Robinson, Marsh and Towers fall on the wrong side of the line in this regard.

I always think McVeigh should retire until I see him play, and then I think he should play on another season.

Our young forward group have been struggling lately. I thought the effort was there from Hayward, although he seems to be falling just short of making an impact. Ronke has also been falling off his earlier games. He was concussed during the game, but I didn't see the incident. Florent is the one who has probably dropped off the most, after having a strong run of games through the middle of the season.

Dawson looks very promising after his 3rd game. His marking and kicking are both of a very high standard and he's happy to play a physical game as well.

I can't see us going far in finals even if we do sneak into the 8. Comparing us to Richmond, it looks as though we are more than a year away, but the way Collingwood have turned thinks around this year gives some hope that we can make a good run next year if we get a good run with injury.

My disappointments in the game were Florent, Heeney and especially Kieran Jack, who is just completely out of form without a hint of how he can turn it around at his age.

I think Cameron is better choice than McCartin when playing certain teams with strong ruck divisions, especially Collingwood and Melbourne. I don't see why we don't play a mobile ruckman, like Cameron or even Naismith when fit on Mason Cox, who doesn't have much forward craft. We just need a tall footballer to go with him physically.

[waswan]

Heeney needs to get moving has class but has to get involved more

in Floreants defense he of all our younger players (heeney aside) would be getting most attention

id play Marsh ahead of Robinson
Mcveigh needs another year
Jack can retire

[Markwebbos]

I don't think losing is ever good for a team. Making the 8 even if we get knocked out in the first final, would still be good experience for the many players who haven't experienced finals football before. I suspect the coaches accept that this year is a development year, not one for silverware.

The only caveat is that there are several players who could be back in time for finals: Hanners, Rohan, Reid, possibly Melican, which might make a difference. Reid in particular.

Rohan might be more effective than a tired Ronke / Hayward, Reid you'd hope would offer more than McCartin. Hanners maybe adds something even if its in a tagging role (like when he played on Gaff). That and bringing Cameron and Towers into the side might let them give one or two of the younger players a break. Longmire clearly feels Cameron can't play the role that McCartin does, which is a shame. And after Brodie Grundy, next week is Max Gawn!

[waswan]

This is the Richmond game plan, but played at a lower level of quality. It's hard to keep the work rate up all game and have everyone on board when it's time to attack. Collingwood have been doing a reasonable job at it most of the year, but were probably just a bit short on personnel to pull it off the past couple of weeks. It's not the most attractive footy at this level, but the Richmond-Geelong game showed it's exciting to watch when played well.

The way to beat Richmond is with KPP marling the ball thru the middle if you play them wide they cut everything off
They arent tall you need to take them on down the middle

Port and West Coast are equipped to beat them
Geelong nearly did without geniune marks up the ground

- - - Updated - - -

Any whispers about Mills ?
i thought at the time maybe Horse didnt want to sound cocky to say he would be back for finals....

[Blood Fever]

I don't see the point in complaining about the commentary. I hit "mute" as soon as I turn on the TV for the game. The only thing I miss is the clock because the "mute" symbol on the TV sits right over it! I often listen to one of the streaming commentaries - they're a bit out of sync but at least you get some useful information. As they are usually ahead it gives a heads up to look at the TV if something exciting happens during a boring patch. I listened to the Indigenous network last night, which was pretty good.

I don't really rate Longmire as a match day coach but he has a record most coaches would envy so I agree with the "we've been spoilt", "young teams will be up and down" and "really enjoyed beating Collingwood" sentiments more than anything.

Whenever I feel critical of the coaches I always come back to the truth that the club and coaches are doing a better job than I would!

Good post, especially re mute button. Do it when I was watching Channel 9 cricket but force of habit rules for footy. Will seriously consider it.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Don’t hit mute, just turn the volume down to 1, then you’ll still see the time. Fortunately I went to the game, and didn’t have to do the same, but that is now my favored silencing technique.

[Hotpotato]

[QUOTE=Markwebbos;756873]I don't think losing is ever good for a team. Making the 8 even if we get knocked out in the first final, would still be good experience for the many players who haven't experienced finals football before. I suspect the coaches accept that this year is a development year, not one for silverware.

I concur, all this talk of tiredness and needing time to recover until March 2019 is all a bit how’s your father.
Unless theres a significant injury needing time to heal , the pointy end of the season is the most exciting time of the year for these youngsters .

And Buddy wants more than just hangin around , he wants another Granny. You can read him like a book.

[waswan]

The time is now always has been always will be in footy.... ask AJ

[treespirit]

Don’t hit mute, just turn the volume down to 1, then you’ll still see the time. Fortunately I went to the game, and didn’t have to do the same, but that is now my favored silencing technique.

I know, but that's not funny!

[royboy42]

I don't see the point in complaining about the commentary. I hit "mute" as soon as I turn on the TV for the game. The only thing I miss is the clock because the "mute" symbol on the TV sits right over it! I often listen to one of the streaming commentaries - they're a bit out of sync but at least you get some useful information. As they are usually ahead it gives a heads up to look at the TV if something exciting happens during a boring patch. I listened to the Indigenous network last night, which was pretty good.

I don't really rate Longmire as a match day coach but he has a record most coaches would envy so I agree with the "we've been spoilt", "young teams will be up and down" and "really enjoyed beating Collingwood" sentiments more than anything.

Whenever I feel critical of the coaches I always come back to the truth that the club and coaches are doing a better job than I would!

Don't use the mute , mate....just turn the volume right down and the symbol wont appear.

[Mel_C]

Commentary narrative all night was the heroism of Collingwood despite their injuries. They were hoping for a Collingwood win so they could run with it. When Buddy took that crucial juggled mark late in the last quarter, Darcy was genuinely disappointed it was paid. Showed his bias.

Yes I heard Darcy exclaim "Oh No" when Buddy took that mark. He couldn't hide his disappointment!

[mcs]

What about this!!!!

Rohan Murray on Twitter: "@sydneyswans Appears history has repeated itself after 100 years. An excerpt from the book “AFL Premiers” 1918 - South Melbourne A Soccer Kick To Glory. Amazing. @TomMcCartin_ dribbled a similar goal tonight as Chris Laird. Win by under a goal! #AFLSwansPies… https://t.co/MQrcuvmM8B"

[Hotpotato]

Fact is always more incredible than fiction .