#AFL Round 2 Swans vs Crows Fri 29-Mar at SCG #AFLSwansCrows @sydneyswans

[caj23]

I think we have fundamentally different conceptions of what our game plan is. By game plan, I'm referring to what the team is trying to do, not simply what we observe actually unfolding. The latter is an interaction between game plan, execution, and the opposition.

I don't for one moment think our game plan "relies on starting every play from the back line". Any coach who came up with that plan would be mad. And if you look at periods during previous years when we have been considered one of the top sides, I think you'll find scant evidence for a plan that "relies on starting every play from the back line".

Correct, we're not deliberately starting from the back line, its just that our game plan and personnel means that the ball spends more time in the back half than most other teams.

Firstly, we get flogged out of the centre square most weeks, and on the evidence of the first 2 weeks nothing appears to have been implemented over the preseason to address this. The new 6/6/6 rule means that this will be more costly than ever

Secondly, our ball movement from the back half is slow and indirect giving our opposition time to move up the ground and implement their forward press, hence it gets stuck there. As noted earlier, our guys first instinct when they mark of get a free kick is to turn sideways without even bothering to look forward

So whilst you could say there isn't a specific game plan to start from the back, with our current game style, its inevitable that's where the ball is going to be for the bulk of the time. Hence why there is an element of supporters who will continue to question whether Longmire is capable of taking the team forward

[The Big Cat]

we get flogged out of the centre square most weeks. The new 6/6/6 rule means that this will be more costly than ever

Solution: Naismith back

[caj23]

Solution: Naismith back

What's the solution for the next 10 rounds he won't be available?

[The Big Cat]

Hence why there is an element of supporters who will continue to question whether Longmire is capable of taking the team forward

If we have to endure more of this sack Longmire stuff I will continue to spew up! (He's only got us to 3 grand finals in the last 7 years - what a failure. OK, I give in. Let's go after Worsfold, he's a premiership coach)

[Ralph Dawg]

Solution: Naismith back

I just don't see it with Naismith. The centre bounce is a competitive environment with alot of movement and variable factors. The tap to advantage is one thing but what ultimately determines whether a clearance is made is the work of the on ballers. Opposition's have worked out that once JPK is shut down, we have nothing. Look at clubs with shorter ruckmen like Richmond and Brisbane. They still can get clean clearances by virtue of a multi faceted, hard working on ball team. Our on ballers are just not competing. Sure, Naismith is tall but offers nothing around the park. Poor mobility, low possession winner, minimal influence up forward and down back. I always remember how poor he was against Hawthorn (McEvoy) and Geelong (Zac Smith) a couple of years ago, where his poor mobility was shown up. In those matches, it was like the opposition had an extra player. Cameron would be a better option.

[0918330512]

Solution: Naismith back

Solution: Steve Taubert back - either as a ruck coach or player - we could do worse!

[Hotpotato]

The Swans will turn it around.
The Dogs and Crows are excellent teams this year and served it up to a transitioning Swans outfit getting back on their feet with some returning from injuries and operations and new players learning the caper in the ones.
Bring back Grundy.
There’s a little too much analysis on here .

[Mel_C]

Discipline under frustration is rearing its ugly head.
A lot of the free kicks we give away are legit.

It's the free kicks that aren't paid to us that is the problem, especially those in front of goal.

[Legs Akimbo]

Moving on from Eddie back to why we are losing. I've seen players not working hard off the ball. Limited second efforts and repeat leads. This forces the player up the ground to stop and prop. Bit chicken and egg because not moving the ball quickly in transition leads to a need for repeat leads which causes fatigue. End result is looking slow, kicking to to the line and congestion.

My best guess is a lack of confidence in each other to play on believing someone up the ground will have led or created separation. We won't win too many games until this changes.

[mcs]

The Swans will turn it around.
The Dogs and Crows are excellent teams this year and served it up to a transitioning Swans outfit getting back on their feet with some returning from injuries and operations and new players learning the caper in the ones.
Bring back Grundy.
There’s a little too much analysis on here .

I'm far from convinced either Adelaide or the Dogs will in the wash up be anything but middle of the table.

[MattW]

I'm far from convinced either Adelaide or the Dogs will in the wash up be anything but middle of the table.

Agreed. I think both losses were more the result of our deficiencies rather than their respective strengths.

[Agent 86]

Last year we had the least inside 50's of any finalist since 2001. That says to me our forwards make the most of scant opportunities and we need to find a way to win more clearances. The key to fixing our problems is finding a couple more mids who can win the ball and a decent ruckman who can tap to advantage.

Yeah, that's an interesting stat. We did have serious midfield issues last year (& haven't done a lot to rectify that gap, unfortunately – we seemed to be solely concentrating on shoring up Blakey – great to see, but didn't seem to have a strategy after that). I'd be having a crack at our recruitment team rather than the constant bleating on this forum about the coach.

We do need another fit ruckman, but I also think Sinclair has done a lot better than i'd expected - he just needs a bit of help from time to time.

I also don't buy the constant 'game plan' talk - it's not rocket science, just execute your next move effectively, don't offload to the closest player who's under pressure, in-turn work harder to apply pressure; don't continually bomb inside 50 hoping for miracle - we don't seem to have a shortage of small forwards - find them; if you are one of these - make sure you convert (that's your job); we tend to get on top when applying forward pressure - do more of that (doesn't happen enough); Tackle. Harder.; We've a number of new players used to covering ground and getting plenty of ball in the NEAFL - time to step up… no easy kicks at this level.

Anyway, as I calmed down during a long walk home from the SCG, i figured all is not lost. The effort was there, we just fell short in the execution. Plus we did get royally shafted by the umpires, didn't handle the conditions & just looked like we needed the run.

[S.S. Bleeder]

These are from NSW

Tex Walker
Jarrod Witts
Isaac Smith
Tom Hawkins

Walker from Broken Hill and Hawkins was a F/S which really leaves Witts and Smith vs 1000s.

[Blood Fever]

Yeah, that's an interesting stat. We did have serious midfield issues last year (& haven't done a lot to rectify that gap, unfortunately – we seemed to be solely concentrating on shoring up Blakey – great to see, but didn't seem to have a strategy after that). I'd be having a crack at our recruitment team rather than the constant bleating on this forum about the coach.

We do need another fit ruckman, but I also think Sinclair has done a lot better than i'd expected - he just needs a bit of help from time to time.

I also don't buy the constant 'game plan' talk - it's not rocket science, just execute your next move effectively, don't offload to the closest player who's under pressure, in-turn work harder to apply pressure; don't continually bomb inside 50 hoping for miracle - we don't seem to have a shortage of small forwards - find them; if you are one of these - make sure you convert (that's your job); we tend to get on top when applying forward pressure - do more of that (doesn't happen enough); Tackle. Harder.; We've a number of new players used to covering ground and getting plenty of ball in the NEAFL - time to step up… no easy kicks at this level.

Anyway, as I calmed down during a long walk home from the SCG, i figured all is not lost. The effort was there, we just fell short in the execution. Plus we did get royally shafted by the umpires, didn't handle the conditions & just looked like we needed the run.

The voice of sanity and reason

[Sandrevan]

Yeah, that's an interesting stat. We did have serious midfield issues last year (& haven't done a lot to rectify that gap, unfortunately – we seemed to be solely concentrating on shoring up Blakey – great to see, but didn't seem to have a strategy after that). I'd be having a crack at our recruitment team rather than the constant bleating on this forum about the coach.

We do need another fit ruckman, but I also think Sinclair has done a lot better than i'd expected - he just needs a bit of help from time to time.

I also don't buy the constant 'game plan' talk - it's not rocket science, just execute your next move effectively, don't offload to the closest player who's under pressure, in-turn work harder to apply pressure; don't continually bomb inside 50 hoping for miracle - we don't seem to have a shortage of small forwards - find them; if you are one of these - make sure you convert (that's your job); we tend to get on top when applying forward pressure - do more of that (doesn't happen enough); Tackle. Harder.; We've a number of new players used to covering ground and getting plenty of ball in the NEAFL - time to step up… no easy kicks at this level.

Anyway, as I calmed down during a long walk home from the SCG, i figured all is not lost. The effort was there, we just fell short in the execution. Plus we did get royally shafted by the umpires, didn't handle the conditions & just looked like we needed the run.

Stop making sense