2020 Round 8: Swans v Hawks

[Meg]

This is a frequent tactic that he seems to use following a loss to us. Years back he was accusing Craig Bolton of tunnelling his opponents. What is even more irksome is that the media and opposition run with his claims and his insinuations that we are cheating in some way. Across the years we've played a pretty fair but solid brand of footy. He never has the grace to say that hawthorn was beaten by a better team on the day.

He (Clarkson) never has the grace to say that hawthorn was beaten by a better team on the day.

Actually if you watch Clarkson’s press conference video he clearly did say that. He referred at least twice to the Swans having more ‘polish’ than Hawthorn yesterday.

[Ralph Dawg]

This is a frequent tactic that he seems to use following a loss to us. Years back he was accusing Craig Bolton of tunnelling his opponents. What is even more irksome is that the media and opposition run with his claims and his insinuations that we are cheating in some way. Across the years we've played a pretty fair but solid brand of footy. He never has the grace to say that hawthorn was beaten by a better team on the day.

Speaking of Craig Bolton, Robbie Fox over the last few weeks has reminded me of him. Undersize defender, giving away height but getting into good positions to spoil.

[dejavoodoo44]

Most RWO posters seem a bit down on Squizzy. I think he's been solid in most games he's played albeit not spectacular. He had 14 possessions yesterday and most of them pretty good ones at that. I also notice him doing plenty of the ball. Off the top of my head, he's the only one other than Paps who has kicked more than 2 goals in a game this season (3 v Essendon) and most games has got into double digits for possessions. He's certainly not in Papley or Greene's league but he's contributing and should get better with Reid and McCartain back.

Sam Gray has been less productive but had some nice touches yesterday. However, once Hayward is fit, he would be the one to drop out in my opinion.

I think it's unfortunate for both Gray and Taylor that they are being judged against a very high bench mark (Papley).

Agree, I think Taylor has played pretty well, but I've been less enthused by Gray. Taylor was very useful in the final quarter, yesterday, when he had a few calming possessions.

[aardvark]

Louie Taylor looks a bit slow for a bloke his size. He might benefit from dropping a couple of Kg.

[dejavoodoo44]

This is a frequent tactic that he seems to use following a loss to us. Years back he was accusing Craig Bolton of tunnelling his opponents. What is even more irksome is that the media and opposition run with his claims and his insinuations that we are cheating in some way. Across the years we've played a pretty fair but solid brand of footy. He never has the grace to say that hawthorn was beaten by a better team on the day.

With Clarkson, I think there might be a fair bit of projection going on. That is, because he behaves in a particular morally dubious way himself, he's more likely to think that others are behaving in the same way. There was an example last season, in which he was complaining bitterly about an opposition tactic. I forget what the tactic was, but new commentators, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis, both found Clarkson's whining ironically amusing, as the tactic was something that he used to teach them at training.

I also suspect that there's a calculated playing of the odds: if I complain, the umpires might be more likely to penalise the opposition and less likely to penalise us. Gil might share a small amount of blame for that; due to him indulging Clarkson in the past.

[lwjoyner]

Suspect after this shwoing and the younster we should get some games into our #2 draft pick, Gould. Again I say Gray and L Taylor now not up to it.

[i'm-uninformed2]

By the way, does anyone know if Paps has broken up with his girlfriend and found a nice Sydney lass yet? ????

[Roadrunner]

Suspect after this shwoing and the younster we should get some games into our #2 draft pick, Gould. Again I say Gray and L Taylor now not up to it.

A great win and shows some character! This was a team playing as they should, with a number of standouts but all contributing. Sure, Gray and Squizzy not among the best, but tried hard. Same goes for Clarke- he can’t handball to save himself but tries his heart out- not high on talent as we all know, but gives 100% of what he has. Until some of our injured return, he keeps his spot as far as I’m concerned.

[Sandridge]

Sorry I stuffed up the thread! Can mods please get rid of post 143? I can't.

[Markwebbos]

Cornes got into Clarko today in The Round So Far, some of which quoted by SEN

"Deplorable" Hawks urged to drop experienced pair

Cornes believes Clarkson has bigger issues to worry about than criticising Tom Papley after he accused the Swans star of milking free kicks.

“Alastair Clarkson has almost been the master of deflection,” Cornes said.

“Since he made those ridiculous comments that the state of the game was in a dreadful space, how has his side gone? Well, it’s been deplorable.

“Alastair Clarkson has a lot more issues on his plate than Tom Papley getting knocked over by a much bigger man after a goal was kicked."

[111431]

Most RWO posters seem a bit down on Squizzy. I think he's been solid in most games he's played albeit not spectacular. He had 14 possessions yesterday and most of them pretty good ones at that. I also notice him doing plenty of the ball. Off the top of my head, he's the only one other than Paps who has kicked more than 2 goals in a game this season (3 v Essendon) and most games has got into double digits for possessions. He's certainly not in Papley or Greene's league but he's contributing and should get better with Reid and McCartain back.

Sam Gray has been less productive but had some nice touches yesterday. However, once Hayward is fit, he would be the one to drop out in my opinion.

I think it's unfortunate for both Gray and Taylor that they are being judged against a very high bench mark (Papley).

I agree re Taylor - he's a smart player who generally uses the ball well. If we can build his tank he'll be a good value pick up

[stevoswan]

Actually if you watch Clarkson’s press conference video he clearly did say that. He referred at least twice to the Swans having more ‘polish’ than Hawthorn yesterday.

True.....but with his whinges/complaints, he still insinuates that we didn't deserve to win and that if a few more frees went their way and not ours, because Paps 'milks them', they would have been deserved winners. He's a sook who needs to stick to his own backyard.

[aardvark]

Just Clarko being Clarko. A wise man learns to accept things he cannot change.

[Ludwig]

I think Taylor has played pretty well, but I've been less enthused by Gray. Taylor was very useful in the final quarter, yesterday, when he had a few calming possessions.

I agree with this and other assessments about Taylor playing okay, while Gray at considerably below the form he showed at PA.

Clarke has been okay, but his lack of pace and ordinary disposal will work against him in the long term when better options for selection are available.

I think Jake Lloyd's 34 disposals is the most for a game this year and his 198 for the season is leading the league. He's also 5th in metres gained. I have no hesitation now saying the Jake is an elite player and a star of the competition. I thought about a move for Jake to the midfield, but he works so well with Rampe in our backline, they really hold the defence together and get the ball moving quickly for the counterattack.

Clarko was amusing talking about how our experienced defence is so hard to score against. But it's really just Rampe and Lloyd. Cunningham played well in defence, but has not been a fixture there and usually plays more as a wingman. With Mills in the midfield there was just Aliir, Fox, Dawson and Ling. You wouldn't say they've played a whole lot together as a group.

Fox has now followed up on his games in defence late in 2019 and seems to have finally found a role that suits him. He's not only a versatile defender, but his skills have always been very good. Also noticed that Fox and ET have the same running style, for whatever it's worth. I can't describe it. You just have to look and see.

Overall, it's good to see the game style continuing to take shape and we can execute even without so many of our best players on the sidelines.

[707]

Good on Cornes for calling Clarko out, particularly given the serial free milkers and stagers in his own team.

Clarko is facing a long period in the wilderness with pundits unsure who has the worse list, Hawthorn or Adelaide! Will say anything in a presser to deflect from the reality facing him, no quick fixes any more for the Hawks, no longer a destination club, need to grind it out for a few years.