Round 18: Swans v Cats

[mcs]

Logan McDonald and our 2 acadamy boys and we are set for the next 3 years. We are already in an upwards trajectory with our list and new game plan. This year we have games into our next gen with a stack of good players coming back. Touch wood and all but a lot to look forward to.

McDonald would be my choice too - though I reckon we might be tempted by someone like Tilthorpe, as we know the ruck situation needs solving. But that might depend on what happens in the trade period, which could tell us a lot about our plans.

[Markwebbos]

It's been a surprisingly fun season this year. I've enjoyed watching our young players develop and there are promising signs for the next few years if we can hang onto them.

I've had fun... and I am soooo looking forward to being at the SCG again next year.

Thanks to everybody here for their contributions, I love being here and reading all the comments. There are some really knowledgeable and great fans on this site.

Till next time...cheer cheer.

I totally agree that it's been a fun year despite going 5-12.

Having a lot of injuries and no NEAFL forced Horse to play a lot of kids and a significant number of them have take big steps forward: Rowbottom, JMac, Blakey (eventually), Stephens.

Plus a few players have consolidated their positions: Fox, Cunningham and McCartin's in defence. Even Clarke and Thurlow have looked like they are worth persisting with, which I would not have said two months ago.

I also think hub life has suited such a young side from both a bonding and player development POV.

Bring on 2021!

Also agree Geelong aren't going to be the 2020 Premiers.

[Agent 86]

What was Clarke thinking?

Hopefully retirement

[mcs]

I totally agree that it's been a fun year despite going 5-12.

Having a lot of injuries and no NEAFL forced Horse to play a lot of kids and a significant number of them have take big steps forward: Rowbottom, JMac, Blakey (eventually), Stephens.

Plus a few players have consolidated their positions: Fox, Cunningham and McCartin's in defence. Even Clarke and Thurlow have looked like they are worth persisting with, which I would not have said two months ago.

I also think hub life has suited such a young side from both a bonding and player development POV.

Bring on 2021!

Also agree Geelong aren't going to be the 2020 Premiers.

We've had some shocking performances thrown in, but compared to 2019, I think our 'better' footy has been of a far higher standing - yes we won 3 less games then last year (in a shorter season of course), but I think its been much clearer this year where we are trying to head.

When it clicks, we have already shown (in only small patches of games most weeks) that we can match it with the best. I was impressed by our last two weeks against the Lions and Cats, two of the better teams in the comp. Served it right up to them, when many younger teams like ours would usually be easy prey at the end of a tough season.

I love the way we are trying to play the game. There are a lot of 'ifs' yet to be answered, but if we continue on this path we seem to be on, and continue the upwards trajectory, its not going to be long until we will be right back in the thick of it again, challenging for the prize. And playing a stylish version of footy to go with it.

Not sure what others think, but I think the new gameplan should be seen as 'slingshot 2.0', as I feel significant similarities to our style when we won the 2012 flag. But, and its a big but - I think the key difference is that we have focused in recent years with our drafting on trying to get good footballers with good skills and good decision making - more so then we have previously. The last 8 weeks of the season at various points we have seen this focus starting to bear fruit - some of our younger guys have the ability to make good decisions and execute, something in previous times perhaps we've not quite had (i.e. we've relied more so on effort, determination etc - the 'bloods ethos' to will our way across the line).

We carved the cats up at times today with quick, accurate and good movement of the ball. Get some muscle and size on some of these younger guys, and the risk v reward element of the game plan will start to tip towards us, rather then it just being a matter of waiting for the next error or turnover.

There is a bumpy road to come, but I think the club should be aiming for double figure wins as a minimum next year (in particular if we have a kinder run with injuries) - it is achievable imho. If the upwards trajectory continues, season 2022 onwards is going to be a good time for us all I think.

I'm sure Longmire was a huge reason why Papley has chosen to stay at the club - but you've got to think that part of the reasoning behind his decision is that he, like many of us, can see the development we have achieved this year, and where we are headed. We will need luck, good recruting and plenty to go our way, but we are setting ourselves up very nicely to be back in the hunt sooner rather then later.

It feels like 2020 could be like the next generation's 2009 or 2002. Not that I expect us to do what we did in 2003 - no way in hades. But it feels like the turning point may well have been passed already, and the only way is up from here.

[mcs]

Hopefully retirement

I've been impressed with the last 6 weeks or so from Clarke. His disposal and ball use isn't the best, but it feels like he is finding a groove in the team. He isn't flashy, he is never going to be a match winner, but he can play a role for us imho. He may well end up being surpassed fairly quickly as our younger players develop (remember we are going to take another 2 midfielders at least in the draft too), but I can see him becoming a useful in and under player. Its hard for players like him imho in a bog standard (or really below average side as we currently are) because their flaws are clearly exposed. But I think given a more targeted role in the team, with a better midfield group around him that lets him focus on what he is best at, and he can be an asset.

I'm not writing him off being a very useful player for us in coming years, despite his limitations.

[dejavoodoo44]

While checking the stats, I noticed that Stephens clocked up 14.1 kms for the game. I thought that seemed notably high, so I checked the tracker data for this round's other games. The second most distance covered for the round, was by Ryan Clarke today; who managed 12.9 kms. Young Dylan also topped the game stats for pressure acts, with 24. When you also factor in his often very good ball use, speed and good decision making, that adds up to an excellent day's work. I can see him becoming a definite favourite, over the next season or two.

I can't recall if any other youngster had a stand out performance this round, as the games a starting to blur a bit, but hopefully that's enough for a rising star nomination.

[Mel_C]

Florent needs to improve foot skills otherwise he may be on the outer in 1-2 years

I don't know what it is with Florent when he kicks into our forward line. He doesn't hit a target and his shots at goal are really bad misses. Maybe he panics.

[Swanny40519]

Great effort today (and the whole year by the boys). With a bit of luck and a few straight kicks from Paps we could have won. But glad this year is finished and looking forward to 2021 with great eagerness and expectation.

Hopefully with a fit Buddy, Rampe, Heeney, Hewett and some excellent recruits 2021 looks very promising. Oh yeah - and this $%&^$^$^%$&* Virus is finally gone so life can get back to some sort of normality.

If today's game plan is what we will use next year I believe it will be a great year.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Stephens is a ripper isn’t he.

Andrew Gaff with better kicking skills. Genuinely quick, runs all day, terrific skills, makes space and willing at the contest. He’s still got to gain some strength over the ball, but that’ll come.

Between he and McInerney, a cracking pair of wingers. We’ve lacked that for the last decade bar Hanners, but we’ve got two beauties.

I remember there was a view we’d reached a little on Stephens and a lot on McInerney. Our recruiters did it again.

As for the talk re McDonald, I’d love him, but either Adelaide or North would be mad not to grab him first. I hope they both do something stupid, but struggle to see it.

[AB Swannie]

While checking the stats, I noticed that Stephens clocked up 14.1 kms for the game. I thought that seemed notably high, so I checked the tracker data for this round's other games. The second most distance covered for the round, was by Ryan Clarke today; who managed 12.9 kms. Young Dylan also topped the game stats for pressure acts, with 24.

That’s an incredible stat. He reminds me so much of Andrew Gaff.

Out of interest what distance did McInerney cover on the other wing?

[stevoswan]

It's been a surprisingly fun season this year. I've enjoyed watching our young players develop and there are promising signs for the next few years if we can hang onto them.

I've had fun... and I am soooo looking forward to being at the SCG again next year.

Thanks to everybody here for their contributions, I love being here and reading all the comments. There are some really knowledgeable and great fans on this site.

Till next time...cheer cheer.

Hey, the off season on RWO is fun too!

[crackedactor 01]

Great effort today (and the whole year by the boys). With a bit of luck and a few straight kicks from Paps we could have won. But glad this year is finished and looking forward to 2021 with great eagerness and expectation.

Hopefully with a fit Buddy, Rampe, Heeney, Hewett and some excellent recruits 2021 looks very promising. Oh yeah - and this $%&^$^$^%$&* Virus is finally gone so life can get back to some sort of normality.

If today's game plan is what we will use next year I believe it will be a great year.

I think there is a lot to look forward to next year. I have my doubts on Buddy ever playing again, but maybe a Daniher can fill the Gap. Really impressed with Campbell as a potential recruit as well.
Good effort by the boys today and maybe if Bell did not go down early we had a chance of running out the game better.

[wolftone57]

We should have won that one. they are the strongest finishing team in the AFL. So we really had to make them pay early and didn't. Far too many missed opportunities. Paps 1.5 and one OOB. Hayward running into goal to kick from 20 and stops to a walk, U'9s @@@@. They are a mature strong unit and they were always going to come hard. We are a young side and were always going to fade. Our disposal went right off in the last. Same with decision making. This is fatigue. But between the players and coaches they did not help themselves. Going the long way home. Going defensive and putting a player back left us one down at the coalface. That helped them no end and allowed them to keep the ball in our defence for long periods and we had to attack from the fullback line. That really tires a side out, young payers especially. We do not have those hardened players who can run all day like Pebbles, Goodsie, Macca, Mal, Crouchie & co any more. We are relying on young inexperienced players in their first to third years.

Getting some experience back will be so needed. If Buddy comes back that will be a bonus. But Heens, Hewee, Lewie Taylor, Brand, Naismith back will make us incredibly strong. Add new talent like Gould, O'Connor (who looks like he could be a good player by all reports), Warner, Ronke (if we retain), Foot, Ling, Wicks plus No3, Campbell & Gulden. Plus there is a good chance of a third Academy boy making it too.

[stevoswan]

Wow, we went a whole 15 pages with nice positive comments on the future and no coaching negativity.....but it had to end.

[Hotpotato]

Hayward .... sidestep , swerve . Draw.