Round 1: Brisbane v Swans @ the Gabba

[NeonBible]

I was on the wing last night so got a full view of the match and how end to end it was. Referring back to what i called it a couple of weeks ago, the game resembled ‘pinball’. I am confident the coaches will do their thing and by rd 4-5 the game will be back to its normal state. Not to mention Richmond play a breathtaking style of footy that im sure most clubs wont be able to replicate. However it was clear to me that its imperative we run. Last night the bigger the wave of players running forward and then back was, the more success that team had in scoring/causing a turnover. We will need that wave mentality especially if its wet and territory becomes so important. Having fit players will be vital. Hayward must play for that reason. Saw an afl piece the other day that mentioned he spent the most time on ground of all Swans players. He will work hard and run hard.

Who misses out i dont know. Low TOG players will be difficult to carry this year. The sub rule gives us a chance to replace one of these players that can only manage 50-70% TOG with someone fitter and more able to impact. I could definitely see a scenario in the future where Logan, Braeden or Errol could be subbed off if they arent doing enough with their time on ground, but to do so in their debut games would be cruel and unfair.

[barracuda]

Warner was great because he had 19 possessions, Rowbottom was poor because he had 17 possessions. How can two possessions make such a difference for you ?? I am so lost. Maybe Rowbottom didnt use it as well, that cant be it. He went at 82% disposal efficiency and you said that you like him every time he has the ball. Why was Ollie so much better when he only had 2 possessions more himself ? If he is capable of 30+ shouldnt you be holding him to the same unfairly high standard as you hold RB? And why is Wicks so far on your pecking order when he had nearly the same amount of touches as those 3 MIDS playing as a small defensive FORWARD ??

Make it make sense !!

I agree especially regarding Wicks game. Touches are always relative to where they play. Wicks led the team for pressure acts and tackles. It is becoming a regular sight to see him smashing an opposition player, knocking the ball free and for one of our players to swoop on it and kick a goal. Everyone loves the guy who finishes and kicks the goal but coaches know the real work was done before that by guys like Wicks. That is why you will see him as starting 18 this week.

[The Runner]

Wicks is going to quickly become one of our most valuable in the squad. Hard to quantify what he brings to the table.

[NeonBible]

I agree especially regarding Wicks game. Touches are always relative to where they play. Wicks led the team for pressure acts and tackles. It is becoming a regular sight to see him smashing an opposition player, knocking the ball free and for one of our players to swoop on it and kick a goal. Everyone loves the guy who finishes and kicks the goal but coaches know the real work was done before that by guys like Wicks. That is why you will see him as starting 18 this week.

I sure hope so!! Ihave him in my fantasy team after his stellar AAMI game! Wouldnt be surprised if he missed in favour of Warner who might rotate through fwds or Hayward. I am not sure Will has done quite enough. Maybe he took his foot off the gas slightly not expecting boys like Wicks, Warner and Errol to come out of the gates with such intensity. Just guessing. The talent is there with him. Certainly some head-aches in the selection room!!

[bloodspirit]

Reid injured his elbow earlier in the week/last week so I reckon he is no chance of playing. Likewise, I reckon Hewett is no chance either - biggest giveaway is there has been plenty of coverage of Pap's 100th but zero about Hewett reaching the same point (should he play).

I think this is an astute observation. Maybe will give Warner his chance, if McInerney and Stephens are not going to be picked.

[barracuda]

I sure hope so!! Ihave him in my fantasy team after his stellar AAMI game! Wouldnt be surprised if he missed in favour of Warner who might rotate through fwds or Hayward. I am not sure Will has done quite enough. Maybe he took his foot off the gas slightly not expecting boys like Wicks, Warner and Errol to come out of the gates with such intensity. Just guessing. The talent is there with him. Certainly some head-aches in the selection room!!

I think Hayward will be the sub

[sharp9]

About Fisher finally having a great game after being a really high draft pick, 60 games and 3 years to develop...well good on him. I could hardly believe my eyes...so on the same point I remember this young bloke from Geelong that was gonna be the next great thing...but he was crap for his first couple of years, couldn’t get a gig in the middle. In a game at the SCG about 2005 he got completely outclassed and outmuscled by Amon Buchanan who made made him look second rate. I believe he got dropped and then had to have the hard word put on him by the “leading teams” to pull his finger out. In the end G. Ablett Jnr went OK

[rb4x]

Reid injured his elbow earlier in the week/last week so I reckon he is no chance of playing. Likewise, I reckon Hewett is no chance either - biggest giveaway is there has been plenty of coverage of Pap's 100th but zero about Hewett reaching the same point (should he play).

Article on AFL now about Hewett reaching his 100 against Brisbane.

[jono2707]

Article on the Swans website about George's 100th so you'd reckon he'll be in. Which sounds about right for a wet game.

Good on him too.

[The Runner]

Hewett in, and rightfully so, means it's Warner, Hayward or Reid.
Given Reid was seen in an arm brace, he's the most likely

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Also, I'm pretty sure Hewett and Papley debuted with Mills against the Pies in Round 1 a few years ago. Nice they hit 100 together.

[mcs]

I think this is an astute observation. Maybe will give Warner his chance, if McInerney and Stephens are not going to be picked.

Wasn't too much astuteness to it - just recently appeared an article (at least on Swans Facebook page) about Hewitt's 100th game. So he will definitely be playing then!

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Article on AFL now about Hewett reaching his 100 against Brisbane.

Hehehe wasn't there when I posted earlier lol

[aardvark]

200mm of rain predicted will probably help keep the scores close, if they don't drown.

OK I was going to post a rain update but the link from the ABC doesn't work here. Then I realized it's only for Northern NSW not Brizzy, but they are now predicting 300mm. So If the game was in Coffs Harbour it would be very wet.

"Mr Browne said the coastline should expect to get drenched throughout the weekend, with the bureau forecasting up to 300 millimetres of rain between last night and Sunday evening."

So to all you Sydney residents I hope you have plenty of sandbags and GO SWANS!

[Markwebbos]

That’s way less than the 200cm Ludwig promised

[TheBloods]

Hewett in, and rightfully so, means it's Warner, Hayward or Reid.
Given Reid was seen in an arm brace, he's the most likely

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Also, I'm pretty sure Hewett and Papley debuted with Mills against the Pies in Round 1 a few years ago. Nice they hit 100 together.

Reid will be fine. Article in the age said he was good to go. He plays every day of the week. Imagine a fwd line with Logan Mcdonald as the only tall. Even in a wet weather game that would be a nightmare

Warner should be alock.

[Ludwig]

That’s way less than the 200cm Ludwig promised

I'm upping my prediction to 2 KM and the entire Australian continent will be evacuated to the Papua New Guinea highlands.