Round 2 v Adelaide at the SCG

[Sandridge]

This person may not be a Swans supporter. It has happened before.

By the way that is post no.10,000.

Congratulations Nico!

[Ralph Dawg]

If Chad can continue with his form, it will be the most amazing trajectory from the first 2 games to his next. I know he was playing out of position for the first two but in the space of an off season, he has become a young Luke Parker. I have to admit, I had Chad as a reserves player, possible delisting at season's end. Happy to be looking very wrong!

[Old S.M.Blood]

Does any of you Sydney siders Know for sure that we are playing on Saturday? It seems that anyone in Brisbane last weekend Has to take at Virus Test.
It appears the Loins had to get AFL approval to paly in Geelong to night. Some of the commentators who in Queensland last week. had to leave the ground before 1/4 Time.

[liz]

Does any of you Sydney siders Know for sure that we are playing on Saturday? It seems that anyone in Brisbane last weekend Has to take at Virus Test.
It appears the Loins had to get AFL approval to paly in Geelong to night. Some of the commentators who in Queensland last week. had to leave the ground before 1/4 Time.

Don't think we can know anything for sure in the current environment, but bear in mind that each state has approached things in their own way. The requirement to get a test and stay at home is a Victoria State requirement. NSW hasn't yet imposed the same requirement for anyone who was in Brisbane last week, just for those in an identified hotspot. But things could change within hours, especially if Brisbane report more cases overnight. Chances are, though, that it will take them a day or two to start to identify any further community transition (if there has been any) as it will take time to get the testing levels up.

[Markwebbos]

If Chad can continue with his form, it will be the most amazing trajectory from the first 2 games to his next. I know he was playing out of position for the first two but in the space of an off season, he has become a young Luke Parker. I have to admit, I had Chad as a reserves player, possible delisting at season's end. Happy to be looking very wrong!

He’s way faster than Parker but his hair is just as bad as the young Luke.

[Bangalore Swans]

Don't think we can know anything for sure in the current environment, but bear in mind that each state has approached things in their own way. The requirement to get a test and stay at home is a Victoria State requirement. NSW hasn't yet imposed the same requirement for anyone who was in Brisbane last week, just for those in an identified hotspot. But things could change within hours, especially if Brisbane report more cases overnight. Chances are, though, that it will take them a day or two to start to identify any further community transition (if there has been any) as it will take time to get the testing levels up.

I think the game will go ahead as we have Gladys in charge. No hysteria, she keeps life rolling on in NSW. She will want the Swans to play on and it will happen.

[NeonBible]

Fabulous to see a young Swan earning some recognition.

James Rowbottom is the most underrated young player in the comp

Look away, The Bloods

[Ludwig]

I remember watching RB's highlight reel with Nico 2 years ago, before he played a game. You could be forgiven if you thought he was the #1 draft pick. It was obvious from the start that he was a gun and why we concocted such a draft scheme to get him.

Well, pretty obvious to most. But then again, you can't underestimate the power of ignorance.

[Ralph Dawg]

I think the game will go ahead as we have Gladys in charge. No hysteria, she keeps life rolling on in NSW. She will want the Swans to play on and it will happen.

Problem will be if Swans deemed at risk by SA government and they don't allow Crows back in without some form of testing and isolation. Unlikely given the teams are all on a Covid plan but as Liz said, you never know in the current climate.

[mcs]

I'm unsure what your measure is of naturally talented players. Is it skill level, footy smarts, some arbitrary measuring stick? And what excludes Rowbottom and now Blakey? They've both shown remarkable skill at different times, scored goals, assisted goals, passed the ball with precision on the inside and out, laid hard tackles etc. They are young players. So too are Stephens, Warner and McInerney.

I think there's room for them all and that is the great challenge we have. How to squeeze them all in, to get full games into the young brigade, and to keep them together for years to come.

I can only speak for myself, but I think we have A grade talent in the making with the kids. I'm optimistic about the direction our club is heading in, but think a little patience is needed as they will take time.

It's all about the 'vibe' - for example they have to have the mark of 'class' - if they don't have they they are simply no good. That's what's been suggested before by said poster, but chameleon like criteria is a strong suit also, so this weeks criteria may well have changed .

This constant running down of a few chosen players, and 'always knows better' attitude is frustrating to read. But time will soon reveal an emperor with no clothes, as will happen with Blakey and Rowbottom.

Wouldnt say that they have shown remarkable skills. Afew highlights here and there. Even Ronke and James Rose would have some highlights. Both are around the 30 game mark and yet to have a starring performance. They dont make it look easy like Warner, MCinerney do. Theres no wow-factor about them. Have said all i need to say about RB's midfield craft which i think is subpar. At least he has a position he can play in if we need depth.

As I've said before, you would have delisted Goodes and Gary Ablett Jr before they even had a chance to do anything.....

Why does a player have to make it 'look easy' to make it as an AFL footballer?

LRT was one of the most unnatural, awkward looking footballers out there - nothing 'wow' about any of his football, nothing remarkable about his skills. But he was part of a highly effective series of Sydney Swans teams, and ended up a duly deserved dual premiership player. He made it as an AFL player, was outstanding on the big day when it counted. Its a nonsense to suggest you can't make it if you don't have a 'wow factor' - its not a pre-requisite hurdle except in some fantasy world driven by qualitative measures of effectiveness. We built a Premiership side in 2005 and went within a kick of going back to back with a team built around a core of players that had zero 'wow' factor about them - they were just effective footballers that made an outstanding team.

We already know quantitatively, your argument doesn't hold water - for example your crusade against RB is easily shown to be nothing but an absolute crock of @@@@ when he is compared against other players of his immediate cohort and also players that 'made it' as AFL players.

[mcs]

What is the weather looking like in Sydney for today's game? Have had an eventful morning going to get a COVID-19 test, after ACT reflected same as VIC requirements around getting tested, even though we were nowhere near the red zones in Brisbane last week. Ha my plan to get lots done this morning down the drain, but looking forward to watching the game this afternoon.

[Aprilbr]

Great to read some external recognition of Rowbottom. I would have added his toughness to the discussion as being another fine attribute. For example, he played on last week despite injury and given he will miss this week, it shows his mental capacity to overcome pain for the team good. We will miss him in the clinches this week.

[Bexl]

Fabulous to see a young Swan earning some recognition.

James Rowbottom is the most underrated young player in the comp

Look away, The Bloods

The last line of that article is ''he will only continue to get better and will get the praise that he deserves.''
well except from
the bloods he won't get the praise he deserves.

[Aprilbr]

With the return of Buddy today, I can't help but recall his brilliance in the first ever AFL game played at the new Optus Oval in Perth in March 2018. He was absolutely dominant that night, kicking 8 goals as we beat WCE. Its probably the last time he dominated a game for us. Here is an excerpt from the newspaper that day:

"The Sydney Swans have spoiled West Coast’s opening party for the new Optus Stadium, with superstar Lance Franklin booting eight goals to help his side to a 29-point win over the Eagles.

Franklin was on a different level, towelling up Eagles’ back men Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern on his way to a match-winning haul on Sunday evening."

Can those days ever return?

[MattW]

Matt Ling the sub.