R12 Swans V Saints @SCG - Live

[Kafka's Ghost]

I think that’s a strong proposal.

I think the AFL would like to do this. After season 2019 there was a lot of money in the game. Now with COVID there is far less money, the industry has had to make financial cuts and the resources to fund full time umpiring is not there at the current time.

I like the proposal and I think it would deliver better decisions for all clubs.

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Does anyone think it’s a huge concern that only 19,000 people came to the SCG yesterday?

It was a great day, Buddy was in form, the team has a winning record and the crowds didn’t turn up.

It’s disappointing there weren’t more there to support the team, but the short notice played havoc with people’s plans. I was able to go, my partner wasn’t, and I know half-a-dozen others who also had other commitments, including work, which they’d taken on assuming this was an away game. The conjecture that it be played in Cairns right up until Wednesday only exacerbated this situation. The flexible fixture may benefit everyone overall during this difficult period, but it means that planning around games is not possible.

[barry]

We've got through 2 potentially dangerous games where if we lost either, our season would be in trouble.

So all looks rosey from here.

[Matty10]

R12 Swans V Saints @SCG - Live

It’s disappointing there weren’t more there to support the team, but the short notice played havoc with people’s plans. I was able to go, my partner wasn’t, and I know half-a-dozen others who also had other commitments, including work, which they’d taken on assuming this was an away game. The conjecture that it be played in Cairns right up until Wednesday only exacerbated this situation. The flexible fixture may benefit everyone overall during this difficult period, but it means that planning around games is not possible.

I think the crowd was pretty good under the circumstances. Apart from the points mentioned above, there were also no Saints or Swans supporters travelling From Victoria.

[Edit: Does anyone know why a person’s name is sometimes missing when you quote them?]

[AB Swannie]

I think the crowd was pretty good under the circumstances. Apart from the points mentioned above, there were also no Saints or Swans supporters travelling From Victoria.

I suspect the late change to be a home game had a huge impact. Personally, I plan game day attendance a bit in advance ensuring nothing else is on the calendar.

[stevoswan]

All the good stuff from yesterday's game (and Riles).

All 13 Swans Goals - Swans vs St Kilda Highlights | R12, 2021 - YouTube

[Markwebbos]

Do people think they’ll freshen up the side for the Hawks game and give Wicks and the Chad a break? Could Taylor get a game?

I know people have also been calling for the head of whoever was playing on Higgins yesterday. When I watched the highlights it looked like Lloyd was on him both times, but that may not have been all game.

[Kafka's Ghost]

All the good stuff from yesterday's game (and Riles).

All 13 Swans Goals - Swans vs St Kilda Highlights | R12, 2021 - YouTube

Thanks for sharing this link. Enjoyable viewing.

[HeeneyIsAGun]

FWIW I thought we won the game pretty comfortably considering the ordinary umpiring, There were at least two goals gifted to the Saints, keeping them in it for longer than they deserved. And in any case, a wins a win. If we can tip over the Hawks next week, we set ourselves up for a really good run at the finals, and possibly a top 4 spot.

[AB Swannie]

FWIW I thought we won the game pretty comfortably considering the ordinary umpiring, There were at least two goals gifted to the Saints, keeping them in it for longer than they deserved. And in any case, a wins a win. If we can tip over the Hawks next week, we set ourselves up for a really good run at the finals, and possibly a top 4 spot.

In many ways I agree with this. If we had lost it would’ve been unjust. The eye test said we were always he better, more dangerous side but just couldn’t get away mainly due to a few gifts to the Saints. The promising thing with this is that we were really a long way from our best.

[crackedactor 01]

Stevic, Matthew Nicholls and for a special encore appearance, Scott McLaren.

I am not convinced Razor ray is anti Swans, he just is a bit erratic. I have serious doubts on Stevic, Mollison and Nicholls not being Anti Swans.

[Nico]

Reduced load then? They just look a bit jaded, especially when compared to how they were at the start of the season. I'm sure there is a sweet spot in terms of maintaining fitness and recuperating from the first half of the season.

They get a rest from the brutal body on body for a game. I think they probably have a a couple of days where they do nothing and get rid of some niggling injuries.

[Nico]

The Saints apparently won yesterday. The media only sighted Saints and their errors. Not a Swan played. Even the Mongrelpunt only mentions Sainters. We Swans just looked pretty and allowed Sainters to fall over their own feet. Ok, I get the media sucks up to the Victorian crowd but we are in the top six with some pretty impressive performances. So looks like the footy shows will have another Swan free week. Oh, Bud might get a short mention.

Any chance Gary Lyon will wax lyrical about Max King on On The Couch. He never stopped talking about him.

[royboy42]

Whoever was predominately on Higgins needs to be dropped (was it Fox?). 7 shots on goal, 12 marks. He basically did as he pleased, as if he was playing unmarked.

Our defence is looking quite shakey, with a lack of cohesion. Horse said as much, making the comment in his pressers that they scored too many easy goals. Dropping off tackles is not helping. As good as JMac has been in attack, he gets swatted off too easily. Send him over to Trent Robinson and the Roosters for a refresher.

I also agree our midfield looks a bit knackered and I think the bye can't come quick enough. If not for Hickey being a one man midfield, we would've been slaughtered inside. He's just been incredible this year, even playing with one leg. If I was the coaching staff, I would just give the players a week off after the Hawks game.

I suspect Longmire's 'easy goals' reference was more about the umpiring than our defensive lapses.

Subtle enough to avoid a fine, I hope.

But the point you made is valid...our defence is lacking concentration, for whatever reasons.

And Hickey, did the whole football world miss this guy? Or is he just a late...very late developer.

However we got him, thank goodness we did.

[Nico]

My son is itching to umpire, which he can do next year. He's convinced they're all hopeless and he can do a much better job. I'm happy for him to do it as I think it will be a very humbling experience for him............

Ok Dawg, here are some stats for your son to contemplate. In yesterday's game there were 271 contested possessions, 24 contested marks and untold marking contests. In each of these your son may need to make a decision. I am guessing he might get a few decisions wrong.

[Mel]

Does anyone think it’s a huge concern that only 19,000 people came to the SCG yesterday?

It was a great day, Buddy was in form, the team has a winning record and the crowds didn’t turn up.

Saturday afternoon games are generally hard for active families with a lot of kids' sports being on Saturday morning and early afternoon. Given the short notice it made it even trickier to organise. Most people I spoke to about going already had plans thinking the game was away.