Swans v Dogs Gamethread

[Agent 86]

When Blakey was out of form, some of the criticism levelled at him was very harsh. Swans in the crowd would really give it to him…

Fair enough. Still has a way to go, but I like what I’m seeing this time around. I’d prefer if he doesn’t go for too many speccies - as either gives away a free or knocks himself out. Looks much better when keeping things simple and kicks long and low (the dinky kicks rarely seem to come off).

[Nolie]

First half was an enjoyable tussle to watch on TV but the second half was ruined by one-sided umpiring and dreary Dogs oriented commentary.

I was pleased to see McCartin put in a solid reliable game, he looked much more comfortable, while having a few mobile players like Blakey and Dawson especially has been a real boost. A second solid team performance!

Totally agree. I was enjoying the contest in the first half. Good tight game with each side having their moments of glory. The umpires completely ruined it in the second half . Two totally BS deliberate out of bounds , one from what was just an ugly kick on Rampe’s right foot. Then Rampe has the first touch on a disputed mark . Taken off him . Just some BS decisions which ruined it.
Dawson fantastic again, Mills and Parker, McCartin great game, Harry, Hayward. I thought Bell did well again. Hickey, what a pick up. I was ready to bag Heeney at half time, he made some weird decisions first half, but he came good after half time.

[Bangalore Swans]

After the last 2 weeks, not sure who Sir Chad "breaker of lines" comes in for. Every one of our 22 has done there jobs and some. If I had to pick someone, it would be Florent, who did fade out of the game somewhat. But to be fair, he certainly wasn't terrible and played his part.

If there are no injuries or resting required, I'd keep the team as is given the momentum we are currently riding on.

I would omit either Bell or Wicks for Chad. I think Bell is offering a little more than Wicks at the moment.

Having Chad back will give even more flexibility to our in-form midfield.

Maybe even giving Gulden a week off managed wound be prudent for a 1st year player.

[dejavoodoo44]

Thought Dawson was probably BOG. His contested marking and ball use were excellent. Plus his three goals were very handy. Parker and Mills were also very good. Parker for plenty of tough inside work. Mills for his relentless running, to provide a centre field option. He also used the ball nicely.

I thought our defence generally had the better of their forwards; especially McCartin and Rampe. And I suspect that a reasonable proportion of the Bulldogs goals, came from frees that they shouldn't have gotten. I also thought that an appropriate late exclamation mark, on how much our defence was on top, came not from a defender, but from Gulden: who leapt high over Bruce, to easily swat the ball away.

And speaking of Gulden, I just love seeing the ball in his hands. He almost invariably makes the optimal decision, and the way that he puts the ball in the path of a leading forward is a joy to watch. If Buddy stays fit next year, I suspect that the biggest inducement for him to keep playing, would be to spend another year or two, enjoying the service being provided by Errol coming into his prime. McInerney isn't that far behind. Nor is Dawson. Mills is also pretty good and Blakey is having more good days.

On our forwards, while no one was dominant, they all had their moments. And they all applied enough pressure to the opposition rebounders, to make sure that they hardly ever hurt us on the break.

All up, a very satisfying tough win, against quality opposition.

[AB Swannie]

I agree with the supportive comments on Kennedy. The problem we have with Kennedy, Parker, Mills and Hewett for an on ball brigade is lack of speed, and a key reason why we are losing centre clearances. Once an opposition midfielder gets the ball in the middle with a little bit of space, he is off to the races, especially if our closest midfielder is Kennedy. Unless he's virtually on top of an opposition player, he's a liability defensively. And we don't have enough quick inside mids to compensate. If we can mix things up with Wanner and Rowbottom at stoppages, we get a bit more speed.

It's not just Kennedy, but he's the weakest link defensively in a slow on ball brigade. We need to find a more balanced mix at stoppages, especially centre bounces.

I can agree that we are weakest at centre clearances. At least we were today. I don’t think that means that JPK has to go though. I wouldn’t mind him starting outside the centre bounce at half forward or on a wing before joining the contest.

[Blood Fever]

I have to disagree with this. He is not what he used to be but keeps playing his role in the contest - 10 contested possessions, 4 tackles, and heaps of dirty work.

Totally agree. Huge in last quarter. Would be hugely missed if not in 22.

[joeykanga]

I haven’t really read through the comments on here so apologies if I repeat something already said …
It’s superb to see the incredibly balanced team effort all through the park and it took Buddy all game to produce the highlight
We suddenly have some amazing depth…and the reserves team was loaded today …and I know there’s the Chad also ..very difficult ro make changes to that team at the moment ..for another week unless there are injuries
Dawson and Blakey positional changes look so good
That spoil by Gulden in the back half was outstanding
The South Melbourne jumpers are slick and wonderful
The only bad things about this round

hawthorn sliding to a higher draft pick and Richmond likewise if they continue to drop off
And Rojo which bandwidth abc radio was the commentary on ..I need to never hear BT again
When the dogs did something good his voice booms and he’s so loud but when the swans score or do something good it’s silent ..did anyone notice the moments of silence from the main commentators after a swans Goal ..the sideline commentators had to chip in with comments ..it was like a silent film

And I love Bell

[joeykanga]

I haven’t really read through the comments on here so apologies if I repeat something already said …
It’s superb to see the incredibly balanced team effort all through the park and it took Buddy all game to produce the highlight
We suddenly have some amazing depth…and the reserves team was loaded today …and I know there’s the Chad also ..very difficult ro make changes to that team at the moment ..for another week unless there are injuries
Dawson and Blakey positional changes look so good
That spoil by Gulden in the back half was outstanding
The South Melbourne jumpers are slick and wonderful
The only bad things about this round

hawthorn sliding to a higher draft pick and Richmond likewise if they continue to drop off
And Rojo which bandwidth abc radio was the commentary on ..I need to never hear BT again
When the dogs did something good his voice booms and he’s so loud but when the swans score or do something good it’s silent ..did anyone notice the moments of silence from the main commentators after a swans Goal ..the sideline commentators had to chip in with comments ..it was like a silent film

And I love Bell

ps Cunningham is so underrated outside of us followers on here

[Matty10]

Love the "South Melbourne" Chant!

That was brilliant. It chopped and changed between our different monikers throughout the game, but it was a highlight for me too.

[SwanSand]

How much better it felt beating the dogs this week compared to the last week against the Eagles. Again an amazing performance with even contribution across the board.
We had lots of amazing contributions today but geez Errol is the best young player that we have had for a long time. The courage, the skill, the work ethic, the presence of mind everything is already elite !

It seems that since Blakey has come back and Dawson has moved to the wing, Mcinerney is less used but that is a luxury. When Chad comes back, Bell is probably going to miss out but he put himself in good positions today. The players who have been mocked over time are showing their worth Hayward and Blakey were very good.

Is Mills going to get close to the Brownlow count ? He is having a super year.

Buddy needs to stay away from trouble (for us to be any chance in finals) and try less to exert himself - it seemed to me that he was playing angry about the 2016 grand final.

[snajik]

I do worry he will be exposed at times by better forwards for a lack of 'defensive nous', but I have no doubt he can offer a lot coming off the half back line too. He generally (not always - as per the wonderful 'MCSesque golf shot' like air swing!) uses the ball fairly well too when he kicks long by foot.

Massive credit has to go to the coaching staff. They got a lot right against Port I thought tactically, and have had it spot on the last fortnight as well.

Blakey's tackling has been really impressive too. Ferocious at times. His kicking is much sharper this time around. Earlier in the season he couldn't hit the side of a barn with a handful of gravel.

[snajik]

The advantage of having Kennedy and Parker is that they know how to slow down a game and they have experience to calm down younger players in stressed situations. They are both fabulous leaders on field and we shouldn't even think about dropping either of them

Yep they are both amazing. Joey has incredible core strength. Almost impossible to tackle him, or bring him down.

[dimelb]

For the experts:
How many Doggies goals came from frees? and how many were dodgy?

Glad to see Bell today, making the most of his opportunities. Has improved especially over the last three games, counting today as his best so far.
Outstanding team effort - no passengers in sight - there will always be clangers but they seemed to pick themselves up and get on with business.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Hayward’s resurgence has been fantastic to watch.

It’s easy to forget what a skilled, clever and dangerous player he was in his first two years. He got some injuries in year three and was asked often to play as second tall last year, but he has serious talent.

[Ralph Dawg]

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say Logan McDonald and Riley Thilthorpe will both be better key forwards than JUH. Clearly had not earnt his place in the team and he knew it. Also underdone from a fitness point of view. Commentators just talked him up completely. Made a good case for not gifting players games.