R18 Sydney Derby XXI - GWS V Swans @ Gold Coast 6:10pm

[SwanSand]

Super game again. Great to watch the young ones apply themselves in such trying situation.

Selection is A good problem to have. We have some role players that we think should push themselves hard to go to the next level and I think they all have capabilities.

Rowbottom could do better to get into space when he gets the ball and have more composure when handballing.
Bell should make his pressure acts count by creating turnovers and get possessions out of them.
Florent should have more possessions and run through opposition at times.
Stephens just needs more presence by stopping being this nice bloke and get aggressive at the ball and then try and kick the ball with some composure.

But geez collectively they give their heart out on the playing field and that is the most enjoyable aspect of watching the swans.

Shout out to the game plan which is very good to watch and though defensively we still are not as good as some of the top 4 sides, we can absolutely match it in midfield and front half and are probably the best team in it.

Blakey was superb and I am hoping that Stephens like Blakey finds his mojo and is given that 2 responsibilities that he can stick to.

[Markwebbos]

There was one moment in the 3rd quarter (I think) when Stephens got the ball and played instinctively, I think because he had to genuinely run with it to avoid an opponent. And he looked fantastic. I don't know how they can get more of that out of him, he looks so tentative most of the time, likes he's scared of doing the wrong thing.

[Blood Fever]

Super game again. Great to watch the young ones apply themselves in such trying situation.

Selection is A good problem to have. We have some role players that we think should push themselves hard to go to the next level and I think they all have capabilities.

Rowbottom could do better to get into space when he gets the ball and have more composure when handballing.
Bell should make his pressure acts count by creating turnovers and get possessions out of them.
Florent should have more possessions and run through opposition at times.
Stephens just needs more presence by stopping being this nice bloke and get aggressive at the ball and then try and kick the ball with some composure.

But geez collectively they give their heart out on the playing field and that is the most enjoyable aspect of watching the swans.

Shout out to the game plan which is very good to watch and though defensively we still are not as good as some of the top 4 sides, we can absolutely match it in midfield and front half and are probably the best team in it.

Blakey was superb and I am hoping that Stephens like Blakey finds his mojo and is given that 2 responsibilities that he can stick to.

Stephens has got the tools. Some guys develop later. Will eventually be a gun.

[i'm-uninformed2]

So an observation about Stephens.

And I say this having already lauded what he and Rowbottom did yesterday, so it's not just about that game. And I've said before that I think once it clocks for him, he could be as good as any of our young guns.

He seems to do a lot right of what you'd want him to do to get into the game - use his run and pace to find space or get to a contest, be in the right spot to win the ball, then use his speed to tear away from the contest or downfield once in possession. And he can seriously move. All that terrific.

But once he's done all the hard work, he seems to pause or second guess himself about what next. You watch someone like Andrew Gaff - which is what I think Stephens can become. He does all of the above and then uses the time he has from being free to pick off the next target. Whereas Dylan seems to bolt free, but then think, think, think.

Whether it's a confidence thing, or an over-complicating things thing, dunno. But I reckon if he can get that solved, there's not much left to fix to make him a seriously good player.

[The Runner]

Stephens is 2-3 years away from being the player that we want him to be. And we need to be patient with him, like we should have been with McVeigh.
I saw moments yesterday that indicated he'll be a star. His speed going towards the footy, his ability to break from a contest, his inside hands and his use when on the outside.
The things that we get concerned about are his attack on the contest, strength, use within traffic and timidity. I think all of these improve as he grows up. He's currently a baby out there physically. Competing with guys like Ward must be intimidating. He's not like Warner and RB, and built for the contest at 19.

We need to be patient, and we need to look for the signs that give us confidence that he'll improve. I think there were moments last night that showed that. And I'm bought back in after being on the fence a few weeks ago.

Bell, I'm still not sold on, and is a straight swap for a healthy Warner.

Also, not sure if discussed earlier.. but Gulden needs to be credited with getting us going last night. His willingness to stick to the plan and come back inside, and pinpoint targets to break channels up is incredible. Still can't believe he went at pick 32.
Chalk and cheese when you compare his ball use with Lloyd.

[Jimitron5000]

Stephens will be a very, very good footballer. We have to remember we draft players with the hope (expectation) that they are good players over a long period of time, not just starting their career in a blaze of glory. I'd rather a slower burn like a Darcy Parish than an out of the blocks like Lewis Taylor.

[caj23]

Yes Blue Sun. CaJ23 & Captain. You came prematurely !

What?

Did I suggest the game was lost? No
Did I criticise an individual player or coach? No
Was i supposed to suggest that the boys were playing well in the first half?

In fact, like Captain I posted at half time we were still in it

It seems Kunarangk that you were more interested in scoring a few cheap points than actually reading what was posted

[NeonBible]

After a very slow start I thought RBs ball use was excellent. And that tackle on Ward a thing of beauty. Not someone easy to tackle.

Quite funny, Rowy had just come off for a much-needed spell and a few seconds later, Blakey came off winded and there was no one to replace him, so Rowy had to go back out there! Then once he was back on the field, had a Callan Ward charging at him at full pace straight away!! Nothing easy about footy!!

[Blue Sun]

A great article.

AFL news 2021: John Longmire tears, press conference, Sydney Swans defeat GWS Giants, Covid chaos, late withdrawals

Maybe the Swannies do have what it takes?

[mcs]

The class of Bud and Paps to make the shots at goal count was almost unbelievable 2nd half. 6 point pressure one after the other like an avalanche !

Enjoyable last two qtrs !

With only 5 or so games till the finals....nice to know we can start calling upon the below players as they become available again:

Warner
Mills
Harry
Reid

Melican
Campbell
McDonald


Great to see Stephens, Rowbottom get a run.

Do we think that are best 22 has Bell and Wicks in the team....... ?

Agree re: Bud and Papps, but the absolute critical moment of class in making a shot at goal count was Parker just before half time. Huge moment in the game to get two goals so late, and his mark and sweet as you like goal to follow were a very important part of that momentum shift.

[stevoswan]

Can’t wait to read The Mongrel Punt (and there were a few that went through) .

GWS v Sydney - The Four Points - The Mongrel Punt

Point one: 'Covid Crisis' makes illuminating reading.....one of the best assessments I've read re: the politics of this pandemic. Must reading for SkyNews journo's and anyone else attempting to politicise this pandemic.

[Mountain Man]

I missed the commentary on Errol - he could kick an apple off your head; but I like it!

[AB Swannie]

George Hewett had 37 pressure acts. Ranked 2nd across all Round 18 games. The next best Swan had 22 (Parker).

[Hotpotato]

GWS v Sydney - The Four Points - The Mongrel Punt

Point one: 'Covid Crisis' makes illuminating reading.....one of the best assessments I've read re: the politics of this pandemic. Must reading for SkyNews journo's and anyone else attempting to politicise this pandemic.

Thank you Stevo.......
greatly appreciated.

[snajik]

After a very slow start I thought RBs ball use was excellent. And that tackle on Ward a thing of beauty. Not someone easy to tackle.

This.
2 pinpoint 50m passes that hit Bud on the chest, and that bone crunching tackle on Ward was stunning. Literally. Been missing him.
Then again all 22 played exceptionally well in the second half.