Match thread: Swans v Suns.

[TheBloods]

What’s the Brandon Jack book like? From the smh articles I read, he seemed like Dawson from Dawson’s Creek in trying to find deep meaning in everything.

Football is supposed to be simple. Attack the ball and body, win the game, celebrate with team mates, drink plenty of alcohol, go dancing and then have a good laugh at the warm ups the following week.

Not any more , times have changed as i have learned

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Indeed KT, with a mindset like his, it's hard to see how that Lockett fella was ever going to be "moderately successful"

[i'm-uninformed2]

All reasonable points - looking at the Insta posts of 2012 heroes, the overriding theme seemed to be about how good it was to catch up with mates, not how great it was to be back watching the team play.

I also thought the acknowledgment was pretty light on - ragtag lap of honour 20 mins before the game that was destined to have our smallest crowd all year. Seemed a strange choice.

My strangest reaction to the snippets I saw online and tv was thinking: christ, Dan Hannebery is now 31 years old and his career is basically over. How quick it goes. He was 21 then, a serious contender for Norm Smith, and went through the next three of four years as good as anyone playing the game (didn't he win a AFLCA MVP Award in '14 or '15?).

I felt about him at the time the way I feel about McInerney today, and hopefully McInerney is on track to be as good a player. Just loved him. And as for that mark in the grand final in front of Hale, one of the best you'll see.

How quickly time goes.

[Meg]

My strangest reaction to the snippets I saw online and tv was thinking: christ, Dan Hannebery is now 31 years old and his career is basically over.

I had much the same thought. I recall in (maybe) Hannebery’s second year playing with us, sitting at a match at AO pointing out a very young Dan to my brother-in-law with the words ‘watch him, he’s a future Brownlow medallist’.

His body never allowed it, so sad.

[dimelb]

A victim of the Dogs' captain, if I recall accurately.

[bloodspirit]

Well, a disappointing effort but I'm not joining the doom and gloom. We're not playing like a top 4 team but I'm not writing off our chances of finishing top 4. And I'm still expecting to play finals (and win!). Not looking much chance of a flag though.

I felt like we lost because firstly we didn't bring enough intensity and play four quarters, and secondly we don't have enough midfield depth. As someone one else said recently, we're one quality mid short. Third, we're not getting enough out of our small forwards. Papley is still rusty. Ronke is inconsistent. Wicks and Bell were both underwhelming when given a run.

I thought Rampe had his best game in a while, which isn't saying much because he's been ordinary this year and most of last year too.

I thought we needed to have the ball in Errol's hands more. He was wasted. He's absolutely one of our best ball users. Fortunately he knows it (in a good way) and doesn't defer to seniority when it comes to selection the best options. Move Olly back to the wing and let Errol play the role he has been excelling in.

Nico's campaigning against Hayward would be enough to make TB blush! Fair go, Nico. Maybe something like: I don't rate Hayward because X, Y and Z and I would rather we play so-and-so then leave it at that?

I have been happy with Braeden for weeks now. He's coming along well. I feel much more confident in his future now than I did at any stage last year.

Blakey in career best form. Chad continuing from where he left off last year. RB played his role well this week it wasn't enough.

Paddy's been fantastic with his intercepting but his kicking was off against the Suns. Seemed to kick the ball back to the opposition over and over. That said I love that he is trying to have impact with his disposals and taking aggressive kicking options - they just missed their target too often this week.

[Mr Magoo]

Well, a disappointing effort but I'm not joining the doom and gloom. We're not playing like a top 4 team but I'm not writing off our chances of finishing top 4. And I'm still expecting to play finals (and win!). Not looking much chance of a flag though.

I felt like we lost because firstly we didn't bring enough intensity and play four quarters, and secondly we don't have enough midfield depth. As someone one else said recently, we're one quality mid short. Third, we're not getting enough out of our small forwards. Papley is still rusty. Ronke is inconsistent. Wicks and Bell were both underwhelming when given a run.

I thought Rampe had his best game in a while, which isn't saying much because he's been ordinary this year and most of last year too.

I thought we needed to have the ball in Errol's hands more. He was wasted. He's absolutely one of our best ball users. Fortunately he knows it (in a good way) and doesn't defer to seniority when it comes to selection the best options. Move Olly back to the wing and let Errol play the role he has been excelling in.

Nico's campaigning against Hayward would be enough to make TB blush! Fair go, Nico. Maybe something like: I don't rate Hayward because X, Y and Z and I would rather we play so-and-so then leave it at that?

I have been happy with Braeden for weeks now. He's coming along well. I feel much more confident in his future now than I did at any stage last year.

Blakey in career best form. Chad continuing from where he left off last year. RB played his role well this week it wasn't enough.

Paddy's been fantastic with his intercepting but his kicking was off against the Suns. Seemed to kick the ball back to the opposition over and over. That said I love that he is trying to have impact with his disposals and taking aggressive kicking options - they just missed their target too often this week.

Im not so confident with Braeden and reckon he needs a bit of a stint in ressies. Im just not sure what role he is supposed to be playing . If its a lockdown defender , hes not doing that very well ( I think hes had 3 kicked on him each week over the past two weeks ) and if its a running half back , hes not providing much run off half back. Maybe someone can show me where Im wrong but I feel like everyone falls in love with his wonderful kicking action and ignores the rest.

[TheBloods]

Im not so confident with Braeden and reckon he needs a bit of a stint in ressies. Im just not sure what role he is supposed to be playing . If its a lockdown defender , hes not doing that very well ( I think hes had 3 kicked on him each week over the past two weeks ) and if its a running half back , hes not providing much run off half back. Maybe someone can show me where Im wrong but I feel like everyone falls in love with his wonderful kicking action and ignores the rest.

You are spot on . Hes not a defenders A hole . He belongs in the mids , in and around the ball. We have bothered with a few who havent rewarded us so time to move them on and give Campbel his turn

[Maltopia]

You are spot on . Hes not a defenders A hole . He belongs in the mids , in and around the ball. We have bothered with a few who havent rewarded us so time to move them on and give Campbel his turn

On the other hand, Mills would not be the complete footballer he is today without his long stint learning defence.

[707]

You are spot on . Hes not a defenders A hole . He belongs in the mids , in and around the ball. We have bothered with a few who havent rewarded us so time to move them on and give Campbel his turn

Other teams high drafted mids often go straight into the CB if they are physically able. Campbell doesn't lack for physique and is now a second year player. Harry and COR in the back, Campbell and Ollie to the centreline, Errol to HF.

[TheBloods]

On the other hand, Mills would not be the complete footballer he is today without his long stint learning defence.

What does Mills have to do with it , this is Campbell . They are different players . Mills starred was rising star first yr in defence , Campbell cant get near it . Worked for Mills didnt work for Campbell so we move on . Besides the mids could do with some speed and good kicks

[caj23]

On the other hand, Mills would not be the complete footballer he is today without his long stint learning defence.

How do you know that?

He should’ve been in the mids years ago

[KTigers]

Indeed KT, with a mindset like his, it's hard to see how that Lockett fella was ever going to be "moderately successful"

Plugger was once asked who was the best full back he ever played against and he mentioned Steve Silvagni. He went on to say there were
probably a couple of other good ones but he didn't know their names.

[KTigers]

My strangest reaction to the snippets I saw online and tv was thinking: christ, Dan Hannebery is now 31 years old and his career is basically over. How quick it goes. He was 21 then, a serious contender for Norm Smith, and went through the next three of four years as good as anyone playing the game (didn't he win a AFLCA MVP Award in '14 or '15?).

I felt about him at the time the way I feel about McInerney today, and hopefully McInerney is on track to be as good a player. Just loved him. And as for that mark in the grand final in front of Hale, one of the best you'll see.

How quickly time goes.

This is why it is totally understandable when players change clubs for more money. One day you have a career, next day you don't.
We as fans want loyalty from the players but for them to pay for it.

[grarmy]

Plugger was once asked who was the best full back he ever played against and he mentioned Steve Silvagni. He went on to say there were
probably a couple of other good ones but he didn't know their names.

Hmmmm. Dunno about that. I did hear Plugger mention Mick Martyn when asked but yes, he also said he didn't remember the names of other opponents. By God, Tony Lockett was reliable. 17 years of football with an average of just under five goals per game...albeit the comeback year. Miss him.