Round 17: Swans v Bulldogs

[liz]

H looked out of sorts last night. He needs a couple of games in the ressies to regain his mojo

He had a game last week in the VFL and looked like he was playing the game at a different speed to the rest. I don't think he needs more VFL time, per se. It just comes down to whether he can force his way into the side on merit (with Fox and possibly Florent currently playing his traditional role).

When he was injected into the game yesterday, he played a different position to that he has played in recent seasons, so not surprising he didn't dominate. But I didn't think he looked off the pace. He played his role, just as the other 22 players did (Ladhams included, who started the rot against English in the middle before Reid continued it).

[i'm-uninformed2]

I think there is enough love for the Chad. You may be unique with your views on one of our young players but not the Chad. I’ve liked him ever since he was drafted and was told to settle down in training. I know many others on here have too.

Did Mills run with Macrae in the second half or was it just a team effort? I was at the game and didn’t notice. Macrae only had 7 disposals in the 2nd half I think.

He did. We had some good defensive efforts last night. Mills and Rowbottom seemed to roll across Macrae and The Bont and they did it well.

As others have mentioned, Clarke and Stephens combined to stifle Dale’s exits and without Daniel, they lacked alternatives. The other thing you could see up high was because their exits and ball movement were slower, Paddy was able to be assertive in positioning himself down the line.

Someone mentioned before Buddy’s ‘fake’. It was right below me and so predictable, but what made it funny was how Buddy set it up. He was like, gee, this right foot thing is going to be so awkward and uncomfortable but I’ve committed to it so … bang. Shame he missed the goal.

As for the level of Chad love, what’s the problem. I praised him, others praised him, his chief sponsor on here praised him, the media praised him, Buddy did in a post-match. Chad mania is alive and well. I mean, maybe we’re missing a bit of Bangalore Swans’ fawning, but that’s out of our hands.

[Agent 86]

…As for the level of Chad love, what’s the problem. I praised him, others praised him, his chief sponsor on here praised him, the media praised him, Buddy did in a post-match. Chad mania is alive and well…

But I don’t believe you praised The Chad enough. Please do better! Maybe a hymn?

As for ‘Dogs’, (on another note) could Libba possibly play for any other team? So many cheap dog acts to match those prison tatts.

[neilfws]

That was great wasn't it. Sit back on Friday night, relax and enjoy a Dogs smashing. Where was this last week? No matter, what's done is done.

"Stats don't tell the whole story" is a bit of a cliche, but true sometimes I think. Amartey, 8 disposals but two great contested marks and he's a good straight kick for goal. You could see he was giving it all pinch-hitting in the ruck too.
I thought Stephens was much improved from last week. Fox was good again and Clarke played the role asked of him.

Big shout-outs: what a game by Reid. Looking better than I can remember since his return. I don't know what's motivating him but long may it continue.
Paddy McCartin: 22 disposals, 86% effective, seemed to be everywhere. Terrific game.

A couple of great sprints and kicks from half-back by Blakey, sorely missing last week. Warner of course. Heeney marking strong and kicking true.

The forwards accuracy a big off, but they never gave up and created for others too.

Just what was required after last week's disappointment. A big test in the west coming though.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I know he only had 7 disposals and went missing most of the game and gave away that goal to Johannesson with the jumper tug, but he's only played 2 games since being recalled, so I thought he could be cut a little slack.

In the first quarter, I saw Johanson pulling on his arm so much Stephens had to go for the ball one handed. I've now seen the replay and I am still missing the jumper tug.
Not sure about the "too far" free against him in the fourth either.
I think he showed enough to be given another week in the firsts.

[stellation]

The most important thing for me out of the last couple of week's is I'm still not sold on Justin's hair cut.

[stevoswan]

Stephens did have a very poor game, especially defensively. I still would like to keep playing him in the AFL and hope he can get adjusted to the pace of the game. I don't think he's ever been in such a high pressure game.

Nice one.

[stevoswan]

Dont rob yourself of any more credibility

Why TB...when you've already totally lost yours?

RB was great....as others have pointed out....and you know it. He may not have had heaps of possessions but he did a lot off the ball and applied plenty of pressure. I'm not sure you were watching the same game we all were.

It's continually weird and confusing.

- - - Updated - - -

Was at the game champ , Stephens running is elite , more importtant played a role shutting down the space for the offensive half back . Dale and the like . Was as important in this as Clarke . Didnt think i would be saying Stephens and "disciplined " in the same sentence but thats exactly what he did , fantastic growth from the young lad despite your negativity

You're so blinkered you've missed the obvious joke.

[i'm-uninformed2]

The most important thing for me out of the last couple of week's is I'm still not sold on Justin's hair cut.

As the self-proclaimed leader of the McInerney cheer squad, who has a level of devotion close to the one you once held for Nick Davis, even I’m not sold.

[stevoswan]

Why isnt Chad being talked about much . We have an unbelievable talent only 30 games and its taken for granted . He deserves more credit

You tend to cover that for everyone else TB. Your over effusive cheering for him (and pitting him against another popular Swan) has tainted our willingness to rave about him. We obviously all love him, what he does and the way he goes about it but tend to leave the adulation to you.....'cause we all know it's coming.

[joeykanga]

Sam Reid's best all round game in all his time at the Swans. Obviously he is fit and he is playing without injury. He was the difference maker last night with his experience, his leap in the ruck and bloody great contested ball, just what we needed against English, who killed us the last time. All credit and praise to Reid

He really was impressive

- - - Updated - - -

Aren’t we glad we resigned Sam Reid?

Tbh I thought he was done and his performances last year were of a man bereft of confidence. Two BOG performances since he’s come back into the team.

Solid team effort last night. Apart from their miracle umpiring in the 2nd the dogs were never in it.

I enjoyed the physicality of Reid and Amartey around the contest, I thought it set our game up nicely.

+1

[joeykanga]

Stephens did have a very poor game, especially defensively. I still would like to keep playing him in the AFL and hope he can get adjusted to the pace of the game. I don't think he's ever been in such a high pressure game.

This is tongue in cheek ? It has to be

I liked what he did as another poster mentioned

[Maltopia]

As good as the win was, we will be 7th or 8th again by the end of the round :/

[rojo]

I just watched a replay. One thing that stood out to me was the so-much-improved field kicking. Far less set kicks missing targets and more kicking accurately to advantage for a manned up player to run to rather that directly to them. Then there are Blakey's kicks, seemingly aimed forwards, that go on an angle and just about always hit up a target. There are a couple of other players, Florent for one, who can do the same thing. Another thing of 'amazement' was seeing the ability of a few players to get the ball out of a scrum by dropping it from hand to foot at the speed of light! Parker and Chad are exponents of this. Most others get caught holding the ball in the same situation.

So good to see Papley back to his best, maybe even better. And Reid, where has that stiffness gone that saw him barely able to bend over to get a ground ball? What a game! He credits his recent form to having had a full pre season for the first time in years.

For me we have to keep Amartey, Clarke and Stephens in. Logan's time will come, Clarke has composure and looked at home, Stephens seems to be improving with each match he plays. We need to give him as much time as has been given to Hayward and Florent. We still don't know how good, or not, he might be. The problem is that we have more run and deliver players than we have spots for, so some have to play roles that do not so much showcase their talents/skills.

[Markwebbos]

Maybe JMac’s hair (or the players hair more broadly) should have it’s own thread? I thought I would be in favour, but i think his old hair suited his slightly my little pony way of running better. I spend half the game thinking he was COR with the new do.

Chad’s hair is probably the biggest concern. If he wants to become an elite player I think he may need to pay someone to sort it out.

The Lizard always looks like he has come to clean zee pool.

Even without Smith the Dogs have some of the worst hair going around. I like to think they lost Friday night in the salon as well as on the ground