Round 17: Swans v Bulldogs

[mcs]

If he said that, then clearly it is possible. Another case in point -> Malcolm Blight.

I put Buckley in the same boat as well. I know others think he is okay but I think he just dribbles nonsense... but then not sure Buckley ever was that good a coach either

[Ludwig]

Dont rob yourself of any more credibility

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. I thought you liked Stephens, btw.

Edit: Did I misunderstand you? Weren't you talking about Stephens?

[Agent 86]

Nearly everyone played their role . Our worst player was awful as usual , Hayward not much better , every touch was a nothing turnover

You need to get to a game & stop relying on the stats.

[Markwebbos]

How sweet it is to snuff out the Doggies finals chances.

Thought our pressure and contested work was outstanding (with the exception of Q2) We really stopped them moving the ball with any fluency,

How good was Amartey’s first quarter. Also has Buddy ever taken that many contested / pack marks before?

Although we were up against one of the weakest tall back lines going around. Freo will be a much sterner test.

It looked like Hayward played on Keath very effectively. When the (confusingly coiffed) JMac passed perfectly to Buddy in Q3 he was operating in a “Paddock”

Clarke stays in surely. Dropping him was a mistake.

I wonder whether they’ll play McDonakd or Amartey next week?

A great win like that on a Friday night really makes the whole weekend such a positive one!

[Agent 86]

I put Buckley in the same boat as well. I know others think he is okay but I think he just dribbles nonsense... but then not sure Buckley ever was that good a coach either

Haha. Fair enough. But although Buckley sounds like he’s half-stoned, I can handle him more than the other 2. You’re correct on the coaching side.

[TheBloods]

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. I thought you liked Stephens, btw.

Edit: Did I misunderstand you? Weren't you talking about Stephens?

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

[TheBloods]

Lol @TheBloods … look at you talking about credibility when you have been continually proven wrong. You are grasping at straws. The players you unfairly hate played well. Your opinion is worth nothing. Get over yourself

Are you talking about me ? I said Chad would be our best youngster in March of last yr when some didnt even have him in our best 22 ! Give it a rest

[Ludwig]

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

I'm not negative on Stephens. I mistakenly surmised that you were talking about Stephens when you used the word awful, because he had a bit of a slow game. I don't know who you are talking about.

[Agent 86]

I'm not negative on Stephens. I mistakenly surmised that you were talking about Stephens when you used the word awful, because he had a bit of a slow game. I don't know who you are talking about.

Stephens? Wasn’t he talking about Chad Warner? I thought he had a blinder.

[longmile]

Stephens? Wasn’t he talking about Chad Warner? I thought he had a blinder.

I thought he was talking about buddy franklin. Apparently hes the worst field kick in the league lol

[Ludwig]

I wonder whether they’ll play McDonakd or Amartey next week?

Amartey played too well to be dropped after one game. His VFL form has been very strong. At some point I would like to see McDonald and Amartey playing together without Buddy. This may be the future of our forward line.

On Buddy. Has he had those fingers taped every game since he broke it? It seemed to be more evident today. I wasn't sure if it was a new injury, a re-injury or something I missed. He seemed to have more trouble than usual grabbing the ball, although he fumbled a lot last week as well. It's been a long time since he broke his finger.

[Markwebbos]

Mills and Reid 29 tackles between them.

[Mark26]

Stephens? Wasn’t he talking about Chad Warner? I thought he had a blinder.

Wrong again. He was clearly talking about Hickey. Zero hit outs tonight. Didn't put any pressure on the opposition. Really needs to lift his work rate if he's to impact the game. While he didn't make any errors, it was a poor effort - no disposals. No tackles. Greater presence is needed from our big man.

[Markwebbos]

Amartey played too well to be dropped after one game. His VFL form has been very strong. At some point I would like to see McDonald and Amartey playing together without Buddy. This may be the future of our forward line.

On Buddy. Has he had those fingers taped every game since he broke it? It seemed to be more evident today. I wasn't sure if it was a new injury, a re-injury or something I missed. He seemed to have more trouble than usual grabbing the ball, although he fumbled a lot last week as well. It's been a long time since he broke his finger.

Buddy took 5 contested marks and one pack mark (admittedly with a bit of a second grab) that I thought he was incapable of. It was almost like he’d decided to prove wrong all those who said he should play further up the ground.

it sounds weird saying it, but his kicking wasn’t up to the same standard as his marking.

I’d like to see Amartey and McDonald play in the same side too. If both Hickey and Ladhams miss next week it might yet happen.

I assumed they gave Logan a week off to freshen up before Freo in Perth on a big ground, And used it as an opportunity to reward Joel for some outstanding VFL form.

I don’t know which fwd combo is going to be most effective against Freo’s miserly talls?

[joeykanga]

What a great way by the boys to honour my return to the SCG after three years. I’m very humbled and thankful. ????

But an excellent all round performance. I’m sure some close observers who go every week will go derrrrrrr, but:

- despite his goal kicking at the moment, when Papley is up and about what he gives to our team is something special. You need players with a serious point of difference, and he has it, with elite skills and footy IQ to match
- speaking of footy IQ, watching Pat McCartin from behind the goals is something. You can see him start to position himself two possessions out. He forces his opponent to try to lead or make space in redundant spots. His brother isn’t quite in the same class and has a different role, but has the same instincts and they are quite the combo.
- I expected Chad’s power and explosiveness to be something special, and seeing it live for the first time, it is. He’s going to be a rare footballer, as we all know
- neither JMac or Stephens had the greatest games tonight but boy they cover the ground and one great thing about the two of them, when they have to go, they go. If they’re our wingers for the next decade, we’re in good hands
- whether it is a brick wall or a player between Rowbottom and a contested ball, look out. He’s truly a hard ass in the best traditions of the Swans
- I’ve long wanted Heeney to be a winger. Screw that, play him forward, let him drift onto the ball now and then, and scare the crap out of defenders. Just elite at the craft.

Anyway, lots to love about tonight. Blakey, Reid, Parker awesome.

And thanks again lads, I appreciate the tribute.

I was also there so bitterly cold but worth the trip up from the Gong.
I love seeing Papley in the centre square when he goes there.
I actually thought Stephens..he stood out in the amount of ground he covers and the pressure he brought.
Blakey is just on another level..it brought such delight that run where he took off and broke that tackle only just then bounced a couple of times and found Buddy.
Paddy is so dependable..I wish Tom was surer with his hands..he tends to be fumbly.
Super impressed with Reid's game and Amartey's marking ability.
Florent did some beautiful kicks.
The Chad is special.
Some Western Bulldogs when Buddy was lining up to do an around the corner kick on his right yelled ...you haven't got a right foot so on cue he feigns to go right and steps back to kick on his left missing from close in..it's like they reminded him off it..very humorous moment..
And I like Clarke...he's very calm and dependable.