Qualifying Final vs Melbourne, at MCG on Friday 2 September, 7.50pm AEST

[Goal Sneak]

Do we really have to use the term journalist to describe Matthew Lloyd?

Touche'

[Ludwig]

Do we really have to use the term journalist to describe Matthew Lloyd?

I wanted to call him a dud journalist, but I didn't want to contradict myself.

[bloodspirit]

Do we really have to use the term journalist to describe Matthew Lloyd?

Or Damien Barrett.

Footy media really aren't journalists. Unlike actual journalists they don't limit themselves to reporting news. The bulk of their job is editorialising. And, in the case of someone like Barrett, he's not really any more qualified than you or I are to give opinions about footy, never having played or coached professionally (so far as I'm aware). Also, footy media seem to have a much greater licence to deal in rumour in their work than actual journalists do. So, I am quite earnest when I say I don't consider them journalists (even if occasionally some of them (e.g. Caro) do do some proper investigative journalism).

[The Big Cat]

If we go with an unchanged team this week, then I think we are stronger than when we beat the Dees earlier in the year.

In: Hickey, Franklin, Stephens, Clarke
Out: Ladhams, O'Riordan, Amartey, Wicks.

Of course there is the small matter of Stephen May coming back for the Demons.

[liz]

We had two separate (but near identical) conversations happening about Ladhams's suspension. I've consolidated all the posts in the other thread (VFL).

[joeykanga]

I cant win then

Everytime the Swans win you win

[TheBloods]

We are 4th for points for, 4th for points against , 1st for pressure and 2nd for contested possessions since rd 17 . We have the best profile for a flag because of this says champion data . Our coaches have been fantastic at making this team work

[liz]

If anyone has convinced themselves we can't win on Friday, listen to the David King segment on Whately's SEN show yesterday, where they run through each of the games and what to expect. I find King a curious mix between the banal and insightful, but there's no doubting he actually watches a lot of footy (unlike many AFL scribes) and makes observations that others aren't capable of (whatever you think of those observations).

King isn't suggesting we will win but certainly that we can, and provides reasons why, and what we need to do.

Whateley | 1116 SEN

Scroll down to the section labelled "The Monday Means Test" and click on that to listen (and then the play button above the table of contents).

[liz]

And also from SEN, here is a discussion with Longmire about Friday's game. I've not listened to this yet. Just about to.

How the Swans are planning for Melbourne’s star-studded midfield

[TheBloods]

And also from SEN, here is a discussion with Longmire about Friday's game. I've not listened to this yet. Just about to.

How the Swans are planning for Melbourne’s star-studded midfield

Will heeney be playing midfield, that would be daft

[Industrial Fan]

If anyone has convinced themselves we can't win on Friday, listen to the David King segment on Whately's SEN show yesterday, where they run through each of the games and what to expect. I find King a curious mix between the banal and insightful, but there's no doubting he actually watches a lot of footy (unlike many AFL scribes) and makes observations that others aren't capable of (whatever you think of those observations).

King isn't suggesting we will win but certainly that we can, and provides reasons why, and what we need to do.

Whateley | 1116 SEN

Scroll down to the section labelled "The Monday Means Test" and click on that to listen (and then the play button above the table of contents).

the swans are discussed right near the end in case anyone is interested (maybe 45mins or so)

Interestingly after discussing the swans Whateley doesn’t put them in his top four seeds for the flag.

I’m obviously biased but I think we’re right in this irrespective of whether we win on Friday - if injuries stay on our side.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Thanks Liz

For me, the game against Melbourne earlier in the year was where we started to lift our midfield and contested work. We'd been ok till then, but notably bashed up once or twice - with the Brisbane game most notable.

We broke even with Melbourne around the ball that day - despite Gawn having a game for the ages - and we've got better since. Chad's gone from good to great since mid season, Paps has gone into the middle at times to give us extra spark, Rowie's added contested ball winning work and more spread to his defensive efforts, we roll Heeney through late in quarters, and Mills has been used more flexibly. (Of course, Parks has been Parks throughout).

As King points out, Melbourne use their wings (not just wingers) well to let their half forwards and wingers bring the ball forward in space - but if we can match or beat them on the inside, and avoid their transition run from d50 by keeping our pressure high, we've got the class elsewhere to do the job.

[mcs]

the swans are discussed right near the end in case anyone is interested (maybe 45mins or so)

Interestingly after discussing the swans Whateley doesn’t put them in his top four seeds for the flag.

I’m obviously biased but I think we’re right in this irrespective of whether we win on Friday - if injuries stay on our side.

Whateley has generally rated us pretty highly over a long period - I sense he is nervous we might be the ones that could stop his Geelong Flag fairytale hopes dead in their tracks.

I can't see how under any reasonable measure we aren't in the top 4 seeds. I can see an argument for Richmond being in the top 4 given their form and quality of list etc, but I put us well in front of the rest of the bottom half of the eight, and Collingwood at least.

[TheBloods]

Thanks Liz

For me, the game against Melbourne earlier in the year was where we started to lift our midfield and contested work. We'd been ok till then, but notably bashed up once or twice - with the Brisbane game most notable.

We broke even with Melbourne around the ball that day - despite Gawn having a game for the ages - and we've got better since. Chad's gone from good to great since mid season, Paps has gone into the middle at times to give us extra spark, Rowie's added contested ball winning work and more spread to his defensive efforts, we roll Heeney through late in quarters, and Mills has been used more flexibly. (Of course, Parks has been Parks throughout).

As King points out, Melbourne use their wings (not just wingers) well to let their half forwards and wingers bring the ball forward in space - but if we can match or beat them on the inside, and avoid their transition run from d50 by keeping our pressure high, we've got the class elsewhere to do the job.

Chad was great that night as well not just lately , that play where he sprinted out of half back and drove the ball up the guts for Paps to run onto was fantastic and would 've been play of the match if not for Errol with the sealer !

[i'm-uninformed2]

Chad was great that night as well not just lately , that play where he sprinted out of half back and drove the ball up the guts for Paps to run onto was fantastic and would 've been play of the match if not for Errol with the sealer !

I personally reckon Ollie bouncing off Viney and tearing off downfield, or the Amartey contest in the second quarter were the moments I went - yep, we're up to our necks in this - but yes, they were two great moments.

And I guess my broader point was that was the first complete midfield game we'd put together this year, and bar Parks and Mills (who were already excellent), every single player in the midfield has just got better and better since that point.