Grand Final - Saturday 24 September, 2:30 PM at MCG

[i'm-uninformed2]

Comparing Melb to Geelong is a good marker.

We slayed Melb who have a far superior Midfield than Geelong.

You could argue their defence is better too, id give Geelong fwds as our biggest issue. We struggle against the bigger ones.

I get what you're saying, and you're right they have two elite tall forwards in Hawkins and Cameron.

But, we will need to put a lot of time into their small forwards, as they are crucial to their ball movement and style of play. This is a bit simplistic but overall, Close runs hard and high up the ground and is often right back in their defensive 50 and a crucial part of the exits, Miers works hard into space between the arcs and whilst his kicking can be a bit funky, he's very effective at delivering to half forward and inside their 50, and Stengle benefits a lot from chaos but stays closer to home. We'll need to play them tight to stop a lot of Geelong's run.

[mcs]

The Brisbane - Geelong game only confirmed that you can't play a timid game against Geelong. They are just too solid and experienced if you give them any time and space.

The way we win is to play the way we beat Melbourne. A high pressure manic game. Take the ball through the corridor. Lots of movement and taking the game on from start to finish. I hope we have the energy to do it, but it takes more energy to defend that kind of game than to play it. Geelong are a very good turnover team, but if we just kick to contests down the line, we won't win.

This is my take too. Take them on and see if we can't run them off their legs - be daring and be bold.

I know we were seen to 'run out of legs' on the weekend, but I'm not entirely convinced it was as bad as it seemed. It was a bizarre game in many ways, and our tactical shift in the second half I think exacerbated that feeling because we ended up penned defensively in our own area, and did so much defending we struggled for movement forward when we got the ball.

We know Geelong won't bring a maniac pressure game in the same way that the Pies did. They will back themselves to beat us with skills and quality, rather then to out pressure us. Maybe physicality too?

All I hope is we don't die wondering - give it a red hot go and make a good contest of it. They are a fine team, but imho have their weaknesses, and if we are good enough on the day we can exploit. Not dissimilar to 2012 - where Hawthorn were clear the 'best team' across the entirety of the season, but we won a titanic battle on the day that can matter.

I don't think I misunderstood you, Ludwig, but I did a bad job of explaining what King said. King said that he thinks, ironically, that a high paced, manic game will favour Geelong and slower, controlled possession will suit the Swans.

If I get a chance I'll post the link. It's the SEN radio segment with Gerard Whately and fairly detailed game analysis.

It is an interesting thought - he says a lot of things King that make me wonder, but occasionally he has some good arguments mixed in. I do wonder if we are quite good/mature enough quite yet to try and play that way and be accurate/effective enough in possession. It would be a big call.

Biggest worry for me is geelong blasting out of the blocks if a few of our blokes struggle with nerves, and then just playing 'hands off' for the rest of the day. They aren't a team I fancy trying to chase a 4 or 5 goal lead down against.

[Ludwig]

I don't think I misunderstood you, Ludwig, but I did a bad job of explaining what King said. King said that he thinks, ironically, that a high paced, manic game will favour Geelong and slower, controlled possession will suit the Swans.

If I get a chance I'll post the link. It's the SEN radio segment with Gerard Whately and fairly detailed game analysis.

Then I do disagree with King. I think a faster game suits or game style. If we try a controlled possession game, eventually we will be forced to kick long, which will be to Geelong's advantage.

Maybe Clarke will play on Tom Stewart. Perhaps Clarke can keep him from being free enough to take those uncontested marks he always seems to pile up.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Then I do disagree with King. I think a faster game suits or game style. If we try a controlled possession game, eventually we will be forced to kick long, which will be to Geelong's advantage.

Maybe Clarke will play on Tom Stewart. Perhaps Clarke can keep him from being free enough to take those uncontested marks he always seems to pile up.

It’ll be Stewart or Duncan.

[Agent 86]

Haven’t seen the replay yet so my memory is blurred by my poor vantage point on the night, but what were the 3 goals you are referring to

Maybe the Ollie one leading to their last goal? But who knows how the umps are going to see it.

The Lizard needs to be a bit less enthusiastic with the blocking. Made it a bit obvious a few times and cost us 2 goals (when he didn't really have to do either). Also not quite sure what he was doing on the Papley kick from 50 (4th goal)? Love the effort, but just get in the way without giving away dumb free kicks.

[liz]

Key forward Sam Reid not ruled out of Toyota AFL Grand Final as Swans hold hope

We can still keep our fingers crossed that Reid could feature. Even if it's a long shot.

This article mentions that Amartey and Ronke, along with the three unused emergencies (Gould, Cunningham and McLean) were all put through their paces after Saturday's game ended. That pretty much limits the squad available to the club for this weekend. Not that the names are surprising. Together with Campbell, they are the players who played at a strong, consistent level towards the end of the VFL season.

[tlock]

They should give Cunningham a go in the finals, he carved Geelong up with his speedy running game and intercepts the last time they met. Ended up ranking top 7th Swans player in the AFL fantasy points.
I'd consider pulling McDonald out, he just hasn't been performing in the prelim finals and pretty much all season.

[Maltopia]

I don’t mind Cunningham coming in to defend on Stengle, he is very dangerous.

[monopoly19]

Would much rather Cunningham than Campbell, who’s a bit deer in headlights. Tries hard and will be great one day, but not composed enough yet (to be fair, I don’t think he’s been given the opportunity to figure it out yet).

[Mel_C]

Won’t happen, but would love it if Goodes was offered and agreed to do so.

Yes that was my first thought as well.

[dejavoodoo44]

Then I do disagree with King. I think a faster game suits or game style. If we try a controlled possession game, eventually we will be forced to kick long, which will be to Geelong's advantage.

Maybe Clarke will play on Tom Stewart. Perhaps Clarke can keep him from being free enough to take those uncontested marks he always seems to pile up.

I think I wrote in the other games thread that I thought Brisbane were playing dumb football. Totally predictable in attack, where they seemed to spend most of the game, sending dump kicks straight to Geelong defenders.

[liz]

I don’t mind Cunningham coming in to defend on Stengle, he is very dangerous.

You don't think Rampe, Fox, Florent and Lloyd have been taking care of small forwards recently?

I wouldn't lose any sleep over Cunningham being in the team - he's a solid, dependable player at worst - but I don't see the coaches voluntarily breaking up the defensive team at this stage of the season, and not for a player who has had no exposure to AFL pressure for the second half of the season.

Would much rather Cunningham than Campbell, who’s a bit deer in headlights. Tries hard and will be great one day, but not composed enough yet (to be fair, I don’t think he’s been given the opportunity to figure it out yet).

I thought Campbell had a pretty decent game, and showed he's getting close to becoming an automatic inclusion in the team (along with another 23 or 24 players, which is the issue). It was his kick that was marked by Papley for our final goal. Not many of our side can kick with that speed and penetration. Against an aerially dominant team (another one) like Geelong, bringing the ball in quickly, with pace and power, could make all the difference.

I'm not advocating for him to push someone else out of the side, but I think he makes a pretty good sub. He can have an impact, if needed, with just two or three telling possessions, plus he has the flexibility (ie has some AFL experience) across half-back, along the wings, or at half-forward.

[AppleCore]

Compared to Melbourne (Lever and May), and Collingwood (Moore and Howe), Geelong is comparitively weak in the defensive intercept marking department. We just need to put a very hard defensive tag on Stewart.

Our defense is perfectly matched against their forward line with McCartin twin towers and Rampe. Our ruckman will dominate, and we have a stronger midfield (They may have by reputation, but its seriously slowing down).

Agree Barry. The 2017 final when Stewart almost single-handedly cut the Swans to pieces still gives me nightmares. I am not sure that Clarke is equipped to do the job. Maybe McLean?

[Hotpotato]

Can anyone open the Lance Franklin statement he’s released via the Swans?

[erica]

Can anyone open the Lance Franklin statement he’s released via the Swans?

He’s signed for one more year.


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