Match thread. THE GRAND FINAL!!! Swans v Cats.

[Melbournehammer]

As an aside Scott / Geelong have been derided for a decade as finals chokers, h&a only etc until today.

You can look at it two ways. Maybe we’ve replaced them. Or maybe they were until playing us. Neither is a terrific interpretation but both valid I reckon.

Anyway listening to mills, heeney and Longmire it’s a team that’s going to need a holiday away from the footy for a few weeks

[Melbournehammer]

I was down on the fence not far from where this incident happened. He kicked it. He kicked it effin 20 metres. I lost my mind at this point. Of course we would have lost anyway but the moment this happened I knew we were 100% screwed.

Funny - I had the same reaction a little earlier I think where Parker got done for htb when he had actually pushed the ball out from under him and people were trying to pull it from the ground. Given that we could neither get it, nor use it it felt a bit much that we were penalised when we touched it

[Velour&Ruffles]

I don’t know that we would have picked him, but I do feel Ladhams would have been pretty handy.

Yep, Ladhams' brain fart has cost the club dearly. If he'd been available it would have been a no brainer to bring him in for Sam Reid. To quote Brett Kirk (from the Davis Savis final), "You owe us!". Hopefully he will repay us in similar fashion.

[Velour&Ruffles]

Funny - I had the same reaction a little earlier I think where Parker got done for htb when he had actually pushed the ball out from under him and people were trying to pull it from the ground. Given that we could neither get it, nor use it it felt a bit much that we were penalised when we touched it

Yes, the reason I lost my mind with the Rowbottom one was because it was preceded by this, which was even worse. Lest there be any doubt, I had a magnificently clear and unobstructed view of this incident too. Parker was leaning forward but his shin was making incidental contact with the ball. A Cats player was hunched over the ball and had his hand fully on the ball. Free kick against Parker for not disposing of it. I had some richard-head in front of me explaining why this was the correct decision (I do note that according to him the correct free count would have been 2987:0 at quarter time, but he did speak authoritatively). I don't give a continental what the numbers were at the end, and I am certainly not saying this is why we lost, but to add insult to injury we were violated by the umpires today.

[Velour&Ruffles]

It's pretty clear that we don't have the physicality to compete in the middle with all of Stanley, Blicsav, Danger there at the same time.Totally destroyed us.we could have done the same with Amartey as a ruck rover. It's something worth trying next year when we go back to the drawing boeard because they outstretched and outstrengthed us easily.

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I like this - well worth thinking about.

[Velour&Ruffles]

Yep, we've been shocking but the umps have still gone along for the ride a bit today. They can't help themselves.

- - - Updated - - -

+1

Well summarised.

[TheBloods]

You’ve said play Gus and Roberts. I think the first will be a serious player, and the second maybe, but to suggest two guys who’ve played three games between them would be the difference today is laughable.

Thats my point . We didnt have a premiership team and i said that all along . Once we replace the few holding us back with the good ones then we will be ready . Start by playing Gus and roberts rd 1 next year, speed things up

[Velour&Ruffles]

My friend, there is a huge difference between a veteran team (ie 2014) blowing it and a young inexperienced team getting slapped silly. This team will learn. In 1995, the Detroit Red Wings finally made the final show after 30+ years of missing it. Got swept 4-0 in a 7 games series by the Devils...ANNIHILATED...and then came back to be a powerhouse for almost 10 more years and won 3 cups. The Cats did what a lot of teams designed to be stacked with veterans do...defer payments, take less, etc. But they are older and when it goes it goes quick. I am not "drinking the coolaid" here...I can be just as critical. This team really does have a strong future. Mills, Heeney, Blakey (who I believe will be a monster once he settles down), etc. As long as Parker and Rampe hold up (I believe they are the key cogs to victory), this team will be in the finals, and competitive in the finals, for quite some time.

Good comment.

[Bexl]

I've hardly been on this forum the last 3 1/2 to 4 months. I have felt so much better watching the Swannies games. I had a look today and just remind me with all the negativity why I don't bother with this site much anymore. I know we were beaten and well beaten today but boy it is just to negative for me.

[Swannette]

Yep, those dishing out the indulgent negativity are only interested in making a splash all about themselves.


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[Velour&Ruffles]

I’m at the MCG as I type. Listening to the Geelong supporters joy.

Classy of Chris Scott to recognise Swans supporters for staying for the presentation “even though they didn’t have to”.

Ramps, I appreciate that in your articulate speech that you feel the team let the supporters down. It sounded like you choked back a tear as you said it. Not a good result today, but for session 2022, you didn’t let this supporter down. If, prior to round one you had told me that you could guarantee that I could watch my beloved Swans in a Grand Final, but couldn’t guarantee me a win, I would have taken that offer.

I have bad days at work some days. But I’m never not trying my best for my patients. I will always believe that, regardless of the result, my Swans are always giving their best. Sometimes it’s not good enough. Sometimes, like today, it’s not good enough by a long way. But I will still appreciate your efforts, Sydney, in the context of a difficult game, a surprisingly successful season overall, and a lifetime of joy despite the results sometimes. Football isn’t always about the win and the loss as far as the joy it gives me. I get joy from the Swans in many ways. Today hurts the supporters and members. But I’m sure it hurts the players and coaches more. Much more.

And like 1996, like 2006, like 2014 and 2016, the pain will pass for me - eventually - and I’ll look forward to my next opportunity to cheer you on in a grand final. Because 2005 and 2012 were two of the best days of my life. And I didn’t have to wait 72 years for the joy.

Grand Finals aren’t easy to make. And they’re even harder to win (just ask our star studded sides of the 1933-1936 who, despite fielding the best players in the competition won just 1 premiership from 4 straight grand finals). This young side achieved a lot this year. I can only hope they continue their improvement over the following years for more chances.

goswannies

Well spoken Sir/Madam.

[The Big Cat]

I've hardly been on this forum the last 3 1/2 to 4 months. I have felt so much better watching the Swannies games. I had a look today and just remind me with all the negativity why I don't bother with this site much anymore. I know we were beaten and well beaten today but boy it is just to negative for me.

I’m considering the same thing. There are many spoilt brats on this site unfortunately.

[Velour&Ruffles]

[QUOTE=U.S. Swan;858644]

Let's be honest the Cats were on fire

Let's be honest, the Cats are STACKED with talent due to players demanding to go there and (legal) cap manipulation.

Interesting. There seem to be many players independently involved in property development down that way. I am sure it's just coincidence.

[Wardy]

I’m at the MCG as I type. Listening to the Geelong supporters joy.

Classy of Chris Scott to recognise Swans supporters for staying for the presentation “even though they didn’t have to”.

Ramps, I appreciate that in your articulate speech that you feel the team let the supporters down. It sounded like you choked back a tear as you said it. Not a good result today, but for session 2022, you didn’t let this supporter down. If, prior to round one you had told me that you could guarantee that I could watch my beloved Swans in a Grand Final, but couldn’t guarantee me a win, I would have taken that offer.

I have bad days at work some days. But I’m never not trying my best for my patients. I will always believe that, regardless of the result, my Swans are always giving their best. Sometimes it’s not good enough. Sometimes, like today, it’s not good enough by a long way. But I will still appreciate your efforts, Sydney, in the context of a difficult game, a surprisingly successful season overall, and a lifetime of joy despite the results sometimes. Football isn’t always about the win and the loss as far as the joy it gives me. I get joy from the Swans in many ways. Today hurts the supporters and members. But I’m sure it hurts the players and coaches more. Much more.

And like 1996, like 2006, like 2014 and 2016, the pain will pass for me - eventually - and I’ll look forward to my next opportunity to cheer you on in a grand final. Because 2005 and 2012 were two of the best days of my life. And I didn’t have to wait 72 years for the joy.

Grand Finals aren’t easy to make. And they’re even harder to win (just ask our star studded sides of the 1933-1936 who, despite fielding the best players in the competition won just 1 premiership from 4 straight grand finals). This young side achieved a lot this year. I can only hope they continue their improvement over the following years for more chances.

goswannies

This!!! ???? well said goswannies!!

yes we are all very disappointed - (I was at the MCG losses in 06 & 16 we all get how up setting it is ) but when you love & follow a team you have to accept that there will be times when they are going to be beaten by another team. Today unfortunately was that day. I’m sure that they didn’t go out intentionally to lose. The Cats were that good. Consider too their prelim was a training run, ours was really our GF - we were buggered.

These calls for Longmire to go - um sorry but these players are professional footballers, they know how to play, Longmire can’t play the game for them.

Sure be disappointed but part of being an adult is how you handle disappointment, being boorish & aggressive is not the way to go.

And when it’s all said & done - it's footy, no one died.

Bring on 2023.

[goswannies]

Well spoken Sir/Madam.

Perhaps we go with sir (though I haven’t been knighted - that was my great grand uncle), so that goswannette doesn’t get confused