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

[dejavoodoo44]

It'd be nice to think that if it's fairly common knowledge, then that knowledge will spread and pressure the AFL into doing some sort of forensic investigation. Although, it might take a bit of investigative journalism to kick start the process.

Actually, now that I think of it, Gil was sitting between Lachlan Murdoch and Kerry Stokes today, so if there's going to be any investigating that embarrasses the AFL hierarchy, it may not come from the commercial media.

[Ludwig]

Give yourself a medal.

Perhaps we could call it the Damien Hardwick Medal.

[Daisi]

Just watched a shattered Callum Mills on the Swans website. He was brave to answer questions, and he's already saying they'll learn and grow from this. I believe him. After reading about how highly thought of Longmire is amongst the playing group and the repeated assertions of how close they are, I think they'll be OK.

Next year folks- next year...harder bodies, stronger mindset, a commitment to the fans...

[stevoswan]

We have lost more grand finals than anyone else in the last 10 seasons. We haven’t won one in that time.

We won’t know about us making the 8, but happy for you to book mark me and tell me I’m wrong next year.

The coaches have a hell of a rebuilding job after falling away so badly.

Geelong may have been the better team for the year but we beat them last time we played and they are certainly not 81pts better than us.

Absolutely will.

'Falling away so badly'...what, in the last six quarters of football for the whole season, a season where we came third and made the GF....and that needs a 'rebuild'? Please....

No, the Cats are not an 81pt better team than us but they were today.....just today.

[Industrial Fan]

Absolutely will.

'Falling away so badly'...what, in the last six quarters of football for the whole season, a season where we came third and made the GF....and that needs a 'rebuild'?

I hope you get to do that.

Nope, only an issue with the last four quarters.

There’s a lot of trauma involved in an 81 point grand final loss. It’s not the playing list that needs a rebuild. It’s the players themselves after such humiliation on the biggest stage.

[stevoswan]

Barely been seen all finals series, but couldn't wait to run on here and yell told you so.

Says it all really.

Yep.

[stevoswan]

I hope you get to do that.

Nope, only an issue with the last four quarters.

There’s a lot of trauma involved in an 81 point grand final loss. It’s not the playing list that needs a rebuild. It’s the players themselves after such humiliation on the biggest stage.

I think you should give them a bit more credit....as I said earlier, the famed Bloods Culture is not a myth. Have they not shown enough fight and grit over the last season to prove that they have the character to come out of this stronger?

To not crumble like some of their own fans have on this thread in the last few hours?

[Markwebbos]

Have people heard Horses’s presser?

[H2F]

I think you should give them a bit more credit....as I said earlier, the famed Bloods Culture is not a myth. Have they not shown enough fight and grit over the last season to prove that they have the character to not come out of this stronger?

To not crumble like some of their own fans have on this thread in the last few hours?

I think it was proven a myth in 2014 mate, we have some of the biggest losses in recent GF history.

- - - Updated - - -

Have people heard Horses’s presser?

Have it side by side of the 2014 presser and scarily its almost identical.

[Captain]

Yet another poor final from Buddy….add it to the long list. Needs to rescind that contract and retire.

Fox and Warner can hold their head high.

Hickey was pathetic letting Hawkins kick 2 easy goals from throw ins. Horse would be furious.

Don’t blame the kids, they will get better with experience. It was our highly paid ones that didn’t lead from the front - Buddy, Heeney, Mills

[Hotpotato]

Melbourne and the AFL put on a very entertaining day.
100k crowd, astonishing _ this city.

The Swans will be scratching their heads and going: How the hell did that happen?
They will be well and truly shattered.

Now they have to go through all the post game stuff - when all they really want do is go home and rest.

The’ve given us so many great moments to savour this year .

Can’t thank them enough.

[U.S. Swan]

Not to be a downer or belabor the point, but for those down on the Swans and Longmire, please understand it is NOT a level playing field. It just isn't. Lets look at Geelong. Hawkins and Selwood are homegrown. BUT Isaac Smith, Zach Tuohy, Rhys Stanley, Gary Rohan, Jon Ceglar, Luke Dahlhaus, Dangerfield, Gary Ablett (OK, kidding)... this is a team of mercenaries that was built up through free agency. Although I am a yank, I love footy but the AFL has a HUGE problem in that it allows players way to much movement and accommodates their requests. A 22 year old Izak Raknine demands a trade and it looks like Gold Coast is going to give in...and they wonder why they suck so bad? (and will continue to do so). GWS had a real spark of hope with 22 year old Bobby Hill and...oh wait...he wants a trade to Collingwood.

These are real cumulative disadvantages that the Swans have been able to excel in SPITE of. They remind me of the San Antonio Spurs in many ways...a commitment to excellence that isn't always appreciated, that is developed internally. That is why the Swans will never miss finals for too long a period. But this is a problem in the league that undercuts the competitive balance. Yet the AFL and its corporate masters (and believe me, this league has corporate masters) don't mind as long as the fans don't complain. I wish I had an answer (the only solution I see is if the inter-state teams threaten to fold and start their own league, which aint gonna happen).

So yes, I am bummed as everyone else but this is a remarkable franchise that has to jump over a lot of hurdles other teams do not, and still continues to show excellence!

[MattW]

Have people heard Horses’s presser?

Yeah. Suitably @@@@en broken.

[H2F]

Stanley, Rohan?? we gave Rohan away, Dalhaus didn't even play today mate Collingwood nearly beat them in the QF.

We made their 30yr olds look like spring chickens again Isaac Smith is the oldest norm smith winner ever.

Has nothing to do with that we would of lost on another planet today.

Today is 100% on us nothing else.

[MattW]

Feel free to mute me, but this made me feel better https://twitter.com/AFL/status/15736...9BzvuuEQw&s=19