Swans v Suns Match Thread 12 Aug23 SCG

[i'm-uninformed2]

It's reassuring to know that the team can still put in a solid performance when it isn't mostly driven by Insane Errol. I liked the fact that he kept his tackling and pressure up at a high level even while he wasn't able to contribute as much in other ways.

I am looking forward to having Campbell back next week. He's yet to have a game where he really puts it all together but I think he'll think more quickly and provide more penetration than Stephens was able to yesterday. I presume he'll likely replace Stephens, though it could be Roberts. I think the coaches will want to keep Roberts' solid body and contested ball winning ability against the Crows, even if we didn't see that much of it yesterday.

Insane Errol, very good.

As much as I suspect they dropped the tag at half time, the flip of Papley into the middle more (he was used there a bit in the first half) and Errol playing half forward worked. Paps was very good in the third quarter. What he does so well as a centre square player is find space and use it to drive us forward with real advantage. He has such quick feet.

As for Stephens, I thought his endeavour was good but the erosion of his skills is sad to watch. Not long after his whiff in the defensive goal square, which can happen I guess, he grabbed the ball at a stoppage, burst clear and … missed his target inside 50 by at least five metres.

I’ve long been high on him and hope like hell he still makes it, but it’s a worry. I suspect he’s a high stress footballer, and until he overcomes it, it’s gonna be problematic.

[Industrial Fan]

Stephens dropped an absolute sitter of a mark on the wing under no pressure.

Not one swans player went to him afterwards which I thought was poor.

After he missed the spoil in the goal square he did get one player get around him to build him back up. The young captain in making - Errol.

[Ludwig]

Well that's disappointing re Ladhams, Hickey is clearly struggling. In a couple of weeks time, we'll likely take on Gawn + Grundy, and whilew we probably won't take two rucks in, it's hard to imagine Tom leading the charge against those two (though my wildly optimistic ladder predictor has us getting through to to the finals even if we lose that game provided we beat the Crows).

As for the Crows, I was expecting the loss of those defenders to be the proverbial straw to their otherwise overachieving season, but to give them their due, they've managed to remain competitive in their absence.

The best way to counter 2 ruckmen is a no no ruckmen lineup. Play McLean in the ruck and drip Hickey. It's a lcok.

Maybe I got that wrong....I apologise. Not sad.

Stevo, could you do me a personal favour and cut down on the BS posts and personal attacks. I have a hard enough with my poor vision to get through the relevant stuff, alone the superfluous banter. Leave that nonsense to me.


In fairness of full disclosure, I had already written off the Swans, but this season has been full of surprises, and the recent ones have been pleasant. Now lets keep it going.

Crows have big forwards. Melican may be a better choice than Francis. Rampe ma also enter the game. I would prefer Robert to Stephens, although Stephens might have a career as a good taker. Has the speed and agility, but maybe a beteter option for a trade.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I hope we get one of our key defenders in Ramps or Melican back. Francis was awful. I know he took a couple of nice marks, but there were also two or three contests where he simply ran under and past the ball, let his bloke out the back and off they went. They were mainly on the wing, so they didn’t hurt us too badly, but.

Adelaide have a very good tall forward line. If they supply it, and they don’t always as they’re still building a midfield, he will be found out.

I get we have depth issues back there and he’s done his best. He tries, so I don’t enjoy criticising him. But ay caramba.

[waswan]

Stephens: 16 disposals for 88 metres gained.

Seems a poor return.

Not saying he should but he clearly doesnt have a license to play on and try to break a line.
He is a bail out option and when he marks it he kicks sideways to a Snr player. He did seem to help out down back more then usual on the weekend

[Ludwig]

I hope we get one of our key defenders in Ramps or Melican back. Francis was awful. I know he took a couple of nice marks, but there were also two or three contests where he simply ran under and past the ball, let his bloke out the back and off they went. They were mainly on the wing, so they didn’t hurt us too badly,

i have similar observations about Francis. I noticed and commented on this in his VFL games as well.

[MattW]

The best way to counter 2 ruckmen is a no no ruckmen lineup. Play McLean in the ruck and drip Hickey. It's a lcok.



Stevo, could you do me a personal favour and cut down on the BS posts and personal attacks. I have a hard enough with my poor vision to get through the relevant stuff, alone the superfluous banter. Leave that nonsense to me.


In fairness of full disclosure, I had already written off the Swans, but this season has been full of surprises, and the recent ones have been pleasant. Now lets keep it going.

Crows have big forwards. Melican may be a better choice than Francis. Rampe ma also enter the game. I would prefer Robert to Stephens, although Stephens might have a career as a good taker. Has the speed and agility, but maybe a beteter option for a trade.

Good to hear from you, Ludwig.

I mused that Buller might come in for Hickey last week, to leave McLean to battle out the ruck, but that was not a popular call.

It'll be interesting to see whether Amartey gets up this week. Longmire indicated post-game that Joel has been nursing a tight hamstring and perhaps that's why his production has been down. Maybe he will be rested.

Even if Amartey plays that tightness seems to be limiting his time as a ruck.

Shame, because I think McLean and a fit Amartey is a more effective ruck duo for winning clearance. On Saturday, Hickey and McLean both had four clearances: Hickey from 71 ruck contests and Hayden from 28.

[The Big Cat]

Now for the big question ? After the Giants lost, is it possible for us to make the eight if we win one of the next two matches?

Haven’t done all the permutations but the following helps our cause:
Due to playing each other, only one of Geelong and St Kilda, and one of Essendon and GWS can win next week.
Likewise in Round 24 only one of the Bulldogs and Geelong can win. Plus St Kilda play the Lions at The Gabbatoir, Essendon play the Pies, and GWS play Carlton.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

The best way to counter 2 ruckmen is a no no ruckmen lineup. Play McLean in the ruck and drip Hickey. It's a lcok.

Oh please, not this anti-ruckman guff again!
C'mon, Ludwig, cards on the table, did some tall person call you an ooompah loompah at school? Did they use the top of your head to rest their beers on? Did they refuse to help you reach the jar of pickels on the the top shelf at Woolies? Did some giant disaparage your rendition of the Hiho song at Karaoke?
Seriously, what did we do?

Ludwig and Ruckmen = TheBloods and Rowbottom

[lwjoyner]

Myabe we should try Arnold. I know I have been banging on about this but we need a defender who can play on both tall and smaller. melican and Francis cant. Try him wonlt know unless we do.

[Markwebbos]

Myabe we should try Arnold. I know I have been banging on about this but we need a defender who can play on both tall and smaller. melican and Francis cant. Try him wonlt know unless we do.

I’d be amazed if Horse tried someone new at this stage of the season, but he did (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong) outperform Melican on Saturday in the VFL.

[KTigers]

Oh please, not this anti-ruckman guff again!
C'mon, Ludwig, cards on the table, did some tall person call you an ooompah loompah at school? Did they use the top of your head to rest their beers on? Did they refuse to help you reach the jar of pickels on the the top shelf at Woolies? Did some giant disaparage your rendition of the Hiho song at Karaoke?
Seriously, what did we do?

Ludwig and Ruckmen = TheBloods and Rowbottom

I think that comparison is a bit harsh R'n'R. It's not his fault he's only 4' 10". You don't really get a balanced diet growing up in
Taswegia where he claims he's from. They didn't really have all the food groups down there back in the day. I was lucky enough
to grow up on a property with a lot of fruit trees and home grown veges & free range chooks so didn't have to exist on a diet of
takeaway Chiko Rolls and Fanta like most of my school mates. So yeah, just a bit of context with the anti ruckmen thing.

[Blood Fever]

Fair call

[stevoswan]

Oh please, not this anti-ruckman guff again!
C'mon, Ludwig, cards on the table, did some tall person call you an ooompah loompah at school? Did they use the top of your head to rest their beers on? Did they refuse to help you reach the jar of pickels on the the top shelf at Woolies? Did some giant disaparage your rendition of the Hiho song at Karaoke?
Seriously, what did we do?

Ludwig and Ruckmen = TheBloods and Rowbottom

[Kafka's Ghost]

Just wasted my morning tea break watching Access All Areas on the AFL app. Did the AFL know it scheduled a game in Sydney on the weekend?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk