Round 24: Swans v Demons @ SCG

[barry]

Though it sent us packing to the Blues, I'm delighted for the GWS - since round 1 they've competed brilliantly and much richly deserved that last spot more than the Dogs. Hopefully, they've given us the blueprint to do a job on Carlton.

The other silver lining out of this round (dogs not making the 8 is 1st one), is that self doubt will be creeping into the blues now.

[Roadrunner]

Exactly.

Clearly the only being able to play three-quarters thing is a problem this year, but I don't think we've historically (in recent seasons) had that problem. So hopefully they already have some good ideas of what they need to change up over the pre-season (if it's entirely, or mostly, physical).

We also clearly have a list issue right now that Longmire (or the coaches more broadly) don't have a lot of faith in anyone outside our best 23. Bring Papley and McInerney into the team, and move Stephens (or maybe Campbell, or maybe Fox) to sub - any of those three would likely be able to come on and make some impact in the last. But that's where the list ends right now. Clarke and Francis are "we'll play them if we really have to, but would prefer not to have to".

Not sure if I agree re Francis, as the games he played in, he made some contribution. Certainly Paps and JMac would improve us. For sure Clarke shouldn’t be anywhere near the team and though Wicks does a few nice things, he just doesn’t quite cut it. We had a few well below their best: Wilbur, Campbell, Fox, Amartey just to name a few. Nevertheless, we had our chances to win the game against a top 5 team so we’re not far off. Of course, our kicking needs to be more accurate and we have to play 4 quarters and finish strongly. But we’ve done well to recover from our slump and I’m proud of our boys. 2-3 pieces missing from the jigsaw and we can then challenge for sure.

[longmile]

We have a serious final quarter problem

[grarmy]

[QUOTE=Roadrunner;875446]…… We had a few well below their best: Wilbur, Campbell, Fox, Amartey just to name a few…..[/QUOTE

Amarty was way under par today. Fingers crossed we get JMAC for the finals to replace him… or Reid.

[Markwebbos]

Horse likes to have a settled squad heading into finals and is very reluctant to try new players at this stage of the season, so kudos to Stephens.

I imagine after playing 7 must win games in a row the week off will do our bodies and minds the world of good.

[KTigers]

Melbourne are a very good team and yesterday at least very well drilled defensively. Sometimes the game goes long on
long enough for the cream to rise to the top and some of their play in the last quarter was seriously good. I'm not
quite sure who could have stopped it. No us yesterday.
If someone offered you 8th spot 7 weeks ago you would have taken it in a heartbeat.

[Markwebbos]

Swans have generally been good at negating teams defensive strengths e.g. Sam Taylor. I’m not sure whether the failure v May and Lever was deliberate or accidental?

The optimist in me believes we are keeping our powder dry.

[waswan]

Swans have generally been good at negating teams defensive strengths e.g. Sam Taylor. I’m not sure whether the failure v May and Lever was deliberate or accidental?

The optimist in me believes we are keeping our powder dry.

The optimist in me says, we can use Hayward for the negative role on the tall defender and not waste selection on Wicks and Clarke

- - - Updated - - -

A loose ball bounced between them in the 2nd qtr in our 50 and its like they didnt know what to do as they had no one to tackle

[ugg]

That makes no sense, Wicks and/or Clarke do not play on the tall defender. They play on a smaller defender.

[Markwebbos]

The optimist in me says, we can use Hayward for the negative role on the tall defender and not waste selection on Wicks and Clarke

- - - Updated - - -

A loose ball bounced between them in the 2nd qtr in our 50 and its like they didnt know what to do as they had no one to tackle

Hayward has often played that role, including on Lever. Not sure what happened yesterday? I agree that Wicks / Clarke is a different matter although Clarke has tagged Salem in the past.

[waswan]

That makes no sense, Wicks and/or Clarke do not play on the tall defender. They play on a smaller defender.

Playing in the hole and running with the fast defender, more than capable for Hayward.

Who did they play on the weekend ?
Wasnt Clarke at Lever ?

[Hotpotato]

Finishing in 8th is massive considering .
Playing at the MCG is excellent experience and good for the (South) Melbourne supporters .

They sure had an off night set kicking for goal when that issue looked pretty sorted recently .
The good set shotters (.like Bayview Fritz) do not wave the ball , they keep it still.

[waswan]

Either way Jmac and Paps need to come in

Clarke 100% goes
And either Stephens or Wicks

Wicks Tackles hard, Stephens run will be good at MCG

Campbell had a bad night but light years in front of those guys

[ugg]

Playing in the hole and running with the fast defender, more than capable for Hayward. Who did they play on the weekend ? Wasnt Clarke at Lever ?

Lots of rotations so not always the matchups, but from my vantage point when they were on the field it was Hayward-Lever, Clarke-Salem

[KTigers]

I thought Wicks had a good game. Not a lot of possessions but a lot of tackles which I always rate. Stephens, also had a good game.
Melbourne at their best is probably better than us at our best at the moment. This game wasn't so much us losing a game, but more
Melbourne winning it. They were just better for longer.
Really nice send off for Buddy. 41,000, 42,000 people there. That was classy for so many to show up and cheer him so loudly.