Team List Elimination Final vs Carlton at MCG, Friday 8 September 2023, 7:50 PM

[Maltopia]

Both teams coming off a loss.

Not feeling very positive about this game, with our fourth quarter fade outs.

Newman in All Australian contention as is Curnow.

We hopefully get McInerney and Papley back.

Out Clarke and maybe Fox?

[longmile]

Also not feeling great about this game due to our last quarter fadeouts AND because the Blues will have a ton of media, hype, excitement and rabid fans behind them which could translate into some unfair/pro-Vic umpiring.

Out of the Blues, Saints and GWS, Carlton were my least fave for us to play due to this hype and I think they've been close to the best team in the comp in the second half of this year.

For personnel, I'd have Clarke make way for Papley, with McInerney to play as sub for Francis. Given our last quarter fade outs I think it's crucial we actually play our sub and ensure they're both quick and an impact player - a role I think Juzzy can do. Additionally he needs some gametime and with no VFL, playing him as a sub is an ok compromise here.

As a sidenote I think we are tacitically the worst team when it comes to our sub choices (Francis and Clarke as subs?)

[Maltopia]

As a sidenote I think we are tacitically the worst team when it comes to our sub choices (Francis and Clarke as subs?)

It isn't tacit at all, it is bleeding obvious! (yeah, I know, a typo hehe)

[The Big Cat]

It isn't tacit at all, it is bleeding obvious! (yeah, I know, a typo hehe)

Re subs- My dad used to say you can’t pull your socks up if you don’t have any on. Not much outside the top 22 to call on.

[Hotpotato]

Keep forgetting it’s 11 days away .
Will Paps be right by then ?

[barry]

Even though we are limping into the finals, of all the other finalists, our game style probably works best against Carlton, and we did beat them in round 10.

If we can get an early lead, they will mentally collapse.

[MattW]

Even though we are limping into the finals, of all the other finalists, our game style probably works best against Carlton, and we did beat them in round 10.

If we can get an early lead, they will mentally collapse.

Tend to agree, generally speaking. I think John's the better coach, too.

Last time we tagged Cripps with Heeney to great effect, but were without Mills. I think we need Heeney to play forward this time and Mills can go to him.

I do wonder whether we might go a little smaller and omit Amartey, who looks like he's labouring a little and hasn't been effective for a while.

[Hotpotato]

Clearly if the Swans are cactus by 3/4 time when leading they need some incentive (despite how knackered).
Like if they win the final quarter , they all get a free E bike for Christmas (then they won’t get tired during the pre-season.

[barry]

Yeah, I think we should skip pre season this year. It's making the players too tired

[Scottee]

Even though we are limping into the finals, of all the other finalists, our game style probably works best against Carlton, and we did beat them in round 10.

If we can get an early lead, they will mentally collapse.

I think you are right.

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[Auntie.Gerald]

My concern is no so much the last qtrs for us.

My concern is earlier in the games with our shakes when kicking at goal.

I thought we had turned a corner recently and maybe we have and we will get the reward and score board pressure happening again. Heeney and Paps need to stand up and take that pressure away from our young 3 talls. Heeney and Paps need to be deadly with their 6 pointers.

I am actually super looking forward to this game and feel Carlton will buckle under the pressure of the build up and expectation.

[Roadrunner]

My concern is no so much the last qtrs for us.

My concern is earlier in the games with our shakes when kicking at goal.

I thought we had turned a corner recently and maybe we have and we will get the reward and score board pressure happening again. Heeney and Paps need to stand up and take that pressure away from our young 3 talls. Heeney and Paps need to be deadly with their 6 pointers.

I am actually super looking forward to this game and feel Carlton will buckle under the pressure of the build up and expectation.

We will need a total team effort if we are to win. Plus we have to counter Charlie Curnow and Mackay in addition to a vocal crowd, as well as the umps. Maybe Melican for Fox, as his form hasn’t been the best and then he could be the sub. Paps for Clarke is a given and I know many won’t agree with me but I would rather J Mac for Wicks. I think that team would be our best 23 and would give us every chance. Amartey needs to lift and everyone to kick the kickable goals and we will beat the Carpetbaggers!????

[Captain]

I’m not sure we are getting a lot of value from Florent and Lloyd. If Horse is determined to bring Melican in, would rather see one of them as a sub rather than Fox.

Personally not sure we need Melican. Papley for Clarke and J Mac for Stephens would be my changes. Stephens to be the sub.

[wolftone57]

If you can't play four quarters you can't win finals. Simple really. Early exit unless we suddenly get some endurance. We should also look at making some hard calls on personnel before this one. Clarke can't be in the side. We need to do something out of left field to win this.

Rob Innes came to the Swans as the fitness guru of the AFL after being Richmond Performance Manager during their premierships. Richmond had huge endurance in those years. But this year the Swans fitness level has been questionable at best. The inability to close out matches being the 4th worst fourth quarter team is a damning testament to our fitness. This is not psychological, it is the inability of the players to compete because they are stuffed. Now, I am not sure if it is all the fitness department's fault. The players started mostly competitive work in the second week all players back on the track. This is unusual in that the fitness requirement is to get some endurance training into the players in the first four weeks. We are way behind all sides in the eight and most outside the eight. On Sunday Melbourne went up another gear in the last and we simply could not go with them. Our mids were five paces behind their opponents, our backs were loose and trailing their opponents and Fritch was allowed to run around without an opponent because his opponent was gassed.

We will not win a final this year due to a lack of endurance unless we gat a 10 goal lead by 3/4 time. If we are under 30 points up at 3/4 time we will lose.

I think next year is a good time to start looking at a realistic look at a premiership. But to do that we really do need to address several problems;

Our Key Defensive players. We need another tall defender

Ruck. Our ruck situation is not good. Hickey is finished, as good as he has been for us. McAndrew is developing nicely and will be a really good tap ruck. But not this year. He must be given a go next year. Do we get Grundy as the quick fix? Freo's Darcy? Or do we pry Dog Darcy out of there?

We need another bull in the mids. I think Sheldrick when fit could fill this role but we need to get him fit. Our young mids are starting to show something but are hamstrung by a lack of endurance this year.

We need to stop bombing the ball long to nobody in particular. This is just playing into the hands of the intercept players. These days of coaches taking them out of the game seem to have been lost on John. Our delivery to the forwards needs to be tweaked. No good just putting the ball on their heads. By the way could somebody teach Harry & Dane how to kick a short pass.

We have had a lucky run and really don't deserve to be here and will probably go out in straight sets which is probably a good thing. we can look to getting endurance fit for next year and give it a real shot

[Nico]

Clearly if the Swans are cactus by 3/4 time when leading they need some incentive (despite how knackered).
Like if they win the final quarter , they all get a free E bike for Christmas (then they won’t get tired during the pre-season.

And/or a McDonalds voucher.

Nice post Wolfy. One other thing: how about our forwards play in front. Many times Melbourne had front position and took the mark. If the ball is coming in quickly you have to be in front. If the ball comes to ground you have the first chance at the footy.