Match thread. Swans v Suns.

[The Big Cat]

Wont hear me complain about him playing a game like that, did very well...... hopefully its not a one off

Not too sure. Got three gifts. A down the field free, a sun turnover kick that went straight to him, and a not-15 free.

[Maltopia]

Not too sure. Got three gifts. A down the field free, a sun turnover kick that went straight to him, and a not-15 free.

But he took his opportunities and kicked straight. He was right on the Golf Coast player on the not 15 meter kick and had good awareness and game sense to ask the question then tackle.

I’m one who has questioned his spot, given he also often only has around 60% TOG, but 4 goals from 6 kicks will keep him in the team at least a couple more weeks.

[waswan]

Not too sure. Got three gifts. A down the field free, a sun turnover kick that went straight to him, and a not-15 free.

I broadly agree but 4 goals is hard to argue. He slotted them more importantly

Ive said all year his 2 goal games havent been worthy of re-selection.

I still believe our best makeup is Grundy Ladhams and Mclean permanent fwd.
Mclean a better fwd for me.

Mclean and Logan in our 50 and up and down the ground

[i'm-uninformed2]

I was expecting Gold Coast to put up a bit more of a fight than that. Even in their best quarter they weren't especially dynamic with their ball movement and never looked like kicking a handful of quick goals to really put the pressure back on us. And so I question what Hardwick is doing with his selection policy. He's not putting out such a young team because he has to. They had over 1000 games of AFL experience running around in the curtain raiser. Yes, their kids are talented, but when you put that much inexperience in a side at the same time they are going to struggle. Many of them aren't really ready for AFL footy yet, but are probably good enough to get a few games of experience as part of a more cohesive, more experienced team. And they'd learn more playing in a more experienced team.

Are they "tanking" in the sense of not really wanting to make finals this year? Or is Hardwick too enamored with all his shiny new toys and arrogant enough to think that raw talent is going to get them far at the elite level where every player is decently talented and every side has a handful of players with just as much talent (and far more experience, hardness and endurance) than the best of his young players?

Yes, but . . .

He probably got the balance slightly wrong on the weekend. But he's also trying to discover what they're capable of and teach them what they need to understand.

Two other things: I'm not sure it was the kids that were at fault yesterday, or at least not exclusively. More seasoned types like Ballard, Anderson, Ainsworth, Holman, and Lukosius were pretty average or went missing yesterday. And is restoring Rory Atkins or Sam Day really going to take you forward?

And I say all that as someone who thinks Hardwick can be a know-it-all nob, and I've never completely forgiven for being a smart ass after our game a few years back when he blamed us for stifling the game, when it was his moves that congested the play around the ball.

[giant]

I shared RWO's frustration at half time - not because GC dominated Q2 - they're a seriously good contested team and were likely to have their time at some point - but as many noted here, the complete absence of impact from a group of our forwards. At half time, we'd had 27 I50s, and four of our forwards - Hayward, McDonald, Amartey and Wicks - had 6 disposals between them, and there was little sign of proactivity.

Whatever happened in the half time huddle worked, as those four came out firing (plus McLean who did some great things inside 50 - one contest plus follow up tackle in particular I loved). In the end, an excellent win albeit a little tempered by the amount of our scoring that came from their poor turnovers.

Loved the ruck contest, too hardened competitors with a bit of history and a lot of respect, just going at it like gladiators all day. A fantastic effort from Brodie.

Loved Heeney's game - there were some excellent footballers doing great things out there, but every time Isaac was involved he looked a class above. He's reminding more of Bont every day, which is very high praise.

And really really loved the Papley mark/goal which was right in front of us - just one of those joyful SCG moments you know you'll always remember.

Great crowd for a Sunday arvo - we took the coward's way out and left early. Thank God we did given some of the traffic tales of woe.

[giant]

Genuinely keen to understand why you’re worried about Harry. For me, he’s got a job as a small defender to clamp their best and does it. But conscious I’m not at the ground these days so fire away.

Too often resorts to the dump kick out of defence, the worst kick in football, especially when he must know we lack numbers back there. Admittedly Roberts got caught with the ball (great tackle by Miller), but on balance you see him, Florent and Lloyd will take the effort to avoid the blind dump when they can. Just speaks to me of someone who is struggling with the pace of the game.

[111431]

Too often resorts to the dump kick out of defence, the worst kick in football, especially when he must know we lack numbers back there. Admittedly Roberts got caught with the ball (great tackle by Miller), but on balance you see him, Florent and Lloyd will take the effort to avoid the blind dump when they can. Just speaks to me of someone who is struggling with the pace of the game.

To be fair to H, he generally does use the ball well. The dump kicks are generally from deep in defence when there is little or no time to think. Think back to the Richmond game when he didn't play and there little guys ran amok. That's his job and he does it ok

[Dow]

To be fair to H, he generally does use the ball well. The dump kicks are generally from deep in defence when there is little or no time to think. Think back to the Richmond game when he didn't play and there little guys ran amok. That's his job and he does it ok

I am a fan of Harry, but there's a young fella in the 2s Snell who has really impressed me and I think its time to hand the torch over and let this young cygnet have a go (Harry looks off since the concussion)

[111431]

I am a fan of Harry, but there's a young fella in the 2s Snell who has really impressed me and I think its time to hand the torch over and let this young cygnet have a go (Harry looks off since the concussion)

A great position to be in for the team

[i'm-uninformed2]

Coaches votes are in:

Blakey and Grundy - 9
Isaac - 6
Gulden and Ollie - 2
McInerney and Rowell - 1.

I'd personally have had Heeney slightly ahead of Lizard, but hard to argue with much there - and was pleased both Ollie and particularly McInerney (who's having a sneaky good season) got acknowledged.

Coaches' votes, R6: Essendon's Zach Merrett makes a move, Isaac Heeney's huge lead

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes are in:

Blakey and Grundy - 9
Isaac - 6
Gulden and Ollie - 2
McInerney and Rowell - 1.

I'd personally have had Heeney slightly ahead of Lizard, but hard to argue with much there - and was pleased both Ollie and particularly McInerney (who's having a sneaky good season) got acknowledged.

Coaches' votes, R6: Essendon's Zach Merrett makes a move, Isaac Heeney's huge lead

Seems about right. And with the Brownlow bias towards midfielders, rather than ruckmen or rebounding defenders, Isaac might still end up with the three votes.

[Blood Fever]

Seems about right. And with the Brownlow bias towards midfielders, rather than ruckmen or rebounding defenders, Isaac might still end up with the three votes.

Heeney had a big last quarter which will help with Brownlow votes I reckon. He is a clear favourite on betting sites.

[dejavoodoo44]

Heeney had a big last quarter which will help with Brownlow votes I reckon. He is a clear favourite on betting sites.

Yes, so far so good. Although the AFL site today had a Brownlow predictor that had him even with Rozee. While this one, which has an interesting methodology, which they state is more accurate, has him 2 1/2 votes in front of Cripps. Yes, they award half votes.

AFL 2024 Ultimate Brownlow Medal predictor, tracker, leaderboard, odds and every vote - ESPN

[Captain]

Too often resorts to the dump kick out of defence, the worst kick in football, especially when he must know we lack numbers back there. Admittedly Roberts got caught with the ball (great tackle by Miller), but on balance you see him, Florent and Lloyd will take the effort to avoid the blind dump when they can. Just speaks to me of someone who is struggling with the pace of the game.

He isn't the greatest kick as a general rule but totally disagree with this. More often than not, Harry tries to hit up a short kick. Whilst he is no Nick Smith, I think he has become a really solid, lock down small defender.

If you want to blame someone for dump kicks out, look no further than Tom McCartin.

[waswan]

He isn't the greatest kick as a general rule but totally disagree with this. More often than not, Harry tries to hit up a short kick. Whilst he is no Nick Smith, I think he has become a really solid, lock down small defender.

If you want to blame someone for dump kicks out, look no further than Tom McCartin.

Tommy a star but he has looked to least sure footed with ball in hand then ive ever seen