Match thread: Swans v Bulldogs.

[SwanSand]

There is a certain style of play that bothers us and I think Longmire knew that Bulldogs had the necessary elements to trouble us and knew that it was a danger game. He probably senses that our players still hold grudges against the bulldogs from 2016 final. And that it results in unnecessary free kicks. He was animated right from the beginning as a result but good that he could redirect the group and it also shows that the skills and overall character of our players have improved a lot this year. We will be hard to beat if we stay ‘connected’.

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes for the game.

10 Chad Warner (SYD)
7 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
6 Errol Gulden (SYD)
3 Adam Treloar (WB)
2 Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (WB)
2 Liam Jones (WB)

That's the first time this season that Heeney hasn't been in the votes. He's still leading the vote count, though. Warner is making a charge, and with Gulden also up there, we're the only club with three players currently on the leader board.

71 Isaac Heeney (SYD)
59 Nick Daicos (COLL)
55 Caleb Serong (FRE)
50 Zach Merrett (ESS)
48 Chad Warner (SYD)
46 Max Gawn (MELB)
43 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
43 Zak Butters (PORT)
42 Patrick Cripps (CARL)
42 Jordan Dawson (ADEL)
40 Errol Gulden (SYD)
39 Adam Treloar (WB)
37 Noah Anderson (GCFC)
37 Sam Walsh (CARL)
36 Christian Petracca (MELB)
36 Matt Rowell (GCFC)
35 Jason Horne-Francis (PORT)
34 Tom Green (GWS)
33 Lachie Neale (BL)
32 Jeremy Cameron (GEEL)

[KTigers]

There is a certain style of play that bothers us and I think Longmire knew that Bulldogs had the necessary elements to trouble us and knew that it was a danger game. He probably senses that our players still hold grudges against the bulldogs from 2016 final. And that it results in unnecessary free kicks. He was animated right from the beginning as a result but good that he could redirect the group and it also shows that the skills and overall character of our players have improved a lot this year. We will be hard to beat if we stay ‘connected’.

You reckon? I'd be very surprised if the players give much of a thought to the 2016 GF. For starters, it was eight years ago and
there were only four players playing at Marvel on Thursday night that played in the '16 GF. I mean I know we haven't moved on,
but that's a different thing. I'm confident the players were focused on the game at hand, maybe just not enough for the
coaches liking at times.

[Maltopia]

Coaches votes for the game.

10 Chad Warner (SYD)
7 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
6 Errol Gulden (SYD)
3 Adam Treloar (WB)
2 Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (WB)
2 Liam Jones (WB)

So likely votes:

5 Warner
4 Bont
3 Treloar
2 Gulden
1 JUH or Ugle


5 Warner
4 Gulden
3 Bont
2 Ugle or JUH (opposite what the first coach gave for 1 vote)
1 JUH or Ugle

So we win by over two goals, and both coaches give votes to three Bulldogs. I think the outlier is Treloar getting 3 votes by one coach, who also said he was better than Gulden which is really debatable (Gulden 5 less disposals and 4 less clearances, but 200+ more metres gained, a goal, 4 more tackles, a goal assist). Think it was bias by Bevo.

[Nico]

Ps I think the snapshot of the first 2mins of the third qtr sums up in action how flexible we are with our attack

1st goal Paps in the centre square links to mids and Hayward scores

1min later Grundy to Warner to McDonald 40m out goal !!!

We got beaten 16/8 on centre clearances so those 2 plays were about it for us for the game. Treloar towelled us up in the first half with regular monotony. We have only won the centre clearances 3 games and drawn once. It is one area we can improve on big time. As I have said many times, if we break even each week then there is the improvement.

[stevoswan]

So likely votes:

5 Warner
4 Bont
3 Treloar
2 Gulden
1 JUH or Ugle


5 Warner
4 Gulden
3 Bont
2 Ugle or JUH (opposite what the first coach gave for 1 vote)
1 JUH or Ugle

So we win by over two goals, and both coaches give votes to three Bulldogs. I think the outlier is Treloar getting 3 votes by one coach, who also said he was better than Gulden which is really debatable (Gulden 5 less disposals and 4 less clearances, but 200+ more metres gained, a goal, 4 more tackles, a goal assist). Think it was bias by Bevo.

I take it your 'JUH and Ugle' 's are actually 'JUH and Jones'.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Agree Nico. Always areas to improve. Always relative to the key stats that a team is targeting as their most important.

ie I wonder what our stats are "scoring from typical backline movement this year vs surging forward from any contest with immense pressure"

I'm guessing 30% backline coast to coast and 70% surging forward from a contest?

So the question is will these percentages change if we win more clearances? Im not sure they will................but if Grundy hits the ground first at a clearance and makes an extra number in the next contest - I wonder if this stat is more important?

For me the 2017 Tigers team showed us the dominance of a great turnover team. Getting that extra number to the contest (wherever it is) then surging forward with highly skillful mobile players (like at the Swans) is such a comparative advantage.

This is no doubt common knowledge > but watching the Dogs vs us, we just so much more in control when entering our forward 50. So many weapons to choose from.

For me it felt like we should have won by 30 plus points.

[graemed]

Before the game I posted my concerns about playing at marvel. As many posted my first concern may have been unfounded as was pointed out we actually have a good record there.
Whilst that is true I still remember the worst game of footy I ever witnessed live was played there against St Kilda so I suppose that colored my opinion.
My main concern unqualified as it may be is with the surface there and the number of injuries that seem to affect those teams that use the ground as their main venue.
Such was not the case this time but I am nonplussed as to how neither Harry nor Ollie escaped the dreaded HIA yet both Dogs players failed.
I am also of the opinion that Naughton’s injury was avoidable but was the consequence of the rulings from the the tribunal re: head injuries to players slung to the ground which have seen suspensions for the tacklers and the goal that Curnow kicked despite being held in the Kologasni tackle.
We won so I’m very grateful to Warner and Gulden but it is important they we look to make sure that we play for the full four quarter next time against the cats

[Mel_C]

Before the game I posted my concerns about playing at marvel. As many posted my first concern may have been unfounded as was pointed out we actually have a good record there.
Whilst that is true I still remember the worst game of footy I ever witnessed live was played there against St Kilda so I suppose that colored my opinion.
My main concern unqualified as it may be is with the surface there and the number of injuries that seem to affect those teams that use the ground as their main venue.
Such was not the case this time but I am nonplussed as to how neither Harry nor Ollie escaped the dreaded HIA yet both Dogs players failed.
I am also of the opinion that Naughton’s injury was avoidable but was the consequence of the rulings from the the tribunal re: head injuries to players slung to the ground which have seen suspensions for the tacklers and the goal that Curnow kicked despite being held in the Kologasni tackle.
We won so I’m very grateful to Warner and Gulden but it is important they we look to make sure that we play for the full four quarter next time against the cats

Yes being at the game I was also concerned about Harry and Ollie after their incidents. Especially Ollie, because when he came off the ground he looked worse than Richards.

Interesting that you mention the Naughton injury caused during the Melican tackle. Apparently there was commentary about it saying that that specific motion should be banned.

[stevoswan]

Yes being at the game I was also concerned about Harry and Ollie after their incidents. Especially Ollie, because when he came off the ground he looked worse than Richards.

Interesting that you mention the Naughton injury caused during the Melican tackle. Apparently there was commentary about it saying that that specific motion should be banned.

The 'hip drop' tackle they were calling it. Apparently it has been banned in the NRL.

I'm not having a go at Melican but it does look dangerous.

[redstarforever]

no team i love winning against more than dogs and the pies! cannot stand those effs

[KTigers]

I think if you starting going too far down the road of banning every action that causes an injury eventually the players will only be able
to sit quietly in the shed. I'm not sure that is going to fly with fans. Obviously the sling tackle that can regularly cause a concussion has
to go. But a game where people run around for two hours crashing into each other at high speed fairly often is probably going to
cause a few injuries and a fair bit of wear and tear and that should be accepted.

[stevoswan]

I think if you starting going too far down the road of banning every action that causes an injury eventually the players will only be able
to sit quietly in the shed. I'm not sure that is going to fly with fans. Obviously the sling tackle that can regularly cause a concussion has
to go. But a game where people run around for two hours crashing into each other at high speed fairly often is probably going to
cause a few injuries and a fair bit of wear and tear and that should be accepted.

Absolutely.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

What percentage of sling tackles happen because the umpire is waiting to see whether a tackle is going to be broken?

[KTigers]

I think the sling tackles happen because one player slings another into the ground, not because the ump is waiting to see how the tackle will
eventuate. Clearly these tackles have to go, so players need to stop doing them. I thought Reid would get off because of the lovefest around
him. If he doesn't get the Rising Star he'll probably pull through. If you are aggressive enough to slam another player's head into the ground
then you probably shouldn't fall into heap just because you didn't win a little medal.