Round 18: Swans v Kangaroos

[Ludwig]

I never quite understood Longmire's seeming negativity about Parker, except perhaps not wanting to change a winning side. He's been a very durable player who has barely shown any drop off in performance.

Mills and Parker might make the Swans a slightly slower side, but they add so much in every other respect. Speed is important in today's game, but decision making, skill execution and work rate have to underpin any game style.

I don't know what the exact mix of players will be going into September, but Mills and Parker should both be there. I'm hoping that these two solidify a few soft spots in our game, especially raising our pressure without the ball and reducing some of the loose defense, in general, where opposition sides have been able to rebound quickly for goals.

[Blood Fever]

Parker broke his arm pre season and then was given a long suspension. He has been underdone in terms of match play and the team has been on fire. Too much overthinking going on here.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Fingers crossed on injuries, but it really gives Horse one hell of a midfield toolkit to play with.

First bounce: Grundy, Heeney, Chad and Rowie in the square, Errol and JMac on wings, Parker half forward, Mills half back.

Next, slide Parker in and push Chad forward, play Lloyd off a wing and McInerney half forward.

Next, rotate Mills in, bring Jordon in to clamp someone, let Heeney slide forward and run McInerney a bit behind the ball

Next, pinch hit Adams and Papley through there at times.

Next, roll McInerney in, let Chad drift back forward and … on and on it goes.

It’ll both keep our players fresh to make maximum use of our running power, keep pace and strength over the ball, let Errol do Errol things, and have our mids kicking goals. There’ll need to be a balance between continuity of structure and leveraging the benefits of our depth and flexibility but it’s a serious asset to have.

[Nico]

On what I saw of Mills yesterday, particularly his pressure at the contest, says the midfield is his best option for us. His 2 way running is very valuable alongside Gulden.

[grarmy]

A game of highlights. 'Captain' Kirk, our runner, was the last to leave the field as the players headed to the rooms. A lady leans over and kisses a smiling Kirky, who returned the gesture. The 'kisser' was our Governor-General, Sam Mostyn AC. Surely an addition to a highlights real.

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Ludwig: In another thread you tipped North to win. Please, please tip Brisbane next week. We need your magic!

[mcs]

A game of highlights. 'Captain' Kirk, our runner, was the last to leave the field as the players headed to the rooms. A lady leans over and kisses a smiling Kirky, who returned the gesture. The 'kisser' was our Governor-General, Sam Mostyn AC. Surely an addition to a highlights real.

- - - Updated - - -

Ludwig: In another thread you tipped North to win. Please, please tip Brisbane next week. We need your magic!

Love it Garmy - that is fantastic Kirky will forever be a legend to so, so many!

[Ludwig]

Ludwig: In another thread you tipped North to win. Please, please tip Brisbane next week. We need your magic!

Yes. I said North would win handily. That's why I don't do tipping. I was really impressed by North last week and unimpressed by the Swans. Luckily, North had their fill of winning for the season and the Swans decided it was time to switch on again.

And I am picking Brisbane to win next week. So looking good for us.

[Maltopia]

The big question for us coming out of this game is: will a certain forward need to wash his shorts this week. No scores, zilch out of 20.18 is puzzling. I suppose standing in space when the opposition is kicking out is a vital role.

Are you referring to Hayward? He almost took a great mark, but I thought Cam Zurharr (some talk earlier in the year and last year re him being a possible upgrade/replacement for him) was certainly much better on the day, especially as Blakey was defending him most of the day.

[Blood Fever]

Good question.

Namely as I have asked myself that as well after the last few home games.

Basil Sellers? Money man from Swans Foundation,

[i'm-uninformed2]

On what I saw of Mills yesterday, particularly his pressure at the contest, says the midfield is his best option for us. His 2 way running is very valuable alongside Gulden.

It is. It’s easy to forget how elite his ‘21 and ‘22 seasons were. Top 10 in comp level stuff.

[Sandridge]

Basil Sellers? Money man from Swans Foundation,

What a great "get" by you, BF!

I watched the footage again this morning, trying to work out if the man in question is an ex-player. I didn't think he was but had no idea about his identity.

I've known about Basil Sellers and his huge contribution to our club for many years but had no idea what he looked like. A google images search, I think, confirms your identification, BF.

Well done!

Sellers and Colless inducted into Swans Hall of Fame.

[Blood Fever]

What a great "get" by you, BF!

I watched the footage again this morning, trying to work out if the man in question is an ex-player. I didn't think he was but had no idea about his identity.

I've known about Basil Sellers and his huge contribution to our club for many years but had no idea what he looked like. A google images search, I think, confirms your identification, BF.

Well done!

Sellers and Colless inducted into Swans Hall of Fame.

Legendary figure at the Swans. Have seen Warner embrace him after a game. Gave me a warm inner glow!

[Mel_C]

I just watched the video of the press conference as the selected quotes seemed a bit weird to me:

“He did such a great body of work whilst he's been out suspended. He worked as hard as any player I've ever seen through that period and did it all off his own back,” Longmire said.

“He worked so hard and had great confidence to come back in and make an impact.

“He made the call that he wanted to get back in amongst it, and to his great credit he was super, fantastic.”

Why would he need to do fitness work ‘off his own back’ and what does it mean that he ‘made the call that he wanted to come back in’?

I can’t make any sense of it. Surely his fitness was superior to that of Mills.

Also, the comments earlier in the week that Mills comes straight back in because he is an ‘A’ grade player seemed strange to say when Parker had been kept out.

Was Longmire surprised at what Parker would produce or that he just didn’t really rate him as an option anymore?

Are his ‘glowing’ comments an indication of Parker’s value moving forward or a comment on his (Parker’s) persistence with a seemingly lost cause?

I hope it is the former, but I am still worried it is the latter. What would the plan be with a fully fit squad?

I think Parker is a better option than Adams but he seems to have come in to replace him.

I did find it strange how Wicks was out and then he was named in the AFL side when the appeal was unsuccessful, but he was also still named in the VFL. Then on game day Wicks is playing in the VFL and Parker is sub in the seniors. There was obviously indecision about playing Parker due to his lack of match play. From Longmire's comments it seemed like Parker persuaded them to pick him.

[Mel_C]

Basil Sellers? Money man from Swans Foundation,

You are right that is Basil. I thought he was one of the other men standing around.

[707]

Basil Sellers? Money man from Swans Foundation,

Thank you, I'm yet another who has been wondering who this gentleman was. A true believer is Basil sellers