The high flying Bulldogs will visit Bassendean on Saturday. On an optimistic note, Swans have won the last 3 encounters between the 2 sides at Basso but this South Fremantle team are a different prospect. Ironically the only team to have beaten them so far this season was bottom placed West Coast! You could probably say that the Doggies didn’t turn up that day. Otherwise they have been flawless and deserve their premiership favouritism.
Whatever happens on Saturday I hope Swans can set up a structure that encourages the players to attack and try and score instead of this bullshit, ultra defensive, damage minimisation. We might get beaten by 15 goals but hey, Percentage doesnt matter anymore and you never know we might surprise them if they are slightly off their game
The more you win the closer you are to your next loss
I think this is another test that has to come forward and be present and I also think Bassendean Oval is just the thing that our side needs to feel if it really wants silverware this year
And rain is forecast for Saturday around the various venues. Which is going to make this match interesting. The ground is going to wet and slippery underfoot. Going to depend on which Swans team shows up on the day I guess.
I notice the new Victorian recruit, Caleb Ernst has been named in the squad. Can anyone enlighten us on his background? Success Hill, I remember you said that you were impressed with his performance in the reserves last week?
Despite his youth, he’s played at a few clubs - Bendigo and Coburg in Vic. Last week I noticed him stopping many WP attacks across half back, playing the loose man on that line - he moves very well for a guy about 6’ 3", and seemed to have that knack of being where the ball was. All the best to him if selected.
For the second week Lynch is not in firsts or seconds - any news on him anyone? Injured?
So Ernst makes his debut for Swans tomorrow. Good luck to the young man and I hope it is the start of our 2026 recruitment campaign. I was surprised that Hilton was the one dropped. He seems a pretty consistent player but maybe they are trying to qualify him for the reserves finals? A couple of big games in the reserves and colts tomorrow with both clubs well and truly in the top part of the ladder
I hear on the grapevine Souths are paying 1$ 30c for the win. Whilst Swans are currently showing 3 dollars 40c or thereabouts for a win in todays match.
Never happy with a loss but that was a good effort by the team today. South’s probably put the Cue in the rack somewhat in the 2nd half but we were coming at them in the last quarter but unfortunately lacked the finesse and polish to take advantage of our opportunities. I thought the debutant Ernst did enough to warrant selection next week. Our defence worked well as a unit. Tester did some good stuff today and Will Collins return has also improved things down back.
I thought our mids got the ball a lot but often wasted their disposals with poor decisions putting team mates under pressure. The low point was the 2nd term when we handed South 3 goals by kicking the ball across the goal face and /or picking out loose Doggies players in their forward 50.
Well done Anthony Stephens for his 100th game.