Swans v Royals

WAFL Swan Districts
1

Mentioning this as a big game would be the stock standard line but in the context of Swans season this game is undoubtedly the biggest so far and in beating a bonafide contender would announce themselves as a genuine top 5 team also. Will there be an emotional let down following the teams most complete performance of the season last week or will it be the springboard to more confidence and lofty aspirations?! The last 3 times these 2 teams have met there has been clear dominance from the EP midfield which has set up their wins. This has been off the back of a dominant display by Jones and I fear that if we go in with the same tactics, well, the result is likely to be the same. Whatever ruck set up we go with it will need to be a team job on Jones and every time a Swans player runs past him they should bang, bump, crash and shove him. If it is wet then this battle has even more significance as the territory game will be crucial and losing clearance will mean losing the game.

They do have a couple of big outs in Wilcox and Robertson so that is obviously in Swans favour.Jebb should be back in if he’s over his illness and you’d think he goes straight to Brayshaw or Crowden. Collins was huge last week so he should hold, especially with some of the big bodies of the EP fwds and Stephens was also impressive in his return. Kelly might make way or it could be Chipper who just doesn’t hurt the opposition enough with possession nor does he apply enough tackle pressure imo. Kohlman??? This will sound silly to some but are we a better functioning and adaptable team without him. Unless he can get higher up the ground to impact I say yes as these days you can’t have a player that is limited to one position and one style of play. Not to harp on but I think our lack of a genuine A grade ruck does not help him as he’s often setting up with the oppo pressing rather than the game played in our front half more often and him coming out of the square. Admittedly he’s kicked several bags of 3-4 but you have to know how that is impacting the team as a whole and we’ve looked a lot better since he went off in that WP game. If he comes in, along with Jebb, who does he replace? And then we have Howard. He’s due back also and with the form of our back 6, in particular Watson and Hilton, and then Collins and Stephens having big games I think he may have to have a run or 2 in the ressies and bide his time. Interesting times!!! A win here keeps Swans in contention for top 2 or 3 while a loss brings us right back to the chasing pack.

2

No sign of Kohlmann or Howard in league or ressies. Think they will go in with much the same team as last week with Jehb coming in on the bench and perhaps tagging one of the East Perth mids. Jones has killed us the last 3 times we have played so it will be interesting to see what the coaching staff come up with this week to at least try and reduce his impact.
This is a great opportunity for Swans to test themselves against a premiership contender.

3

Going to be a good match this one. If Swans lose this game, they’ll have Claremont on their hammer. Is quiet possible Claremont winning their match and the 2 teams could be sitting on 20 premiership points after match day. Swans on a bit of a roll after winning 4 of their last 5 matches. The weather is going to be a big factor because between 7 to 20 mm of rain and s/w winds expected.

4

[quote=“Danger post=236131 userid=2084”]Mentioning this as a big game would be the stock standard line but in the context of Swans season this game is undoubtedly the biggest so far and in beating a bonafide contender would announce themselves as a genuine top 5 team also. Will there be an emotional let down following the teams most complete performance of the season last week or will it be the springboard to more confidence and lofty aspirations?! The last 3 times these 2 teams have met there has been clear dominance from the EP midfield which has set up their wins. This has been off the back of a dominant display by Jones and I fear that if we go in with the same tactics, well, the result is likely to be the same. Whatever ruck set up we go with it will need to be a team job on Jones and every time a Swans player runs past him they should bang, bump, crash and shove him. If it is wet then this battle has even more significance as the territory game will be crucial and losing clearance will mean losing the game.

They do have a couple of big outs in Wilcox and Robertson so that is obviously in Swans favour.Jebb should be back in if he’s over his illness and you’d think he goes straight to Brayshaw or Crowden. Collins was huge last week so he should hold, especially with some of the big bodies of the EP fwds and Stephens was also impressive in his return. Kelly might make way or it could be Chipper who just doesn’t hurt the opposition enough with possession nor does he apply enough tackle pressure imo. Kohlman??? This will sound silly to some but are we a better functioning and adaptable team without him. Unless he can get higher up the ground to impact I say yes as these days you can’t have a player that is limited to one position and one style of play. Not to harp on but I think our lack of a genuine A grade ruck does not help him as he’s often setting up with the oppo pressing rather than the game played in our front half more often and him coming out of the square. Admittedly he’s kicked several bags of 3-4 but you have to know how that is impacting the team as a whole and we’ve looked a lot better since he went off in that WP game. If he comes in, along with Jebb, who does he replace? And then we have Howard. He’s due back also and with the form of our back 6, in particular Watson and Hilton, and then Collins and Stephens having big games I think he may have to have a run or 2 in the ressies and bide his time. Interesting times!!! A win here keeps Swans in contention for top 2 or 3 while a loss brings us right back to the chasing pack.
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Not silly to me Danger, and it will be interesting to see when fit if the selection committee put him back in immediately. However, we have not lost a game since he left the field at half-time of the West Perth match but he is a good footballer.

We will struggle in the ruck tomorrow no matter who rucks - Jones just out-monsters our tall. Hopefully our small men can negate Jones’ influence.

You would be unlucky if dropped tomorrow and your surname was Hilton, Stephens or Collins, but O’Donoghue cannot miss a place. I agree that Chipper will most likely go to the seconds, but another quality young defender banging on the door is Taylor, who I would play before Howard when fit and if there was a choice between the two.

5

Just checked the final named team and only one change, O’Donohue in for Benjamin Hewitt. Bit unlucky for Hewitt as I thought he contributed well last week, but Jebh has got to be in the team and I guess the coaching staff didnt want to break up the defensive unit that worked so well together last week. Some other “ins” for the ressies are Cian Ehlers and Jak Watson who could could also put pressure on to come into the league team at some stage.
Can’t wait for this game. Encounters with East Perth always seem to have a bit more spice and energy for players and supporters.

6

East Perth are playing average and that’s being kind. Bruise free type of stuff. If Swans can bring pressure and use the ball long no handball it should be a much needed win for them.

7

Larry, I agree with you that the Royals are playing “average” but disagree completely with your “bruise-free” assessment.
I think the lads’ great commitment got us across the line against EF and WP but that wasn’t enough 12 days ago against Claremont, who played as though their season was on the line.
Given Swans’ new lease of life after their heartbreaking loss to EF, I’m certainly worried about tomorrow’s game.
IMHO, the Royals’ current weakness is a lack of height up forward, so it will be great having Tom Graham back in the side, even though it’s not likely to be a great day for the forwards.
As mikeh said, SD-EP games always have a bit of spice to them, both on and off the field.

8

Not trying to talk Swans chances down but East Perth have had 2 weeks to stew over that below par effort against Claremont and I would expect them to come out breathing fire tomorrow so Swans need to be ready for a ferocious team. Anything less than our very best will not be good enough IMO

9

Rain will be done by 9am tomorrow however the sou wester will be in from early in the morning and a decent one at that.

10

Gee wiz another Basso ,Swans v East Perth classic.Seen so many of them over the years.
What a shot in the arm for the Wafl.If these two great Wafl Clubs played off in the Grand Final.
Has happened before in one of the biggest upset in Wafl GF history,1961.

11

Was it a free kick!!!

12

Let’s just say i enjoyed spectating this one from afar today….a good old scrap v the neighbours…pleasantly reminded me of my youth where I held my breath over every single contest at a SD game.
Credit to both teams for playing every minute like it mattered today ?

13

Lots of support for both teams today. A great game of WAFL footy. Even though Swans came out on the right side, it was still a pity that the game had to be decided by a free kick. I was at the other end of the ground so I’m not in a position to comment on whether it was there or not.

Swans showed a lot of character to fight back from 26 points down late in the 2nd quarter. Their 3rd quarter into the breeze was absolutely outstanding and it was in fact the only quarter of the 4 that Swans won. Both teams seemed to play better kicking to the Bassendean end even though the breeze was in their faces.

O’Donohues move into the centre bounces in the 2nd half was a significant factor in our comeback I thought. He made the East Perth mids a lot more accountable, he only knows one way to attack the ball.

The game became very feisty as it progressed and there was quite a bit of niggle which broke out into scuffles on occasions. I notice that Rokahr got reported.

Doc battled hard against Jones and was in there fighting, at times it looked like East Perth were struggling to keep up with us when we got our overlap play going. There was just that 20 minute period in the 2nd Quarter where we switched off and East Perth were all over us. Those two goals before half time were critical because they gave us momentum that we carried into the 3rd quarter.

Tom Edwards competed brilliantly all day and it was fitting that he sealed the victory with his 6th goal.
We’ve lost a few close games to EP in the last 2 -3 years so we were probably due that one

14

100%

16

[quote=“mikeh post=236188 userid=926”]Lots of support for both teams today. A great game of WAFL footy. Even though Swans came out on the right side, it was still a pity that the game had to be decided by a free kick. I was at the other end of the ground so I’m not in a position to comment on whether it was there or not.

Swans showed a lot of character to fight back from 26 points down late in the 2nd quarter. Their 3rd quarter into the breeze was absolutely outstanding and it was in fact the only quarter of the 4 that Swans won. Both teams seemed to play better kicking to the Bassendean end even though the breeze was in their faces.

O’Donohues move into the centre bounces in the 2nd half was a significant factor in our comeback I thought. He made the East Perth mids a lot more accountable, he only knows one way to attack the ball.

The game became very feisty as it progressed and there was quite a bit of niggle which broke out into scuffles on occasions. I notice that Rokahr got reported.

Doc battled hard against Jones and was in there fighting, at times it looked like East Perth were struggling to keep up with us when we got our overlap play going. There was just that 20 minute period in the 2nd Quarter where we switched off and East Perth were all over us. Those two goals before half time were critical because they gave us momentum that we carried into the 3rd quarter.

Tom Edwards competed brilliantly all day and it was fitting that he sealed the victory with his 6th goal.
We’ve lost a few close games to EP in the last 2 -3 years so we were probably due that one

As much as it hurts me to say this, because losing a game by one point is the absolute pits, well done to Swans on their victory.
Certainly Tom Edwards’ six goals and Swans keeping East Perth goalless in the third quarter was the difference.
Interesting that despite the breeze favouring the Guildford end of the ground, 14 of the 23 goals were kicked to the Bassendean township end.
I agree with you, mikeh, that Swans’ overlap game was very impressive.
Despite playing our best football late in the final quarter, the Royals will wonder why we didn’t produce the same attacking football much earlier.

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17

Unbelievable game of footy yesterday at the best ground in the WAFL! Another good crowd in attendance and it probably would’ve been more if not for the tv broadcast.

Swans got off to a strong start into the breeze and controlled the opening 10-15min but then EP got their game going to take control and dominated the next half hr.

For the life of me I could not understand why we were waisting Jebb up fwd on Wright in a negating role. Not only was that letting them dictate through the middle with consummate ease but we weren’t using Jebb on any fwd thrust so we’re effectively playing with 5 fwds while kicking with a 3 goal breeze.

Flip the script, Jebb goes to Schumacher halfway through the second, Chipper mostly but also Kelly and at times Clarke are opposed to Wright and the game changes. EP mids are now made more accountable and or are met with the ferociousness of our best run with player. Huge error not starting Jebb in the guts and it nearly cost us the 4 points.

2 late goals in the second were crucial and you knew that if we could stay with them in the 3rd we’d be some hope as it looked like we were more fleet of foot.

Not only did we stick with them but we exposed them and with Jebb now having a big impact our mids were getting plenty of the ball despite the absurd hit out differential.

EP we’re always going to come again and it’s easier to do so with a dominating ruck as mids can freely attack the game and get on fly. They challenged in the 4th on numerous occasions despite swans kicking with the breeze but swans held firm and it looked like they’d done enough when holding a 13 point lead approaching time on.

But then Tester made a bad error and Amadueri converted which gave EP some hope, he kicked another and then Hillie looked to break hearts after converting from a free kick.

EP won the ensuing centre clearance but Pasini attacked that kick with vigor and we were able to scramble the ball fwd before a last gasp kick i50 found its way towards Edwards who was paid a contentious free which could’ve gone either way. There looked to be an extending of the forearm by the EP defender but it also looked like there was some mayo on top of Edwards reaction. Alas it does not matter as the man of the moment stepped up to slot the winner with 5 seconds remain.

The result now sees Swans consolidate a top 5 spot but in such an even competition there is no guarantee of September action just yet and while the last 2 weeks gives us a look at the top 3 we also have Claremont chomping at the heels of the 5, it can turn very quickly.

So a huge game coming up against West Coast next week. Sunday game as is the AFL fixture so they will have all but 1 emg available you’d think plus a couple of others dropping back with the return of Reid and Kelly to the seniors.

A win will see us on equal points with either EP or SF and we could even find ourselves sitting in 3rd come the end of the weekend. Another huge game coming up in the context of our season!!!

18

The great thing about Swans performances over the past month or so has been their ability to recover from poor starts. Yesterday they were 26 points down in the 2nd quarter but fought their way back. They were behind by a similar margin against West Perth with the same result. No doubt last year they would have lost both these matches but you get the feeling that the belief is growing within the team

19

Terrific game of football, and I hope its viewing by some on TV will inspire them to get to games next week.

20

Any idea what Rokahr was reported for. I watched the replay and didn’t see anything obvious.