Swans v WP

Just when the team gives you some hope with that display down at Moss St we are quickly brought back to the realisation that like that performance, our history of promising the world and delivering an atlas is much the same.

Many who went to Steel Blue last week with optimism of another upset to send off one of the greats, off the back of a good win, quickly became aware that the tactics being employed were not going to bring the desired result.

The feeling and build up in the rooms before the game with several past players present had the boys frothing. But when you get that type of hype you can’t then come out and play slow, laborious and negative football! You must take the game on, you must play fwd football and embrace the chaos and hunt. Instead we go backwards and sideways, over use the ball which is a pattern, not an event.

Within minutes of the opening bounce we deployed a spare, not at the stoppage to negate Jones influence and give us an extra runner to chain out but behind the ball. And for 3 qtrs we played one of our best players in Clarke down back. Most disappointing though was Notte playing down back until 5 minutes left in the game.

Now imagine if he starts fwd, we play with chaos, hunger and desire and the great man gets in the board early, what kind of enthusiasm could’ve that generated through the team and the crowd. Instead we were left to witness one of the worst games of footy I’ve seen in recent times.

The 3/4 time address was pathetic! There was no mention of taking the game on, playing with speed and dare and astonishingly there was no riling of the troops to get it done for our games record holder. I couldn’t believe how passive and uninspiring it was. Instead all Pruyn did was talk about getting the ball to Kohlman and we needed to be better at it because he often had 3 players in front of him, go figure.

For the little bit of hope we got from the Feeo trip we were quickly reminded that this club needs significant change and that our coach really isn’t up to it! Unlike the West Perth players who spoke up and weren’t happy with their direction, a lot of our players, led by the captain, are all too happy to go unchallenged.and play with little to no consequence while other players cop the wrath.

So now we turn to this week and for not the first time selection integrity comes into question again. Why is Doc Blakely even listed in the 25? Unless it’s to have a send off game then it again makes little sense as last week would’ve been the time to play 2 rucks. Now that the season is done it’d be far better Evan Smith partnering Tom so they could work in tandem but also try get some fwd craft. The fwd craft though would mean that Kohlman would have to play an unselfish game (harsh because it’s actually on the coach) and play with a more modern structure. Cartwright should also get a block of games to see if he can actually play.

But what should be happening this week, and the heat should be coming from above, is that the coach should be told to play a more aggressive and modern style/system for the remainder of the season. If he can’t when there’s no pressure then he’s a goner!!!

P.s How good was it to see our old coach back as the runner last week, he’s never too far away when we need him.

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Danger I am guessing many Swans posters like me who are so disgusted in the way the team has played right from the pre season games have just walked away disillusioned in what has been served up from players, coaches, board, S&C this year.
After the disgraceful way our club saw off a club legend in his last game last week all should have been called in for a please explain meeting on Monday but im guessing thats not the case.
They all seem happy to accept this year is just one of those years were injuries have cursed us but that still doesnt mean we can accept this insipid style of footy where you rack up 340 meaningless disposals but barely 30 of those are inside your forward 50 that should be your number 1 target as that is where you score from!!!

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I think what makes this season one of the most disappointing in my long time supporting Swans is the expectation that they would progress after their stellar season last year. But alas last year was an outlier sadly and we have gone back to mediocrity again, this season reminds me of the Pickering era and the last few years of Harding. Boring rubbish defensive football designed to limit the damage on the scoreboard. Its frustrating because they do have a squad capable of at least being a lot more competitive than they have shown this year

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Geez, never saw that final result coming. Swans to the good by 10 / 11 points across at the Arena. After last weeks disappointment it feels like a different team on the ground today? Wonder if the result would have been different had the weather been fine? I don’t mean to sound flippant, perhaps every weekend should be wet and windy type weather?

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Another good away win for Swans. That result as well as Peels loss to East Perth has all but finalised the top 5 as there is a 2 and a half game gap between 5th and 6th with 6 rounds to go.

Yes, the only question is what order the first 5 teams are going to finish.

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A win’s a win, but that was a poor game. In the first half we were good and WP terrible, and the in the second half the roles reversed, with the umpiring poor throughout but not favouring any team. Few played consistently well over the four quarters, but Clark stood out, while Tom Smith occasionally impressed. Whoever was on Knott (Watson, Tester, Hilton?) did well, while Swans should be lucky that Keitel’s many kicks did not covert to goals. He was, however, forced to take many shots from half-forward due to Erceg’s close checking. Great seeing Collins and Cartwright back, but I assume Lynch was out injured.

The new recruit from Victoria, Ernst, looked pretty good in the seconds.

I thought the 1st half we played some decent footy and probably should have been further in front at half time but for burning a few inside 50s.
The 3rd qtr went back to the tale of the year so far with some average disposal, decision making and structure but hearing we had been flu ravaged during the week they did well to hang on in the last and win the 4th qtr despite being challenged a number of times.