- our outs - traveling interstate - playing a top 4 team, at pretty much full strength on their own dung heap - the turmoil of the last 2 weeks. - new coach for 2 or 3 days - pre match predictions that we would lose by 100+
It was better than anyone expected. No doubt people will say the Swans took their foot off the pedal, and maybe they did. Nice to see a bit of effort.
Agree, our blokes toughed it out and showed the spirit we were all demanding from them. That's something to build on. We just lack skill and class in enough measure. We have a long road ahead of us for sure but if we develop around our better younger players led by Cripps and we can add in more skilled ones via the trade and draft period things could definitely start looking up a bit next year. It's also critical to retain a few of the right senior guys to add some stability during the transition, Simmo and Rowe being two examples.
Could have been a lot worse I guess but we had a real crack against a very good football side..............oops, just a minute, REBOOT.
Yep, I think most of our known problems were on display tonight but at least we know what they are and can start working on them. Fighting the game out to the end is great start.
The problem is probably to do with all of our forwards being sucked out into the midfield and backline to try to help out and then when we get it forward you've got Levi one on 4.
Mick would drop him after a game like that BTW.
We need to find ways of keeping the play in our F50. God knows how ATM, our pressure there is poor and the Swans get it out so easily. On the other hand we have to work like Trojans to get it past our HB line.
Simple solution from 2016 New coach comes in. Should put Simmo as Captain Bob Murphy style. (Simmo is the heart and soul of our side and leads by example as seen Friday night) Coach tells Murph he wants him to just concentrate of playing footy and getting back to the type of form that made him AA. Groom Cripps and Doc and the next Captain/Vice Captain combo.
off course cookie, great, but mate - what the hell have we been doing over the last 20 years ?
Well, feckin' it up I guess. I'm hoping we have changed our approach under Trigg and The Judge and the actions will match the words going forward. We'll soon begin to see, one way or the other.
Interestingly Barker mentioned one of his primary tasks is "sorting out the list". This has obviously been spelled out to him by the hierarchy and will mesh closely with what SOS is doing. Methodical list management is just as important these days as the senior coaching functions - in fact it is the foundation on which everything is built and hopefully we now giving it appropriate attention.
Mick's gone and that must change the equation. I'm interested in what folks think will be a good result for 2015 from here on in.
I'm thinking game time for the younger brigade, reduce the floggings and back to basics footy (tackles, pressure).
I doubt we'll win too many games.
Focus has to be on developing the younger talent and playing everyone else in their best roles afap, e.g. Hendo at CHB. I think either Trigg or The Judge stressed that yesterday.
Another Swan assistant in John Blakey will also be a keen observer, while he isnt in the favourites for the coaching job if the club are doing the job right he should be interviewed for the position...well regarded at the Swans and equally seen as a coach in waiting along with Dew..
Trigg stated yesterday that he will leave "no stone unturned" - let's hope he meant that.
Our game plan is the least of our worries. We always wait for another player in our squad to lay a tackle. If and if we are closest to an opponent and have no choice but tackle we offer the one armed effort. We don't really attempt to hurt an opponent and smack them into the ground. Curnow did on Selwood, so it isn't something the entire side does poorly. Just 90% of the side. Melbourne have shown it can be done by all. GWS have also. Bulldogs in their first 4 games. We haven't really shown much in any game but against the Saints. One game. How sad is that. Expecting others to do the work on you behalf. Intensity and pressure is a self motivated attempt to win the ball at any cost. Something leaders do and followers envy. Unfortunately we have minimal leaders. True leaders.
Not being in a position to get hold of a player is being lazy and not following you direct opponent. Do this against Sydney and it will be a 20 goal loss at a minimum. Mark my words, and watch this space if this happens Friday. Not having a go at you, by the way buddy. Cheers. Just saying.
That's part of the onfield culture problems, right there, that you are describing Mants. We seem to have been so preoccupied with structures etc. we've been overlooking the key foundations of the game. Getting that fixed would see a great improvement in our performance and is fundamental to our future.
