First Qualifying Final: Fremantle v Sydney

[ugg]

No changes for us. Jones the sub

Taberner and McPharlin out replaced by Clancee Pearce and Mzungu

[troyjones2525]

Well played Ross, tactical move early going smaller, more mobile to match our selections/weather forecast. And so it begins, hope Horse and the boys are ready...

[longmile]

looking clear and sunny!

[Blue Sun]

What are our chances today, fellow Swannies? 50/50?

[neilfws]

Good footage from the rooms. Heeney looks about ready to vomit :)

[Swannette]

Sooo nervous. Go boys

[longmile]

Good footage from the rooms. Heeney looks about ready to vomit :)

let's hope he can pull off a morton!

[dejavoodoo44]

What are our chances today, fellow Swannies? 50/50?

50/50; the odds of Rabid Ray paying a free to the Dockers at the opening bounce.

[Blue Sun]

Well that hurts, we have all the ball and miss an easy one and they score from a quick turnaround.

[dejavoodoo44]

Pretty sure that should of been a free to Heeney in front of goal for the Docker taking his legs.

[Blue Sun]

Not in Perth. Ridiculous holding the ball call just now too.

EDIT: a chorus of boos for Goodes.

[Daisi]

I'm not sure if trying to match them in pace is going to work. Perhaps we need to slow it down ? This is going to be really tough and I don't think we're going to get to any help from the umpires...

The crowd think they've already won this.

And stop booing Adam you Western Australian jerks

[paper_rival]

Pretty sure that should of been a free to Heeney in front of goal for the Docker taking his legs.
Yeah, ball was no where near

[Wardy]

This is not going to go well.

[troyjones2525]

Well this was the start i was afraid of...

[longmile]

our intensity is good tho
EDIT: and towers!

[Blue Sun]

Sorry, but Western Australian crowds are loud morons. Their incessant booing of Goodes recently has been disgusting.

[Mel_C]

Pyke has taken the angry pills today. He needs to be careful!

I see the Freo fans are copying the Eagles fans with the booing.

Missing shots at goal not good.

I'm so nervous!!

[troyjones2525]

Poor Isaac can't take a trick with these collision injuries! He's hobbling around now with his shin strapped up. And to make matters worse he should have received the free, not the other way around!

[Daisi]

yes intensity is good. I don't think we'll win, but it's nice to see us competing well so far.

[longmile]

reminding me of the start of the west coast game

[Wardy]

Someone take out Ballantyne!!

[CJK]

Kicking for goal. How does it work?

[Daisi]

I am overjoyed to have Benny back in. He brings a bit of mongrel to the team, and we need that.... I love him.

[Wardy]

And I expected the booing of Goodes - and I wish our boys would stop running into each other. The wind doesn't help.

- - - Updated - - -

The umps are intimidated by the crowd clearly and comet to is giving me the @@@@s! (I need a glas of wine!)

[Nico]

McGlynn took his eye off the footy. Look at the man.

[dejavoodoo44]

I think that Nick Smith would have been really handy today. And keep booing Goodes f@#%tards: it means that Jetta will be staying.

[troyjones2525]

Any spin you want to put on it but bad kicking is bad football and we've blown our chance to put pressure on them, and theyve taken their chances against us. Very disappointing.

[Wardy]

We look unfit and lethargic - and Lloyd (I'm sorry to say) isn't cut out for this. Hopefully freo will run out of puff by half time.

[Nico]

I am overjoyed to have Benny back in. He brings a bit of mongrel to the team, and we need that.... I love him.

I am not. As usual missed sitters.

[Wardy]

I am not. As usual missed sitters. agree .

[longmile]

finally! I think we are matching them just not converting our chances

[Daisi]

I agree about Benny missing goals that he should have nailed, but I still think he adds toughness, and experience...but we can agree to disagree about that......and hey, we're only 13 points behind so far, which is great...

[Swanno]

We look unfit and lethargic - and Lloyd (I'm sorry to say) isn't cut out for this. Hopefully freo will run out of puff by half time.

Disagree. We are matching them, 3 of those behinds go in it's a completely different game

[PerthSwannie]

Thank God for Sammy.......

[neilfws]

Pretty obvious isn't it. Would be well in it with straight kicking.

[troyjones2525]

Poor kicking really hurt us and the umpiring has been awful as expected but we are having a go no doubt! A few that will have surprised many on here is that Towers and Cunningham have looked the most composed in the heat of the battle!

[Ludwig]

We've got this game sewn up. We're running them into the ground. Just a few unlucky bounces went their way.

[Mel_C]

1.6!!! This is exactly what we have been saying all week that we didn't want.

Why does Benny insist on doing the Stevie J shot when he is on the angle? I don't think I have ever seen him kick one like that.

The umpires certainly don't like blowing the whistle.

Come on swans just keep at it!!

[Daisi]

Yes, Towers did well to hang onto the ball and wait until somebody entered the forward 50- good thinking for an in experienced player..

Whatever happens, this is an invaluable experience for our younger players...and they are having a red hot go so far, which is all we can expect from them..

[Panttz]

Having Smith sitting on Walters would of been a godsend ><

Kick straight boys!

[Swannette]

Aaaaaagggghhhhhh

[troyjones2525]

We are getting absolutely no reward for effort forward, and they are...

[Wardy]

jesus!!!

[snajik]

Just one team out there according to the commentators

[Wardy]

Oh @@@@ poor Sammy!!

[troyjones2525]

Well there's our chances done for 2015...jeez we've been unlucky this year. Gotta feel for Ried. Was hoping he was over the soft tissue injuries. Hope young Jones gains valuable experience today.

[Daisi]

i wouldn't be too happy if I was a Freo supporter...they are not playing too well

[Mel_C]

Reid gone!!!!!!!! @#$%!

Seriously someone has put a curse on us ????????????????????????????????!

[CJK]

If we can't score that there's no point here...

[Wardy]

we are panicking - and Rohan has to lift.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

Can you please catch and kick the goal.... Please...

[Daisi]

If Freo are a premiership threat they should be killing us right now...but look at all the space our mids are getting?

[longmile]

tippett has to kick this @@@@

- - - Updated - - -

yep

[snajik]

They sure are having a crack. Can't ask for more than that. Towers is looking so assured and collected.

[longmile]

brandon jack @@@@

[Flying South]

I wish someone would make a lead. Every kick is to a contest. They just don't work hard enough to run into spaces.

Just like Heeney and Tippett just did!

[dejavoodoo44]

We need Walters to do a hamstring.

[Nico]

BJ. No footy smarts.

[Mel_C]

Tippett! Poor guy is the only one left.

B Jack is having a shocker...that handpass!

[WauchopeAnalyst]

BJ has no idea about footy. Hand pass to Sandilands and hospital pass to Rampe with a turniver and a goal

[CJK]

Oh dear Jack.

Speaking of shocking turnovers, when has Benny gone??

[Wardy]

Can someone tell the young kids to stop doing the passes to someone under pressure - it's doing my head in. I didn't realise razor Ray was on the ground and between Basil & Cometti are a bit too biased - the umps are @@@@@@!!!

[troyjones2525]

Showing some heart but our personnel may catch up with us with our injuries and lack of experience. So who plays next week Reid? I would like to see some X factor in Rose getting a game. B. Jack probably needs to go too !

[Swannette]

Just kick the ball out of the danger area. Don't handball it to a stationary player. B Jack!!

[longmile]

2 goals 10 behinds?? just no luck

[snajik]

B Jack but also B McGlynn.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

So what happens when you put a forward flanker in the defence. Even heeney doesnt know what to do.

I am wrong Towers has a heart and having a go.

[snajik]

Towers is starring. Goodes and Kennedy great also. Man, if only we had kicked straighter. Should be in front.

[Nico]

Gutsy first half but have to nail those set shots. What a half by towers. Showed he has what it takes. Has actually taken a leading role up forward. Rohan?????

[dejavoodoo44]

If Towers had managed to convert that late shot, I would've formally taken back the nasty things I said about him earlier in the year. Still, he has been good though, and he probably deserved a free kick after being forearmed in the head by Hill.

[Nico]

We look unfit and lethargic - and Lloyd (I'm sorry to say) isn't cut out for this. Hopefully freo will run out of puff by half time.

Unfit, you have to be gagging. We are having a red hot go and working hard. Umps are ok by me. We are behind because we have .missed so many set shots. Should be in front. This is a very gutsy effort.

[Gary]

"Luck?" ... what's luck got to do with it apart from Reid ... lots of endeavour ... but typical lack of composure / skills under pressure ... if Towers can look half decent (and it really isn't more than that), nothing much good is happening on the skills front...Rohan can't even get a touch ... will never quite understand that guy as a player ... Jack yet to make a good decision or be clean at the ball ... McGlynn clearly underdone for a game like this and really at 30 probably has little more to offer ... Goodes, Kennedy, Mitchell, Tippett especially trying hard but fumbling is our specialty ... despite everything only 3 goals down. Miracles do happen.

[crackedactor]

Free kick would not have mattered. He would kick another point. Maybe he should aim for the OOB area when shooting for goal.

[snajik]

Unfit, you have to be gagging. We are having a red hot go and working hard. Umps are ok by me. We are behind because we have .missed so many set shots. Should be in front. This is a very gutsy effort.

Agree. Really proud. Just need to capitalise on shots for goal. Need more from Rohan, Mcglynn. Been happy with Zac Jones' touches as well. Another half like that with straight kicking and we're home.

[Ludwig]

We're dominating in all aspects of the game except the scoreboard. Only matter of time. Good to see Rohan is saving himself for the second half, because he's had problems with fadeouts late in games this year.

[6'2, 220, 4.53]

Towers is showing that he can stand up in the heat of finals.

Great stuff.

[Bexl]

KICK STRAIGHT.

[Daisi]

Benny- I take back my previous admiration for you...disposal...it's terrible

[CJK]

If only we could sub Benny off, maybe there is an inanimate carbon rod we can replace him with.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

Not a single defender in front of their man. Old school crap. WC would eat all of that.

[longmile]

LAIDDDLLLEEERRRR
huge

[WauchopeAnalyst]

Jones should never by dropped. Knows how the play footy. Great vision and handpass

[longmile]

our disposal has been embaressing

[Daisi]

But Freo's disposal is not much better

[Mel_C]

Come on 12 points!!!

The pressure has been fantastic. We just have to stop bombing it in.

[Daisi]

How can Kennedy be getting so much space? Wow Freo, you're pathetic...boooooooo

[troyjones2525]

That was far too easy ????

[Flying South]

Go boys!! They are lifting.

[Mel_C]

Bugger we didn't want them to get that!

[longmile]

we definitely look better but losing grrr

- - - Updated - - -

no forward line

[Mel_C]

Piss off how many times do they throw it and they get away with it??

[Wardy]

I am not. As usual missed sitters.


Unfit, you have to be gagging. We are having a red hot go and working hard. Umps are ok by me. We are behind because we have .missed so many set shots. Should be in front. This is a very gutsy effort. in the first quarter we looked that way - they have finally hit their straps - so I was wrong - so kill me!!!

[snajik]

So deserved that Towers!

[Daisi]

We are getting tired...but what an incredible effort....shades of playing Port Adelaide all those years ago...

[dejavoodoo44]

Attack on the ball has been very impressive this quarter.

[troyjones2525]

I fear poor Heeney may struggle to get up next week if we don't win today.

[Daisi]

The only killing Wardy will be a metaphorical killing of Fremantle...

[Blue Sun]

Gee they're having a crack today, you can't fault their endeavour. Just their kicking letting down, unfortunately.

[longmile]

the amount of heart and energy we are throwing at this i really hope we win cause we'll be cooked next week.
We deserve to be winning, fighting so hard for so little reward

[Wardy]

I hope you are right Daisi - we only have to win by a point!!!

[Nico]

Kennedy. Wow. This truly is epic stuff by us. All we need is an ounce of luck. Our mids have lifted big time.

[Mel_C]

We just can't get below 2 goals!!

What a game by Kennedy ????. I love that guy!

We just need Jack, Rohan, Lloyd, McGlynn to lift. Deano has been great.

We need the first goal!

[troyjones2525]

Just cant get within 2 goals! Its looking like one of those honorable losses unfortunately. They have put in a magnificent effort so far and only being wasteful forward has cost us. I hope we can keep it up for 1 more qtr and not make them look better than they have been. Keep going boys! You are making us proud!

[Swans500]

If only....we were anywhere near full strength like this mob is...One thing...cannot see the Dockers in the GF...

[Cheer_Cheer]

Hopefully HeMan and Rohan can grab a few in the last..

[dejavoodoo44]

Can Kennedy keep it up? Can Hannebery? Can Goodes? Shaw? If they do, I think we'll run over the top!

[Panttz]

Another quarter won by us with no reward on the scoreboard.

I hope the boys have one good quarter left in them. They will need the week off

[Faunac8]

Surely no one can fault the effort being put in today we are still a chance and considering the state of our forward line that's an exceptional performance. Swans by five points but if we don't get up I genuine believe we are still a chance for the flag this year.

[snajik]

Cunningham, Jetta, Rohan, Pyke, Jack. An aggregate incremental lift in the last quarter from these guys will see us over the line. Too few are doing too much.

[Blue Sun]

Well that stings...

[Simo]

Smithyyyyyy.

[longmile]

ballantyne, the ratman

[Wardy]

Ok time for Rohan & Jetta to step up

[longmile]

well its over now, thanks umps

[Nico]

Jones does it again.

[Blue Sun]

Wow, nice way to lose the home prelim. Thanks for the 50 ump.

[Daisi]

and the umpires ruin another game.....seriously, this was an entertaining contest...their favourite team was winning...and then they go and ruin the whole game by awarding a stupid 50 metre penalty, so the bookies can win...

[Simo]

Hard to win with blokes not touching it, Jetta, Cunningham, jack, Rohan. At ,east towers stood up

[Wardy]

And here come the frees to Freo so as the umps can get out of the ground safely later on - sorry to be so pessimistic we are just chucking it away!!!

[Swannette]

We are gone. Poor kicking yet again

[Mel_C]

25 points...it's going to be tough now.

[Nico]

well its over now, thanks umps
Rubbish we have 17 frees to 10.

[longmile]

Rubbish we have 17 frees to 10.

I was talking about the 50m

[Blue Sun]

Pretty pivotal 50m penalty though, mate.

[troyjones2525]

Did we expect anything less from the mongrels! Come on boys lets not embarrass ourselves in the last!

[Daisi]

Now this is getting pathetic from the umps...who says AFL isn't rigged?

[Blue Sun]

The game is done now, but the Swannies showed a lot of heart. Could have one won if we were more accurate. Not impressed by Freo though, WC will absolutely demolish them in the GF.

[longmile]

We're gonna be so tired and sore for next week, hopefully not straight sets

[0918330512]

Who the **** is going to teach Zac Jones to ****ing well settle down & not give away free kicks & 50s?! For all his good play he's ****ing infuriating with his "soft" (& by soft I mean he's too hard & too agro)

[mcsquirta]

Jetta might as well just stay in Perth

[Wardy]

Miss is sandilands

- - - Updated - - -

@@@@!!!!! This is a @@@@ing nightmare!!!

- - - Updated - - -

Lloyd - nup

[Daisi]

Jetts isn't the only one who has had a quiet game...looks like Rohan should have been left out...he must be injured

[longmile]

No point romanticising but if we had our full team this would be in the bag

[Wardy]

Cometti is giving me the @@@@s too!

[Daisi]

Freo are seriously bad though...I will take great pleasure in booing them all through the final series and look forward to them crashing out in the prelim

[Wardy]

Cmon - we only have to win by 1 point!!!

[Blue Sun]

Freo are seriously bad though...I will take great pleasure in booing them all through the final series and look forward to them crashing out in the prelim

They can win the prelim, but they'll get smashed in the GF.

[Wardy]

@@@@ Lloyd!!!!

- - - Updated - - -

We are done!

[longmile]

sad :(

- - - Updated - - -

7 goals, 17 behinds

[Blue Sun]

Disappointing to lose that, we should have won. At least they had a crack with an undermanned outfit. Freo are terrible.

[longmile]

We truly deserved that

[swannymum]

Imagine if we had Kieren and Luke in our team. Rotten bad luck.

[Blue Sun]

Imagine if we had Kieren and Luke in our team. Rotten bad luck.

And Buddy....

[Swannette]

Stop saying they are brave you patronising show ponies. We were @@@@e. Bad kicking is bad football.

[jono2707]

I'm very proud of the boys that were out there today.
A few more minutes and we'd have gotten over the line. A bit more straighter kicking of course too.....

[swannymum]

And Buddy. And Reidy doing his hammy early ????

[Mel_C]

We keep kicking it to the left of the goals!!!!!!!! Aaarrrrggghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so frustrated because we should have won this. Bad kicking cost us terribly.

I'm so proud of this team. Not many would have put up a performance like that with the players missing and losing Reid.

Gee Freo are going to have to lift if they want to make the Grand Final.

18 behinds ????!

[Wardy]

Please accept my apologies for the swearing - I hate it when we waste opportunities and then try and play catch up. The constant dicky hand passes to players under pressure are just crap - and then there are the umps - I'm just a bit pissed off.

[Blue Sun]

Freo are pretty p*** weak. Lucky not to lose to a severely undermanned Swans outfit in Perth. Yikes. Can't believe this mob finished on top of the ladder, what a joke.

[Cheer_Cheer]

I reckon we missed Smith the most..

[Bexl]

Effort brilliant, skills crap.

[Nico]

What a great football club. Yeh we threw it away but we refused to lie down. That thing lick was not with us. Having said that. Our poor goal kicking lost it.

[dejavoodoo44]

And Buddy....

And Nick Smith.
Fantastic effort by the team, though. Unlucky to lose.

[Nico]

And Buddy. And Reidy doing his hammy early ????
Will the Bud be back next week?

[Gary]

A great show ... forget about who played and who didn't play ... everyone has those stories ... if we kicked a little better we might have won ... if 3 or 4 blokes who did not show up or manage the bigger stage had been able to contribute more ... we might have won ... but we didn't because our skill level was not there ... some mighty individual performance ... on that performance Shaw could go round again ... Kennedy imperious ... but at the bottom end several ... no names required ... who couldn't cut it. Next week will be an interesting challenge whoever we play.

[Blue Sun]

I doubt it. You can't beat mental illness in a week.

[goswannies]

No Parker, Buddy, Jack, Smith, Reid gone early, Heeney injured early, Rohan under done. Played in WA. Didn't rest 2/3 of our side last week. I'm very proud of the boys!

Not proud of our kicking :(

Will Buddy be back for our "elimination" final next week?

[Industrial Fan]

Any complaining about umps is well wide of the mark. You will never ever see such a good run for a non wa team over there.

Great effort. Poor kicking cost us badly. Even late with Rohan and Heeney missing we were still a chance if they converted. 0.5 in 1st qtr was killer though.

[JohnnySwanny]

Great effort by the players. Unfortunately goal kicking let us down.

[Industrial Fan]

And Towers, wow.

[stevoswan]

Well, we @@@@@@ that up. While extremely proud of the team, we blew it. Can't fault their effort and Bloods spirit out there today, but until we can arrest the slide in skills and kicking for goal, we are not going to go too far. Proud, but very frustrated! Also, Freo are gone......as far as the flag is concerned. WC outright favourites now......but I'm still not writing us off, yet.

[ugg]

Huge huge efforts from JPK Tippett Hanners and McVeigh. Unfortunately not enough from the bottom six players save for Towers and too much was left to too few.

[Daisi]

That was an interesting game, and a lost opportunity. No excuses, a brave effort, but as Wardy says, bad kicking is bad footy, and our conversion was terrible....

However, the good...Shaw, Kennedy (wow Kennedy!) Hanners, Tower, and of course, our wonderful Goodes, all played sooo well....Heeney showed grit and will be better for the experience, and I think Laidler did some good things when under pressure......some good signs for the future...(please make Kennedy our next captain).

There were many not so good signs too..

Regardless, I think the determination and courage shown is an illustration of great club spirit, which I have been doubting of late....so I think whatever happens next week, it will be a good experience for the club....

and it's been a crappy year...the whole Goodes thing, the Jetta thing, the booing, the trade bans, and now Buddy...it's been a terrible,unfortunate year for us...so much more media than usual, and it must have been incredibly stressful for the players...so to get this far, is a credit to the club

[barry]

We've won finals with straight kicking and now we've lost one

[Ludwig]

It's sad to see us lose after we outplayed them in most areas of the game.

Obviously the poor goal kicking alone was enough to decide the contest in the end. We had several unfit players (Rohan, Heeney and McGlynn) and several others had poor games (BJ, Lloyd and Jetta).

Goodes was fantastic and if he can produce this sort of game even on an irregular basis, I would love to see him go on another season.

Jones and Towers showed a lot of promise.

I don't know what we will do next week, because we are going to be a very tired and inexperienced side and may have to carry a few unfit players as well.

[treespirit]

Well, we @@@@@@ that up. While extremely proud of the team, we blew it. Can't fault their effort and Bloods spirit out there today, but until we can arrest the slide in skills and kicking for goal, we are not going to go too far. Proud, but very frustrated! Also, Freo are gone......as far as the flag is concerned. WC outright favourites now......but I'm still not writing us off, yet.

Saved me typing it.

[CJK]

This is weird, but I thought the umpiring was excellent.

Really weird.

[Ludwig]

This is weird, but I thought the umpiring was excellent.

Really weird.
Your're right. It was one of the best umpired games I've seen for a while.


This year is looking a lot like 2013 when injuries effectively ruined our chances for a serious go at the title. It makes you appreciate what a lost opportunity last year was when we had our best side on the park.

[rojo]

How could we stuff up so badly in front of goal! The great thing was the heart and determination shown right to the end. Jetta was the player who disappointed me most. He is now an experienced player and there is no excuse for him not to contribute more. He has undisputed talent but uses it very sparingly.

It is going to be so hard next week. There is no one much left to bring in for Reid, and BJ and Benny who were useless. The work load on the others may be too much to carry, especially if Rohan and Jetta play another game like today.

[Swanny40519]

Really proud of the team tonight. All the so called experts were writing us off and only our bad kicking cost us the game.

Joey, Hanners, Towers, Tippo, Mitchell, Goodes and our overworked defence really led the way. Unfortunately the workload was not carried across the team and Rohan, BJ, Cunningham and Benny must be very disappointed with their games.

Hope that we have enough fit players for next week as Heeney and Rohan looked very sore.

[Zlatorog]

OK, they have 7 days to prepare themselves for SF on Saturday at ANZ stadium. Even if they win, they will face WCE in Perth the following week.

Edit: Ok, it's been confirmed on the AFL website: it's on Saturday at ANZ stadium at 7.20 p.m.

[Bexl]

Pissed off about the result but as long as we keep doing that kind of effort anything is possible I believe.

[Scottee]

It's sad to see us lose after we outplayed them in most areas of the game.

Obviously the poor goal kicking alone was enough to decide the contest in the end. We had several unfit players (Rohan, Heeney and McGlynn) and several others had poor games (BJ, Lloyd and Jetta).

Goodes was fantastic and if he can produce this sort of game even on an irregular basis, I would love to see him go on another season.

Jones and Towers showed a lot of promise.

I don't know what we will do next week, because we are going to be a very tired and inexperienced side and may have to carry a few unfit players as well.
Massive opportunity lost. Better than the anchors.

Hopefully we get Smiffy in the side along with either Bird (if fit) or a KPP.

Can't imagine Rohan doing that 2 weeks in a row. McGlynn, sorry mate. BJ gets another go because there are no other midfielders.

Agree about Goodsey.Hope he plays on!

[Bexl]

Franklin will not play next match.

[neilfws]

So a full strength Freo at home with 13 ins rested beat severely depleted Swans by less than 2 goals. Someone will take them apart further down the line.

Not much else to say, too many if onlys.

[goswannies]

Franklin will not play next match.
You've heard this or you're speculating this?

[MarshallG]

The term 'mental illness' is as broad as 'alternative music'.

Nonetheless as much as I would love to see Budster out there next week, if he thought he wasn't right to play today, it is unlikely he will next week, but what do I know.

Reid going down is a massive hit, I wonder that that is going to do Buddy, as if he didn't have enough on his plate.

Missed Smith and I'm getting the feeling Fanta Pants is not a big game player.

Awesome effort after a crippling Q1.

[mcsquirta]

New rule. Shawry is not allowed to retire until he kicks a bloody goal! I'd say he played like a 25 year old but he actually played better than Jetta & Rohan combined.

Such a high pressure game, 5 senior players down, a handful of players who didn't bother show up, hostile redneck crowd, and we still ran the minor premiers to 9 points (which could have been just 3 points if luck went our way). Fully committed to the Dean Towers Appreciation society now but I'll give Jetta the bus fare whenever he wants to head west. The Red & White doesn't suit him any more, one of the few experienced players who didn't stand up. Heeney's got a better footy brain than Rohan - did the major humiliation last year affect Gaz in any positive way whatsoever?

Apart from that, I couldn't be more proud of the rest of us... We put Hawthorn to absolute shame!

[Scottee]

On reflection, one of the most worrying aspects of the game was one of the most positive. Two of the top 5 players in terms of possessions and who were both highly effective are Shawry and Goodsey. Shaw was terrific and Goodes was brilliant.

To think we might lose both these guys in a week's time is a sad thought.

[i'm-uninformed2]

The biggest frustration of that is I'll be surprised if we're not too banged up to back up properly next week.

The senior guys - from Kennedy to Goodes to Shaw to Ted to Hanners and thru were terrific.

Much to my amazement Towers was terrific, Jones showed when he came on he will be a cracker, Heeney worked into it.

But to win a flag you need your best players on the field, and we've not had it all year and certainly won't for the rest.

[MarshallG]

Old guard were great, leaders through and through.

You know the stakes are high when Shaw is getting the ball north of the centre line.

[Gary]

Agree that Towers made a contribution today ... best game he has played for us ... but still don't see him as a regular first grader ... faded to more like his regular self as the game progressed apart from that snap goal in Q3 ... if only a few others had their snapping boots on ... at the end of the day their 2 small forwards won the game with 3 goals each ... Kieran and Parker would surely have snagged a couple and won the game for us. A loss that will be remembered more than most.

[stevoswan]

Franklin will not play next match.

You've heard this or you're speculating this?

Longmire stated this at the press conference, it's official.:frown

[snajik]

I reckon we missed Smith the most..

I reckon you are dead right.

[Agent 86]

The biggest frustration of that is I'll be surprised if we're not too banged up to back up properly next week.

The senior guys - from Kennedy to Goodes to Shaw to Ted to Hanners and thru were terrific.

Much to my amazement Towers was terrific, Jones showed when he came on he will be a cracker, Heeney worked into it.

But to win a flag you need your best players on the field, and we've not had it all year and certainly won't for the rest.

Towers is improving. I think he needs to get confidence he's good enough to compete at this level. He'll be okay.

[Swansinger]

Stop saying they are brave you patronising show ponies. We were @@@@e. Bad kicking is bad football.

We have a winner :clap:!!

[Swansinger]

Freo are seriously bad though...I will take great pleasure in booing them all through the final series and look forward to them crashing out in the prelim

They will - which will deny Ross Lyon the chance to coach five GF teams,for zero wins!

[Primmy]

Nice quote by AFL in the ruler run over the players on Shaw, that he was sprinting towards the finish line.

Bet he's exhausted.

[Agent 86]

If Towers had managed to convert that late shot, I would've formally taken back the nasty things I said about him earlier in the year. Still, he has been good though, and he probably deserved a free kick after being forearmed in the head by Hill.

I'm a big fan of towers lately. Hate to say it, but he should have milked that forearm. Kudos to him for not going there, tho'. ;)

[Nico]

I don't get the rage about Jetta. He worked so hard in the last quarter. Put his body on the line.

[dimelb]

I agree with most of what the average punter has said. If any two of those 18 behinds had gone through, our severely depleted team would have won.

The team together was amazing, shame about the few who could have put in more. One criticism I don't agree with is the bagging of Cunningham. I thought he did some really good things tonight and it's good to see him tackling hard, kicking reasonably straight most of the time, quick accurate handballs and 1% for other players. Brandon will be better for the experience. I don't know what Gary was doing for long stretches of time and I wonder if he is still NQR. If Sam doesn't come up - and for me a hamstring problem means he won't - perhaps we should throw caution to the wind and bring in James Rose.

I thought the coaches had a good game, and on the whole the umpires also, even including the 50m against Jonesy.

[707]

Smith plays - we win, simple as that. Incredibly gutsy effort, incredibly proud of the guys, so close to the big upset.

Towers for the first time actually looked AFL standard, and in a high pressure final too. There is hope he can become best 22.

Shaw and Goodes, like the Geelong retirees, still got the goods!

Think we are likely to go out in straight sets given the mounting injury toll and gruelling encounter plus the travel, but there is hope. Think Rose needs to come in for Reid, the guy has GOAL sense!

[Plugger46]

Couldn't fault their effort. We did enough to be a chance to win but missed goals and a fairly ordinary contribution from the bottom half a dozen players were the reasons we lost.

[Swannette]

Biggest disappointment for me was Rohan and Jetta. Rohan unsighted and Jetta uninterested as far as I could see. Fastest bloke on the park barely got into a canter and dobbed many passes as if he was too tired or didn't care. Rohan goes missing when the pressure is on and the oof summed up his day. So many poor decisions. And turnovers. And fumbles. Thought the umpiring was pretty fair. Clearly the personnel in the park could have got the win if they'd taken their chances. But they didn't. Sucks to be a swan.

[aardvark]

Beaten by injuries and the wind. Liked Towers and Jones. I even thought McVeigh captained well for a change.

[CureTheSane]

McVeigh PLAYED well for a change.
I know he has been held up in regard in match reviews a bit lately, but I haven't been seeing it.
His errors were far less today...

[DamY]

Agree that Towers made a contribution today ... best game he has played for us ... but still don't see him as a regular first grader ... faded to more like his regular self as the game progressed apart from that snap goal in Q3 ... if only a few others had their snapping boots on ... at the end of the day their 2 small forwards won the game with 3 goals each ... Kieran and Parker would surely have snagged a couple and won the game for us. A loss that will be remembered more than most.

Mate
Even in his "average" quarters, he was way ahead quite a few other boys (Lloyd, BJ, Gaz, Jetta, McGlynn, even Cunningham). So I have to disagree. I would have put him at least in our top 25%, only his goalkicking let him down from being in our top 5

- - - Updated - - -


Smith plays - we win, simple as that. Incredibly gutsy effort, incredibly proud of the guys, so close to the big upset.

Towers for the first time actually looked AFL standard, and in a high pressure final too. There is hope he can become best 22.

Shaw and Goodes, like the Geelong retirees, still got the goods!

Think we are likely to go out in straight sets given the mounting injury toll and gruelling encounter plus the travel, but there is hope. Think Rose needs to come in for Reid, the guy has GOAL sense!

i don't think the travel will harm the boys, they're used to traveling and normally play well in WA. I think the encounter will be the bigger factor of the two, but also we have a good record at home (I'm unaware of our "semi-finals" record)

[Scottee]

Can't agree with the criticism of Lloyd (20 possessions) and Cunningham (18). The real worry was the almost automatic turnovers by McGlynn and Rohan mostly unsighted. There is a serious issue here. Otherwise , apart from the fact that the boys couldn't kick a goal to save themselves, we won the game hands down.

Clearly the home ground advantage with the wind factor was huge. But it was a gutsy effort all up and next week we hopefully will have 22 contributors and smash the Tiggers or the Shinkickers.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Zac Jones should have been in the 21 players rather then Sub

Rohan is hobbling at best

Heeney played busted and unbelievable to stay out there

Towers is growing right now as a player that looks like an AFL player .......(except for his kick at goals)

Goodes was up and about and continues to amaze at his age...........he is still a force

[Hotpotato]

It's amazing how terrible kicking for goal afflicts the whole team for the entire game . You'd think someone would get it right , even with the gusty conditions .
If it was frustrating for us to watch on the couch , it must have driven the coaches and the players balmy .
All that manic effort for the lowest score of the six teams so far .
What poetry in motion to watch Eddie Betts (albeit in perfect conditions) drill the ball over the umps hat like a missile .
I reckon that kid Rose can do it, if Rohan wasn't right he might have nailed a few.

[barry]

I thought jetta was very good.
Mcglynn was useless and makes me wonder if maybe his AFL carear is near is end.

If we play WC in perth and goodes is booed. He and the swans should walk off the ground. Force the AFL to pick a side regarding what to do with this match: back the racist and have sydney forfeit. Or back goodes and replay the match at a neutral venue or empty stadium like they do in soccer sometimes. This would be a greater victory for the swans than any premiership.

[dejavoodoo44]

I thought jetta was very good.
Mcglynn was useless and makes me wonder if maybe his AFL carear is near is end.

If we play WC in perth and goodes is booed. He and the swans should walk off the ground. Force the AFL to pick a side regarding what to do with this match: back the racist and have sydney forfeit. Or back goodes and replay the match at a neutral venue or empty stadium like they do in soccer sometimes. This would be a greater victory for the swans than any premiership.

I quite like that idea, Barry. Would throw a huge cat among the pigeons, but it would ensure that we live in interesting times.

[Dosser]

All this talk of our outs is justified, but i hate to say it but Hawthorn had a similar year last year with injuries and just kept on winning. It makes me realise that our replacement players are not at the same standard as the Hawks. Maybe it is VFL vs NEAFL but Melbourne teams seem to have that advantage over us when bringing in replacements.

[liz]

If we play WC in perth and goodes is booed. He and the swans should walk off the ground. Force the AFL to pick a side regarding what to do with this match: back the racist and have sydney forfeit. Or back goodes and replay the match at a neutral venue or empty stadium like they do in soccer sometimes. This would be a greater victory for the swans than any premiership.

And for Goodes? It could be his last ever game. Do you think he'd want it to finish like that?

He seems to be coping well with where the situation has reached, certainly judging by the footy he played yesterday. Most of the footy world has thrown itself behind him and shown its support. That there are still a handful in society who clearly have no idea how to behave in public (or simply don't care that everyone else thinks they are dickheads) is sad but not completely unexpected. It is apparent that it was a relatively small minority of people misbehaving yesterday. We will get there one day, and Goodes' role will be one of the reasons why.

[Bexl]

If we play WC in perth and goodes is booed. He and the swans should walk off the ground. Force the AFL to pick a side regarding what to do with this match: back the racist and have sydney forfeit. Or back goodes and replay the match at a neutral venue or empty stadium like they do in soccer sometimes. This would be a greater victory for the swans than any premiership.

Sorry Barry but I disagree with you. The people that will stop already have and the others you can't convince, I believe that the w c crowds ARE the worst in the AFL but it would cause those people booing more pain if we get to go there and win that game. I know that's how I feel after a finals loss.

[YvonneH]

And for Goodes? It could be his last ever game. Do you think he'd want it to finish like that?

why.

Saw Adam shaking hands with a lot of the Freo players. Maybe a sign that this is indeed his last year or were they showing their support for him regarding the boing?

[ernie koala]

My apologies to Towers.

I didn't give him a chance of playing a meaningful final...But he did, all be it with poor goal kicking. Let's hope he can back it up next week, and kick straight.

No Smith and poor goal kicking cost us the match.

Freo were poor in the second half, and looked to be choking big time. If Heeney's shot had gone through, they may well of frozen. They won't win the flag playing like that.

No meaningful contribution from McGlynn, Rohan, B Jack... But given our injury list, they'll probably all get a chance to redeem themselves next week.

Jones should be in the 21, with one of the above mentioned under achievers to be sub.

Wonder if Bird is any kind of chance next week?

[Hotpotato]

Yep, exactly . Win the game . Booing dead in the water.
Goodsey understands the huge amount of support .
If we end up back there, West Coast bogans will out boo Freo bogans .

[dejavoodoo44]

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did�in his sleep... Not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car."

I just noticed that, EK: made me laugh.

[lwjoyner]

A great effort considering lack of firepower. What if Reidy was ok all night. The thing that really worries me is WHO IS THE SKILLS COACH our kicking to position has been deplorable all season and we continue the turnovers. If we are going to improve next year they need to start preseason with some training in this area.

[goswannies]

All this talk of our outs is justified, but i hate to say it but Hawthorn had a similar year last year with injuries and just kept on winning. It makes me realise that our replacement players are not at the same standard as the Hawks. Maybe it is VFL vs NEAFL but Melbourne teams seem to have that advantage over us when bringing in replacements.
Maybe it's our trade restrictions that's prevents us from adding depth

[goswannies]

Beaten by injuries and the wind.
Both teams had to play with that wind.

Why have so many of Barry's posts been deleted?

Is there anything that can be done (from a supporters perspective) to try & encourage Goodsey to go on one more year? IMO he's still got something to offer ... maybe to encourage Jetta to stay ... definitely still contributing on field ATM

[aardvark]

Both teams had to play with that wind.

True but one team didn't handle it.

[barry]

Sorry Barry but I disagree with you. The people that will stop already have and the others you can't convince, I believe that the w c crowds ARE the worst in the AFL but it would cause those people booing more pain if we get to go there and win that game. I know that's how I feel after a finals loss.

This is bigger than any football game. Lets say the AFL did make them replay the game at an empty stadium, and without the crowd effect, the swans won. That would make the booers who caused this public enemy no 1 in perth.. there actions have consequences... directly to them.

- - - Updated - - -


Both teams had to play with that wind.

Why have so many of Barry's posts been deleted?


Its my fault. Im posting from my phone and whenever i go to edit my post for spelling mistakes it seems to automatically delete the post. And i can't be bothered typing it again.

[annew]

Forecast rain in Sydney from Wednesday onwards including Saturday, swans having a terrible year in every area. I do believe if the swans can play like they did yesterday they can beat either Richmond or North but would prefer North than the Richmond army. It will be up to us fans to make the noise to get them up.

[dejavoodoo44]

Both teams had to play with that wind.

Why have so many of Barry's posts been deleted?

Is there anything that can be done (from a supporters perspective) to try & encourage Goodsey to go on one more year? IMO he's still got something to offer ... maybe to encourage Jetta to stay ... definitely still contributing on field ATM

Personally, I'd be surprised if Goodesy doesn't go around another year. And I think that the idiotic booing over in the west recently, would certainly be encouraging Jetts to stay.

[liz]

Personally, I'd be surprised if Goodesy doesn't go around another year. And I think that the idiotic booing over in the west recently, would certainly be encouraging Jetts to stay.

One of the reasons Goodes was so great yesterday is that he played predominantly as a midfielder, not a forward. I don't know whether his move to the forward line was because he could no longer run out games in the midfield, or because the Swans needed him more forward. Watching him run around yesterday, even well past his best, was a reminder that he was an elite midfielder but has rarely been more than a decent forward. Assuming Buddy can get appropriate treatment, our forward line is decently stocked now. Tippett is showing what he can do when his body lets him. Reid seems to be maturing (though soft tissue injuries at inopportune times remain a concern). Heeney may play another season or so predominantly up forward before he graduates full time to the midfield. Towers is showing signs he might be an AFL player long term. BJ maybe also. And Rose is in the wings.

We don't need Goodsey in the forward line. If his knees will let him run around as an oversized ruck or wingman for one more year, wouldn't that be great to behold.

[cherub]

All this talk of our outs is justified, but i hate to say it but Hawthorn had a similar year last year with injuries and just kept on winning. It makes me realise that our replacement players are not at the same standard as the Hawks. Maybe it is VFL vs NEAFL but Melbourne teams seem to have that advantage over us when bringing in replacements.
But timing is everything in this life. We're getting a lot of our injuries at the business end of the season. No time to adjust and retrain for a game plan. Injuries earlier in the season force you to give your young players a go, so they get valuable experience.

[Daisi]

This is probably off topic and I apologise, the mods can move or delete if necessary.

Re Adam and the booing...

I spoke to somebody from a Non English Speaking background the other day, and they said that for the first time in their life,( they would be about 40) they stood up and confronted somebody who said something racist about them. They said they were directly inspired by Adam Goodes and his courage in the face of adversity to do so.

So Adam's stance is influencing people in real life...

I just wanted to share that.

I would like to see Adam go around another year...but any decision he makes is fine by me.

[dimelb]

Great little anecdote Daisi, most encouraging and in my view perfectly appropriate in this discussion.

[liz]

This is probably off topic and I apologise, the mods can move or delete if necessary.

Re Adam and the booing...

I spoke to somebody from a Non English Speaking background the other day, and they said that for the first time in their life,( they would be about 40) they stood up and confronted somebody who said something racist about them. They said they were directly inspired by Adam Goodes and his courage in the face of adversity to do so.

So Adam's stance is influencing people in real life...

I just wanted to share that.

I would like to see Adam go around another year...but any decision he makes is fine by me.

Wonderful to hear.

[liz]

All this talk of our outs is justified, but i hate to say it but Hawthorn had a similar year last year with injuries and just kept on winning. It makes me realise that our replacement players are not at the same standard as the Hawks. Maybe it is VFL vs NEAFL but Melbourne teams seem to have that advantage over us when bringing in replacements.

The Hawks have an amazingly deep squad, and they are very well drilled too. Nonetheless, their achievement in making the top 4 last year was outstanding, given the injuries they faced during the year. Once finals came around, they had close to their best side available though. Injuries didn't really hamper them during the finals.

We had a pretty good run with injury for most of the year. But, as with 2013, it has all arrived at the wrong time of the season. Despite that, we came ever so close yesterday and I reckon that even without Buddy, Jack, Parker and Smith, we would have won had Sammy not gone down when he did. Once our midfield was on top, we were just lacking someone to mark the ball in the forward line, especially while Tippett was in the ruck. That should have been Reid, and a couple of his efforts before he got injured suggested he was up for it yesterday.

We will go in next week without Buddy, Reid, Jack and Parker. We might get Smith back. That is equivalent to the Hawks going in without Gunston (who they've already lost) plus, say, Lewis, Shiels and Bruest - not like for like players but similar in where they rate in terms of importance to their teams. At their best, they can win without those players. We can win next week without ours too, though our bottom six next week will be far less experienced that a bottom six the Hawks can dredge up.

Heeney (under duress), Jones and Towers did their bit yesterday. We just need a little more from Rohan and/or BJ. And the coaches need to decide whether McGlynn is physically capable of contributing in a finals game, given how much footy he has missed this season. Is there anyone left to replace him? Smith, if he comes up. But if not, it comes down to whether Bird is in any better physical shape than McGlynn, or whether a Rose or Davis or Hewett or Richards can provide any more.

[chalbilto]

One of the reasons Goodes was so great yesterday is that he played predominantly as a midfielder, not a forward. I don't know whether his move to the forward line was because he could no longer run out games in the midfield, or because the Swans needed him more forward. Watching him run around yesterday, even well past his best, was a reminder that he was an elite midfielder but has rarely been more than a decent forward. Assuming Buddy can get appropriate treatment, our forward line is decently stocked now. Tippett is showing what he can do when his body lets him. Reid seems to be maturing (though soft tissue injuries at inopportune times remain a concern). Heeney may play another season or so predominantly up forward before he graduates full time to the midfield. Towers is showing signs he might be an AFL player long term. BJ maybe also. And Rose is in the wings.

We don't need Goodsey in the forward line. If his knees will let him run around as an oversized ruck or wingman for one more year, wouldn't that be great to behold.

It would indeed. However I don't think his knees will hold up for another season so I would rather that he retire this year and be remembered as a great player and champion not as a champ who played one season too long. In saying this I believe that Towers or Rose can replace his position in the forwards.

[SA Swan]

On the road in Adelaide most of yesterday listening to the game on Dribble M. Mark Ricciutto, doing special comments, suggested the Swans looked back to their old ways in some aspects; tackling, running to space & pressure. He was of the opinion that we won the game everywhere but the score. Gave me great confidence that we will get to a Prelim. We have not seen our old ways in the second half of the year.

PS. Normally listen to ABC but reception was crap!

[Scottee]

One of the reasons Goodes was so great yesterday is that he played predominantly as a midfielder, not a forward. I don't know whether his move to the forward line was because he could no longer run out games in the midfield, or because the Swans needed him more forward. Watching him run around yesterday, even well past his best, was a reminder that he was an elite midfielder but has rarely been more than a decent forward. Assuming Buddy can get appropriate treatment, our forward line is decently stocked now. Tippett is showing what he can do when his body lets him. Reid seems to be maturing (though soft tissue injuries at inopportune times remain a concern). Heeney may play another season or so predominantly up forward before he graduates full time to the midfield. Towers is showing signs he might be an AFL player long term. BJ maybe also. And Rose is in the wings.

We don't need Goodsey in the forward line. If his knees will let him run around as an oversized ruck or wingman for one more year, wouldn't that be great to behold.

You are spot on Liz about the reason he went forward and the fact that we don't need him there now. He has created great drive and attack from the midfield since going there and to have a big midfielder is something we have been lacking. When available we have Reid, Tippett and Franklin up forward and it would appear that Towers is capable of playing a key forward role.

If Goodsey can repeat yesterday's performance in the midfield next week there is no way he should retire. We need him.

[Scottee]

We will go in next week without Buddy, Reid, Jack and Parker. We might get Smith back. That is equivalent to the Hawks going in without Gunston (who they've already lost) plus, say, Lewis, Shiels and Bruest - not like for like players but similar in where they rate in terms of importance to their teams. At their best, they can win without those players. We can win next week without ours too, though our bottom six next week will be far less experienced that a bottom six the Hawks can dredge up.

Heeney (under duress), Jones and Towers did their bit yesterday. We just need a little more from Rohan and/or BJ. And the coaches need to decide whether McGlynn is physically capable of contributing in a finals game, given how much footy he has missed this season. Is there anyone left to replace him? Smith, if he comes up. But if not, it comes down to whether Bird is in any better physical shape than McGlynn, or whether a Rose or Davis or Hewett or Richards can provide any more.

I would add Newman as another possible, however unlikley.

McGlynn is the big issue however. Worst game he has ever played for the club, as much as we love him he may not be up to it.

The question about Rohan is how sore is he really? He started to contribute late in the game but was way "out of sorts" to quote the commentators.Never quite know how much is mental and how much is physical with him.

BJ looked a bit overawed but will learn from the experience and find a game in Sydney far less daunting. At least he is physically fit. Probably the best candidate for the vest though.

[mcsquirta]

Ross Lyon must surely be questioning his decision to rest so many players before a big final. A lot of good it did, most of them were blowing like a field of 2yo's trying to run out a Melbourne Cup by the end. A few were flatfooted all 2nd half. Rhyce in a 3 on 1 split them down the middle and waltzed off like a teenager! LOL It's hard to tell if Goodsey's gained a length in running or whether the opposition had lost condition over their sabatical.

It was just glorious to watch though. When Adam gets the ball, and Jarrad too, them seem to be able to make time slow down. I was a bit surprised Pykey didn't sneak down to the top of the square occassionally though, all we needed was a bit of extra height and experience down the forward. I'm gonna have to watch the replay to get a grip on Jetta, but compared to his previous game against Fremantle, one quarter of finals footy is not good enough - he's 26 not 18 any more.

Regardless of all that. Now the stage is set for a classic Swans comeback.

[liz]

I would add Newman as another possible, however unlikley.



Think he's injured.

[annew]

Luke Parker according to Doc Larkins a chance for this week but swans have the most injuries than any other team, as if we didn't know that.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

No depth but our best reserves Hewett and Marsh can't get a game. The Swans never never drop premiership players even after a month of poor footy.

[barry]

Lyons decision to rest players in the last round will bear fruit in the coming weeks.

- - - Updated - - -

BJ is now lost to me. Very badly exposed yesterday. Finals sort out the wheat from the charf. Hes charf. Depth player at best.

[Scottee]

Think he's injured.
Due back this week.

[liz]

Due back this week.

Hard to see a player make his debut coming straight off an injury, in a final, having played no footy for a fortnight or so.

[liz]

No depth but our best reserves Hewett and Marsh can't get a game. The Swans never never drop premiership players even after a month of poor footy.

Which premiership players are coming off a month of poor footy?

[Scottee]

I did say it was unlikely but he has talent, is mature, is an excellent and confident kick, the injury was to an arm and would not have stopped him running, and he is better than some others depending on the role.

[mcs]

On the road in Adelaide most of yesterday listening to the game on Dribble M. Mark Ricciutto, doing special comments, suggested the Swans looked back to their old ways in some aspects; tackling, running to space & pressure. He was of the opinion that we won the game everywhere but the score. Gave me great confidence that we will get to a Prelim. We have not seen our old ways in the second half of the year.

PS. Normally listen to ABC but reception was crap!

We will make the prelim - mark my words. Feels like 2013, but there is too much pride in this group for us to go out in straight sets, even with the injury issues we have.

[Meg]

BJ is now lost to me. Very badly exposed yesterday. Finals sort out the wheat from the charf. Hes charf. Depth player at best.

Bit unfair. Remember Hayden Ballantyne's shocker in the 2013'grand final? He was totally overwhelmed by the occasion. But yesterday he was in Fremantle's best player list. BJ is much younger and much less experienced than Ballantyne was in 2013 so I think to write BJ off is very premature.

[Ludwig]

I don't know what to make of McGlynn and Rohan for next week. Both looked so out of form, and clearly not quite fit enough. Maybe we have to see how they train this week.

The only untried player I would consider is Hewett. He seems a very composed character, but it would still be a big call to pick him for a final, even if it's over a somewhat unfit McGlynn.

I was disappointed with BJ. He still seems so far from having a decent feel for the game. I think he's got the tools to be a senior players, but needs more development time. I would give Rose a shot at the sub role, in a close call over BJ.

The biggest obstacle for Lloyd at this time is his lack of physical strength, which forces him to use his evasive skills as his only option to break loose from opposition players, and it's just not good enough at this stage of his career. I think he's got a good shot of improving in this area. Anyway, we really don't have much choice about selecting him in the starting 21 given our injury situation. He works hard all game and gets a fair amount of the ball.

[aardvark]

BJ is now lost to me. Very badly exposed yesterday. Finals sort out the wheat from the chaff. He's chaff. Depth player at best.

4 weeks ago we were still unsure if he could compete at AFL level and now you expect him to star in probably his first AFL final. I'm sure he will be better for the run. These kids have to start somewhere and i'm willing to bet he has a much improved game next week.

[barry]

I dont expect him to star. But i do expect him not to fumble, go missing, miss tackles, go to ground.

I know its harsh, but weve let players go for less. Very suprised if hes named next week.

[annew]

Tigers and Roos fans are excited about their game today and one team will be out, we should be excited as swans play at home next Saturday and could be in another pre-lim. It will be Shaws last home game and possibly Goodes's last game lets be loud and proudly Sydney. Go swans

[dimelb]

I agree with Meg and aardvark about BJ. Yesterday he made two mistakes that caught my attention. One was passing to the opposition (I assume that was the single critical error he scored in the stats), the other was dropping the ball immediately after Tippo had dropped a "gimme" mark (and we're not bagging him). In both cases there was a deficiency of awareness, easily attributable to the sheer pace of the game. This is exactly the kind of exposure he needs to become a better player. I feel confident he is a part of our future, a feeling I no longer have about Ben McGlynn.

Brandon has very good pace - close to Jetta I think - and has become a determined tackler. Usually he is a decent kick. He seems most of the time to be playing a defensive forward role plus crumbing for the bigger forwards. If he had dropped the ball to his foot, instead of having to kick it off the ground, he may well have claimed a goal, and if that simple difference had happened we would be singing his praises. I feel confident he will make it and become a regular in the firsts.

[Nico]

On McGlynn. He had a full game so he should be much fitter this week. My problem with him was appalling kicking for goal. That miss close in was a horrible effort. He kicks that and may very well have taken the game away. BJ worries me because he llooks very timid at times, a bit like Cunningham although the later was prepared to put his body on the line. Rohan's only excuse is injury. He had 1 stat, a tackle, to half time. I watched the game at a bar in Phuket with many Aussies and the opinion was Rohan is over rated and doesn't do enough.

[0918330512]

Sydney kicked themselves to a loss. Doggies inaccuracy kicked them out of the finals. North are doing their score card no favours so far. If Tim Schmidt's kicking business is any good, or if Michael Byrne wants to come back from his current kicking coach role in NZ, there's plenty of work for them. We need to get Plugger & Davo on as kicking consultants!

[mcs]

Sydney kicked themselves to a loss. Doggies inaccuracy kicked them out of the finals. North are doing their score card no favours so far. If Tim Schmidt's kicking business is any good, or if Michael Byrne wants to come back from his current kicking coach role in NZ, there's plenty of work for them. We need to get Plugger & Davo on as kicking consultants!

For all the debate about yesterday's game, footy is a very straightforward game in terms of needing to kick straight. It has threatened to cost us all season (our inaccuracy in front of goal) and yesterday it arguably killed off our Premiership chances....

[troyjones2525]

I don't know what we've done to the footy gods but they definitely aren't with us! Predictions for the weekend in Sydney is more wind and rain which has seemed to be our kryptonite!

Unfortunately i feel that perhaps this is not our year and hope that perhaps next year we get a better run with players like Heeney, Rohan, Reid and of course Buddy to interrupted campaigns along with additions like the classy Mills and hopefully big Naismith and even Newman. Hopefully we can add to our list re trades with the restrictions loosened or at best removed. And finally, could we be lucky enough to get a fit A.J. back???

I know we aren't out yet, but its going to be near impossible to go all the way, and that's what you play for, premierships! So bring on a fit and health 2016 i say!

[wolftone57]

Massive opportunity lost. Better than the anchors.

Hopefully we get Smiffy in the side along with either Bird (if fit) or a KPP.

Can't imagine Rohan doing that 2 weeks in a row. McGlynn, sorry mate. BJ gets another go because there are no other midfielders.

Agree about Goodsey.Hope he plays on!

There are other mids. Birdie, Hewett or Abaina Davis 192cm being used as a mid in the reserves. davis has been very good too. We need a KF we don't have one in reserve but again this is where Davis could come in. He can play forward, back & mid and as I say is 192cm. I don't know if I would categorise BJ as a mid, more a small forward. Benny is a mid and was very disappointing. I was not convinced last week in the reserves. The stats say he did well but the video tells a different story. He was wasteful and fumbled a lot. His game yesterday was forgettable. He fumbled and coughed the ball up at crucial moments in the game and otherwise got very little of it. If he had to touch the ball to sustain his life he would have been dead by three quarter time. Same goes for Pyke, BJ & Gazza.

We were good at getting it yesterday but crap at using it. Got to give Towers a big wrap. This bloke has been much maligned, by nearly everyone on this and every other Swans fan site, but yesterday he showed exactly what we have been waiting to see. He was wonderful. He showed so much composure as most of the young blokes fell to pieces around him. I think the coaches need to get round the other young blokes and get their confidence up. It is easy to hang your head and not lift the chin so the young blokes have to lift their collective chin and just get the job done this week. As for the senior players who didn't perform like Jetts and Benny there is nowhere to hide and they need to be on notice. As for most of the team they were wonderful but I want Hannas to get some lessons from Paul Kelly on how a mids delivers the ball. Hannas gets so much ball it is just a pity he wastes about 50% of it. If he used it well he would be our best player.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

It's more about depth. Too late now. A lot of poor foooty by senior players masked by wins, individual efforts. Cant use them now.

[annew]

It's more about depth. Too late now. A lot of poor foooty by senior players masked by wins, individual efforts. Cant use them now.
Agree depth not great but playing in the NEAFL is not exactly great preparation or development for the reserve players.