Rd 3 vs Western Bulldogs @ Marvel - Match Thread

[AB Swannie]

No late changes.

Ronke & Wallis the medi subs.

Swans by Buddy (23)

[Mel_C]

On the way to the ground. I'm on my own tonight so I hope I'm not surrounded by Bulldog supporters.

[Goal Sneak]

Very excited for this game! The dogs will be fired up. If we match them at the start and play our game we should run over the top of them.

GO SWANNIES!!

[AB Swannie]

I don't like Thursday night games. Much prefer having my footy on the weekend.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Like a few others, keen to see how Amarty goes. He certainly showed promise last year that he could add a dynamic touch to the game with his athleticism up forward and in the ruck.

Like a lot of young KPPs, I think the trick for him is not just to play well when things are going our way but show he can make a consistent contribution in tough games or tough moments within a game. That’s not to say he’s soft, it’s just a natural step for young players need to take in their evolution.

[Maltopia]

Channel 7 commenter mentioned the 2016 GF between the Western Bulldogs and GWS!

What a clown.

[dejavoodoo44]

Probably time that teams started tagging Blakey.

[i'm-uninformed2]

May opposition players keep trying to slip Mills in a tackle

[troyjones2525]

Come on Tom! Dumb footy! You have to play in front of that lanky bugger! He's unstoppable on the lead!

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[Daisi]

Pretty weak defence so far, so lucky not to be further behind. What is the defence doing? Bullies are outplaying us at present, and we know that when we play Melbourne clubs we have to factor in the 'home town advantage' . So we have to win by lots.... I don't expect to win tonight.

[Markwebbos]

Totally being outplayed and out coached I’d say.

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We needed that

[dejavoodoo44]

Weightman is rapidly becoming one of my least favourite players.

[troyjones2525]

As I said last week! Why oh why do we switch the football and use Tom McCartin! It's heart in the mouth stuff almost every time! He's one of our worst ball users unlike his bro who is one of our best!

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[dejavoodoo44]

How was that not in the back to Rowbottom?

[Daisi]

How was that not in the back to Rowbottom?

'Home town advantage' is a real thing....

I really 'enjoy' the way the Bullies 'handball.' Looks like throwing to me...

[troyjones2525]

How was that not in the back to Rowbottom?Wrong team that's why...

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[troyjones2525]

As I said last week! Why oh why do we switch the football and use Tom McCartin! It's heart in the mouth stuff almost every time! He's one of our worst ball users unlike his bro who is one of our best!

Sent from my SM-G998B using TapatalkWhy @@@@ing why do we keep doing it! So dumb!

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[AB Swannie]

Currently being completely outplayed. They seem more intense everywhere.

[SCGonasunnyday]

Argh couldn’t be much worse - but we will play better next quarter

[The Big Cat]

Bombing it into forward line. Wicks is on borrowed time.

[Nico]

The Dogs have a lot of players behind the ball.

[Mel_C]

We are not switched on. Our defenders (especially Tom McCartin) and our forwards are not in synch. Conversely the Bulldogs are playing very well and are marking everything.

Bulldogs supporters are very entitled when it comes to frees. When we kicked the goal from the advantage, the guy next to me yelled "Why don't you kick it for them ump" " Good goal ump". Meanwhile they had kicked 2 goals from frees!!

We better come out firing this quarter.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Bar Mills, midfield being whacked. That leaves defence exposed, though with Cordy, they’ve lost one of their blockers.

We could be a lot further behind.

[Nico]

That was so bad by Rowbottom. Kick the ball forward if you can't short kick.

Wicks is very ordinary. falling over and fumbling.

[AB Swannie]

Our kicking is killing us. Not often Gulden and Blakey miss simple kicks.

[troyjones2525]

Bombing it into forward line. Wicks is on borrowed time.Yep. Papley better be back next week! Papley in, Wicks out!

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[Swannette]

Fist over McCartins shoulder but no free. No surprise. Commentator said of the one to the dog earlier ‘the umps will pay that all day’. Not if you’re playing the dogs they won’t. Unreal.


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[Daisi]

I don't think I'm going to watch this- it's just a free-kick-a-thon in the fifty for the Bullies- just ridiculous to have a football match like this- it's boring and silly, and unprofessional. It's like daddy is umpiring his 10 year olds Auskick game.

[Markwebbos]

Swans are improving but need to take some marks inside 50

[dejavoodoo44]

That holding free against Rampe was truly diabolical.

[Markwebbos]

That holding free against Rampe was truly diabolical.

+1

[troyjones2525]

We couldn't play any bloody worse! Pathetic!

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[Markwebbos]

Swans appeared to give up then

[i'm-uninformed2]

Truly putrid field kicking. Our defence is doing a remarkable job given where the ball is being turned out and how it’s coming back in

[Mark26]

The only positive is the score line at the moment. We look gassed.

[stevoswan]

Nothing has changed....get ball, throw ball....get tackled, drop ball.....frees 15 to 7. I repeat, nothing has changed.

Doesn't help that we seem a bit flat and maybe having a letdown after last weeks heroics. Lucky the dogs can't kick straight.

Some of our ball skills are diabolical at the moment......and strangely we're still in touch. Half time spray and we're still a chance.

[Mel_C]

What is wrong with us?? Turnovers galore, fumbles, forwards being out marked. Really frustrating watching this because we are better than this.

[cruiser]

Truly awful. They’re not switched on at all.

[Mel]

Sooo many skill errors

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Good lord I hate watching Bulldogs games

[SwanSand]

Sooo many skill errors

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Good lord I hate watching Bulldogs games

Expected … 2 six day break. Everyone looks cooked. And Bulldogs are playing a game that is breaking our quick play through the corridor. Do we have a plan B? Not sure. I haven’t seen it yet. McLean and Amartey are playing a poor game and not marking the ball which is killing us. Maybe we should put Paddy McCartin ahead of the ball?

[AB Swannie]

It feels like we have played at the same intensity as we did when we went back on the ground after Buddy’s 1000 last week.

[Mark26]

I still think we can turn this around. It's going to be a glorious come back!

[troyjones2525]

We couldn't play any worse surely...

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[Maltopia]

They are much fresher than us and/or working harder. They are getting so much fast and free ball movement as we can’t keep up.

[bloodbrother]

i see nothing has changed from the grand final with these grubs, any touch = free kick bulldogs ,makes me sick

[Bexl]

i see nothing has changed from the grand final with these grubs, any touch = free kick bulldogs ,makes me sick
YES!

[Kafka's Ghost]

Look flat as tacks after all the hype last week. Couldn’t play much worse, so hopefully the comeback will be on.


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[Ludwig]

This game and the next double 6 day break on 7 May v Suns were always going to be tough games to win for us. The Dogs are playing with an extra 3 days rest over the last 2 rounds. And it shows.

[Nico]

That late handball by Parker is indicative of how we are playing. All the luck is going the way of the Bulldogs. Ball bounces their way and the ball comes off the pack to one of them. There is not a creative small forward. McLean and Amartey are slow talls. Getting done for pace big time.

[stevoswan]

Well, that was a tad embarrassing but I'm strangely calm. I am not surprised by our teams flatness and lack of focus. It was my biggest fear coming into this week...a letdown, oh and of course the umpiring but that's almost a gimme now......with the free kick count currently sitting at 17 to 7.

Funnily, we can still win it but their has to be a huge improvement.

[dejavoodoo44]

Never much fun to watch a scoreless quarter, or a one goal half. Too many kicks and handballs just missing the targets. Not enough hard running.

But still, I think we're a pretty good chance of coming back. Dogs didn't put us away, since they missed plenty

[Nico]

On the frees: it is the inconsistency that gets me. They get a brush on the shoulder, free. Heeney gets clipped around the ears, play on. The free in the square was clearly against Stephens for holding. Just plain dumb. JUH gets a free for holding after clearly throwing the ball out in front of himself.

[Hotpotato]

I thought this was tomorrow night .
Looks like a train wreck .

[liz]

Our boys just look timid and flat footed. Dogs are structured up well and taking our game away from us, but we're contributing to our own demise plenty too. The only "positive" is that the Dogs have kicked 4.10 so the game isn't away from us on the scoreboard.

Weightman just has to look at the ball to get a free. And that's an observation based on many games against other opposition, not just tonight. And application of the HTB rule hasn't noticeably improved. JUH has possession, drops it cold as soon as tackled by Rampe, but because he throws it away from his body the umpire decides Rampe's tackle has lingered, even though it was just one movement.

[dejavoodoo44]

of chances. I also think they've been a bit lucky, so many contested balls have just bounced their way. That should even up.
And of course, I'm thoroughly sick of free kick Bulldogs.

[Faunac8]

Pressure on John now to adapt our game plan to address the forward pressure that #freekickbulldogs are applying.
The whole team seems off synch tonight so far hopefully some home truths are being delivered.
Look to reset and start over in the second half
And again let’s address the obvious poor discipline that leaves us down in the free kick count by 17-7.

[Nico]

McInerney and Papley must come back in. 2 players who create something.

[dejavoodoo44]

Our boys just look timid and flat footed. Dogs are structured up well and taking our game away from us, but we're contributing to our own demise plenty too. The only "positive" is that the Dogs have kicked 4.10 so the game isn't away from us on the scoreboard.

Weightman just has to look at the ball to get a free. And that's an observation based on many games against other opposition, not just tonight. And application of the HTB rule hasn't noticeably improved. JUH has possession, drops it cold as soon as tackled by Rampe, but because he throws it away from his body the umpire decides Rampe's tackle has lingered, even though it was just one movement.
That Rampe decision was genuinely one of the worst I've seen. Takes on the tackler, gets tackled, drops ball, instantaneous holding free.

[Daisi]

On the frees: it is the inconsistency that gets me. They get a brush on the shoulder, free. Heeney gets clipped around the ears, play on. The free in the square was clearly against Stephens for holding. Just plain dumb. JUH gets a free for holding after clearly throwing the ball out in front of himself.

Umpiring like this ruins the game. I agree the inconsistency is infuriating and makes the game a boring fest of free kick bulldogs- seriously 24 frees in a half of football? that's ridiculous it's amateur hour.... I'm also furious that the umpires don't protect our players from dangerous tackles like the one you cited above. That will, one day, be the cause of a serious injury.

We are playing woefully, but I would be playing woefully too if I was in a match being umpired like that. We are furious, imagine how the players feel?

[crackedactor 01]

17-7 free kick count. The radio just said 17-5 free kick count. Not including OOB full. Reminds me of the 2016 GF. Though it is the worse game I have seen the Swans played in the last 12 months.

[i'm-uninformed2]

God bless our defence.

You know it’s a pooey night when Gulden starts missing targets by 20m.

[stevoswan]

Our boys just look timid and flat footed. Dogs are structured up well and taking our game away from us, but we're contributing to our own demise plenty too. The only "positive" is that the Dogs have kicked 4.10 so the game isn't away from us on the scoreboard.

Weightman just has to look at the ball to get a free. And that's an observation based on many games against other opposition, not just tonight. And application of the HTB rule hasn't noticeably improved. JUH has possession, drops it cold as soon as tackled by Rampe, but because he throws it away from his body the umpire decides Rampe's tackle has lingered, even though it was just one movement.

Yes......he is up there with Toby as the most punchable face in the league. It's sickening what he (and his teammates) receive.

[dejavoodoo44]

Our boys just look timid and flat footed. Dogs are structured up well and taking our game away from us, but we're contributing to our own demise plenty too. The only "positive" is that the Dogs have kicked 4.10 so the game isn't away from us on the scoreboard.

Weightman just has to look at the ball to get a free. And that's an observation based on many games against other opposition, not just tonight. And application of the HTB rule hasn't noticeably improved. JUH has possession, drops it cold as soon as tackled by Rampe, but because he throws it away from his body the umpire decides Rampe's tackle has lingered, even though it was just one movement.
And I had no idea what the Weightman charity goal was for? Landing awkwardly? Nice hair? Managing to look at the umpire in the right way?

[dejavoodoo44]

Handy start.

[Mark26]

That goal's the tonic. Come on Swans'!

[stevoswan]

We got done for a throw.....sad.

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.....and the Dogs fans boo a correct review. Tad self unaware?

[Mark26]

Gutsy mark by Heaney. Classy finish.

[stevoswan]

Back in it....keep it going lads. Heens can't help but hurt himself....hope he's ok.

[dejavoodoo44]

Gutsy mark by Heaney. Classy finish.

He's very Dusty like in the forward line.

[Mel]

Heeney is fantastic. He can do it all

[Faunac8]

20-7

[stevoswan]

Seriously, it's sad.....like depressing, how easy the Fairy's get frees. Ruining the game.....over and over and over again.

Now 20 to 7. We are stuck on 7.....for a long time!

However, Bloods spirit has us right back in it.:five:

[i'm-uninformed2]

That kick from Heeney was genius

[dejavoodoo44]

Finally noticed a Bulldogs block. McLean is a very good set shot.

[Mark26]

Good signs of character from our mob to come out after half time and have a crack.

[Faunac8]

We coming for you fairypups

[Mel_C]

Hickey had gone down into the rooms ☹.

[Maltopia]

So is that two HTB and one push in the back for RB?

[stevoswan]

Woeful Fairypup kicking for goal.....maybe the footy gods have had enough of the Fairylove.

Having said that, I want to punch Weightman in the face.

[Faunac8]

Our exits from defence which had been one of our strengths in the first couple of rounds have been shocking tonight

[stevoswan]

Hickey out.....noooooo! Ronke in.

[Faunac8]

Hickey out that’s a problem

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Budddddddddy

[i'm-uninformed2]

Haywards effort and contest is certainly the best I’ve seen from him

[Mark26]

Come on lads. Let's run over these Dogs.

[Mel_C]

We were having a good quarter getting back into the game and then a turnover cost us a goal. We can't make errors because they will make us pay.

Ronke has been warming up.

Great goal come on swans!

[dejavoodoo44]

I wonder if the Dogs are starting to have bad thoughts of last year's GF yet?

[stevoswan]

Free kick count is officially worse than the 2016 GF. 21 to 8........yet we're still in it. This would be a satisfying win.

Now 22 to 8. Sigh.....

Now 23 to 8. $%^%^#$#@@!!!

[i'm-uninformed2]

That’s bull@@@@ against Chad for the tackle. They are @@@@ing cheats

[Faunac8]

Umpires doing everything they can to get the #freekickbulldogs back in the game

[Mel_C]

Hickey had ice on his knee ☹

[i'm-uninformed2]

That’s bull@@@@ against Chad for the tackle. They are @@@@ing cheats

And against Gulden

[dejavoodoo44]

Hickey had ice on his knee ☹
Possibly a medial ligament? I think he played with one of those last year?

[Markwebbos]

And against Gulden

+1

[Faunac8]

And finally the commentators notice the 24-8 free kick count it’s becoming offensive

[stevoswan]

I'm starting to hate footy again....the umpiring is reaching vomitus levels. 24 to 8 now....and most of them just aren't there!

[Markwebbos]

To be fair they’ve comprehensively outplayed us. It’s only their goal kicking that’s kept us in it

[waswan]

clean possession anyone

[troyjones2525]

No matter the pathetic free kick count, we don't deserve to be in this! Have been very ordinary and don't work for each other.

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[i'm-uninformed2]

Libba was done, that should have been a shot at goal. @@@@ you Gil, @@@@ you umpires, a @@@@ing disgrace

[Mark26]

Amartey lays a good tackle ... no holding the ball. Buddy tackles Libba and he misses his kick ... no illegal disposal or dropping the ball. WTF? Umps are becoming more horrid by the minute.

[Meg]

That’s bull@@@@ against Chad for the tackle. They are @@@@ing cheats

Totally disagree. Ill-disciplined and unnecessary smart ass act by Warner. Hope he gets a roast from the coach.;it cost us.

[Daisi]

No matter the pathetic free kick count, we don't deserve to be in this! Have been very ordinary and don't work for each other.

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How can you play the game when the free kick count is so far against you? Imagine actually being on the field and not having a clue what the umpires are going to do next because they are just making up free kicks as they go along now...a 25- 8 free kick count?? that's a joke...

[bloodbrother]

if we look like we are getting close go give em another free , yellow shirted cheats , so blantant

[dejavoodoo44]

How many illegal disposal frees should have been paid against the Bulldogs in that last minute? 25 - 8 at three quarter time.

[Swannette]

No free kick to buddy for a tackle on the son of that ***k as he dropped the ball. Unreal


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[stevoswan]

The convenient inconsistencies in the umpiring interpretations are infuriating. A sane person would think we had seen the most blatantly biased umpiring ever in the 2016 GF.....but I think we are witnessing worse tonight. If we win, it will be the sweetest of sweet victories.....but still infuriating. We just shouldn't have to put up with this crap.

[Nico]

Libba was done, that should have been a shot at goal. @@@@ you Gil, @@@@ you umpires, a @@@@ing disgrace

Yep it missed his foot by a metre.

[liz]

I can't fathom what the umpire even thought that free against Gulden for his tackle might be. And spot the difference between the Warner tackle on Dunkley (freekick Dogs) and the JUH tackle on Mills (play on).

[Bexl]

To be fair they’ve comprehensively outplayed us. It’s only their goal kicking that’s kept us in it
Well I firmly believe if free kick count was 24 -8 to us we would look like we were comfortably the better team

[Adelaide Swan]

I'm starting to hate footy again....the umpiring is reaching vomitus levels. 24 to 8 now....and most of them just aren't there!It's ridiculous. I'm convinced its the only way the Bullflogs win games because they have the yellow ponces with the whistle on their payroll.

Starting to prefer watching state league footy these days.

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[Thunder Shaker]

Just WHAT do we have to do to earn a free kick for holding the ball? Bulldogs get a free after the ball is held for less than two seconds and then disposed of properly, yet we make tackle after tackle and it's a ball-up. Yeah, like a few soft love taps on the ball with a fist is a legitimate attempt at disposal.

[Nico]

Put Campbell in the guts. Mix it up a bit.

[stevoswan]

For every free we get, Fairypups get 3+.

[Faunac8]

One of our worst tackling efforts for a long time tonight 2 to 1 against we have been out pressured so far and it shows.
Our younger players are struggling tonight and we need a lift from James Ollie and Dylan in particular in the last quarter. Will require a real mindset uplift to get up now but anything is possible. I think Sam is almost certain to be running around in the VFL next week.

[liz]

Well I firmly believe if free kick count was 24 -8 to us we would look like we were comfortably the better team

To be fair, most of the frees have been OK. We haven't had enough of the ball to win 24 free kicks. But there have been a handful of dubious inconsistencies in the way the rules have been applied. And a couple of complete bafflements.

[troyjones2525]

We should not play Ladhams in the reserves now as we can't afford him to get injured. Give him a string training session so he's right for next week!

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[AB Swannie]

Younger players are going to have their ups and downs and unfortunately a few of our future starts are having some downs together on the same day. Fumbly, missing kicks, missing tackles. Rowbottom, Warner, Gulden all below their normal average.

[Faunac8]

Here comes the free kick level up.

[stevoswan]

Go boys.....refuse to lose!

[Meg]

To be fair, most of the frees have been OK. We haven't had enough of the ball to win 24 free kicks. But there have been a handful of dubious inconsistencies in the way the rules have been applied. And a couple of complete bafflements.

Yep, we are playing badly, Dogs are playing well except for kicking for goal which has kept us in the match. Pointless to go on and on about the free kicks.

[i'm-uninformed2]

To be fair, most of the frees have been OK. We haven't had enough of the ball to win 24 free kicks. But there have been a handful of dubious inconsistencies in the way the rules have been applied. And a couple of complete bafflements.

With respect, they haven’t. They’ve been utterly inconsistent, but the ones to them haven’t all been there either.

[stevoswan]

Here we go....get chances and miss.:frown

[Markwebbos]

Cmon Swans this would be the sweetest victory

[Thunder Shaker]

Totally disagree. Ill-disciplined and unnecessary smart ass act by Warner. Hope he gets a roast from the coach.;it cost us.
I agree, that Warner tackle was ill-disciplined. However, the Bulldogs player had held on to the ball for longer than a few Swans players were given to dispose of the ball before the whistle. I got the impression that there was some frustration involved there.

[stevoswan]

Yep, we are playing badly, Dogs are playing well except for kicking for goal which has kept us in the match. Pointless to go on and on about the free kicks.

Pointless in that it won't change anything yes but seriously, you can't be happy with what your witnessing? And believe if the count was more correct and even, that we wouldn't be ahead instead of looking at a defeat?

[Faunac8]

Yep, we are playing badly, Dogs are playing well except for kicking for goal which has kept us in the match. Pointless to go on and on about the free kicks.
Yes we have been outplayed tonight but should we completely forget about a free kick count of 3-1 against ?

[Faunac8]

Rowbottom taken below the knees no free kick JUH drops the ball no intent to dispose no free kick no consistency

[Thunder Shaker]

Yes we have been outplayed tonight but should we completely forget about a free kick count of 3-1 against ?
The free kicks are incidental. More important is our difficulty finding targets in the middle of the ground, and for that matter the Dogs' difficulty finding the goals.

[Markwebbos]

Next goal Swans please

[Faunac8]

Sam trying to keep his spot still think it’s not enough

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The free kicks are incidental. More important is our difficulty finding targets in the middle of the ground, and for that matter the Dogs' difficulty finding the goals.

They are incidental up to a point it is inevitable that inconsistency will impact psychologically on players

[Markwebbos]

That was very very dumb

[stevoswan]

Silly Wicks.

[Mark26]

That was very very dumb

+1

[Mel_C]

Wicks is an idiot...cost us a goal just as we had them under pressure. We can't get the margin under a goal.

[Nico]

Easy selection next week. Wicks gets a week for that. Should get 2 for being dumb.

[waswan]

do we have one bloke who has won his matchup ?

[troyjones2525]

Goodbye Wicks.

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[Adelaide Swan]

Soccer dive by the Bullflogs there. Would fit in well with the Melbourne Victory.

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[troyjones2525]

do we have one bloke who has won his matchup ?Good point. Wouldn't be very many!

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[stevoswan]

Are we running out of puff? The weight of unfairness overpowering us......

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Ronkes back!

Keep pushing boys!

[Faunac8]

Ronke attack great kick

[i'm-uninformed2]

Are we running out of puff? The weight of unfairness overpowering us......

And that’s the point about the frees

[dejavoodoo44]

Mr Ronke gives us a chance.

[Thunder Shaker]

A handy point ... now we need two goals.

[stevoswan]

Easy selection next week. Wicks gets a week for that. Should get 2 for being dumb.

He won't get a week lol! But he should be dropped.

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And that’s the point about the frees

Exactly.

[stevoswan]

Some our forward entry and set up work has been forgettable.

[troyjones2525]

Wicks can @@@@ right off! I'm done with him.

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[stevoswan]

That has to be a reportable act by English ?

Looked high.....definitely late.

[Markwebbos]

Wow!

[i'm-uninformed2]

Man, a few of those inside 50s before the Gulden goal were yuk

[stevoswan]

60 seconds to steal, no claim, a famous win.

[Mark26]

Please just one more!

[Adelaide Swan]

That was a lot worse than what Wicks did. Typical Bullgrubs thuggery.

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[Markwebbos]

Steal would be fine with me

[stevoswan]

Footy can be so unfair. Frustrating.....no, it doesn't change anything to complain about the umpiring but no one can say it didn't change this result. I hate umpires.

[Adelaide Swan]

@@@@ off Footscray. Pity those @@@@s didn't merge with Brisbane instead of Fitzroy.

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[Maltopia]

Well we came back strong in the second half despite losing Hickey. But that first half was horrid.

[Mark26]

Of course it was Bont. Hate the Dogs.

[Markwebbos]

Shame about the first half really

[Adelaide Swan]

Footy can be so unfair. Frustrating.....no, it doesn't change anything to complain about the umpiring but no one can say it didn't change this result. I hate umpires.It's the only way those dole bludgers from the west can win games. They'd be stone motherless last without the help of the yellow scum.

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[Daisi]

To get close when the umpires cheated, well that's impressive....You can complain about the players all day, but I don't think it's fair to do so. When the umpiring is so obviously bad, you can't tell what the psychological effect, on the players, particularly young players is. I don't think you can objectively judge players when they are so obviously being subjected to bad one way umpiring- seriously 25-8 free kicks at 3 quarter time? No team is that bad, no team is that good-

[i'm-uninformed2]

I’m sorry, because we love Chad, and it’s not about one play, but letting Libba go free like that in that last big play, was awful. A part of his game to work on.

[stevoswan]

Proud of our boys....so proud. They played quite badly overall but to almost win it, against the frankly diabolically biased umpiring is amazing.

**** off Fairypups. **** off umpires. **** off A(V)FL.

The team should make a pact to win the flag out of sheer spite against this sham league. It would be the sweetest flag of all.

[dejavoodoo44]

31-14 free kick count. I think it was 21-8 in the 2016 GF, when we got a belated apology from the AFL, because the umpiring wasn't up to standard. Will we get an apology after that @@@@ing travesty?

[Hotpotato]

The boys had to be ‘hung over’ from the euphoria from last Friday night .

[longmile]

We deserved to lose but man what a @@@@ game. And what horrible umpiring. Should never be 45 free kicks in a game. Sick of the dogs and their favoritism

[stevoswan]

The boys had to be ‘hung over’ from the euphoria from last Friday night .

So the umps thought 'we'd better lay the boots in, they've had enough fun'.

[barry]

Footscray are +30 for free kicks after 3 games.
Cheating scum.

[crackedactor 01]

The boys had to be ‘hung over’ from the euphoria from last Friday night .
Maybe thats a valid point. The amount of time they fumbled the ball, the bounce of the ball constantly went against them and the Umpiring was against them. Its like the Footy Gods saying you will pay for last week's celebration.

[Adelaide Swan]

To get close when the umpires cheated, well that's impressive....You can complain about the players all day, but I don't think it's fair to do so. When the umpiring is so obviously bad, you can't tell what the psychological effect, on the players, particularly young players is. I don't think you can objectively judge players when they are so obviously being subjected to bad one way umpiring- seriously 25-8 free kicks at 3 quarter time? No team is that bad, no team is that good-31-14 free kick count is a disgrace. Wonder what excuse Michael Jennings is going to come up with for his pack of cheating yellow maggots.

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[neilfws]

Pointless in that it won't change anything yes but seriously, you can't be happy with what your witnessing? And believe if the count was more correct and even, that we wouldn't be ahead instead of looking at a defeat?

I guess it's going to be another season of failing to convince anyone here that the free kick count simply isn't that important in the grand scheme of things, or that there is no reason to expect a count close to even in any one game!

Multiple chances late in the game 2 goals down to come through for a famous win - none of them executed well. Repeatedly bombing it high to tall defenders, not going to work.

Dogs, much as I dislike them, did more of the things that they needed to do, when they needed to do it.

Pretty miserable game to watch after the joy of last week. I'll be forgetting it as quickly as possible and moving on.

[KTigers]

31-14 free kick count. I think it was 21-8 in the 2016 GF, when we got a belated apology from the AFL, because the umpiring wasn't up to standard. Will we get an apology after that @@@@ing travesty?

The combined free kick count was 18-3 in the second & third quarters. An entire half of footy and one team only gives away
3 free kicks. Quite an achievement. Really enjoyed hearing the Footscray Cheer Squad in the commentary room too.

[bloodbrother]

anyone who says the umpiring didn't make the difference is kidding themselves ,really disgusting , all i ever want to see is a fair go for our boys and if they aren't good enough then so be it .... but this league is a joke , i feel for the players

[Faunac8]

Any apologists for the free kick count tonight need to understand the impact that inconsistency has on the way players approach the game .
They start to second guess what interpretation will be applied and subconsciously pull back ever so slightly on contested possessions the tackles become just a touch less vigorous and attempted spoils are less aggressive.

Yes we were outplayed and probably didn’t deserve to win but to suggest the free kick count was irrelevant and had no impact on the game is usually the domain of escapism and justification from opposition supporters.

[Mark26]

31-14 free kick count is a disgrace. Wonder what excuse Michael Jennings is going to come up with for his pack of cheating yellow maggots.

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The narrative won't change. Nothing to see here.

[Ludwig]

We were well beaten on the night and deserved to lose. We comprehensively lost the contested ball and they were really sharp with their disposal, while we kept turning the ball over. I think the rest between games differential was the killer and expected us to lose this game. We have a few things to clean up and get back to the kind of winning football we know we can play.

[stellation]

Poor performance aside, I don't think it's too great a tantrum to say the universe is in agreement that the Bulldogs suck.

[Daisi]

Any apologists for the free kick count tonight need to understand the impact that inconsistency has on the way players approach the game .
They start to second guess what interpretation will be applied and subconsciously pull back ever so slightly on contested possessions the tackles become just a touch less vigorous and attempted spoils are less aggressive.

Yes we were outplayed and probably didn’t deserve to win but to suggest the free kick count was irrelevant and had no impact on the game is usually the domain of escapism and justification from opposition supporters.

This is exactly what I was trying to say- but you say it much better- thank you

[Roadrunner]

Of course it was Bont. Hate the Dogs.

Let’s face it- we were pretty flat tonight. Whether it was the 6 day breaks or the euphoria from last week, the dogs were the better side tonight. They should have pit us away in the first half, where we were diabolical. As it was, we got to within under a goal with a minute left tonight but in all fairness guys, we didn’t deserve to win. Sure, the umps were their usual selves and gave the doggies an armchair ride with some awful decisions. But we didn’t play well- our field kicking was astray for most of the game, we fumbled a lot and only a few came to play.

Bad luck with big Tom getting hurt. Fantastic game from the Lizard- he was a standout. Our defenders tried hard but were under the pump constantly. Hard to find a player who won on the night.

Hopefully back to our true form next week!

[waswan]

Umpiring was bad
Skills were disgraceful
Lack of pressure was p8ss weak

[Adelaide Swan]

anyone who says the umpiring didn't make the difference is kidding themselves ,really disgusting , all i ever want to see is a fair go for our boys and if they aren't good enough then so be it .... but this league is a joke , i feel for the playersThe league likes to pontificate about how its a national competition but let's face it it's a glorified suburban Melbourne competition with a handful of interstate clubs thrown in.

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[Swanstubbs]

Last week showed me how much I love it

Tonight showed me the dark side... Inconsistent umpiring is a huge turnoff

[Mark26]

Let’s face it- we were pretty flat tonight. Whether it was the 6 day breaks or the euphoria from last week, the dogs were the better side tonight. They should have pit us away in the first half, where we were diabolical. As it was, we got to within under a goal with a minute left tonight but in all fairness guys, we didn’t deserve to win. Sure, the umps were their usual selves and gave the doggies an armchair ride with some awful decisions. But we didn’t play well- our field kicking was astray for most of the game, we fumbled a lot and only a few came to play.

Bad luck with big Tom getting hurt. Fantastic game from the Lizard- he was a standout. Our defenders tried hard but were under the pump constantly. Hard to find a player who won on the night.

Hopefully back to our true form next week!

Agree with all of that. I wanted a miracle ... It wasn't forthcoming this week. I hope with bounce back next week, and in a big way.

[Adelaide Swan]

Thishttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220331/da708aad01c63aeecaaf2b5a8e37980b.jpg

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[SwanSand]

We were well beaten on the night and deserved to lose. We comprehensively lost the contested ball and they were really sharp with their disposal, while we kept turning the ball over. I think the rest between games differential was the killer and expected us to lose this game. We have a few things to clean up and get back to the kind of winning football we know we can play.

Even though the rest differential did not help us I think we have a problem with how we win games. Todays game is the classic example. We tend to rely on short and long kicks from back half. We have great creators from half back to execute this however, Bulldogs we’re sharp in their positioning and we were under the weather from 2 short breaks and could not or did not work hard enough.
But the opposition know that they have to stop those kicks and off they break our run and we will leak goals. This is not sustainable brand to win in finals. We need to break even or come close to breaking even in contested ball and turnovers otherwise it will be what everyone expects - we would be a 6-12 position team.

[stevoswan]

We played shocking, had 16 less free kicks and almost beat one of 2021's Grand Finalists who were given a free ride....so we are in this season up to our necks.

As I said earlier, very proud of our team. 2022 roll on!

PS: I love Titus!

[Auntie.Gerald]

two good teams
Dogs out smarted with falling back into the middle of the field zoning and not letting us play on.
We couldnt find a away to beat this defence but i am sure the whole comp watched and so did our coaching dept.
We will no doubt go to town and play slower if we have to and let them come to us more so next time.
But lets be honest if the Dogs got even close to scoring a few more from their thousand behinds we would have looked a mile behind tonight.

We are 2/3
Dogs 1/3

I think we can learn a lot from the game

The A-Party stepped up again which is super pleasing come the later parts of 2022

[Faunac8]

This is exactly what I was trying to say- but you say it much better- thank you

Thanks Daisi i appreciate your comment
I think it’s pretty clear that in a game where the ball spends so much time being contested that a split second of indecision can make the difference between winning the ball and moving forward or watching it go over your head for a score against.

[AB Swannie]

“Getting out of hand”: Umpiring comes under fire as inaccurate Western Bulldogs prevail over Sydney (https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/03/31/getting-out-of-hand-umpiring-comes-under-fire-as-inaccurate-western-bulldogs/)

[i'm-uninformed2]

Do we know if the umpiring fraternity gets invited to the Dogs end of season trip?

[MattW]

Learning experience for the young players. Blakey gets a distinction; Gulden a credit; Warner a high pass; Campbell and Rowbottom a pass; Stephens didn't handle the heat.

McCartins were good. Needed more from Mills and Florent.

Hopefully, we get Papley and McInerney back next week.

@@@@ing hate the Bulldogs.

[Meg]

I guess it's going to be another season of failing to convince anyone here that the free kick count simply isn't that important in the grand scheme of things, or that there is no reason to expect a count close to even in any one game!

Multiple chances late in the game 2 goals down to come through for a famous win - none of them executed well. Repeatedly bombing it high to tall defenders, not going to work.

Dogs, much as I dislike them, did more of the things that they needed to do, when they needed to do it.

Pretty miserable game to watch after the joy of last week. I'll be forgetting it as quickly as possible and moving on.

Thanks Neil, you are always a calm voice of reason.

[stevoswan]

I've changed channels (when the team song was starting).....any news on Hickey?

[Adelaide Swan]

Do we know if the umpiring fraternity gets invited to the Dogs end of season trip?Wonder if umpires boss Michael Jennings is on Luke Beveridge's coaching staff.

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[stevoswan]

Agree with all of that. I wanted a miracle ... It wasn't forthcoming this week. I hope with bounce back next week, and in a big way.

Norf! Let's not take them lightly.....let's smash'em.

[troyjones2525]

We were well beaten on the night and deserved to lose. We comprehensively lost the contested ball and they were really sharp with their disposal, while we kept turning the ball over. I think the rest between games differential was the killer and expected us to lose this game. We have a few things to clean up and get back to the kind of winning football we know we can play.Spot on Ludwig. We were poor for most of the night. Yes the umpiring was atrocious but so was our skill errors and several efforts in our forward line where we just stood there and watched them mark the ball... (I'm looking at you Wicks).

We need this longer break to hopefully reset and get back to playing our brand.

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[dejavoodoo44]

Frees since 2016 Bulldogs v Swans.
2022: 31-14.
2021: 29-16.
2020: 16-13.
2019: 22-22.
2018: 29-16.
2017: 31-17. 13-22.
2016: 17-16. 20-8.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i think it is fair to say that the AFL will certainly not want teams to zone the middle like the Dogs did all game.

If that happens and the bus is parked across the middle of the field every kick in and or exit then AFL will become a very very boring game to watch.

It worked tonight impressively for the Dogs and we couldnt handle the chess game and mirror when needed

[stevoswan]

Sam Naismith on twitter: "If I tweet about the umpires, is it 50?"

@@@@in' funny......

[i'm-uninformed2]

So, the positives: our defence was very good given what they had coming in at them. Blakey exceptional. Campbell a very good second half.

Our mids largely yuk.

Horse interesting at post match presser. Asked about umpiring. Didn’t want to buy into it. Which is sometimes his way, but he had a “don’t get me fined” edge to him.

[Faunac8]

Thanks Neil, you are always a calm voice of reason.

An individual opinion much like every one else on here.
If anyone genuinely believes a lopsided free kick count has no actual impact on a team I suggest you check out the looks on the Swans players faces after some of the more contentious decisions. 3 or 4 of those a game can be absorbed when it’s 17-3* over a period of play it’s debilitating.
Yes we lost and probably deserved to but I can not dismiss the impact the umpires had on the game tonight.

[dejavoodoo44]

Watching the Front Bar was improving my mood, but now they've got Liam Picken on to reminisce about the 2016 GF. FFS!

[mcs]

All I'll say is my ticker is glad I missed that game and had other things keeping me occupied. Saw about 2 minutes of the second quarter in between engagements and that was enough for me ha - it was putrid. But we obviously improved a bit in the second half and by the sounds of it had our chances to win it at the end.

While it sounds like we were far from our best tonight, and have some work to do against teams that adapt their tactics like the Dogs did today, it sounds like we fought back well - which is good signs for a great season to come. And we do know we won't get reamed like that every week by the umpires.

In that sense - we shouldn't be surprised. Hasn't changed from 2016 when this same old crap happens when playing the Fairypuppies. They are the absolute darlings of the yellow brigade.

I agree to some degree with NeilFWS about the free kick count - it is an inaccurate measure of the impact of umpiring anyway, because it doesn't pick up calls not made. And that is where I think the Dogs get a huge ride consistently from umpires. They get away with a huge amount of stuff - throws in particular, plenty of diving too, that other teams don't. Maybe their just better at disguising it, and I strongly suspect they train specifically to maximise the frees they get and indeed avoid (Its beyond a sample size now imho of it being down to 'luck' that they keep getting such a lovely ride from the umpires).

Alas, its not a game I'll be going out of my way to watch over the next week, but a good reality check and kick up the bum for the team. Sounds like our skills tonight were really poor, which is inexcusable in perfect footy conditions under the roof. I'm less concerned by the fact the dogs were able to effectively counter our strengths - that will happen. And indeed it is part of what has to 'click' yet for the team - the ability to see what the opposition is doing and find a way to counter it. That will come in time.


The combined free kick count was 18-3 in the second & third quarters. An entire half of footy and one team only gives away
3 free kicks. Quite an achievement. Really enjoyed hearing the Footscray Cheer Squad in the commentary room too.

Surely their second best effort ever after the day that should not be mentioned - where they didn't conceded a free kick for was it just over half a game of football (or was it almost 3 quarters).... :hmmm

[MattW]

Watching the Front Bar was improving my mood, but now they've got Liam Picken on to reminisce about the 2016 GF. FFS!

Travis Head's hitting doing the job for me.

[mcs]

Sam Naismith on twitter: "If I tweet about the umpires, is it 50?"

@@@@in' funny......

Someone will be getting a please explain from the Whitten Oval on Monday.... oh I mean AFL Umpires HQ.

Suspect he will be in a little bit of trouble for that comment. He may not care.

[Adelaide Swan]

Sam Naismith on twitter: "If I tweet about the umpires, is it 50?"

@@@@in' funny......He's not wrong tbf.

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[neilfws]

If anyone genuinely believes a lopsided free kick count has no actual impact on a team I suggest you check out the looks on the Swans players faces after some of the more contentious decisions.

I do not believe that it has no impact. I just think that as a statistic, it gets far more attention than its influence merits.

[MattW]

Frees since 2016 Bulldogs v Swans.
2022: 31-14.
2021: 29-16.
2020: 16-13.
2019: 22-22.
2018: 29-16.
2017: 31-17. 13-22.
2016: 17-16. 20-8.

The anodyne FTV commentary was a bit galling also. Guileless presentation rather than calling the game.

[longmile]

I do not believe that it has no impact. I just think that as a statistic, it gets far more attention than its influence merits.

It's influential enough to rob us of a premiership

[i'm-uninformed2]

I do not believe that it has no impact. I just think that as a statistic, it gets far more attention than its influence merits.

Fwiw, I’d usually agree. But what we saw tonight was beyond ridiculous, like a certain game in 16

[stevoswan]

Watching the Front Bar was improving my mood, but now they've got Liam Picken on to reminisce about the 2016 GF. FFS!

Wow....glad I stuck with 'Would I Lie To You?'. Feeling better already.:tongue:

[Bangalore Swans]

Any apologists for the free kick count tonight need to understand the impact that inconsistency has on the way players approach the game .
They start to second guess what interpretation will be applied and subconsciously pull back ever so slightly on contested possessions the tackles become just a touch less vigorous and attempted spoils are less aggressive.

Yes we were outplayed and probably didn’t deserve to win but to suggest the free kick count was irrelevant and had no impact on the game is usually the domain of escapism and justification from opposition supporters.

I’ve been on the Scotches.

Apart from Blakey, The McCartin brothers and Hickey (before going off), there were on winners on the ground.

Chad lacked poise.

Wicks needs a spell.

RB performance was indicative of the strong 2021 feedback.

Heeney and Parker didn’t impact like they usually do.

Florent has lost his round 1 form.

Stephens and Campbell hand dropped.

McLean and Buddy didn’t bring the ball down enough.

Hayward was ok.

[dejavoodoo44]

Wow....glad I stuck with 'Would I Lie To You?'. Feeling better already.:tongue:

It's okay, he's gone now.

- - - Updated - - -

No, he's back, but they've done with 2016.

"Can you remember anything that Luke Beveridge ever said to you?".

"Come to think of it, I can't actually."

[Bill Posters]

For the umpire apologists out there: yes it's simplistic to say the free kick count isn't an accurate representation of bias: IF you look at a single game. When it happens over multiple games, the stats add up. Here we are in round 3 and the swans have a -21 tally and the dogs have +30. Try extending that timeline. I don't think anyone would argue the dogs are intrinsically fairer players of the game.

And yes they would have won if they'd kicked straighter - but they didn't. We were within a goal in the last quarter.

So - discussing poor umpiring is fair game. Don't join the AFL and the media in pretending this isn't an issue.

[liz]

I reckon Tom McCartin was our best tonight. He made a couple of bad kicking errors in the first quarter, and was subjected to a block or two that allowed Naughton to take a couple of marks. But apart from that he won or halved most of his one-on-one contests with Naughton and took some strong intercept marks.

Blakey was good in the second half, Warner and Gulden better in the second half than the first (but still down on what they can do), and Hayward far from our worst. I also liked the second half ruck work of Amartey. He didn't win a lot of clean ball but his second efforts to try and clear the ball were impressive.

[Southern Swan15]

2 x 6 day breaks for Syd
The come down from buddys 1000
2021 runners up home deck
Dog 0 -2 and desprete to kick-start 2022
Bias umpiring
The only thing that went in pur favour tonight was the fact the dogs were so bad in front of goal....

Take it as a wake up, move on and be happy we are 2-1 and faced nothing but top 6 aides so far in 2022.

I’ve been on the Scotches.

Apart from Blakey, The McCartin brothers and Hickey (before going off), there were on winners on the ground.

Chad lacked poise.

Wicks needs a spell.

RB performance was indicative of the strong 2021 feedback.

Heeney and Parker didn’t impact like they usually do.

Florent has lost his round 1 form.

Stephens and Campbell hand dropped.

McLean and Buddy didn’t bring the ball down enough.

Hayward was ok.

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[stevoswan]

Frees since 2016 Bulldogs v Swans.
2022: 31-14.
2021: 29-16.
2020: 16-13.
2019: 22-22.
2018: 29-16.
2017: 31-17. 13-22.
2016: 17-16. 20-8.

208 to 144 over nine games.....they win the count 7 times, we win once with one drawn count. An average of a tad over 7 frees more per game over 6 and a bit seasons. Frankly, a nightmare run with the maggots.

[Bill Posters]

Also - Amartey stood up after Hickey was injured. Noone has mentioned him but i thought he was awesome.

[Nico]

An individual opinion much like every one else on here.
If anyone genuinely believes a lopsided free kick count has no actual impact on a team I suggest you check out the looks on the Swans players faces after some of the more contentious decisions. 3 or 4 of those a game can be absorbed when it’s 17-3* over a period of play it’s debilitating.
Yes we lost and probably deserved to but I can not dismiss the impact the umpires had on the game tonight.

The 2 obvious frees to us in the 3rd quarter about 30 out from goals may very well have changed the momentum of the game. A lop sided count like that must have an influence on momentum. Strange that the Fox commentators don't mention lop sided free kick count.

[Faunac8]

I do not believe that it has no impact. I just think that as a statistic, it gets far more attention than its influence merits.

Yes I agree it is not a statistic that should be highlighted when there is some semblance of balance and consistency, but when the discrepancy on interpretation is obvious and has the potential to impact on game results maybe can we agree that it can have an effect to some degree

[stevoswan]

Travis Head's hitting doing the job for me.

Wish I had Fox.....:frown

[MattW]

I reckon Tom McCartin was our best tonight. He made a couple of bad kicking errors in the first quarter, and was subjected to a block or two that allowed Naughton to take a couple of marks. But apart from that he won or halved most of his one-on-one contests with Naughton and took some strong intercept marks.

Blakey was good in the second half, Warner and Gulden better in the second half than the first (but still down on what they can do), and Hayward far from our worst. I also liked the second half ruck work of Amartey. He didn't win a lot of clean ball but his second efforts to try and clear the ball were impressive.Agree with all of that.

The Bulldogs are very good at shepherding/blocks. Generated a lot of contested ball.

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[mcs]

I reckon Tom McCartin was our best tonight. He made a couple of bad kicking errors in the first quarter, and was subjected to a block or two that allowed Naughton to take a couple of marks. But apart from that he won or halved most of his one-on-one contests with Naughton and took some strong intercept marks.

Blakey was good in the second half, Warner and Gulden better in the second half than the first (but still down on what they can do), and Hayward far from our worst. I also liked the second half ruck work of Amartey. He didn't win a lot of clean ball but his second efforts to try and clear the ball were impressive.

From all reports, it sounds like it took us far too long to work out a way 'around' what a few seem to have described as a midfield flood from the Dogs, and then we resorted to bombing it long at will in the last when a little more thought needed to be put into how we use the ball. Some of that is composure and experience that will come in time.

The thing Amartey brings that Maclean doesn't is a better ability with second efforts at this point - I like Maclean but especially when up forward, he really does feel a bit of a one trick pony to some degree. When we deliver to advantage he can look really good, when we don't, he doesn't offer much.

This is no shot at Buddy - but I kind of hope when he does retire, it is the point we finally put 'bomb it and hope' to rest. Its still our 'revert to' approach when things are not going well. Once upon a time I fully understand why it was the way, but we have a team developing that it should become nothing but a last minute must find a goal sort of tactic (i.e. break in emergencies only). I feel it will happen at some point - but still hard to watch whenw e do.

- - - Updated - - -


208 to 144 over nine games.....they win the count 7 times, we win once with one drawn count. An average of a tad over 7 frees more per game over 6 and a bit seasons. Frankly, a nightmare run with the maggots.

Look across their record against a lot of other teams and its repeated too - not just us that has had the short stick (though we were the final sacrificial offering in 2016 at the AFL fairy tale altar.)

[Nico]

I’ve been on the Scotches.

Apart from Blakey, The McCartin brothers and Hickey (before going off), there were on winners on the ground.

Chad lacked poise.

Wicks needs a spell.

RB performance was indicative of the strong 2021 feedback.

Heeney and Parker didn’t impact like they usually do.

Florent has lost his round 1 form.

Stephens and Campbell hand dropped.

McLean and Buddy didn’t bring the ball down enough.

Hayward was ok.

Harsh on Buddy. He did bring the ball to ground but most times his fellow forwards were not to be seen.
Wicks did the same last year at the wrong time of a game and got a 50 and we lose. He was so late to the contest tonight. Intentional and high contact. Gets a week no doubt. We had the momentum at the time. Thinks he is tough.
It's time Campbell was put on the ball. Waste of talent playing a negative role. Let him loose.
Agree on Rowbottom. His role is to be a tagger, but boy his skills when he has got the footy are average at best. He wasn't the only one but he refused to move the footy on quickly.
Chad looked to have the wrong boots on. There were at least 3 times when he had the chance to burst clear and he stumbled, allowing Dogs players to nullify him.

[longmile]

This is no shot at Buddy - but I kind of hope when he does retire, it is the point we finally put 'bomb it and hope' to rest. Its still our 'revert to' approach when things are not going well. Once upon a time I fully understand why it was the way, but we have a team developing that it should become nothing but a last minute must find a goal sort of tactic (i.e. break in emergencies only). I feel it will happen at some point - but still hard to watch whenw e do.

This is got nothing to do with buddy tho? Buddy isn't a good contested mark and this style doesn't suit him. This is something we have done pre buddy. It's just indicative of pressure panicked footy and not being able to lower our eyes. I'm pretty sure our team is aware that we are better going forward when our kicking is too a target rather than bombing. Bombing it forward isn't a symptom of buddy, it's a symptom of desperation

[mcs]

This is got nothing to do with buddy tho? Buddy isn't a good contested mark and this style doesn't suit him. This is something we have done pre buddy. It's just indicative of pressure panicked footy and not being able to lower our eyes. I'm pretty sure our team is aware that we are better going forward when our kicking is too a target rather than bombing. Bombing it forward isn't a symptom of buddy, it's a symptom of desperation

Sorry my point wasn't clear. I know it doesn't suit Buddy's style - but having that big name 'target' up forward you look to more often than not seems to encourage it as a default behaviour. And one thing I don't think we've consistently done for any extended time during his time at the club is kick consistently to Buddy's strengths - there has been various times where we've done a better job then others, but he has spent a fair chunk of his time at the club getting some unhelpful service to put it nicely.

At times in recent years, its been a reflection of our skill level often not being high enough to execute consistently a better approach. But its not solely something we only see when playing panicked or desperate football - I can think of plenty of times over the Buddy era, even in wins, where we have made him work much harder then he should by being too shotgun with our ball use.

My point was Buddy leaving might be the nexus to break that habit, not a suggestion we do it because of him. There will be a natural void for some period where we may well not have a dominant forward that is always the first thought in the mind. There may not be of course either, depending on development/recruitment - but we seem to be moving towards an approach where multiple avenues to goal is the default, and McDonald seems a medium term prospect before he really kicks on at AFL level (if indeed he does).

[Mel_C]

Spot on Ludwig. We were poor for most of the night. Yes the umpiring was atrocious but so was our skill errors and several efforts in our forward line where we just stood there and watched them mark the ball... (I'm looking at you Wicks).

We need this longer break to hopefully reset and get back to playing our brand.

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Yes I agree. The umpires were @@@@ but they don't cause our turnovers, fumbles and being out marked. Although I will say that some of those decisions/non decisions stopped our momentum. We lost it in the first half and we just couldn't get within a goal until the last minute.

It would have been really really satisfying to come from behind and win after that free kick count. (Even neutrals behind me were dismayed at some of the decisions).

[Mel_C]

Sam Naismith on twitter: "If I tweet about the umpires, is it 50?"

@@@@in' funny......
Haha that is hilarious 😅

[Adelaide Swan]

From all reports, it sounds like it took us far too long to work out a way 'around' what a few seem to have described as a midfield flood from the Dogs, and then we resorted to bombing it long at will in the last when a little more thought needed to be put into how we use the ball. Some of that is composure and experience that will come in time.

The thing Amartey brings that Maclean doesn't is a better ability with second efforts at this point - I like Maclean but especially when up forward, he really does feel a bit of a one trick pony to some degree. When we deliver to advantage he can look really good, when we don't, he doesn't offer much.

This is no shot at Buddy - but I kind of hope when he does retire, it is the point we finally put 'bomb it and hope' to rest. Its still our 'revert to' approach when things are not going well. Once upon a time I fully understand why it was the way, but we have a team developing that it should become nothing but a last minute must find a goal sort of tactic (i.e. break in emergencies only). I feel it will happen at some point - but still hard to watch whenw e do.

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Look across their record against a lot of other teams and its repeated too - not just us that has had the short stick (though we were the final sacrificial offering in 2016 at the AFL fairy tale altar.)The last point is bang on the money.

Last year's Grand Final was another example before the umpires stopped the bias and then Melbourne blew them away.

I haven't been as pleased to see a team win a Grand Final outside of ours as I was when the Dees flogged the Bullscum.

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

[Bangalore Swans]

Wish I had Fox.....:frown

Son of Craig, Ben McDermott just brought up his century with a 6.

[liz]

The banging in of the ball is frustrating, but no more than the inability of our forwards to create a contest at times. In that last ten minutes we repeatedly kicked it forward on a slow play to a crowded forward line and a Bulldog was able to take an uncontested mark while surrounded by traffic.

[longmile]

The banging in of the ball is frustrating, but no more than the inability of our forwards to create a contest at times. In that last ten minutes we repeatedly kicked it forward on a slow play to a crowded forward line and a Bulldog was able to take an uncontested mark while surrounded by traffic.

There was a fair few times when the game was on the line that multiple Swans forwards watched dogs players next to them take uncontested marks without competing for a mark under some belief someone else was going to bring it to ground. Almost as infuriating as the umpiring

[TheBloods]

Well , i am finally speechless

[Bangalore Swans]

The banging in of the ball is frustrating, but no more than the inability of our forwards to create a contest at times. In that last ten minutes we repeatedly kicked it forward on a slow play to a crowded forward line and a Bulldog was able to take an uncontested mark while surrounded by traffic.

Many fans would have been disappointed with the arial performance of the Swans key forwards. They failed to repeatedly bring the ball to ground and were out marked in 50/50 contests.

Could we swing Patty McCartin forward at times to help the forward line.

[Bexl]

I guess it's going to be another season of failing to convince anyone here that the free kick count simply isn't that important in the grand scheme of things, or that there is no reason to expect a count close to even in any one game!


when 1 teams players are tackled when they have the ball and drop it, normally holding the ball, and then get the free for holding the man and that happened twice it does influence a game with 5 points the difference with a minute to go. the umpiring was so inconsistent from 1 team to the other if you think that has no effect on a close game then sorry you are just wrong. If the rules were applied even close to evenly there is no way the dogs still no doubt win. the amount of shots on goal they got from frees where the same interpretation was NOT done at the other end has to have an effect on the result.

[mcs]

Many fans would have been disappointed with the arial performance of the Swans key forwards. They failed to repeatedly bring the ball to ground and were out marked in 50/50 contests.

Could we swing Patty McCartin forward at times to help the forward line.

I'd prefer we stick with the McCartin boys becoming the lynchpins of our defensive setup for the next 5+ years - robbing Peter to pay Paul if you start looking there for a solution to issues up forward in my opinion.

[TheBloods]

Gold coast suns future mid and Wicks will be out , Paps and Jmac in , Horse said barring setbacks they will be right to go

Told you all about Amartey , no skill . Mclean either . Might as well 've kept Mcdonald and kept trying with him

[Bangalore Swans]

I'd prefer we stick with the McCartin boys becoming the lynchpins of our defensive setup for the next 5+ years - robbing Peter to pay Paul if you start looking there for a solution to issues up forward in my opinion.

How good has Pat McCartin been. He’s intercepting the ball really well and delivers it expertly.

He reminds me of Brian Lake with his marking and kicking.

Brilliant moneyball selection.

[mcs]

Gold coast suns future mid and Wicks will be out , Paps and Jmac in , Horse said barring setbacks they will be right to go

Told you all about Amartey , no skill . Mclean either . Might as well 've kept Mcdonald and kept trying with him

Any chance one day your childish thinly veiled swipes will be an 'out'?

He was crap tonight. But so was about 3/4s of the team. You can say you think he shouldn't be in the team without the need for a side of spite or childish dribble.

Every person has their favourites and players they don't like/rate/whatever, but I've rarely seen such a intense focus on death riding a single player into oblivion like you have with Rowbottom.


How good has Pat McCartin been. He’s intercepting the ball really well and delivers it expertly.

He reminds me of Brian Lake with his marking and kicking.

Brilliant moneyball selection.

Certainly has settled in well. Reads the game like a good forward in terms of intercept marking. The two of them have a nice complimentary set of strengths that should serve us well.

[Industrial Fan]

High pressure contested footy ruined by umpiring.

The highlight was Kennedy caught HTB after he was immediately tackled followed by ugle hagan dropping the ball in a tackle being rewarded with a held free kick.

Longmire is a better man than I.

[U.S. Swan]

I, too, was quite bemused at the officiating (once again). But I wouldn’t overstate things. I am sure that the AFL and its literal corporate rulers would allow the Doggies to go 0-3. I am sure that the fact they are playing at MARVEL stadium has nothing to do with it. I am sure the Bulldogs CEO Kylie Watson-Wheeler is a VP and Managing Director is a non-factor! I am positive that Luke Beveridge had ZERO consequences for the worst over-the-line conduct during an interview in the U.S. or Australia in years was unrelated. Come to think of it, I have mo doubt that the fact that Tom Morris was surreptitiously recorded saying demeaning things longer before the incident and that those recordings just happened to be leaked right after is a total coincidence! He probably would have been fired anyway. And besides Disney, I mean the Bulldogs, did make a $20,000 contribution to “at risk” youth and nobody can criticize that, right? Our trusted media wouldn’t just collectively drop the whole thing in less than a week, would it? So no, do not put any stock into those pro-Bulldog theories because that is just crazy. There is no way this league would bend over and do gold medal gymnastics to please their corporate money…

[U.S. Swan]

I, too, was quite bemused at the officiating (once again). But I wouldn’t overstate things. I am sure that the AFL and its literal corporate rulers would allow the Doggies to go 0-3. I am sure that the fact they are playing at MARVEL stadium has nothing to do with it. I am sure the Bulldogs CEO Kylie Watson-Wheeler is a VP and Managing Director is a non-factor! I am positive that Luke Beveridge had ZERO consequences for the worst over-the-line conduct during an interview in the U.S. or Australia in years was unrelated. Come to think of it, I have mo doubt that the fact that Tom Morris was surreptitiously recorded saying demeaning things longer before the incident and that those recordings just happened to be leaked right after is a total coincidence! He probably would have been fired anyway. And besides Disney, I mean the Bulldogs, did make a $20,000 contribution to “at risk” youth and nobody can criticize that, right? Our trusted media wouldn’t just collectively drop the whole thing in less than a week, would it? So no, do not put any stock into those pro-Bulldog theories because that is just crazy. There is no way this league would bend over and do gold medal gymnastics to please their corporate money…

I meant to say “VP and Managing Director of DISNEY”. Sorry, I was dizzy from all of those whacky conspiracy theorists!!

[Faunac8]

Hmm so it’s starting to become a well known thing then
‘Mind-boggling’: Fuming AFL fans are ‘livid’ (https://apple.news/A_-1XexpnQEmu4wHHnA65tw)

[Bangalore Swans]

just want him out of the side , i proved last yr when he was in vfl that i dont have an issue with him when his not in the team being a liability .

all i did was make a comment on selection , lets not start anything again for the sake of everyone

The effort was there like it always is, the poise, skill execution and vision were not. Rowbottom had many little fumbles that gave the Dogs time to close him down and other players down. That vision of him chip kicking the ball to the middle of half forward and totally missing the man is not good.

It’s going to be a brutal video session for Rowbottom this week.

He’s a favourite but tonight but Chadmania disappeared tonight. Chad like Rowbottom had too many little fumbles and was caught trying to break the lines too often. The Bulldogs smartly new that Chad would try to break through the lines and sent all their tacklers to him as soon as he got the ball. Chad needs to develop the quick early give as tacklers have caught on to his want to take a couple of clearing steps.

People talk about TheBloods being tough on Rowbottom, however at the start of last season he was equally as tough on Blakey.

Blakey has now emerged into a brilliant half back flanker and TheBloods is now a fan.

Blakey was very good again and you know that good things happen when he has the ball in his hand.

There was one time in the last quarter where Rowbottom had Blakey running by him on half forward and didn’t give him the ball. Blakey had space and would have almost gone into range, however Rowbottom better of it.

[Ralph Dawg]

I am happy to excuse the boys for having an off game. Fumbling, off kicks and poor options was broadly across the team, not just isolated to a few. I'm sure the short turn around after a massive game played a big part. There will be changes as a result of injury (Ladhams for Hickey) and players returning (McInerney for Stephens, ?Paps for Wicks) but beyond this, I wouldn't be pulling the trigger over one poor game.

[neilfws]

f you think that has no effect on a close game then sorry you are just wrong

Indeed, and as I always say in these discussions, I don't believe that that free kicks have no effect. The question is, how much effect do they have, especially when compared with the effect of all the other things that happen during a game. That's a really interesting question to me and I don't think it's addressed by a simple focus on counts.

If an umpire made a terrible decision, 30 seconds to go, gifting a goal to a team less than a goal down, I agree there'd be just cause for outrage! But I think that's a rare event, and a different kind of outrage to the kind generated by free kick counts and differentials.

[Faunac8]

I am happy to excuse the boys for having an off game. Fumbling, off kicks and poor options was broadly across the team, not just isolated to a few. I'm sure the short turn around after a massive game played a big part. There will be changes as a result of injury (Ladhams for Hickey) and players returning (McInerney for Stephens, ?Paps for Wicks) but beyond this, I wouldn't be pulling the trigger over one poor game.

Fair and balanced overview and I think your team changes are on the money. Definitely not a time to panic and while some may suggest wholesale changes that is not the Swans way.
Plenty to learn from last night and the video reviews will be brutal I suspect this week .

[Roadrunner]

Gold coast suns future mid and Wicks will be out , Paps and Jmac in , Horse said barring setbacks they will be right to go

Told you all about Amartey , no skill . Mclean either . Might as well 've kept Mcdonald and kept trying with him

Bit harsh. Thought Amartey tried hard and his second effort was good. McLean not so, but needs more experience. Ladhams to come in next week, together with Paps and JMac. All right, your scapegoat didn’t play well- neither did your favourite: fumbled a lot and got caught but he did improve in the second half.

The whole team was poor, with the exception of the Lizard and a pretty good effort from Paddy and then brother Tom, though his kicking needs to improve a lot.

Let’s just forget this game and hope the lads learn from it. It was painful to watch at times and the AFL really must do something about this ridiculous umpiring but we all know they won’t!

[111431]

two good teams
Dogs out smarted with falling back into the middle of the field zoning and not letting us play on.
We couldnt find a away to beat this defence but i am sure the whole comp watched and so did our coaching dept.
We will no doubt go to town and play slower if we have to and let them come to us more so next time.
But lets be honest if the Dogs got even close to scoring a few more from their thousand behinds we would have looked a mile behind tonight.

We are 2/3
Dogs 1/3

I think we can learn a lot from the game

The A-Party stepped up again which is super pleasing come the later parts of 2022

Finally someone who actually observed what was happening. They stopped our run out of the backline, placed enormous real or perceived pressure on our players so disposal was awful and then ran hard when they had the ball. Irrespective of what umpiring decisions were made or not, we were outplayed and outcoached. Hopefully a very big wake up call to us; we are emerging and must continue to evolve, we are a long way off having arrived

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Well that was horrible.

Yeah the umpires stank (yes again), but so did our entire team (Blakey excepted) - and Horse MAY have been outcoached.

Face it when your rucks are being towelled up by Tim English, FFS, then something is clearly very, very wrong.

My match lowlight actually involved Tim, not the mark he took over Buddy, but the comments made by Hamish McLaughlan came out with.
One commentator says: "Whatever happens for the rest of Tim English's career, he took a hang over Buddy" - another says "Only a few an say that" and then HM comes out with "There's a 1,000 players that Buddy can say that about"
The inhabitants of RW0 are pretty one eyed Swans fans, but would anyone of us suggest that Buddy's taken a 1,000 hangs on other payers?

Why not celebrate Buddy's qualities rather than making nonsensical claims. Might as well celebrate Barry Hall for his even temperedness, Warwick Capper for his humility, and Andrew Dunkly for his exquisite kicking syle.
It's the sort of fabrication which will make a proper retrospective so difficult when #23 retires.