Round 24: Swans v Demons @ SCG

[ugg]

Late change Clarke for Papley
Subs are Francis and Laurie

Florent Hayward Rowbottom Clarke the starting bench

[troyjones2525]

I don't like it. Unless he's putting a hard tag on someone, which he likely will be. Probably either Salem or Brayshaw.

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[Mel_C]

Hmmm Francis as sub. At least it's not raining this time.

[Hotpotato]

Couldn’t secure a tik ….
So stayin home to watch . No good plating Paps if he’s not right .

[Mel_C]

With Port Adelaide winning, Melbourne can't change position.

Tom Browne said that if we get a home final, it will be Saturday 3:20pm.

[dejavoodoo44]

McDonald is starting well and beautiful work from Heeney to get it to him.

[troyjones2525]

That is why I don't like Wicks. Definitely deliberate.

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[Mel_C]

Has the time wasting rule been forgotten? That should have been 50 to Parker against Viney because he wouldn't let him up.

Good kick Logan especially after the first miss.

Heeney doesn't have kicking boots on early.

Typical Wicks brain fade cost 50 and a goal.

[Mel_C]

Ooooohhhh Errol!

[dejavoodoo44]

You knew where that was going as soon as Errol got it in his hands.

[Hotpotato]

Thank goodness for Gulden polish .

[KellysHeroes]

Why no free to Warner?

[Mel_C]

Piss off Razor why don't you pay the first one, it was a clear throw against Pickett.

[dejavoodoo44]

Pickett run down from behind and throws the ball out one handed: no free. HTB to Melbourne a couple of seconds later.

[Dow]

Good contest, so far

[KellysHeroes]

Mark to Hickey not paid?

[Daisi]

Hi folks so is this revenge of the umpires?

[Mel_C]

No mark to Hickey? I think it's going to be one of those umpiring days.

Good pressure from the Swans.

Hopefully Rowbottom's elbow is ok because we need his tackling.

[Dow]

Mark to Hickey not paid?
Thank god the umpire played advantage

[Daisi]

I’m at the scg today - it’s packed - crowd not happy with umpires -

[Foreign Legion]

We get caught with it - HTB - they do - play on

[Hotpotato]

Good Dee’s defensive wall.

[Auntie.Gerald]

That hurt

[Roadrunner]

We get caught with it - HTB - they do - play on

Happens most times- if not every time!

[Daisi]

Regarding the game - Melbourne pressure is good causing some poor disposal from us - hopefully we go back to slowing down and thinking about disposal - Dees also using Gwen well

[dejavoodoo44]

Not sure how we're behind, as I thought we were the better side. Had more of the ball and were moving it a bit better. Heeney and McDonald looking sharp forward. Gulden continuing on his merry way.

[Hotpotato]

Fritch is a dead eye kick .

[Foreign Legion]

Someone in the fwd line needs to consistently play in front - way too many intercept marks.

[Roadrunner]

Wicks playing his usual game- he and Clarke running around a lot.

[Mel_C]

And it's going to be one of those inaccurate goal kicking days ☹.

[Maltopia]

Not able to watch. 2.6 - is that poor accuracy from us missing relatively gettable shots, or were they tough attempts from boundary etc?

[Foreign Legion]

A tip to the Swans players - Fritsch NEVER kicks on his right foot

[KellysHeroes]

Yes. Mills

[Dow]

Was prepared
To let
The kosi free kick go, but if Heeneys as then so was kosis

[Daisi]

I think we’re missing paps around goal - even if he is not kicking them he needs to be marked - we are lacking crumbers

[Mel_C]

So both ruckmen jump up and it's a free to Melbourne for a block? I don't understand the ruck rules.

[Foreign Legion]

When we let Gawn take a contested chest mark that is not a good sign

- - - Updated - - -

Ray may win the Best and Fairest for Melbourne here

[KellysHeroes]

So both ruckmen jump up and it's a free to Melbourne for a block? I don't understand the ruck rules.

Just Razor Rays rules.

[troyjones2525]

We've been pretty ordinary this quarter with Parker top of the list. Needs to lift!

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[Mel_C]

Too much fumbling.

[Dow]

Has our midfield turned up ?

[Foreign Legion]

@@@@ me - 20 metres out

[waswan]

Clarke and Wicks in the same side never works

Poor kicking is costly

Love Campbell but he needs to hit the gym, cant break a tackle, struggling to stick a tackle.

Defence is doing well

[troyjones2525]

That was a bad miss. That brilliant kicking for goal the last month has disappeared! I hope we don't go into our own heads like earlier in the year with the yips!

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[waswan]

Mcdonald should have 4 goals, all Gettable

[Mel_C]

Damn that would have been a handy goal by Logan on halftime.

Melbourne were well on top that quarter. Their pressure lifted and our disposals were under pressure. We haven't been able to get our running game going.

We are missing Papley.

[Foreign Legion]

What worries me is Oliver, Gawn and Petracca have had virtually no influence - Gawn with a few soft frees.

McLean needs to lift. Warner did nothing that quarter.

[troyjones2525]

We can't get belted in the 2nd half. I'm not sure what the maths is, but obviously we need to stay above those mongrel dogs on %.

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[Foreign Legion]

Percentage doesnt matter against the Dogs unless they win round 25 next week

[Roadrunner]

Damn that would have been a handy goal by Logan on halftime.

Melbourne were well on top that quarter. Their pressure lifted and our disposals were under pressure. We haven't been able to get our running game going.

We are missing Papley.

Plus some need to lift- Wilbur and Joel for sure. Paps sorely missed though Errol is immense.

[KellysHeroes]

Free kicks running 12 to our 7.
Nothing unusual there.

[dejavoodoo44]

Brilliant by Wicks, perhaps even more so by McLean.

- - - Updated - - -

Possibly just topped by Gulden.

[Mel_C]

2 quick goals 🙂.

Poor Wicks that looked painful.
When McLean was having his shot I said he was no chance 😛.

And now Gulden goals!!!!

[stevoswan]

Nice start to the third! Go lads!

[Mel_C]

Seriously Amartey what is that kick?????

[Dow]

Amarty having a howler

[KellysHeroes]

Patracca throw

[troyjones2525]

That was ridiculous by Warner! Will probably get looked at.

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[troyjones2525]

Now that's more like it Chad!

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[dejavoodoo44]

Looks like Parker has been practising one hand marks this week

- - - Updated - - -

Handy 50.

[Daisi]

Great goal by McLean earlier - have we signed him yet? Good goal Chad - and Errol is a superstar

[Dow]

We got one back - not 50

[Mel_C]

Yes Chad!

Although I think that 50 was harsh. The player lost balance when Warner was feigning the handball.

[redstarforever]

we should be up by 4 or 5

[Daisi]

We are playing well but have missed some opportunities

[Foreign Legion]

Be handy if we could kick straight from right in front. Costly

[barry]

If we don't pull the finger out, we could be facing Carlton in the first final, in Melbourne!

[ugg]

barring injury I can’t imagine who they would sub Francis on for.

[troyjones2525]

Surely we remove either Clarke or Wicks for Francis? Not sure who else you'd take off. Either way, another weird sub pick from our selectors.

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[Blood Fever]

And could easily win it

[Daisi]

Well I wouldn’t be happy if if I were a Melbourne fan - they are a bit soft - we are playing well - really need a good ruck man - Blakey playing well - Rowie too

[Blood Fever]

Against Carlton that is

[Mel_C]

We had all the play that quarter and now it's only 4 points. We needed to do more, especially with our last quarter fade outs.

Rowbottom is battered and bruised. If Francis comes on we're going to be too tall and slow.

[ugg]

Surely we remove either Clarke or Wicks for Francis? Not sure who else you'd take off. Either way, another weird sub pick from our selectors.

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They’re both doing some job on Salem. Why would you change that

[Mel_C]

That was ridiculous by Warner! Will probably get looked at.

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Was that the "dangerous" tackle? On replay his head didn't hit the ground. Can he get suspended for the action even if the head doesn't hit the ground?

[Mel_C]

Someone get on Petracca!

[Daisi]

Incorrect disposal isn’t a thing any more is it?

[Dow]

Stephen’s

[Daisi]

Stephens - I don’t think he’s up to it?

[troyjones2525]

FFS coaches! Actually do something about Petracca!

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[troyjones2525]

We have literally gone to sleep. Really disappointing start to the qtr.

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[redstarforever]

that wasnt a free to heeney?

[caj23]

We have literally gone to sleep. Really disappointing start to the qtr.

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Lucky we’ve got some fresh fast legs on the bench

Oh wait 🤪

[Foreign Legion]

Melbourne a bit like the Bulldogs - quick handballs which are bull@@@@

[Mel_C]

So Heeney can be taken out in a marking contest?

[troyjones2525]

How is that not a free kick to Heeney! @@@@ing disgrace!

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[Blue Sun]

This umpiring is @@@@ing bull@@@@.

[Foreign Legion]

Campbell has had zero influence

[Maltopia]

17 to 9 free kicks?

[barry]

Couldn't beat Melbourne when they had nothing to play for, and we were playing for a home final.
I think we are just making up the numbers

[Foreign Legion]

Free kicks 9 to 17.

And some people say it has no effect on the game.

[troyjones2525]

Well we are literally just making up the numbers after losing this one.... really, really disappointing last qtr.

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[caj23]

Players are out on their feet but dopey Longmire has picked a sub he can’t use yet again 🙄

[Blue Sun]

The boys played well I think. There have been so many missed free kicks.

[Dow]

Campbell has had zero influence
How bad is our fitness !

[troyjones2525]

And yes the umpiring has been poor, but our drop off in intensity and our lack of being able to tackle the opposition has been damning.

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[troyjones2525]

And now Heeney has got the yips going into finals...

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[stevoswan]

Last quarter fade outs.....bloody hell.

[Dow]

Campbell has had zero influence

Campbell has been such a disappointment this year

[troyjones2525]

Players are out on their feet but dopey Longmire has picked a sub he can’t use yet again [emoji849]I tend to agree. This is becoming a real issue with our selectors.

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[stevoswan]

Couldn't beat Melbourne when they had nothing to play for, and we were playing for a home final.
I think we are just making up the numbers

You didn't read the post before yours? Free kicks 17 to 9. Now 18 to 10. It does have an effect.....but still, you're probably right.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Fascinating game to examine

I mean would anyone take the front 6 of Melbourne?

Yet their adjustments in structure and their trades the last few years in their backline of Lever and May have show again that away from home when it didn’t count that much they could control 3 out of 4 qtrs

Melbourne went plus 1 plus 2 plus 3 when required to counter our dominant play on quick slingshot footy.

This worked very very well despite Melbourne having daily ordinary forward line vs the top8 comp.

[Hotpotato]

Dees are clearly the stronger team this year.
Not unexpected .

[stevoswan]

Well, no home final and playing the Saints....or Carlton if the Giants beat them. Mmmmm. Disappointing.

[aardvark]

The thing that bothers me most about Stephens is when it's his turn to go he sometimes doesn't. Can't see him ever being an inside mid with us or anyone else for that matter.

[mcs]

Campbell has been such a disappointment this yearNonsense.

He has dropped off the last few weeks, but he has made good progress overall and will continue to develop.

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[caj23]

Melbourne are a quality team so the loss isn’t a disaster, but it’s disappointing that the same old bugbears of inaccurate kicking, weird selections and last quarter fade-outs have raised their head again

[troyjones2525]

Someone said during the week (possibly Barry?) that if we come out and belt the Dees at home in the lead up the the finals that it will strike some fear into the opposition teams in the 8. I don't think anyone will be fearing us after today...

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[Kafka's Ghost]

Really disappointing we can’t run out games.


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[barry]

Someone said during the week (possibly Barry?) that if we come out and belt the Dees at home in the lead up the the finals that it will strike some fear into the opposition teams in the 8. I don't think anyone will be fearing us after today...

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I did, and you are right.

- - - Updated - - -

It's not all bells and whistles being an optimist

[Auntie.Gerald]

CP said it all

He said we just went back to our DNA and focused on contest and defence and they kept Sydney to under 60 pts

Melbourne controlled 3 of the 4 qtrs

I mean the Melbourne forward 6 ain’t that exciting

Their backline though is exceptional

Their strategy floating between plus 1 plus 2 and even plus 3 left us with nothing in the end

Hhhmmm I wonder if our lack of investment I. The backline is bringing us undone?

We didn’t really have an answers in the end ?

[Dow]

Campbell has had zero influence


Nonsense.

He has dropped off the last few weeks, but he has made good progress overall and will continue to develop.

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Yes and he has had a disappointing season and I think he hasn’t developed as much as we should have and at the moment he’s in struggle town

[barry]

Our forward line wasn't working in the last quarter but we didn't activate a tall marking forward (with essendon) in Francis. Unbelievable. A least try something.

[Dow]

How filthy will Adelaide be right now

[mcs]

Yes and he has had a disappointing season and I think he hasn’t developed as much as we should have and at the moment he’s in struggle townRepeating nonsense doesn't stop making it nonsense.

He is progressing along just fine..not every player can progress at the rate of Errol Gulden.

He has had a perfectly reasonable season and will be a quality player.

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[Ruck'n'Roll]

Country gents like Horse can be a bit careful with money. Apparently someone bet Horse that he coudn't find a substitute that is even less capable of coming on and making an impact than Clarke.
Not only did Horse settle on Francis, he then ensured the disputed $20 note would be his by stapling Francis to the seat in the back row of the dugout to ensure there were no accidents.
But seriously
We all hope one day he'll pick someone capable of making an impact, but he seems to use it a sort of consolation prize - a bit like a participation ribbon in a primary schools sports day.
Presumably he had grave doubts about some of our key posi players?

[Daisi]

Good news - we were competitive with one of the top teams - bad news - last quarter fade out

[Dow]

Our forward line wasn't working in the last quarter but we didn't activate a tall marking forward (with essendon) in Francis. Unbelievable. A least try something.


Repeating nonsense doesn't stop making it nonsense.

He is progressing along just fine..not every player can progress at the rate of Errol Gulden.

He has had a perfectly reasonable season and will be a quality player.

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He may become a good player, let’s hope he does - but I feel he has struggled to find a regular spot to make his own and I dint think it’s nonsense at all and this year I think he would wanted more out the increased games

[Auntie.Gerald]

I don’t agree only last qtr fade out

[mcs]

He may become a good player, let’s hope he does - but I feel he has struggled to find a regular spot to make his own and I dint think it’s nonsense at all and this year I think he would wanted more out the increased gamesHe is already a good player.

You may just have overly high expectations of where he should be up to.

And I'm not sure how playing 21 (or is it 22) games of the season is not having a regular spot.

He just isn't quite ready yet for midfield so his spot on the field is still developing, but how can you genuinely argue he hadn't got a regular spot yet?

Patience will be a virtue, mark my words.


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[Dow]

Hope the blues win, I reckon we
Can best the saints

[caj23]

Campbell was quiet today but I think he’s been good this season without being outstanding

[Agent 86]

I don’t agree only last qtr fade out

I reckon we’ve won about a third of our last quarters this year & a few of those were junk time wins. Hoping we can toughen up over the off season as can’t go far with that sort of record. Plus the chokes have been hard to watch - luckily we have managed to fall over the line in a few (sorry Crows!). In all honesty, we’ve been lucky to make finals at all, so really I’m pretty proud of them overall.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Be handy if we could kick straight from right in front. Costly

This. Our set shot kicking in this game was awful. It meant we were never able to exert the scoreboard pressure we should have. Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think it was 3-6 to 7-3, and some of our shots were easier, straight in front only 30m out. A real let down after the last few weeks of being the most accurate team in the comp.


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[The Big Cat]

This. Our set shot kicking in this game was awful. It meant we were never able to exert the scoreboard pressure we should have. Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think it was 3-6 to 7-3, and some of our shots were easier, straight in front only 30m out. A real let down after the last few weeks of being the most accurate team in the comp.


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Some Melbourne’s shot went OBOF so they are not counted.

[Mel_C]

It seems like we are still using the sub as a medical sub. When there has been no injuries, Clarke has been subbed in with a couple of minutes to play or not at all. And tonight Francis wasn't used.

[Nico]

Joel Amartey was very ordinary. If he doesn't take a mark he is a duffer on the ground. Then has 2 woeful set shots. He didn't even run towards goal. He certainly isn't the answer up forward. McLean has left him in his dust.

[goswannies]

On Braeden Campbell: he’s a 21 year old, 3rd year player with 47 games under his belt, averaging 16 disposals a game this year and only a few weeks ago was being lauded by many on here for his precision disposal.

On Amartey: a 27 game veteran, coming off injuries playing on of the harder positions for an inexperienced youngster, KPF.

On Horse: who would want his job? String of losses with a squad decimated by injuries and cops criticism. Strings together half a dozen wins and the reception is acceptance to praise. A loss against a top 4 side and out come the daggers again. And I thought my job sucked. And it does. He has a 61.5% winning record, 1 premiership and from 4 grand finals (that’s the same grand final record as our team of the century coach Jack Bissett - although Bissett’s win/loss record was superior, with a far superior team). Longmire is our longest serving coach and for the critics, he’s with us for at least another 2 seasons.

For those lamenting no home final after today’s loss. In 2023:
* we’ve won 5 at home
* lost 5 at home
* won 7 away
* lost 5 away
* 1 draw

I haven’t done stats on in it, we are marginally better away than at home. And we lost to the Saints at home.

I’m not uncomfortable with the Swans playing away.

[caj23]

On Braeden Campbell: he’s a 21 year old, 3rd year player with 47 games under his belt, averaging 16 disposals a game this year and only a few weeks ago was being lauded by many on here for his precision disposal.

On Horse: who would want his job? String of losses with a squad decimated by injuries and cops criticism. Strings together half a dozen wins and the reception is acceptance to praise. A loss against a top 4 side and out come the daggers again. And I thought my job sucked. And it does. He has a 61.5% winning record, 1 premiership and from 4 grand finals (that’s the same grand final record as our team of the century coach Jack Bissett - although Bissett’s win/loss record was superior, with a far superior team). Longmire is our longest serving coach and for the critics, he’s with us for at least another 2 seasons.

For those lamenting no home final after today’s loss. In 2023:
* we’ve won 5 at home
* lost 5 at home
* won 7 away
* lost 5 away
* 1 draw

I haven’t done stats on in it, we are marginally better away than at home. And we lost to the Saints at home.

I’m not uncomfortable with the Swans playing away.

So how do you think Longmire coached today?

[goswannies]

So how do you think Longmire coached today?
Against 4th placed Melbourne, with a squad that is still maturing and we were well up? He was fine. There is only so much a coach can do from the bench in the last quarter. So I’m not as disappointed as others.

Next question please

[Kafka's Ghost]

Some Melbourne’s shot went OBOF so they are not counted.

I don’t recall any of their set shots going out on the full, although several snaps did. However happy to be corrected. Fritsch couldn’t miss.


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[Auntie.Gerald]

Was an epic game to attend though.

Biggest thing for me was missing a few fairly gettable goals. That was a massive difference in a low scoring game.

Second thing was keeping the Swans to such a low score. Amazing ING coaching by the Dees. Especially at our home ground we got schooled.

It just felt like we were out coached to the strengths of Melbourne’s defence and midfield dominating.

Which sort or of hurts I suppose being a swans supporter and priding our DNA in this two areas.

I mean lets be honest….. their forward 6 is mediocre at best yet their back line, midfield and massive game play adjustments from plus 1, plus 2 to plus 3 smothered us and we couldn’t adjust with enough zing and scoreboard pressure !!!!

Great coaching today by the Dees.

[Captain]

So how do you think Longmire coached today?

I think his game day coaching was fine. The selection of Clarke however was poor and getting ridiculous.

[Merdo5555]

We are clearly not as match hard as other teams, the 4th quarter fade outs mean we are no chance of making a real impact on the finals. May have been better to miss the finals and plan for next year with a better draw and more time for the team to take break.

What the game did show was that our best is good but we still are short of quality players (a tough inside mid, a quality ruck and a tall defender). We need to very active in the off-season.

Yes i do think we need a coaching change but thats not going to happen. At the minimum we need some new blood in the coaching box.

[waswan]

Jmac and Paps for Clarke and Wicks

[Blood Fever]

On Braeden Campbell: he’s a 21 year old, 3rd year player with 47 games under his belt, averaging 16 disposals a game this year and only a few weeks ago was being lauded by many on here for his precision disposal.

On Amartey: a 27 game veteran, coming off injuries playing on of the harder positions for an inexperienced youngster, KPF.

On Horse: who would want his job? String of losses with a squad decimated by injuries and cops criticism. Strings together half a dozen wins and the reception is acceptance to praise. A loss against a top 4 side and out come the daggers again. And I thought my job sucked. And it does. He has a 61.5% winning record, 1 premiership and from 4 grand finals (that’s the same grand final record as our team of the century coach Jack Bissett - although Bissett’s win/loss record was superior, with a far superior team). Longmire is our longest serving coach and for the critics, he’s with us for at least another 2 seasons.

For those lamenting no home final after today’s loss. In 2023:
* we’ve won 5 at home
* lost 5 at home
* won 7 away
* lost 5 away
* 1 draw

I haven’t done stats on in it, we are marginally better away than at home. And we lost to the Saints at home.

I’m not uncomfortable with the Swans playing away.

Great post GS. The usual suspects. Agree about playing away. Right up our alley with the pressure all on the Blues.

[Kafka's Ghost]

On Braeden Campbell: he’s a 21 year old, 3rd year player with 47 games under his belt, averaging 16 disposals a game this year and only a few weeks ago was being lauded by many on here for his precision disposal.

On Amartey: a 27 game veteran, coming off injuries playing on of the harder positions for an inexperienced youngster, KPF.

On Horse: who would want his job? String of losses with a squad decimated by injuries and cops criticism. Strings together half a dozen wins and the reception is acceptance to praise. A loss against a top 4 side and out come the daggers again. And I thought my job sucked. And it does. He has a 61.5% winning record, 1 premiership and from 4 grand finals (that’s the same grand final record as our team of the century coach Jack Bissett - although Bissett’s win/loss record was superior, with a far superior team). Longmire is our longest serving coach and for the critics, he’s with us for at least another 2 seasons.

For those lamenting no home final after today’s loss. In 2023:
* we’ve won 5 at home
* lost 5 at home
* won 7 away
* lost 5 away
* 1 draw

I haven’t done stats on in it, we are marginally better away than at home. And we lost to the Saints at home.

I’m not uncomfortable with the Swans playing away.

Excellent post. Although disappointing to not take our opportunities today, and fade out again in the 4th quarter, it’s been a mighty effort to even make the finals given where we were. Perhaps mightier than we mere observers will ever appreciate, as it seems most have been injured and/ or underdone this season.


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[crackedactor 01]

After todays effort It looks like we are in the finals by default and with a bit of luck. Instead of looking for a ruckman or a defender , maybe we need to look at a fitness coach? I believe its currently Shane Lehane??? I am tired of all these last quarter fade outs. Just we you think they we will have a comfortable win they scrap over the line or get beaten. It can only be fitness issue or some mental illness. No goals in the last quarter today or last week. I think it was West Coast when we last won the last quarter.

[Old S.M.Blood]

If we can't kick strait can't run out a last quarter' and can't fair deal from the umpires, what's the point in playing finals???There were 4 gettable goals missed this afternoon.

[Blood Fever]

We weren't composed kicking for goal, especially early. Cost us big time.

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We are clearly not as match hard as other teams, the 4th quarter fade outs mean we are no chance of making a real impact on the finals. May have been better to miss the finals and plan for next year with a better draw and more time for the team to take break.

What the game did show was that our best is good but we still are short of quality players (a tough inside mid, a quality ruck and a tall defender). We need to very active in the off-season.

Yes i do think we need a coaching change but thats not going to happen. At the minimum we need some new blood in the coaching box.

So which of Pyke, McVeigh and Cox would you get rid of?

[0918330512]

We are clearly not as match hard as other teams, the 4th quarter fade outs mean we are no chance of making a real impact on the finals. May have been better to miss the finals and plan for next year with a better draw and more time for the team to take break.

What the game did show was that our best is good but we still are short of quality players (a tough inside mid, a quality ruck and a tall defender). We need to very active in the off-season.
Probably lucky for the Bulldogs that they didn’t didn’t go into the finals with that attitude in 2016

[0918330512]

We weren't composed kicking for goal, especially early. Cost us big time.

- - - Updated - - -


So which of Pyke, McVeigh and Cox would you get rid of?

Yup. Each of them would walk into most other clubs as assistants. Season ain’t over yet

[neilfws]

Disappointing, but not entirely surprising today. The Demons are a very good fourth quarter side and the Swans, not so much recently. And Fritsch seems like he can kick a goal given the merest sniff of the ball.

Greatly enjoyed Errol's two booming goals from our seats behind the sticks (and his game in general as usual), also McLean's tight from the boundary effort. A very physical game today, Hickey hit the deck hard a few times giving it his all.

Happy to have made it into finals given where things were a couple of months ago. But mostly excited for next season now.

[Blood Fever]

Yup. Each of them would walk into most other clubs as assistants. Season ain’t over yet

Not over for sure. Also, no one has mentioned were without our most dynamic player today. Getting McInerney back would help as well.

[MattW]

Not over for sure. Also, no one has mentioned were without our most dynamic player today. Getting McInerney back would help as well.

If McInerney and Papley return, it'll be interesting to see who they replace. Clarke is an obvious one. Stephens should stay in. Perhaps Campbell and he could play sub. Otherwise, Amartey is a possibility.

[giant]

Fascinating game to examine

I mean would anyone take the front 6 of Melbourne?

Yet their adjustments in structure and their trades the last few years in their backline of Lever and May have show again that away from home when it didn’t count that much they could control 3 out of 4 qtrs

Melbourne went plus 1 plus 2 plus 3 when required to counter our dominant play on quick slingshot footy.

This worked very very well despite Melbourne having daily ordinary forward line vs the top8 comp.

Good analysis, a very well drilled team that counters their weaknesses (wouldn't mind Fritsch in our forward line though).

That said, we were right in it at times - lack of polish and the ability to run games out were our downfall.

Well done to the team on making the finals again, it's a massive effort. But clearly this squad needs to be upgraded if we're going to make a real dent against the top 5 teams. The bottom 5 in today's 22 are barely AFL standard (and I think you all know whom I'm talking about).

Though it sent us packing to the Blues, I'm delighted for the GWS - since round 1 they've competed brilliantly and much richly deserved that last spot more than the Dogs. Hopefully, they've given us the blueprint to do a job on Carlton.

[MattW]

Feel a bit flat after that one. I thought it was going to be our day when we went three goals up in the third. Feeling a little pessimistic now.

[giant]

This. Our set shot kicking in this game was awful. It meant we were never able to exert the scoreboard pressure we should have. Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think it was 3-6 to 7-3, and some of our shots were easier, straight in front only 30m out. A real let down after the last few weeks of being the most accurate team in the comp.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Doesn't include several times when we didn't make the distance from 40m out. What the heck is that?

[liz]

Happy to have made it into finals given where things were a couple of months ago. But mostly excited for next season now.

Exactly.

Clearly the only being able to play three-quarters thing is a problem this year, but I don't think we've historically (in recent seasons) had that problem. So hopefully they already have some good ideas of what they need to change up over the pre-season (if it's entirely, or mostly, physical).

We also clearly have a list issue right now that Longmire (or the coaches more broadly) don't have a lot of faith in anyone outside our best 23. Bring Papley and McInerney into the team, and move Stephens (or maybe Campbell, or maybe Fox) to sub - any of those three would likely be able to come on and make some impact in the last. But that's where the list ends right now. Clarke and Francis are "we'll play them if we really have to, but would prefer not to have to".

[The Big Cat]

Interesting that Stephens was in the top half dozen fantasy points for the swans and spent more time on the ground than every other player. Coaches’ confidence in him must be growing.

[barry]

Though it sent us packing to the Blues, I'm delighted for the GWS - since round 1 they've competed brilliantly and much richly deserved that last spot more than the Dogs. Hopefully, they've given us the blueprint to do a job on Carlton.

The other silver lining out of this round (dogs not making the 8 is 1st one), is that self doubt will be creeping into the blues now.

[Roadrunner]

Exactly.

Clearly the only being able to play three-quarters thing is a problem this year, but I don't think we've historically (in recent seasons) had that problem. So hopefully they already have some good ideas of what they need to change up over the pre-season (if it's entirely, or mostly, physical).

We also clearly have a list issue right now that Longmire (or the coaches more broadly) don't have a lot of faith in anyone outside our best 23. Bring Papley and McInerney into the team, and move Stephens (or maybe Campbell, or maybe Fox) to sub - any of those three would likely be able to come on and make some impact in the last. But that's where the list ends right now. Clarke and Francis are "we'll play them if we really have to, but would prefer not to have to".

Not sure if I agree re Francis, as the games he played in, he made some contribution. Certainly Paps and JMac would improve us. For sure Clarke shouldn’t be anywhere near the team and though Wicks does a few nice things, he just doesn’t quite cut it. We had a few well below their best: Wilbur, Campbell, Fox, Amartey just to name a few. Nevertheless, we had our chances to win the game against a top 5 team so we’re not far off. Of course, our kicking needs to be more accurate and we have to play 4 quarters and finish strongly. But we’ve done well to recover from our slump and I’m proud of our boys. 2-3 pieces missing from the jigsaw and we can then challenge for sure.

[longmile]

We have a serious final quarter problem

[grarmy]

[QUOTE=Roadrunner;875446]…… We had a few well below their best: Wilbur, Campbell, Fox, Amartey just to name a few…..[/QUOTE

Amarty was way under par today. Fingers crossed we get JMAC for the finals to replace him… or Reid.

[Markwebbos]

Horse likes to have a settled squad heading into finals and is very reluctant to try new players at this stage of the season, so kudos to Stephens.

I imagine after playing 7 must win games in a row the week off will do our bodies and minds the world of good.

[KTigers]

Melbourne are a very good team and yesterday at least very well drilled defensively. Sometimes the game goes long on
long enough for the cream to rise to the top and some of their play in the last quarter was seriously good. I'm not
quite sure who could have stopped it. No us yesterday.
If someone offered you 8th spot 7 weeks ago you would have taken it in a heartbeat.

[Markwebbos]

Swans have generally been good at negating teams defensive strengths e.g. Sam Taylor. I’m not sure whether the failure v May and Lever was deliberate or accidental?

The optimist in me believes we are keeping our powder dry.

[waswan]

Swans have generally been good at negating teams defensive strengths e.g. Sam Taylor. I’m not sure whether the failure v May and Lever was deliberate or accidental?

The optimist in me believes we are keeping our powder dry.

The optimist in me says, we can use Hayward for the negative role on the tall defender and not waste selection on Wicks and Clarke

- - - Updated - - -

A loose ball bounced between them in the 2nd qtr in our 50 and its like they didnt know what to do as they had no one to tackle

[ugg]

That makes no sense, Wicks and/or Clarke do not play on the tall defender. They play on a smaller defender.

[Markwebbos]

The optimist in me says, we can use Hayward for the negative role on the tall defender and not waste selection on Wicks and Clarke

- - - Updated - - -

A loose ball bounced between them in the 2nd qtr in our 50 and its like they didnt know what to do as they had no one to tackle

Hayward has often played that role, including on Lever. Not sure what happened yesterday? I agree that Wicks / Clarke is a different matter although Clarke has tagged Salem in the past.

[waswan]

That makes no sense, Wicks and/or Clarke do not play on the tall defender. They play on a smaller defender.

Playing in the hole and running with the fast defender, more than capable for Hayward.

Who did they play on the weekend ?
Wasnt Clarke at Lever ?

[Hotpotato]

Finishing in 8th is massive considering .
Playing at the MCG is excellent experience and good for the (South) Melbourne supporters .

They sure had an off night set kicking for goal when that issue looked pretty sorted recently .
The good set shotters (.like Bayview Fritz) do not wave the ball , they keep it still.

[waswan]

Either way Jmac and Paps need to come in

Clarke 100% goes
And either Stephens or Wicks

Wicks Tackles hard, Stephens run will be good at MCG

Campbell had a bad night but light years in front of those guys

[ugg]

Playing in the hole and running with the fast defender, more than capable for Hayward. Who did they play on the weekend ? Wasnt Clarke at Lever ?Lots of rotations so not always the matchups, but from my vantage point when they were on the field it was Hayward-Lever, Clarke-Salem

[KTigers]

I thought Wicks had a good game. Not a lot of possessions but a lot of tackles which I always rate. Stephens, also had a good game.
Melbourne at their best is probably better than us at our best at the moment. This game wasn't so much us losing a game, but more
Melbourne winning it. They were just better for longer.
Really nice send off for Buddy. 41,000, 42,000 people there. That was classy for so many to show up and cheer him so loudly.

[waswan]

Lots of rotations so not always the matchups, but from my vantage point when they were on the field it was Hayward-Lever, Clarke-Salem

Maybe Clarke did his job on Salem then

[waswan]

Selection will be interesting, cant see Wicks getting dropped after 9 tackles.
Paps and Jmac have to come in

[stevoswan]

How filthy will Adelaide be right now

Who gives a s***?

[Jimitron5000]

Melbourne were a bit better, and for longer. Having someone like Fritsch take his opportunities really helped them.
Our ability to play three quarter of footy is quite good, but unfortunately footy is a four quarter game. These final quarter fade outs are becoming a concerning habit.
I think I have less confidence is his goalkicking that Heeney himself does.

[KTigers]

The other moment I liked yesterday was Parker's reaction to something (I guess) Jack Viney said to him. Parker cupped his
hand around his ear and moved toward Viney with a fake "I'm shocked" look on his face. It was hysterical. I guess Viney hasn't
figured out that any sledge towards Luke is just a total waste of breath. He just doesn't give a @@@@.

[waswan]

Who gives a s***?
+1

[dejavoodoo44]

The other moment I liked yesterday was Parker's reaction to something (I guess) Jack Viney said to him. Parker cupped his
hand around his ear and moved toward Viney with a fake "I'm shocked" look on his face. It was hysterical. I guess Viney hasn't
figured out that any sledge towards Luke is just a total waste of breath. He just doesn't give a @@@@.
Yes, I was also amused by Parker's reaction. It seemed to me that someone was trying to threaten him, and he employed perhaps the best of disarming of a threat, of appearing to be totally unconcerned by the attempted intimidation.

[KTigers]

Yes, I was also amused by Parker's reaction. It seemed to me that someone was trying to threaten him, and he employed perhaps the best of disarming of a threat, of appearing to be totally unconcerned by the attempted intimidation.

I suspect for his entire career he has looked around the field and just seen 37 other players who are, you know, "soft".

[Meg]

Really nice send off for Buddy. 41,000, 42,000 people there. That was classy for so many to show up and cheer him so loudly.

It was great, quite emotional. Buddy looked genuinely touched.

And little Rocky Franklin nearly stole the show waving at the crowd.

[Mel_C]

It was great, quite emotional. Buddy looked genuinely touched.

And little Rocky Franklin nearly stole the show waving at the crowd.
Yes Buddy looked very emotional, especially after Longmire had a chat to him. When they showed Buddy's dad in the stands, he was also wiping away tears.

Rocky was so cute copying what Buddy was doing. He has Buddy's piercing blue eyes.

[Auntie.Gerald]

I must say if you are the opposition team and you are adjusting between plus 1 in defence, plus 2 and even plus 3 for stages of the game of course we the Swans will still appear to be active and in the game. This would make a false impression of our fight and run with the ball due to minimal opposition numbers around the contest in our back half and midfield.

For me we only had control in the 3rd qtr.

Otherwise Melbourne controlled the tempo and field position to how they manage a game best against strong fast counter attack team (like us).

From what I saw with Melbourne was the antidote to our fast sling shot counter attack…….they let us roll that out because they had 1 less 2 less and sometimes 3 less at the contest I. They set their turnover traps so that our main get out was a kick over the top leading hard one on one. Yet these marks ended up not always in spots that worked for goal percentage.

Plus we did have a few timid misses which really hurt……pressure does that !

My takeaway is we would have learnt a lot about that game and so to our opposition in the comp.

Good intel each way.

Sadly the game left us in 8th but a little stronger maybe for our draft picks …… maybe 🤔

[KTigers]

Buddy is a unique character. We in the stands don't really know him but over a long period of time he has built
a bond of sorts with the fans at the games. It's a bit like artists in the music industry who've had a long career.
The feeling towards them from the people in the arena or theatre is very positive and genuine. They are very
aware of it and almost without exception they are appreciative of it.
It's not just about them getting a pile of money out of it. There's a bit more to it than that. That sense of
appreciation came thru from the Budster too yesterday I thought. That stuff doesn't happen every day, right
there in front of all of us who were there. It was cool.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Cheers to that KT

He was a special trade, special player and crowd gathering !!!!!

One of a kind !

Nothing like looking up at the SCG and seeing a great painter paint 🎨

As our dear old Bruce M “Mr Olympics” commentator used to say “that’s special”

[giant]

That makes no sense, Wicks and/or Clarke do not play on the tall defender. They play on a smaller defender.

Agreed, this is why I was with Markwebbos - it was so bizarre matching him with Wicks and Clarke it felt like they were deliberately dogging it? Wasn't the greatest day out from the coaches box.

[Rampos]

Our ability to play three quarter of footy is quite good, but unfortunately footy is a four quarter game. These final quarter fade outs are becoming a concerning habit.
I think I have less confidence is his goalkicking that Heeney himself does.[/QUOTE]

Agree with this - since round 5 when our season started to go backwards ie the next 18 rounds - we have won very few last quarters - five in all (Carlton being one of them!!) - 5 minutes before the end of the third quarter I commented to my son (we sit close to the interchange bench) that the swans looked out of gas - and that we would lose - Melbourne went on to kick the next 6 goals in a row.

I think our crew came back unfit after the grand final and have not recovered - some sandhills over the summer might help - agree we need a couple of extra players to fill out the rotation ie a ruck to replace 2022 Hickey and more importantly an intercept defender as Francis is not a replacement for Paddy - most importantly we need to be fitter and Amartey is a particular standout in this regards.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Really feel for Jake Melksham after having an ACL confirmed. Such a devastating injury following a not obviously severe knock to the knee, and then the knee just giving way. He’s the kind of wholehearted player who gives his all every game that I admire. Possibly career-ending for the poor bloke, and just shattering after missing the Premiership a couple of years ago. Had the good sense to get out of Essendon and made Melbourne better.


Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

[Auntie.Gerald]

So this game against the Deemons plus two against Geelong, one against against the pies were the only games where we were contained and trapped to only score between 37 and 56 this season.

Cats x 2
Pies x 1
Melbourne x 1

I wonder if those 4 games maybe high on our agenda this week to review the opposition strategy to minimise our ability to score ?

[dejavoodoo44]

These are the coaches votes for the game.

10 Errol Gulden SYD
8 Christian Petracca MELB
5 Bayley Fritsch MELB
5 Jack Viney MELB
2 Callum Mills SYD

And these are the leading overall vote getters, with Butters winning and Errol in a highly credible 6th.

109 - Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
102 - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
99 - Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
98 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
91 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
88 - Errol Gulden (Sydney)
87 - Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
86 - Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
77 - Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
77 - Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)

[Maltopia]

These are the coaches votes for the game.

10 Errol Gulden SYD
8 Christian Petracca MELB
5 Bayley Fritsch MELB
5 Jack Viney MELB
2 Callum Mills SYD

And these are the leading overall vote getters, with Butters winning and Errol in a highly credible 6th.

109 - Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
102 - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
99 - Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
98 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
91 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
88 - Errol Gulden (Sydney)
87 - Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
86 - Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
77 - Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
77 - Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)

And Stephens finished 8th! ;)

[Goal Sneak]

And Stephens finished 8th! ;)

I noticed that also but didn't want to bring it up. That decision still really irritates me.

[i'm-uninformed2]

These are the coaches votes for the game.

10 Errol Gulden SYD
8 Christian Petracca MELB
5 Bayley Fritsch MELB
5 Jack Viney MELB
2 Callum Mills SYD

And these are the leading overall vote getters, with Butters winning and Errol in a highly credible 6th.

109 - Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
102 - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
99 - Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
98 - Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
91 - Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
88 - Errol Gulden (Sydney)
87 - Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
86 - Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
77 - Toby Greene (GWS Giants)
77 - Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)

I reckon the coaches award is the premier one, over the Brownlow, so to finish sixth is brilliant.

If I had a beef with that top ten, it’s that it’s also turning into a midfielder’s award. The idea Charlie Curnow isn’t on that leaderboard is just silly.

[The Big Cat]

I noticed that also but didn't want to bring it up. That decision still really irritates me.

And I bet the 17 clubs who didn’t bid on Gulden are more irritated!

[liz]

And I bet the 17 clubs who didn’t bid on Gulden are more irritated!

Probably not because they wouldn't have got him. The only reason to wish they had bid (or bid earlier) would be to weaken the Swans' future draft hand (ie if they'd forced us into deficit).

[ugg]

There was a tweet going around from one of the footy journos just after he was drafted that Gulden was 21-22 on the Swans draft board. So definitely went below where he was rated by us at the time, would have been interesting what would have happened if a bid came in the 10-15 range

[MattW]

There was a tweet going around from one of the footy journos just after he was drafted that Gulden was 21-22 on the Swans draft board. So definitely went below where he was rated by us at the time, would have been interesting what would have happened if a bid came in the 10-15 range

That's interesting because it was pretty clear that he was an absolute gun from the very start.

Ugle-Hagan is the only player drafted that year with any chance of having a more illustrious career: 2020 AFL draft - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_AFL_draft).

[liz]

There was a tweet going around from one of the footy journos just after he was drafted that Gulden was 21-22 on the Swans draft board. So definitely went below where he was rated by us at the time, would have been interesting what would have happened if a bid came in the 10-15 range

I find it astonishing that he lasted past pick 30. I find it surprising he wasn't higher than 21-22 on many clubs' boards, but flabbergasting that he wasn't higher on the Swans' board, given they had so much more access to him and must have known about his dedication, work ethic and footy IQ to a degree that the other clubs might not have realised.

I guess it is possible that the Swans' draft board reflected where they thought he would go rather than necessarily their ratings.

Even if they (the Swans) genuinely only rated him around 20ish, they might still have chosen to match a bid in the teens. It might have caused a hurried trading of a future second round pick to get the necessary points to match or they could have chosen to bear the deficit from the 2021 first round pick. If we had passed on Gulden we would have had to take a player with one of the junk picks we had at the end of the draft. I think overpaying (as they might have thought at the time) for a known quantity would have been a rational response.

Imagine if we had passed a much earlier pick and we were now watching him pick up his first AA selection in another club's colours. Gives me the heebie jeebies to think about that.

[ugg]

Found the tweet it was by Jon Ralph

https://x.com/ralphyheraldsun/status/1374221856564080645?s=46&t=yMMEIF-FmF1MljTULvAiDw

I’ve gone back and read some of the draft profiles written about him, both from amateur watchers and professional journos, to see why he was not rated higher and from what I can gather it’s nothing specific but rather his height that was his “weakness”

Take for example this profile Errol Gulden Draft Profile - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central (formerly AFL Draft Central) (https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/errol-gulden/)

The two weaknesses listed there are inside game and kicking consistency. The former he has definitely proven wrong this season but reading the article in detail he’s been marked down there because he played outside mid and small forward in the U18champs and his running ability would seem to have marked him out for a similar role in the AFL

The criticism about his kicking consistency is because he can mess up going for the tough kicks, something that can and will happen given the difficulty of the kicks he’s attempting. I’m not sure that you count that as a weakness if the coaches are giving him license to do so

[The Big Cat]

I remember Kinnear predraft bemoaning that Errol wasn’t as tall as Braeden otherwise he’d be a lower draft pick.

[MattW]

I remember Kinnear predraft bemoaning that Errol wasn’t as tall as Braeden otherwise he’d be a lower draft pick.

He plays tall much taller than he us, of course. Great leap. Complete footballer. How lucky are we.

[liz]

I remember Kinnear predraft bemoaning that Errol wasn’t as tall as Braeden otherwise he’d be a lower draft pick.

The Gulden brothers illustrate how random (well not entirely random, but you know what I mean) nature and nuture can be. Adam was listed at around 187cm. Maybe Adam ate his greens when he was a kid and Errol didn't.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I find it astonishing that he lasted past pick 30. I find it surprising he wasn't higher than 21-22 on many clubs' boards, but flabbergasting that he wasn't higher on the Swans' board, given they had so much more access to him and must have known about his dedication, work ethic and footy IQ to a degree that the other clubs might not have realised.

I guess it is possible that the Swans' draft board reflected where they thought he would go rather than necessarily their ratings.

Even if they (the Swans) genuinely only rated him around 20ish, they might still have chosen to match a bid in the teens. It might have caused a hurried trading of a future second round pick to get the necessary points to match or they could have chosen to bear the deficit from the 2021 first round pick. If we had passed on Gulden we would have had to take a player with one of the junk picks we had at the end of the draft. I think overpaying (as they might have thought at the time) for a known quantity would have been a rational response.

Imagine if we had passed a much earlier pick and we were now watching him pick up his first AA selection in another club's colours. Gives me the heebie jeebies to think about that.

My understanding is they always intended to take him, simply because they knew they wouldn’t carry much of a deficit. Apparently they knew he wouldn’t go in that 15-20 range as the Pies and GWS - who had a streak of picks through that part of the draft - did no more than cursory meetings with him. They never thought he’d go earlier than that based on the intel they had, and the more likely window was Cats or Dees in early 20s.

As to exactly where we rated him, I don’t know.

My understanding is the bit that made us more nervous on draft night was accessing Logan. Obviously, JUH was going to the Dogs, Adelaide openly flagged Thilthorpe, and then it came down to what Norf did at 3. We rated Logan as high as anyone on the draft board, and couldn’t go quick enough to name him once Norf went for Phillips.

When you consider what Gulden has done this year, how elite Logan is obviously going to be, and I think Campbell has made great progress and will still prove a supreme player, it’s going to be one hell of a draft haul.

[Kafka's Ghost]

My understanding is they always intended to take him, simply because they knew they wouldn’t carry much of a deficit. Apparently they knew he wouldn’t go in that 15-20 range as the Pies and GWS - who had a streak of picks through that part of the draft - did no more than cursory meetings with him. They never thought he’d go earlier than that based on the intel they had, and the more likely window was Cats or Dees in early 20s.

As to exactly where we rated him, I don’t know.

My understanding is the bit that made us more nervous on draft night was accessing Logan. Obviously, JUH was going to the Dogs, Adelaide openly flagged Thilthorpe, and then it came down to what Norf did at 3. We rated Logan as high as anyone on the draft board, and couldn’t go quick enough to name him once Norf went for Phillips.

When you consider what Gulden has done this year, how elite Logan is obviously going to be, and I think Campbell has made great progress and will still prove a supreme player, it’s going to be one hell of a draft haul.

I was just thinking exactly the same thing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I’ve gone back and read some of the draft profiles written about him, both from amateur watchers and professional journos, to see why he was not rated higher and from what I can gather it’s nothing specific but rather his height that was his “weakness”
Your comment prompted me to go back and look at what RWOers were saying - there was a lot of love being expressed in 2019, wishing he could be drafted at the end of that year.

[ugg]

I remember talking to an acquaintance who watched a lot of U18 football in what must have been 2019. He told me to look out for 3 names as standouts in that Swans Academy crop - Campbell, Gulden, and Jackson Barling. He was most effusive about Gulden at that time

[liz]

Your comment prompted me to go back and look at what RWOers were saying - there was a lot of love being expressed in 2019, wishing he could be drafted at the end of that year.

Just in case anyone needs something to do while killing time before our next match (on Sunday afternoon at NSO), I found this thread with comments from 2020. In addition to observations on Gulden and Campbell, it includes what must be the earliest RWO mentions of McAndrew. I haven't yet looked at comments from 2019. The RWO search function is a bit clunky (especially around date range searches).

Swans Academy Talent (http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/forum/showthread.php/43216-Swans-Academy-Talent?highlight=gulden%3B+academy)


Edit

I've now found the main academy discussion thread from 2019. Lots of Campbell and Gulden, as you'd expect. Post 126 includes a link to a Fairfax article about the pair. Quite understated in hindsight.

I cringed at a couple of my observations in post 152. Specifically where I described Campbell as not lightning quick (which, literally, is true but figuratively probably not), and where I suggest that Gulden's disposal isn't laser-like. Ouch.

http://www.redandwhiteonline.com/forum/showthread.php/43862-2019-Swans-academy-and-U18-discussion?highlight=2019%3B+academy

[ugg]

Moving slightly away from the adulation of Errol (not that it's in any way undeserved), I also found it interesting reading the draft reports and seeing the highlights of Campbell. One of the reasons he was rated (and drafted) so highly was his ability to play inside as well as outside, but it's a role that we've not seen him used in at senior AFL level. I wonder if in the long term we will eventually see him there or we'll stick with him as an outside mid/halfback flanker.

[Industrial Fan]

Moving back towards Errol… did anyone see the footage where he broke a kids arm with his bomb from 50m against Melbourne?

The ball was obviously moving at speed..

Was looking for the video but can’t find it.

[ugg]

We know Errol’s kicks have a bit behind them…but Swans fan Liam felt it first hand 😅So we had to get him into the club to meet our latest All-Australian! pic.twitter.com/M4VqAu4hIC (https://t.co/M4VqAu4hIC)&mdash; Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 31, 2023 (https://twitter.com/sydneyswans/status/1697178487793283496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>https://twitter.com/sydneyswans/status/1697178487793283496

[BRS328]

i’m-uninformed, a minor correction. I think you will find it was Hawthorn who had pick 3 that were considering playing a game by making a bid for Campbell in an attempt to force the Swans to take him so they could get Logan. I believe there were discussions in the lead up between the Swans and Hawthorn on this possibility, and the Swans called Hawthorn’s bluff by indicating they would pass on Campbell if this occurred

[neilfws]

We know Errol’s kicks have a bit behind them…but Swans fan Liam felt it first hand

"Did you mark it at least?" :)

Results probably as much if not more to do with catching technique than power...great fan story anyway.

[liz]

i’m-uninformed, a minor correction. I think you will find it was Hawthorn who had pick 3 that were considering playing a game by making a bid for Campbell in an attempt to force the Swans to take him so they could get Logan. I believe there were discussions in the lead up between the Swans and Hawthorn on this possibility, and the Swans called Hawthorn’s bluff by indicating they would pass on Campbell if this occurred

North held pick two at the start of the draft, which became pick three after the bid for Ugle-Hagen by Adelaide. We held pick three at the start, which dropped to pick four and was used on McDonald after North chose Phillips. Hawthorn's first pick came immediately after our first, and they bid on Campbell (before eventually drafted Grainger-Barass).

[i'm-uninformed2]

i’m-uninformed, a minor correction. I think you will find it was Hawthorn who had pick 3 that were considering playing a game by making a bid for Campbell in an attempt to force the Swans to take him so they could get Logan. I believe there were discussions in the lead up between the Swans and Hawthorn on this possibility, and the Swans called Hawthorn’s bluff by indicating they would pass on Campbell if this occurred

No. As I’ve posted on here before, Tom Papley’s wayward goal kicking in the final game of that season against Geelong cost us the game, but gifted us the higher draft pick. Hence, we got both Logan and Campbell. One of those twists of fate that can make a footy club. Thanks Paps.

And Liz, thanks for posting the Academy thread. It’s interesting to re-read and notice that Errol’s potential to be better than Campbell begins to emerge in a few of the posts from sharp observers, along with a couple of observations on his “Errol everywhere” position. I still have huge faith in Campbell, and he’s improved substantially this year and I expect him to impact games markedly next year - but it’s clear right now who the clubhouse leader is.

[stevoswan]

And Stephens finished 8th! ;)

:rofl


I noticed that also but didn't want to bring it up. That decision still really irritates me.

Me too!

[Scottee]

Moving slightly away from the adulation of Errol (not that it's in any way undeserved), I also found it interesting reading the draft reports and seeing the highlights of Campbell. One of the reasons he was rated (and drafted) so highly was his ability to play inside as well as outside, but it's a role that we've not seen him used in at senior AFL level. I wonder if in the long term we will eventually see him there or we'll stick with him as an outside mid/halfback flanker.In my opinion Campbell is being played put of position. He has heaps of early speed and has a 2.85 seconds 20m to his credit. His advantage is in the middle where he can gain an early break, not in the positions requiring a high top speed plus stamina.

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[giant]

No. As I’ve posted on here before, Tom Papley’s wayward goal kicking in the final game of that season against Geelong cost us the game, but gifted us the higher draft pick. Hence, we got both Logan and Campbell. One of those twists of fate that can make a footy club. Thanks Paps.

And Liz, thanks for posting the Academy thread. It’s interesting to re-read and notice that Errol’s potential to be better than Campbell begins to emerge in a few of the posts from sharp observers, along with a couple of observations on his “Errol everywhere” position. I still have huge faith in Campbell, and he’s improved substantially this year and I expect him to impact games markedly next year - but it’s clear right now who the clubhouse leader is.

Rewatched last year's qualifying final v Melbourne as part of my Father's Day Swans fiesta - was a reminder of how far Errol has come, not that he was bad, but he was very much a bit player. No reason to think that Campbell doesn't have this additional gear in him as well.

[Roadrunner]

Rewatched last year's qualifying final v Melbourne as part of my Father's Day Swans fiesta - was a reminder of how far Errol has come, not that he was bad, but he was very much a bit player. No reason to think that Campbell doesn't have this additional gear in him as well.

Errol has become elite this year- hence his AA spot. Campbell is a different player altogether and I feel we haven’t found his best position yet to take advantage of his special kicking ability. In order to best utilise this weapon, he needs a fraction of an extra second with the ball and at the top level this is the hardest for young players to learn and achieve. Even Chad gets caught and the same with Campbell. However he does have pace so given game experience this will come and then his kicking will become truly lethal!

[Nico]

Errol has become elite this year- hence his AA spot. Campbell is a different player altogether and I feel we haven’t found his best position yet to take advantage of his special kicking ability. In order to best utilise this weapon, he needs a fraction of an extra second with the ball and at the top level this is the hardest for young players to learn and achieve. Even Chad gets caught and the same with Campbell. However he does have pace so given game experience this will come and then his kicking will become truly lethal!

Campbell should be tried at centre bounces. If he gets on to the end of a clean centre clearance then look out.