VFL Games 2026

[imuninformedtwo]

That’s the best game I’ve seen Kyle play and while he’s got a fair bit to do, you can also see from glimpses what sort of power Philippou has at his disposal.

[Sandridge]

GO BLOODS!!

Please let it be an omen for later on!!!

[bandwagon]

Very even performance with 11 goal-kickers, next week against Geelong should be a cracker especially if the return of Rampe gives us another listed player at VFL level (probably Melican). We are looking well coached this year. Well done Malceski.
3 Votes - Mellis. All round performance - attacked the contest hard, ran and distributed well and took his chances in front of goal.
2 - Cleary. 25 disposals and 2 goals in 3 quarters highlights his workrate. And the only time Collingwood got some control at clearance was when he was away from the middle.
1 - Hamling. Took advantage of the good work of the midfield with 5.2, but also marked strongly and fed off for other to score.

Warner had another excellent all-round game playing in the midfield (27 & 1.0). Though it might serve him better to spend time at half-forward like Cleary.
Kyle was much improved again, I am begining to see why he went in the first round.
Hanily played largely inside and performed well and even unselfishly setup a goal for Hamling when he could have blazed away.
Snell competently marshalled an inexperienced backline against a tall Collingwood attack.
Phillipou kicked 1.4 from gettable shots, but was busy all day.
Ladhams was good again, had two rucks opposed to him but took the honours.
Dattoli played midfield again and was improved over last week, a low possession high impact type of player I think
Chamberlain was quiet but showed glimpses of really excellent play. Probably needs to improve his consistency.
McLean kicked 2.1 from 6 disposals, but probably doesn't need to prove anything at this level.

[bandwagon]

That’s the best game I’ve seen Kyle play and while he’s got a fair bit to do, you can also see from glimpses what sort of power Philippou has at his disposal.

The rate of improvement from Kyle is really encouraging.

[imuninformedtwo]

The rate of improvement from Kyle is really encouraging.

That was always the theory and appeal. My understanding is some clubs had a look at him as high as pick 10, as it was clear he’d likely flourish in an AFL environment and his growth last year was so rapid. He’s still got some stuff to refine but encouraging.

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes for the game.

10 Mitch Mellis (SYD)
8 Joel Hamling (SYD)
5 Sam Swadling (COLL)
3 Caiden Cleary (SYD)
3 Corey Warner (SYD)
1 Jevan Phillipou (SYD)

Mellis has been doing very well as a VFL listed player. I was a bit surprised that his name wasn't on the list, of those who've registered for the midseason draft, since he would have a reasonable chance of being picked. I'm not if he can still put his name down?

[dejavoodoo44]

The team for the away game against Geelong tomorrow. Looks like a tough task, since Geelong are top of the ladder and don't have many injuries. And on injuries, it appears that Bowman didn't pass his fitness test.

SYDNEY SWANS
B: K. Gibbs (70), P. Snell (41), H. Podmore-Taylor (62)
HB: N. Shipley (52), H. Kyle (32), N. Chamberlain (42)
C: L. Giacometti (51), B. Cootee (25), J. Harrison (65)
HF: J. Phillipou (18), H. Cunningham (7), C. Warner (37)
F: T. Ryan (64), J. Hamling (29), H. McLean (2)
R: P. Ladhams (19), M. Mellis (50), J. Dattoli (9)
INT: M. Geddes (61), N. Andreacchio (67), J. Callegari (59), C. Peters (53), J. Longmire (56)
23rd Player: N. Andreacchio (67)
EMG: J. Tidemann (57), J. Ellwood (58), O. Davis (63)

IN: B. Cootee, H. Cunningham
OUT: C. Cleary, T. Hanily (AFL)

[dejavoodoo44]

Promising start. Moving the ball well.

[dejavoodoo44]

Interesting first quarter. Geelong have been on top around the clearances, but when they get it forward, our defence, especially Snell, has been right on top. Then when we move it forward, some of our run and gun has been very effective. McLean could have a big day if things keep going in that manner.

[bandwagon]

Q1: 1.6 - 5.2
3 goals to McLean, 1 to Hamling & Phillipou. I was really impressed by the defensive effort by the Swans right across the ground. Geelong had most of the possessions but we forced turnovers through pressure then moved it quickly to the fwd50, where we have been very efficient.

[bandwagon]

Geelong really on top in the clearances and making all their possession count on the scoreboard. Bowes is too good to be playing VFL.

[dejavoodoo44]

All Geelong in that quarter, largely due to their dominance at the clearances. Their mature bodied players, like Bowes, Worpel and Stevens are right on top, plus their ruckman has been getting hitouts to advantage, whereas Ladhams tends to have hitouts to disadvantage.

Snell has probably been our best, with Hamling and McLean good in the air.

[bandwagon]

HT: 7.11 - 7.3
Our efficiency inside 50 and desperate defence is the only thing keeping us in this. Geelong dominant in the contest, too many broken tackles from the Swans put our defence under enormous pressure. Snell has been excellent, I'd guess he has taken 6+ intercepts already. Cunningham recovered from a sloppy first quarter to keep us moving forward, but in contrast to the 1st Q our attacks are breaking down across the middle of the ground.
Note that Geelong has 13 AFL-listed players (plus Krueger) to our 11, which is often an important factor.

[bandwagon]

i50 were 20 to 5 in that quarter - it's astonishing that we are only 8 points behind.

[dejavoodoo44]

Cootee has had some nice touches in this quarter.