Rd 22 vs Port at the SCG

[SwanSand]

Dattolis game bodes well for September and for the future.
Maybe having Wicks in the backline meant we played Bice differently? Not sure. He was obviously given the Blakey role of running past the ball winner to get the handball.

First week of Final against Hawks -
we are not going to look as good in the backline. But again as long as our midfielders keep pressure in the middle and deny entries we maybe avoid one on ones in defence.
But in the middle - Roberts, Cootee, Dattoli, Lloyd, Serong and Jordan will all have to do ton of work.

if Rowbottom Rampe and Mcinerney come back - probably Kyle Hamling and Cootee will miss out.

our depth has been great this year which has kept us in good stead.

All for winning that first final. It will be a great game.

[Nico]

Great game by Dattoli. Goes where the ball is at. Excellent clean disposal.

[dejavoodoo44]

Great game by Dattoli. Goes where the ball is at. Excellent clean disposal.

Yes, now that he's in the side, I don't think he's going out in a hurry.

[dejavoodoo44]

Interesting CBA numbers. As well as our two rucks, we had nine other players start in the centre square. Interestingly, Serong had the most.

Sydney 167 def Port Adelaide 70 - Round 22 2026 | Footyinfo https://share.google/YIdY5Lf6s3jHbQsVi

[imuninformedtwo]

I’ve been banging on about Datolli being a midfielder rather than a small forward and when I watched that late clearance, let alone his hands all game, was like yeah baby. I know people will say we should have played him a lot earlier but I liked the coaches getting him match fit and hardened for the part of the year that matters.

We were basically playing a vfl team today but you can only beat who’s out there and we did. I do like the way some elements of a better side have come together in recent weeks - Cootee and Datolli, Serong tagging and on ball, Campbell playing mids. I’m just not sure the second tall defender was settled today.

As for Will Green, terrific debut. Got manhandled occasionally in the wrestle, but was otherwise excellent and round the ground skills fantastic. He’ll be a player with some more beef and fitness.

[dejavoodoo44]

I’ve been banging on about Datolli being a midfielder rather than a small forward and when I watched that late clearance, let alone his hands all game, was like yeah baby. I know people will say we should have played him a lot earlier but I liked the coaches getting him match fit and hardened for the part of the year that matters.

We were basically playing a vfl team today but you can only beat who’s out there and we did. I do like the way some elements of a better side have come together in recent weeks - Cootee and Datolli, Serong tagging and on ball, Campbell playing mids. I’m just not sure the second tall defender was settled today.

As for Will Green, terrific debut. Got manhandled occasionally in the wrestle, but was otherwise excellent and round the ground skills fantastic. He’ll be a player with some more beef and fitness.

Wouldn't mind seeing Snell get a debut next week, if he's fit again. I'd argue that his VFL form has been better than both Melican and Hamling, although Hamling has been put forward a bit. But would rather him come in against Essendon, rather than as a forced change for a final, if another defender gets injured. Although, Rampe will probably come back in after being managed, just to complicate things a bit further.

[UUaswan]

I’ve been banging on about Datolli being a midfielder rather than a small forward and when I watched that late clearance, let alone his hands all game, was like yeah baby. I know people will say we should have played him a lot earlier but I liked the coaches getting him match fit and hardened for the part of the year that matters.

We were basically playing a vfl team today but you can only beat who’s out there and we did. I do like the way some elements of a better side have come together in recent weeks - Cootee and Datolli, Serong tagging and on ball, Campbell playing mids. I’m just not sure the second tall defender was settled today.

As for Will Green, terrific debut. Got manhandled occasionally in the wrestle, but was otherwise excellent and round the ground skills fantastic. He’ll be a player with some more beef and fitness.

Despite being manhandled not even Grundy has convincingly won rucks Taps like Green did today

Head and shoulders above the others in the centre square

[Dow]

Despite being manhandled not even Grundy has convincingly won rucks Taps like Green did today

Head and shoulders above the others in the centre square

was interesting Ports first year rick was the best ruck on the ground

[Dow]

I’ve been banging on about Datolli being a midfielder rather than a small forward and when I watched that late clearance, let alone his hands all game, was like yeah baby. I know people will say we should have played him a lot earlier but I liked the coaches getting him match fit and hardened for the part of the year that matters.

We were basically playing a vfl team today but you can only beat who’s out there and we did. I do like the way some elements of a better side have come together in recent weeks - Cootee and Datolli, Serong tagging and on ball, Campbell playing mids. I’m just not sure the second tall defender was settled today.

As for Will Green, terrific debut. Got manhandled occasionally in the wrestle, but was otherwise excellent and round the ground skills fantastic. He’ll be a player with some more beef and fitness.

Datoli showing what having a good body of work in the 2s does for you,

[crackedactor 01]

Wouldn't mind seeing Snell get a debut next week, if he's fit again. I'd argue that his VFL form has been better than both Melican and Hamling, although Hamling has been put forward a bit. But would rather him come in against Essendon, rather than as a forced change for a final, if another defender gets injured. Although, Rampe will probably come back in after being managed, just to complicate things a bit further.

Agree. I think its time we give Snell at chance at AFL level. Melican and Hamling were pretty average. Melican has really gone backwards.

[mcs]

I’ve been banging on about Datolli being a midfielder rather than a small forward and when I watched that late clearance, let alone his hands all game, was like yeah baby. I know people will say we should have played him a lot earlier but I liked the coaches getting him match fit and hardened for the part of the year that matters.

We were basically playing a vfl team today but you can only beat who’s out there and we did. I do like the way some elements of a better side have come together in recent weeks - Cootee and Datolli, Serong tagging and on ball, Campbell playing mids. I’m just not sure the second tall defender was settled today.

As for Will Green, terrific debut. Got manhandled occasionally in the wrestle, but was otherwise excellent and round the ground skills fantastic. He’ll be a player with some more beef and fitness.

Long way to go for Datolli, but he has real ROK like vibes. I liked the fact he understands as a forward how to lead - his lead for the first goal is exactly what we've been missing in the forward line setup. A great game and looking forward to him getting a crack in finals.

[BRS328]

was interesting Ports first year rick was the best ruck on the ground

He had the advantage of playing against McLean in the ruck while Green was up against Jordan Street who is an accomplished ruckman in his own right. Green had 20 hit outs compared 24 with Street. Van Wyck had 23 to McLeans 7.
I thought Green showed a lot today, particularly with his ball handling when the ball was on the ground.
Will be an interesting decision at the selection committee meeting this week with Grundy returning. If I was McLean I would becoming a little nervous.

[Velour&Ruffles]

I thought there was a lot to like in both Dattoli’s and Green’s games. Was also good to have Wicks back (two years ago I would have laughed uproariously if you told me I would ever say that). Campbell has really added something too. Bice good again playing a somewhat more attacking role. We just need to give him licence to run and kick long. He’s a beautiful kick when he’s not trying to do dinky little wedges.
We didn’t beat much but I thought the signs in this game were quite good.

[crackedactor 01]

Watched the replay and notice a change of tactics. Instead of 3 or 4 players hanging are the are of the centre corridor,I notice they make every effort to keep it clear, but once a Swans player has the ball they come back in the central corridor area.A kick sideways always finds a Swans player.

[Velour&Ruffles]

I thought there was a lot to like in both Dattoli’s and Green’s games. Was also good to have Wicks back (two years ago I would have laughed uproariously if you told me I would ever say that). Campbell has really added something too. Bice good again playing a somewhat more attacking role. We just need to give him licence to run and kick long. He’s a beautiful kick when he’s not trying to do dinky little wedges.
We didn’t beat much but I thought the signs in this game were quite good.

I should have also said that Serong was a revelation playing more midfield time. More of that please!