QF vs Brisbane at the SCG

[KSAS]

In the Vic media i'm seeing 2 lines of thoughts after our stunning QF win:

1. Win was based mostly on emotion and can't be sustained for us to be considered a serious premiership threat. (Which i highly disagree, as it severely underestimates our transition to a more balanced game of all out attack and fierce pressure on the opposition). But hope this keeps getting trotted out for motivational purposes.

2. We now have a free hit at the flag due to our underdog status and thus lifting the expectation for us to amend recent heavy GF losses. I do see merit in this thought, as i did sense a change of mind set after that win against North.

I also see some similarity with 2005, when then AFL CEO Andrew Demitrou said we can't win flag with our style of play v Pridham stating we've torpedoed our season (even though he has tried to back track on that recently).

[KSAS]

Love this. Cox inspiring pre-match address to the team.

https://youtube.com/shorts/q-dXyjT-f3c?si=xvFtvTLJT_KmCAVj

[Swanstubbs]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtTW0h1qqBU

On this week’s episode of the More than Footy Podcast Logan McDonald and Tom Papley are joined by Dre in the studio. Chatting through our best on ground from the Qualifying Final, looking ahead to the Preliminary Final and what the Bloods culture looks like now.

[imuninformedtwo]

There is no apparent about him being a 'learn once'' kid I reckon - that appears to be an undisputed fact at this point. You don't get to where he has got to given his background without being a 'learn once' sort of kid.

The bloke has been playing AFL footy for less than 3 years. I've seen guys that grew up playing the game since they could walk and on AFL lists for 5 years before they get a chance that haven't looked as comfortable as he has to this point in time. That tackle on Lohmann I reckon is going to be a moment when we look back in a few years when he truly showed the first signs of true greatness.

He could be anything I reckon - going to enjoy watching him grow as an AFL footballer, and reckon he might just have a few more big moments yet to come in season 2026 too.

He hasn’t even started really going for his marks yet. I know his vertical leap was apparently best in class at the draft camp, but there was a profile piece on him around the time of his debut where he rocked up to an athletics carnival as a 16yo and wanted a go at the high jump, and cracked 2m.

Clearly one of the kids who was annoyingly talented at everything.

[mcs]

The latest Inside Sydney is well worth a watch. Actually quite emotional.

https://youtu.be/fZSj_S8ox-U?si=GJJ5jruojRzBpssr

Great watch!

This group is not going to give up quietly like the media suggested they might.

After watching that, all we need to do as fans is simple - BELIEVE.

[mcs]

Errol is in a hot streak of form. In the last 7 games, he's got 62 out of a possible 70 votes.

Best player in the comp by a fair distance the last 6 weeks.

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes

Errol, Paps and Logan all 8
Charlie 4
Rowie 2

Seems fair to me

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1606391

Errol is in a hot streak of form. In the last 7 games, he's got 62 out of a possible 70 votes.

[dejavoodoo44]

The latest Inside Sydney is well worth a watch. Actually quite emotional.

https://youtu.be/fZSj_S8ox-U?si=GJJ5jruojRzBpssr

[Blue Sun]

No, you're spot on.

Fagan was very gracious and honest. And that we did it for four quarters was what gave me confidence. We actually broke them. There was a point about halfway through the last quarter where they were struggling to clear the ball from half back and one of them kicked wide to the wing to let Berry run onto it. Cleary hared after him, closed down the space and rather than take possession of the ball and accept the tackle if it came, Berry simply hack kicked it off the ground and the ball went out (on the full, from memory).

The Berry play is a consequence of perceived pressure. We were relentless all day. This is a great sign for the future. These young kids are hungry and desperate.

It’s also worth mentioning that our young bloods are getting solid finals experience, which is essential for their development. The future is bright even without our ‘troubled’ stars.

[mcs]

Here's how well he's doing - his last two opponents have been Paul Curtis (38 goals for the season) and Kai Lohmann (46). Curtis had seven possessions and a goal, and Lohmann didn't fire a shot. I know he had the odd moment, and our overall dominance helps him, but that's some effort. Imagine once he works out what he's actually doing.

Apparently he's a 'learn once' kid too.

There is no apparent about him being a 'learn once'' kid I reckon - that appears to be an undisputed fact at this point. You don't get to where he has got to given his background without being a 'learn once' sort of kid.

The bloke has been playing AFL footy for less than 3 years. I've seen guys that grew up playing the game since they could walk and on AFL lists for 5 years before they get a chance that haven't looked as comfortable as he has to this point in time. That tackle on Lohmann I reckon is going to be a moment when we look back in a few years when he truly showed the first signs of true greatness.

He could be anything I reckon - going to enjoy watching him grow as an AFL footballer, and reckon he might just have a few more big moments yet to come in season 2026 too.

[imuninformedtwo]

Coaches votes

Errol, Paps and Logan all 8
Charlie 4
Rowie 2

Seems fair to me

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1606391

[imuninformedtwo]

For a young one in a pressure backs role Kyle is doing quite well…..actually very well considering his age and not even built out physically

he is adaptable on matchups and his decision making in attack will no doubt improve every game and season

Here's how well he's doing - his last two opponents have been Paul Curtis (38 goals for the season) and Kai Lohmann (46). Curtis had seven possessions and a goal, and Lohmann didn't fire a shot. I know he had the odd moment, and our overall dominance helps him, but that's some effort. Imagine once he works out what he's actually doing.

Apparently he's a 'learn once' kid too.

[rickmat]

Must admit that I had written off Cunningham as his last for the Swans. How wrong was I and I'm first to admit it. What a game he played against one of the best attacking Bris players. He was sensational along with the rest of the back six. And how amazing is Kyle for a first year player. He still tries to bust tackles but is learning fast and his breathless tackles on Sat were absolutely telling. Genuinely in awe at what the Swans produced as a team against a great Lions team

[Velour&Ruffles]

The 'Bloods culture' as defined in the era of Kirk, Bolton, Goodes et al. was very much a team-first culture; what's that old saying, about a star team out-performing a team of stars? I half-wonder if having more superstars in the team caused something of a drift from that ethos and the current squad is more aligned with it.

..

The famous Kirky's Cortinas quote comes to mind ..... not sure what the 2026 equivalent would be .... Callum's Camrys perhaps? Doesn't have quite the same romance attached to it, but we still managed to beat the Lamborghinis

[neilfws]

I'm disappointed to have missed this one due to other commitments!

I note that the weekend performance has led to several articles in the media; I'll refrain from offering an opinion of them and just point to the links:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/afl-sydney-swans-bloods-culture-finals-win-analysis/107121484

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-swans-famous-finals-win-that-reclaimed-their-club-20260906-p60usu.html

All that surprised me was the level of surprise expressed by some in the media. As the ABC article points out the team still has several high-level players, including a genuine young superstar in Gulden. They have a system in which the players believe and buy into - as noted by Papley several times. They've shown a never-say-die attitude for most of the season. They have undoubtedly been galvanised by recent events, have closed ranks and focused on what they can control - the football.

The 'Bloods culture' as defined in the era of Kirk, Bolton, Goodes et al. was very much a team-first culture; what's that old saying, about a star team out-performing a team of stars? I half-wonder if having more superstars in the team caused something of a drift from that ethos and the current squad is more aligned with it.

I'm very much looking forward to the next final - they are every chance against either Freo or Geelong at home if they bring what they brought on Saturday again. What a redemption it could be...