Prelim vs Dockers

[Blue Sun]

The future is bright. Injuries permitting, I see us winning the flag next year.

[BRS328]

And let's hope that no more of our assistant coaches are tempted away. I particularly hope that Malceski stays, as I was impressed with what he did with the VFL side.

Knowing Mal, I would be very surprised if he moved on. He has only just relocated his family to Sydney 12 months ago. He is very well regarded by everyone in Sydney and did an outstanding job with the VFL team this year. Would appear to be the natural replacement for McVeigh in the coaching panel

[crackedactor 01]

I do think we’ve found a good defender in Will Edwards. Other than the five, we were effectively another four first choice players down once Papley was injured too. A tremendous effort to be in this game until the last 30 seconds.

I would also dd Kyle to that list. Some great games in defence for a first year player.

[Sandridge]

Just loving the positivity on this thread!

I was worried that the drama following the game against Essendon would fracture the club but it's actually had the opposite effect. KSAS used the word "galvanised" to describe what has happened to our club since that game and that's exactly right. Everyone involved - the players, coaches, board, staff and supporters - have solidified their commitment to the club and, as a result, have produced some astonishing on-field performances. Firstly, the win against North. And then the game we'll never forget - thrashing Brisbane in the Qualifying Final. And last night, with 5 players suspended and a number of serious injuries, the team that finished on top of the ladder needed virtually the whole game to get the best of us!

I communicate regularly with my network of Melbourne based, Swans-loving family and friends and the one word that we've used the most is PROUD.

We support the best club. We've had a fantastic year and the way we finished it off was bloody magnificent!!

GO BLOODS!!

[imuninformedtwo]

I would also dd Kyle to that list. Some great games in defence for a first year player.

I think we found a lot this year, and not just from the situation at the end of the season but earlier injuries.

Logan confirmed his inevitable emergence as a 50 goal a year forward to anchor our forward line (and Charlie worked out better than any of us expected). With some luck with injury, Edwards can be just as good a pillar down back.

If you’d told me this time last year Cootee, Serong and Kyle would be best 23 players by the end of 2026, I’d have said who, fingers crossed and WTF. Kudos to Chris Keane on all three, and when you consider Cootee had no preseason, Serong had never played as a centre square mid, and Kyle, well, had barely played footy, the upside on all three is still enormous.

Green and Datolli showed some good stuff too, and we should have confidence they’ll make it. Plus, Campbell returned a more complete footballer, even if I wish he’d have the “I’m the man” approach to taking more long shots running towards 50.

There are some issues regarding depth down back and the lack of high quality, high production young mids (I’m not sold on Gus or Cleary despite their valiant contributions the last few weeks). But there’s been a lot to like.

[MattW]

A gallant performance.

I had a sinking feeling when I read on Thursday that Cunningham was out. It felt like the tipping point at last and probably was, although that may have been Papley's knee. I had flights to and accommodation in Melbourne booked in April, plus Premiership Club, and during the game didn't allow myself didn't allow myself to start to imagine that we'd actually be there again next Saturday until Curnow's goal. Then he marked again. Of course he missed, and then when Young beat McInerney to mark, he seemed destined to kick it. Once he did, the coming wave felt inevitable. I cheered the first ball up after 10 seconds in the 4th, because it felt like the quarter was going to be too long to hold them out.

So, gutting. But the guys got the most out of themselves. Also, a great night at the game. Up from Canberra for the first live game since the last prelim and we in the crowd gave as good as we could to match the players' efforts.

A shout out to 5 guys who played last night, whose performance over the last 3 weeks in particular, but the season as a whole, really stood out and leave me feeling positive.

5. Tommy Mac - colossal. Completely blanketed Treacy and repelled them all night. The dude plays with his whole heart every time and is such a good clubman. If he hasn't won the Barry Round Award yet, I bet he does this year.

4. Serong - what a pick-up. Our second best mid last night and stood tall all night, with a team high 13 contested possessions. Seemed to win most contests he was in and ran away from them often. We wouldn't have been where we were in the game without him. Just 23 years old and 33 games. He's going to be a huge player for us. Kennedy traits.

3. Kyle - tough as. Physically, mentally. Another who stood up all night and has excellent traits - leap, speed, kick. He seems to grow from each experience, so imagine how good he'll become. There a was a moment, I think it was the 4th, where the ball was kicked on the O'Reilly wing and seemed destined to be a successful Fremantle raid and he sprinted forward and smacked a towering fist away. Loved it.

2 - Errol - tried everything he absolutely could. Heart and bloody soul. Surely captain next year.

1. Logan - love this guy and I think his evolution as a player has been my favourite part of this year. I think last week will be the making of him. Cox said after that game that Logan is one of the smartest footballers he has met, and I have been thinking of it since. He's also clutch, hard, and super skilful. He's become a big game player. Watch him next year.

And shout out to Cox. He's led the club so well, and is clearly an excellent coach and mentor to the players. He learns, works hard, but he's also bloody passionate and wants it so much. I reckon he'll lead us there.

[stevoswan]

i don't think anyone will go off at any particular player but there was a few who shouldn't of played but got a game for obvious reasons and tonight we saw why and i don't think there will be one swans fans who would question the entire teams effort - we have done better than anyone could of expected under the circumstances - i am a devasted because i can see how much effort they put in and to play one bad quarter and lose when we were the better side for 3 quarters would be hard to take

I agree there now that I know exactly what you mean....since the Pullman fiasco, we have played 12 quarters of footy and handsomely won 11 of them. It was a mighty effort and a beautiful response to what was going down post that event.....and the one quarter we lost lead to it all ending. They will be gutted for sure....but they need to know just how proud all of us Swans fans are. They were magnificent and proved that the Bloods culture still proudly lives and breathes.

Also, I must say that Dean Cox's coaching stocks have risen markedly.....the way he rallied the troops in the face of said adversity and with the other coaches, tweeked our style of play to accommodate so many sudden less experienced 'ins' was utterly brilliant.

[imuninformedtwo]

A gallant performance.


5. Tommy Mac - colossal. Completely blanketed Treacy and repelled them all night. The dude plays with his whole heart every time and is such a good clubman. If he hasn't won the Barry Round Award yet, I bet he does this year.

Great call. He’s been mighty all year. We don’t know how our B&F will be adjudged this year but if Tommy wins it and he would be in the top few anyway, I’ll be rapt. The guy is a deadset gun.