Autopsy Cheer Cheer: Bloods 112 def GWS 92...see you all next week at the Old Girl when Bud kicks 1000
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The King!
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I don't dispute that for a second, but... better than 25 disposals, 3 goals Heeney? It has to be an error.
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Couple of times yesterday I saw Mills do things that turned out to be Campbell
Grand Uncle Horace
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Huge effort from Ruck Jesus.
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What a deadset campaigner. The sort who'd leave you high and dry on a night out.
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miggs
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I was gonna go there, but I thought... let someone else be that person.
Blacky
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Where was this mentioned?
Not surprised regarding Heeney coaches can see what some on here see to he just expects it to happen to him without putting in the work.
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When you were in the coaches box did Horse mention if he prefers wine or beer?
RubbaDuck
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What a team lifting win. What a fantastic fast paced full pressure first round game ! We refused to give up, demanded the game be played on our terms and out-pressured a team determined to pressure us into submission. To win a game like that in round 1 ticks all the boxes for our development over the off-season and sets the tone for the season. Early on the pressure being applied by both sides was immense. I thought we were uncharacteristically untidy in the first quarter, but there was no time and no space. Given that, and the fact it was only round 1, we were probably as clean as we could have hoped to be.
Our defence struggled a bit early. We've made considerable changes to our defence since our last AFL game - also the last time we played GWS. We've introduced Paddy McCartin and Kennedy, lost Dawson and (temporarily) Lloyd - two of our big drivers out of defence. We've re-introduced Blakey and tweaked the role of McInerney. The GWS forward structure had also changed, with no Toby Greene and several new or unpredictable elements. Himmelberg and Lloyd were up and about early and looking to be a big problem
When the pressure was hot early, it was clear we were rattled. GWS were pushing forward and keeping us under pressure. It's one thing for our new defence to practice together but nothing could have prepared them for that first half onslaught. Instead of the polished ochestra that was our defence in late 2021, our defenders were more like individual musicians tuning their French horns, trombones and violins, a cacophony of instruments doing their own thing. To their credit, they overcame the pressure and a few awful blunders and they began to work together, finding their feet and combining their roles. Paddy could be forgiven for going into his shell after that terrible turnover but instead he redoubled his efforts. I immediately thought of Ablett in 2005. I couldn't see on the replay, but I hope his teammates got around him. To err is human. To get back up and fight to snatch victory is divine. Cunningham struggled more than we'd normally expect but he didn't quit, neither did Kennedy, who must have longed for his old role. Blakey eventually found his feet and again became the consistent line breaking playmaker he was pre-ankle injury, a veritable human highlights package.
When our mids were getting beaten inside early on I probably wasn't alone in thinking we should move Kennedy back to where he does his brilliant best, just to take back the ascendancy. After all, he wasn't having much impact across half-back. The close, hard-fought, high pressure inside mid-field battles of the first quarter is exactly where he shines brightest. Either Kennedy or Parker could have wrestled the contest from Green, but with 20:20 hindsight, I can say I'm glad Horse held his nerve and kept the trust in the younger midfield guys. They lifted and repaid his confidence, enough so Parker could go forward and feast on the chaos. Led ably by Mills, Horse's faith in the young mids was warranted. Florent played a great game, bursting out of centre clearances with speed, strength and confidence. Heeney proved he can be in two positions at once, devastating at stoppages and forward. Rowbottom lifted his already huge effots to the next level to match the GWS pressure with a game leading ten tackles. Gulden also fought tooth and nail. Stephens needs to use the ball a bit cleaner, lay more tackles and tidy up a bit but he consistently broke tackles using his pace to get clear and driving the ball forward. As a group our young mids, got on top, assisted by another strong game from Hickey with the lion's share of hitouts and seven clearances. When GWS could no longer maintain their pressure guage in the red, we drove ours even higher, right into the black. Our pressure is our super-power. We can beat any team if we go harder for longer*
*Someone put that on a T-Shirt : Sydney Swans - Harder for Longer Sponsored by Viagra
Our forward line was a bit disorganised with Buddy's 1000th a distraction, but perhaps even more so for our opposition. The GWS defenders were all over Buddy. Davis has more dirty tricks than the taxman. I'm no longer surprised that Buddy doesn't get a heap of frees. Like Hall and Plugger, the umps seem to think he can look after himself. Only Taberner and Bruce experience similarly awful ratios for frees for vs against. Most forwards enjoy ratios 2 or 3 times more generous. Dirty tricks aside, we struggled to get enough separation at times, with McLean and Buddy getting in each other's way too often. McLean and McDonald need to work with Buddy more to coordinate their leading. At least of one of three talls should expect a bag. I'd also like to see our tall forwards offering an outlet mark from our defence. It seemed Buddy was filling that role sometimes but we too often struggled to clear the GWS wall. Our small/medium forwards were putting on pressure and our mids were scoring heavily, with plenty of goals coming from Parker, Florent and Heeney being the difference in the end. Nice to see Campbell snag a long goal too.
I thought Parker's post game comments were enlightening, when he talked about how hard the team have worked to make each player more versatile and able to play in several positions. It gives us depth, keeps us flexible, where we can take whatever form we need to gain an advantage. Horse knows that if he gives a role to a player with the tools they need, he can put every faith in them to do their assigned role. Their teammates also support them, which gives them even more confidence they can do it. Many teams make big changes over the off-season, adding new players, changing up the mix or their game plan. The Swans do the same, but we continue the process throughout the year. It's a process of continuous development, allowing us to improve steadily over the season and beyond
I'd like to see us focus more on winning contested ball and centre clearances. It was good to see us make more tackles inside 50 but we could still do better. I don't think it's fair to single out anyone for criticism after just one game. Cunningham and Wicks were both a bit flat but Sheldrick did OK and will be better for learning first hand just how much faster the AFL is than anything he's experienced before. He may go back to reserves and even if only makes a few cameos this year, he'll know he has to make his game instinctual, if he wants a regular senior berth. I thought he came out hard and eager. His quick thinking early on resulted in Heeney's goal. He needs to keep his feet as there's no time to fall and get up. He had a real eagerness to get his hands dirty, in and under. He put plenty of pressure on too, but the game simply moved too fast for him. He might have benefitted from having a crack at tagging Green, but he could also have been flattened physically and psychologically. I look forward to seeing him develop into one of our gun inside mids.
Our defence struggled a bit early. We've made considerable changes to our defence since our last AFL game - also the last time we played GWS. We've introduced Paddy McCartin and Kennedy, lost Dawson and (temporarily) Lloyd - two of our big drivers out of defence. We've re-introduced Blakey and tweaked the role of McInerney. The GWS forward structure had also changed, with no Toby Greene and several new or unpredictable elements. Himmelberg and Lloyd were up and about early and looking to be a big problem
When the pressure was hot early, it was clear we were rattled. GWS were pushing forward and keeping us under pressure. It's one thing for our new defence to practice together but nothing could have prepared them for that first half onslaught. Instead of the polished ochestra that was our defence in late 2021, our defenders were more like individual musicians tuning their French horns, trombones and violins, a cacophony of instruments doing their own thing. To their credit, they overcame the pressure and a few awful blunders and they began to work together, finding their feet and combining their roles. Paddy could be forgiven for going into his shell after that terrible turnover but instead he redoubled his efforts. I immediately thought of Ablett in 2005. I couldn't see on the replay, but I hope his teammates got around him. To err is human. To get back up and fight to snatch victory is divine. Cunningham struggled more than we'd normally expect but he didn't quit, neither did Kennedy, who must have longed for his old role. Blakey eventually found his feet and again became the consistent line breaking playmaker he was pre-ankle injury, a veritable human highlights package.
When our mids were getting beaten inside early on I probably wasn't alone in thinking we should move Kennedy back to where he does his brilliant best, just to take back the ascendancy. After all, he wasn't having much impact across half-back. The close, hard-fought, high pressure inside mid-field battles of the first quarter is exactly where he shines brightest. Either Kennedy or Parker could have wrestled the contest from Green, but with 20:20 hindsight, I can say I'm glad Horse held his nerve and kept the trust in the younger midfield guys. They lifted and repaid his confidence, enough so Parker could go forward and feast on the chaos. Led ably by Mills, Horse's faith in the young mids was warranted. Florent played a great game, bursting out of centre clearances with speed, strength and confidence. Heeney proved he can be in two positions at once, devastating at stoppages and forward. Rowbottom lifted his already huge effots to the next level to match the GWS pressure with a game leading ten tackles. Gulden also fought tooth and nail. Stephens needs to use the ball a bit cleaner, lay more tackles and tidy up a bit but he consistently broke tackles using his pace to get clear and driving the ball forward. As a group our young mids, got on top, assisted by another strong game from Hickey with the lion's share of hitouts and seven clearances. When GWS could no longer maintain their pressure guage in the red, we drove ours even higher, right into the black. Our pressure is our super-power. We can beat any team if we go harder for longer*
*Someone put that on a T-Shirt : Sydney Swans - Harder for Longer Sponsored by Viagra
Our forward line was a bit disorganised with Buddy's 1000th a distraction, but perhaps even more so for our opposition. The GWS defenders were all over Buddy. Davis has more dirty tricks than the taxman. I'm no longer surprised that Buddy doesn't get a heap of frees. Like Hall and Plugger, the umps seem to think he can look after himself. Only Taberner and Bruce experience similarly awful ratios for frees for vs against. Most forwards enjoy ratios 2 or 3 times more generous. Dirty tricks aside, we struggled to get enough separation at times, with McLean and Buddy getting in each other's way too often. McLean and McDonald need to work with Buddy more to coordinate their leading. At least of one of three talls should expect a bag. I'd also like to see our tall forwards offering an outlet mark from our defence. It seemed Buddy was filling that role sometimes but we too often struggled to clear the GWS wall. Our small/medium forwards were putting on pressure and our mids were scoring heavily, with plenty of goals coming from Parker, Florent and Heeney being the difference in the end. Nice to see Campbell snag a long goal too.
I thought Parker's post game comments were enlightening, when he talked about how hard the team have worked to make each player more versatile and able to play in several positions. It gives us depth, keeps us flexible, where we can take whatever form we need to gain an advantage. Horse knows that if he gives a role to a player with the tools they need, he can put every faith in them to do their assigned role. Their teammates also support them, which gives them even more confidence they can do it. Many teams make big changes over the off-season, adding new players, changing up the mix or their game plan. The Swans do the same, but we continue the process throughout the year. It's a process of continuous development, allowing us to improve steadily over the season and beyond
I'd like to see us focus more on winning contested ball and centre clearances. It was good to see us make more tackles inside 50 but we could still do better. I don't think it's fair to single out anyone for criticism after just one game. Cunningham and Wicks were both a bit flat but Sheldrick did OK and will be better for learning first hand just how much faster the AFL is than anything he's experienced before. He may go back to reserves and even if only makes a few cameos this year, he'll know he has to make his game instinctual, if he wants a regular senior berth. I thought he came out hard and eager. His quick thinking early on resulted in Heeney's goal. He needs to keep his feet as there's no time to fall and get up. He had a real eagerness to get his hands dirty, in and under. He put plenty of pressure on too, but the game simply moved too fast for him. He might have benefitted from having a crack at tagging Green, but he could also have been flattened physically and psychologically. I look forward to seeing him develop into one of our gun inside mids.
Grand Uncle Horace
Shake down the thunder
Terrific analysis.
The points about versatility are well made. Versatility magnifies the effectiveness of our high pressure and fast transition game. It makes the team unpredictable to the Oppo. I think the players all understand the different strings to each others bow and are constantly drilled in these.
I expect each of the coaches bring different attributes to the table and this is important in the constant learning and development approach you alluded to. Recruiting players with high footy IQ is also critical. Our two debutante players both showed they have no shortage of that.
We are a long way from the rather predictable game style of a few years back. Iy must be fun and exhausting in equal measure for the players.
He looked right at home, even as a small forward. Never a backward step. ToG 67% was respectable Picking up the pace of the game and where his teammates are and all that kind of stuff. Almost had a goal from a snap but for a great smother by GWS.
RubbaDuck
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Ollie does indeed looked bulked up AND he seems to be showing more speed. His bursts from the centre clearance were almost Goodes like* as he charged forward with intent. He was balanced, clear of pursuit and had the confidence to shun Buddy, to trust himself and just go bang. That speaks volumes for how far Ollie has come. This was his best ever first round game and the biggest bag of goals for his career. He usually gets better as the year goes on, so watch out. Is this Ollie's year to "do a Dawson" and break through to the next level? He's a year younger than Dawson and the same age and same draft as Hayward, who broke out towards the 2nd half of 2021. Mills has already proven himself to be a first class onballer, so now it looks like Horse has decided to move Kennedy and, to a lesser extent Parker, to one side, to let Florent and Rowbottom step up, while adding Heeney, Stephens and Gulden into the midfield rotations for additional support. I've got a feeling that, like many of us, Horse also expects this will be Florent's break-out year. Heeney will hopefully entrench himself firmly as one of the elite of the competition, while Rowbottom is still a couple of years behind Ollie in age, but he can't be far behind him in stepping up.
I'm impressed with the succession planning through our midfield. I was a bit concerned for our over-reliance on Mills and our two bulls, which caught us out in the elimination final when we lost two of those three. Now we've developed a competitive young group who'll form the core of our next dynasty, a decade of dominance. We continue to blood guys like Gulden, Chad Warner, Stephens, Wicks and possibly Campbell, while another group of new bloods wait in the wings, such as Sheldrick, Corey Warner and Roberts. As a bonus we still have our two bulls in rude health, good form and on the field, a couple of stars midfielders who are ready to step in if they're ever needed, a captain and a former captain who will work to pass on guidance and knowledge to our young players. That guidance will show its worth throughout the year, but particularly come finals.
The Swans brains trust are working very well.
* Is there any higher praise?
RubbaDuck
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You raise some really good points. The Swans management, coaching and recruiting staff are all on board and none of them are resting on their laurels. Many teams slip away after a premiership window closes. The effort required to arrest the fall and turn the momentum upwards for another forward thrust is enormous. Imagine how they could have felt at the end of 2019 and into 2020, with staff cuts, pandemic and a couple of finishes near the bottom. It was obvious the party was well and truly over and the team had a rotten hangover. It's no wonder Aliir left, when he was the only tall left standing.
As good a coach as Clarkson was, he couldn't generate enough motivation and enthusiasm to lift everyone off the carpet, to not only go again but to believe they could throw go from cellar dwellers to throw the premiership window wide open in the space of just a couple of years. Clarkson was right to hand the reins over. If he coaches again, my guess is he'll look for a team moving forward, with a good spark of belief that he can nurture and build upon. Full credit to Horse and the Swans. Adding Pyke was a master-stroke, someone who would jump for a chance at redemption and would have been ready to add fuel to Horse's passion. The fire has spread to everyone. There's a palpable buzz coming from the club. They believe they're as good as any team in the comp and they want another dynasty. You mention recruiting footy IQ. They're leaving nothing to chance. This isn't a quick shuffling around and adding a few key players to have a crack. They're not just building in hope either, they're not relying on luck. They're carefully putting every brick in place to remove any doubt. They're laying an unassailable foundation that leaves nothing to chance, that even the machinations of the AFL can't upset. They've got a fantastic age profile, the depth and coverage of positions. There are few key position dependencies. I've can't remember such a carefully built team. Horse and Pyke have got everyone to buy into their blueprint too. The level of self-belief in the team is enormous and growing.
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My god you can type! All that was missing was a quote from Churchill.
But seriously, great post. Thank you!
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At one point, when the camera found Buddy’s parents in the crowd, did one of the commentary team make a joke about Lance Sr being a tightwad? Was that at all appropriate?
the hypnotoad
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i don't recall hearing it ... but come on, it's a fox footy/channel 7 commentary team, if there was a joke made you can pretty much bet it was inappropriate and probably not funny
