Preview 2024 Round 01 Thursday March 7 v Melbourne 7:20 @ SCG

[zyzzbruh]

Oliver in has dented any confidence i had left.

You can cook a great dish but if the salt is missing it just won't hit the same. We won't be dominating any games until all 3 of Parker, Mills and Adams are back in the side.

 

[bedford]

The negativity is incredible on here .

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

The negativity is incredible on here .

I genuinely think we will win.


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[sthmelb_dimmies]

I genuinely think we will win.


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Can't win a game with 0 first use out of the center.

Unless Melbournes forward line bottle it. Only way Swans win if Melbourne kick like 3x points to goals.

 

[sthmelb_dimmies]

So from last years elim vs Carlton, it'll probably be:

OUT: Hickey, Mills, Parker
IN: Grundy, Jordan, Sheldrick

(Thats assuming Melican is named)

 

[BloodySwan]

I still feel confident going into the match. We've got plenty of depth and our best 22 (minus Mills, Parker and Adams) is still bloody strong.

 

[Zevon]

I’m still confident as well. Melbourne’s top 3 midfield brigade is very good, but behind that group the depth falls away dramatically. Willing to bet the strength of our bench will be several grades better than the strength of theirs. Their forward line still looks like complete rubbish too, especially with Pickett missing.

Also keen to see how harmonious the Dees look as a team. There’s a line of thinking going around that their off season from hell will bind them together but I’m just not sure I buy it; they’ve never been that sort of side. Can see things fraying a bit for them if things don’t go their way even slightly. Would be amazed if they all rush in from everywhere to congratulate Oliver if he kicks an early goal too just quietly.

 

[Ticky009]

Article on Melbourne's ins. I'm glad I won't be watching this game on tv - the Oliver gushing & OMG the Hardships Melbourne have endured is going to be nauseating.

Demons lock in three debuts and confirm Oliver’s inspirational return

Four of Melbourne's 23 players to face Sydney have been locked in by Simon Goodwin.

www.sen.com.au

 

[BloodySwan]

I look forward to JJ ripping his old team apart.

 

[bedford]

Can't win a game with 0 first use out of the center.

Unless Melbournes forward line bottle it. Only way Swans win if Melbourne kick like 3x points to goals.

Must get it out of the centre even

 

[zyzzbruh]

I’m still confident as well. Melbourne’s top 3 midfield brigade is very good, but behind that group the depth falls away dramatically. Willing to bet the strength of our bench will be several grades better than the strength of theirs. Their forward line still looks like complete rubbish too, especially with Pickett missing.

Also keen to see how harmonious the Dees look as a team. There’s a line of thinking going around that their off season from hell will bind them together but I’m just not sure I buy it; they’ve never been that sort of side. Can see things fraying a bit for them if things don’t go their way even slightly. Would be amazed if they all rush in from everywhere to congratulate Oliver if he kicks an early goal too just quietly.

Their depth is more than good. You've got the mids feeding out to Langdon and Neale Bullen who are quietly in the top 10 wingers. Doesn't matter how poor the dees have been up forward it tends to be a mute point against us - Van Rooyen always takes a few clunks, Fritsch will get his 6 shots on goal, and now we have to contend with an in form Schache taking a tall. Plus our best against Melbourne has always come with Mills sweeping up at half back.

To top it off they've probs got the best key backs in the game whilst we have key forwards who don't always get up out of the right side of the bed. Mclean will get played completely out of the game up forward, Amartey who knows, Logan maybe maybe. Sam Reid clunking a few was what one us that prelim.

The reality is we are starting with the same midfield that got pantsed last year. i know im being sadistic but a few vids of the Chad up and about isn't giving me any confidence of that exact midfield mix, now without parker as well, turning it's usual performances on it's head.

Depth on the wings is irrelevant, those players aren't turning our midfield around - However, Parker, Adams and Mills would absolutely. We will be treading water for the first 4 weeks.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

As long as Shedrick plays not fussed, and in the middle please

 

[caesar88]

Their depth is more than good. You've got the mids feeding out to Langdon and Neale Bullen who are quietly in the top 10 wingers. Doesn't matter how poor the dees have been up forward it tends to be a mute point against us - Van Rooyen always takes a few clunks, Fritsch will get his 6 shots on goal, and now we have to contend with an in form Schache taking a tall. Plus our best against Melbourne has always come with Mills sweeping up at half back.

To top it off they've probs got the best key backs in the game whilst we have key forwards who don't always get up out of the right side of the bed. Mclean will get played completely out of the game up forward, Amartey who knows, Logan maybe maybe. Sam Reid clunking a few was what one us that prelim.

The reality is we are starting with the same midfield that got pantsed last year. i know im being sadistic but a few vids of the Chad up and about isn't giving me any confidence of that exact midfield mix, now without parker as well, turning it's usual performances on it's head.

Depth on the wings is irrelevant, those players aren't turning our midfield around - However, Parker, Adams and Mills would absolutely. We will be treading water for the first 4 weeks.

I don't get the certain loss talk. It will be a tough game to win that's for sure but if we can't have a decent midfield showing without two guys on the wrong side of 30 then it doesn't say much about our future, let alone hopes this season. I remember last year watching our midfield - with Parker in it, who was awesome that day - getting well-beaten by a midfield of George Wardlaw (on debut), Will Phillips and Harry Sheezel. It confirmed to me that youth & inexperience don't stop you from being able to star in a game. Sure, it's hard for a young midfield to sustain it over the course of a season, and it'll be vulnerable in big games with finals-like pressure (ie. why young midfields never win grand finals.)

But you can absolutely win games here and there with a young midfield. We've just got to do it four or five times.

We'll have young mids like Rowbottom, Warner & Gulden this week. All have been matchwinners before at younger ages than they will be on Thursday night. There's no reason they can't do so again, and that's before you get to players like Heeney, who is frequently in the top 2 or 3 most talented blokes on the ground in any game he plays, and Papley, who is arguably our most damaging clearance player.

It's true we lose a lot of contested strength on the inside, so we'll have to do things a little differently, play to our strengths of speed and agility around the contest and then back our pure talent to be better than Melbourne's. I think Melbourne will want to turn it into a war of attrition. Lots of repeat stoppages and beating up on the fact we won't have a single contested beast. If we can avoid that style of game then we'll be in this up to our eyeballs.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I don't get the certain loss talk. It will be a tough game to win that's for sure but if we can't have a decent midfield showing without two guys on the wrong side of 30 then it doesn't say much about our future, let alone hopes this season. I remember last year watching our midfield - with Parker in it, who was awesome that day - getting well-beaten by a midfield of George Wardlaw (on debut), Will Phillips and Harry Sheezel. It confirmed to me that youth & inexperience don't stop you from being able to star in a game. Sure, it's hard for a young midfield to sustain it over the course of a season, and it'll be vulnerable in big games with finals-like pressure (ie. why young midfields never win grand finals.)

But you can absolutely win games here and there with a young midfield. We've just got to do it four or five times.

We'll have young mids like Rowbottom, Warner & Gulden this week. All have been matchwinners before at younger ages than they will be on Thursday night. There's no reason they can't do so again, and that's before you get to players like Heeney, who is frequently in the top 2 or 3 most talented blokes on the ground in any game he plays, and Papley, who is arguably our most damaging clearance player.

It's true we lose a lot of contested strength on the inside, so we'll have to do things a little differently, play to our strengths of speed and agility around the contest and then back our pure talent to be better than Melbourne's. I think Melbourne will want to turn it into a war of attrition. Lots of repeat stoppages and beating up on the fact we won't have a single contested beast. If we can avoid that style of game then we'll be in this up to our eyeballs.

Also Grundy is basically a big midfielder yeah I know he rucks but his best seasons at Collingwood happen to be as a solo ruck playing as an extra mid, for a big bloke he has underrated skills and will hurt teams pushing forward, he's an excellent shot at goal.

 

[Ralphyboy]

A couple of things to consider going into the game:

1. The swans have had a different pre-season to previous. From day one they have been doing hard contested work instead of the usual fitness only. I think this was apparent in the two trial games, and in the physical condition of the players.
2. The swans usually don't win pre-season games because they are trying different things. This year they did try different things, rested players etc, but still beat GWS and pushed a full strength Brisbane. I went to the Brisbane game and certainly thought if they were within 5 goals of Brisbane that was a win, and that during the season they will beat Brisbane.
3. They have rested key players ready for the Melbourne game. Chad in particular looks like he will rip it apart.

I'm certainly bullish.

 

[JZ_Skitzo]

Is Sam Reid

20

Sam Reid

Age

33

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

4.7

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

12.0

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

6.0

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

0.0

1star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.4

3star

a smokey chance?

 

[zyzzbruh]

I don't get the certain loss talk. It will be a tough game to win that's for sure but if we can't have a decent midfield showing without two guys on the wrong side of 30 then it doesn't say much about our future, let alone hopes this season. I remember last year watching our midfield - with Parker in it, who was awesome that day - getting well-beaten by a midfield of George Wardlaw (on debut), Will Phillips and Harry Sheezel. It confirmed to me that youth & inexperience don't stop you from being able to star in a game. Sure, it's hard for a young midfield to sustain it over the course of a season, and it'll be vulnerable in big games with finals-like pressure (ie. why young midfields never win grand finals.)

But you can absolutely win games here and there with a young midfield. We've just got to do it four or five times.

We'll have young mids like Rowbottom, Warner & Gulden this week. All have been matchwinners before at younger ages than they will be on Thursday night. There's no reason they can't do so again, and that's before you get to players like Heeney, who is frequently in the top 2 or 3 most talented blokes on the ground in any game he plays, and Papley, who is arguably our most damaging clearance player.

It's true we lose a lot of contested strength on the inside, so we'll have to do things a little differently, play to our strengths of speed and agility around the contest and then back our pure talent to be better than Melbourne's. I think Melbourne will want to turn it into a war of attrition. Lots of repeat stoppages and beating up on the fact we won't have a single contested beast. If we can avoid that style of game then we'll be in this up to our eyeballs.

They've got a long way to go still. And yeah a couple of blokes wrong side of 30 is all it takes. Without Neale and Zorko Brisbane wouldn't make the 8 let alone make a granny. All it took was one bloke other side of 30 in Selwood who was the difference for Geelong winning a premiership vs irrelevance.

Strong clearance midfielders are by far and away the most influential players in any team. We might beat Essendon.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Is Sam Reid a smokey chance?

Bwahaha. I tipped he’d make the team as a burn my shorts selection, so “Smokey “ is apt.

 

[Nuggetz]

A couple of things to consider going into the game:

1. The swans have had a different pre-season to previous. From day one they have been doing hard contested work instead of the usual fitness only. I think this was apparent in the two trial games, and in the physical condition of the players.
2. The swans usually don't win pre-season games because they are trying different things. This year they did try different things, rested players etc, but still beat GWS and pushed a full strength Brisbane. I went to the Brisbane game and certainly thought if they were within 5 goals of Brisbane that was a win, and that during the season they will beat Brisbane.
3. They have rested key players ready for the Melbourne game. Chad in particular looks like he will rip it apart.

I'm certainly bullish.

Some of our guys certainly look stronger, I think it'll take time to see the fruits of all the hard contested work but I hope we see confidence from the players to back in what they've practised during the pre-season. I don't mind them getting caught with the ball if they're trying to handball it through the middle instead of hack kicking it. Imo that's all part of the learning process.

If we bring a high level of pressure then Melbourne are susceptible to poor decision & skill use where we can create turnover then use our speed & skills to hurt them on the counter.

Chad looks very fit, he might have lost a few kgs? Has that Heeney build of being rock hard solid rather than Bulky (parker). It suits his style of play better imo.

 

[caesar88]

They've got a long way to go still. And yeah a couple of blokes wrong side of 30 is all it takes. Without Neale and Zorko Brisbane wouldn't make the 8 let alone make a granny. All it took was one bloke other side of 30 in Selwood who was the difference for Geelong winning a premiership vs irrelevance.

Strong clearance midfielders are by far and away the most influential players in any team. We might beat Essendon.

Sure, but you're talking about grand finalists and premiers. That requires north of 20 wins in a season, so yeah you need a lot of experience for that. We only need to get a couple of wins here to start the season with this young midfield. Avoid disaster and then hopefully reinforcements return.

And do our young mids have a long way to go? All I've heard is how Gulden & Warner are gonna make us contenders. Well, now they've got their chance.

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

And do our young mids have a long way to go? All I've heard is how Gulden & Warner are gonna make us contenders. Well, now they've got their chance.

While experience will no doubt be missed, we can’t boast about Gulden, Warner and to a lesser extent Sheldrick and Jordon and then show no faith in them as supporters.

Throw in Heeney and sometimes Papley as midfield support and this could be a massive win. The injuries are unfortunate but we could definitely be 3-1 or 2-2 by the time they’re coming back.


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[DeathlyAccurate]

I forgot to mention Rowbottom. Whether or not he really is capable of standing up in the absence of some pretty big names will go a long way to deciding our fate against the Demons.

This isn’t to say he doesn’t already contribute but it is still a big opportunity for him to stamp his authority.


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[DeathlyAccurate]

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[Olian]

We led at 3 quarter time in round 24. Ultimately Fritsch with 5 and Petracca dominating periods of the game through the middle killed us.

Always a chance of winning but will need to limit Petracca.

 

[Edmund hunt]

Do you guys think we are a genuine chance on Thursday?

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