Autopsy Another bad loss. Sydney 13.8.86 def. by Fremantle 16.7.103

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

My take:

1. It’s sometimes easy to forget just how many players we have out, particularly when you include injuries during the game today. We were missing our three best defenders, our leading ruck for the year (and our ruck playing today was well underdone), our best mid, and two key position forwards (arguably our best two).

2. As a result, almost everyone is out of position and every combination is unsettled. As horse also noted, we have people carrying injuries who would normally be resting. There’s a lot of talk of dumb and selfish footy (and I don’t disagree, there has been a bit) but it is very hard to play smart team-based footy when everyone around you is a new combination or out of position.

3. We are seriously lacking leadership. That has been the biggest impact of the trade ban. We have ended up with players too old and players too young. As a result, everyone is trying to do too much.


I love that despite these setbacks the team and coaches are doing everything they can to be as competitive for each game each week. I do wonder though if now is the time to accept that this will not be our year and to rest the guys who are carrying injuries. We might have a few more blow outs, but at least our players will get right and be ready for next year.

We may still have huge challenges next year though, if both McCartins are out. That’s our two best defenders gone. That alone will be hard enough to come back from.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I'd be fine if the coaches conceded that this year is done and rested injured players and focused on playing youth. I also wouldn't be opposed to them sticking with it until the bye, and if we win both, continue to work towards making finals. But realistically, with Mills & McDonald being added to our lengthy injury list, even if we managed to get to the bye round 5-6, it would still be an uphill battle to make finals. And if we were to scrape in, when you're coming from such a long way back, you pretty much limp into finals and generally get belted on your way out.

So with all that said, I think best option for the club is to pull the pin and set our sights on coming back stronger in 2024, and that includes resting players that have been carrying niggles until they're as close to 100% as they can get.

The other benefit in doing so is that we get to see what our young guys are made of at AFL level (and ideally in their preferred position). Making the call now means we can fast-track the overall development of the team for 2024 and beyond.

 

[momentbymoment]

That would be exciting though. At least there'd be something to play for. Now the games are just dead rubbers with nothing but pride on the line. That's boring.

I think the plan is to play for a number one draft pick. We still have some work to do, but are on course to get close to that goal.

 

[Nuggetz]

Freo rucks in particular darcy killed us, their mids dominated from his ruck work. Looks like our fwd 50 pressure was poor again. Structurally we need a change in our fwd line. Watched it on TV but didn't look like we had an extra at the stoppage to reduce their mid dominance.

Hard to judge the likes of gould, Francis, sheather off only a couple of games. They need a few games before you can evaluate their effectiveness at afl level. I love sheathers attack on the ball & Francis has shown some good moments.

Gulden is playing like a gun. Wish we had 10 of him in our team. Parkers handballs have been poor again. Thought we tried to use our handball chains in an attempt to avoid bombing it long.

Think we need better mid gameplan when we win the ball to ensure its going on the outside to our better kickers or going to our half-backs who are gun kicks to set up our attack.

 

[Joycerama]

New week, same s**t.

I'll start with the positives:

• We don't deserve Errol Gulden. He was fantastic today, basically seemed everywhere and generally made good decisions.
• I think this was Rowbottom and Heeney's best games in a while. Rowy in particular cracked hard and looked good.
• McLean tried really hard, as did Fox
• Francis wore off a bit late and did a few dumb things but did a lot of good early on and had a massive crack.

Now to the negatives:

• More injuries. And it looks like Mills and McDonald will be out for quite some time.
• Tall structure looks dire TSTL. Freo's talls killed us all across the ground. Hickey was kind of on a hiding to nothing, but he still should've done better.
• Second week in a row where Buddy did nothing. Is he even in the 22 when McDonald and Amartey are back?
• Gould and Sheather don't look up to it.
• Hayward and Papley quiet again.
• Lloyd's worst game all year.
• But the big story is that the midfield just isn't functioning well enough. I think we actually did alright when we got it in there, but we got slaughted in the I50's. Functionally we're just not winning good enough ball.

Midfield just not up to it. And forwards can’t lock it in the fifty. Can’t win AFL games if the ball is going in the i50 poorly and popping straight back out again, then defence cops it. Nuff said.

 

[Joycerama]

I think some posters are being harsh on Gould.

It was only his 2nd real game.

At one stage, he made a really smart decision to go long which led to a goal - if Fox had done the same, the board would have melted down with love.

He has a booming kick & a powerful unit. There’s a bit to work with there.

Francis took sone good intercept marks - but his lack of pace is always going to be a BIG limiting factor.

I see more upside in Gould.

And I find it hard to be critical of Blakey when he’s clearly being forced into unsuitable match-ups.

I’ve also heard that Tommy Mac’s career is on shaky ground. Which is frightening on multiple levels.

I thought the defence did well, considering that the ball was coming out of the middle for Freo at will. We got done on stoppages. Rucks not competitive and midfield not used to playing with the Messiah

 

[momentbymoment]

Maybe we are a 8-12 team, in the middle of a re-build, who clicked spectacularly last year. Maybe the biggest issue is psychological ... we thought we were back and took the foot off the pedal (in the draft and the preseason).

idk

 

[Wheresbuddy]

With Logan a likely out, I think consideration should be given for Blakey to play forward especially if Tommy Mc is back.

 

[MR0808]

Carlton are shitter than the swans.

Putrid

As someone married to a Carlton supporter, I'm just glad their season is going down the drain as well!

 

[RUNVS]

With Logan a likely out, I think consideration should be given for Blakey to play forward especially if Tommy Mc is back.

Do we have any guarantee that Tom will be back though?

 

[The King!]

we sorta rolled the dice that Paddy could make it, Rampe could keep going, Reid could play more than a good year and lost all 3

Tom is salt into the wound

 

[Wolfgang West]

If Hayward and Heeney had some form I’d agree.

Heeney and Hayward couldn’t catch a cold.

 

[MR0808]

Heeney and Hayward couldn’t catch a cold.

Though if they did, at least they'd give it to the opposition and not our own players

 

[Voice of the G]

McAndrew had a so so day but still had moments. One of the few rucks who palms the ball which I like.

At this stage does McAndrew take enough marks around the ground?

 

[Dubai Quacker]

At this stage does McAndrew take enough marks around the ground?

No. Not yet.

But once finals are out of the equation, some senior experience wouldn’t be a bad thing.

He’s on a strong trajectory, from what I’ve observed watching the VFL.

 

[Superstar swan]

Any news on mills? Is there genuine concerns it could be an acchillies

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

At this stage does McAndrew take enough marks around the ground?

Took a contested mark yesterday which was nice.

At present his marking skills are not up to being an outlet target or round the ground presence. Hopefully this side of his game will develop. Otherwise he will be a Naismith type non marking ruckman.

 

[Ticky009]

Even if we had our rucks in they still not up to par. I love Hickey but he's probably been brought back too soon due to our mounting injury toll.

Either way we have gaps all over the place. Depth is an issue as the replacements haven't been up to the task.

Shining lights are Gulden, Campbell and Blakey. Mills is awesome but we'll be without him for a while.

Got no freaking idea what happened to Ollie's game awareness yesterday - was shocking.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Any news on mills? Is there genuine concerns it could be an acchillies

Horse was not really forthcoming beyond hinting the Achilles was an ongoing factor.

The ice pack looked lower calf to me.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I thought one moment yesterday provided worrying insight.

Sheather fumbles in front of an open goal & we score only a behind.

If the team was in a good place, a few teammates would have gone straight to him & given him a few words of encouragement.

Instead, we saw nobody go to him, whilst the nearest player (Buddy) just gave him a stern look and stalked off.

I thought it was a bad look.

 

[sr20]

I thought one moment yesterday provided worrying insight.

Sheather fumbles in front of an open goal & we score only a behind.

If the team was in a good place, a few teammates would have gone straight to him & given him a few words of encouragement.

Instead, we saw nobody go to him, whilst the nearest player (Buddy) just gave him a stern look and stalked off.

I thought it was a bad look.

Happened all day. Arguing about who’s guarding who, looking around in shock that there players are taking uncontested marks, throwing head back when players weren’t cutting in front on players on the lead. Showed a real disconnect

 

[The King!]

There were a few chase down tackles yesterday

not exactly a huge crowd

fair lack of communication and awareness

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

Also it’s got me stumped why the club advocates for these 1:45pm games on a Saturday. We lose whatever home ground advantage we can get when the scg is up and rocking at night.

Can’t recall a game we have played well at this time and the crowd is usually tepid too.

 

[bedford]

Heeney and Hayward couldn’t catch a cold.

Hayward can't even get a kick

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Do we have any guarantee that Tom will be back though?

Absolutely none. I think the club will only play him if they are 100% sure