Opinion Posts That Don't Deserve a Thread (Random Opinion or Questions)

[WillHayward]

Improved first names for Heeney:

Zook

Lamborgh

Bik

Tortel

Fetish

Ta

Any others?

Mank
Houd

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

I've just finished re-watching our 2021 season for the third time (to be fair, does the first viewing even count when you're watching it through the stress of live TV?!) and I've settled on our top five performances. I've tried to separate the performances that were the most fun to watch and go purely for the ones that were the most impressive. A substance over style kinda list.

#5 - vs Brisbane at the Gabba (Swans won by 31 pts) - This was a great win over quality opposition, albeit I don't necessarily think our opposition had hit their strides yet (they'd lose again the following week, and barely win the week after over a lowly-Collingwood - they seem to be perennial slow starters.) I just thought it was so very impressive than in the first game of the year, the cohesion as a team was already there. Everyone seemed to know what their role was, and played it well. That's a great sign for a young side. I knew we'd go on a tear at some point, but did not think it would be straight out of the gate.

#4 - vs Western Bulldogs at Marvel (Swans won by 15 pts) - Disclaimer: I think the absence of Naughton in this game completely changed the dynamic. For them to be missing their best forward was already a blow, but it also allowed his would-be opponent in McCartin to roam free and be arguably BOG, intercepting everything. And if it wasn't him, it was Dawson. So it totally turned the game in our favour, but I think what impressed me the most is that we managed to nullify their midfield, if not outright beat them. Their star-studded mids all got their usual numbers, but we rendered a lot of those disposals ineffective. Melbourne did the same to them earlier in the year, so to see us replicate the job the benchmark side did on them, was so promising.

#3 - vs Geelong at the SCG (Swans won by 2 pts) - The most nerve-wrecking to watch out of our wins over the top sides, but I think that's probably what made it impressive. This was by far the most finals-like match we had, arguably for the whole year. They might be mediocre in finals, but they are the home and away season specialists. They're bloody hard to beat and they love bringing it in top-four battles, which this pretty much was. They were in front, and we had to back our game plan and our young kids in to get the job done against quality opposition that was switched on. That is no small feat and I think this was the one that convinced me, we're not just a team that can play attractive, attacking footy in low-intensity blow-outs, but we can also do it in tense, high-pressure matches.

#2 - vs Melbourne at the MCG (Swans lost by 8 pts) - OK I know it feels wrong to include a loss, but I've never felt more spirited after a loss than this one. I felt it at the time when I felt like Melbourne were the benchmark, and I feel it now that I know Melbourne were the benchmark. Knowing now that Melbourne's best was significantly better than every other team's, the fact we were able to stifle their best enough to come within single-digits of it... that is just stellar. Was a primetime game, on the G, against the top side, Buddy was well beaten, but we just ******* brought it and never gave up. We weren't good enough on the night, but if we brought what we brought in this game, against any other side, it'd probably be a 50+ win. Our tackling and pressure was ******* manic.

#1 - vs GWS at wherever the **** this mob play their games (Swans won by 26) - I believe when it comes to flag sides, it's better to judge them by what their best looks like, not how often they produce it. Melbourne didn't need to be at their best for long in the GF against the Bulldogs, they just turned it on for a period, and it changed the whole game. Richmond and Hawthorn also used to do this in their primes. We did it in the derby. There was chaos pre-game and we looked rattled. Then the second half came, and we just played the most sublime half of footy I've seen us play. The blistering run from defence! The beautiful delivery inside 50! The crucial hard balls won against their quality midfield... all against a side that was up and about and spirited. And we blew them out of the water. They were trying their guts out and still couldn't match us at all. We had all the answers. It was the most clear-cut preview of what this team will be capable of, when they're firing on all cylinders and we decide to flick that switch and turn on our best footy for a period of games, it's goodnight Irene for everyone else.

(I realise leaving out the Richmond and West Coast games is a controversial call, but man... the opposition really sucked. Both sides finished outside the eight, but played even worse than their finishing positions. It was literally witches hats at training drills stuff, and our performances over the year were too good to ignore in favour of fun afternoons of cruise control footy. I also left out the 87 point thrashing of Gold Coast, where we kicked our highest score for the year, for that same reason.)

Long read. Apologies all. How'd I do?

Yep. Each of the wins had great merit. I agree about the Dees' game.. We played very well in a quality match.

 

[hairy biker]

I've just finished re-watching our 2021 season for the third time (to be fair, does the first viewing even count when you're watching it through the stress of live TV?!) and I've settled on our top five performances. I've tried to separate the performances that were the most fun to watch and go purely for the ones that were the most impressive. A substance over style kinda list.

Long read. Apologies all. How'd I do?

Hard to argue, good selection.

From the viewpoint of most fun to watch I'd nominate Brisbane (RD 1) and Richmond (RD 3).

As you say Brisbane were slow starters and Richmond fell away this year, but the brand of football we played at the Gabba & MCG was a joy to behold and at the time both teams were at the top of premiership favouritism and of course we won both games without Franklin.
I was unsure of how we'd go in 2021, in many ways those games were an insight into our future.

PS It was witches hats, but WCE at Kardinia Park is also a particularly pleasing memory.

 

[caesar88]

Hard to argue, good selection.

From the viewpoint of most fun to watch I'd nominate Brisbane (RD 1) and Richmond (RD 3).

As you say Brisbane were slow starters and Richmond fell away this year, but the brand of football we played at the Gabba & MCG was a joy to behold and at the time both teams were at the top of premiership favouritism and of course we won both games without Franklin.
I was unsure of how we'd go in 2021, in many ways those games were an insight into our future.

PS It was witches hats, but WCE at Kardinia Park is also a particularly pleasing memory.

Oh most fun to watch was absolutely Richmond and West Coast. By a country mile. Beating the Eagles is always fun for a Perthian like myself, but destroying them was a new sensation that I thoroughly enjoyed. And beating the reigning premiers on their home deck was also a thrill, though only with the benefit of hindsight did I realise that beating the reigning premiers on their home deck wasn't quite the feat it seemed like at the time. Richmond were quite shite (it's the Dion Prestia effect I tell ya!)

I'd also give a shout-out to the Collingwood & Carlton games. They weren't pretty and in theory, we should've whooped them. But the best teams find ways to win even when they're off their best. Both those sides came to play against us (and fair enough too given their recent records against us), and we just slowly ground out a lead before running away with it in the 4th quarters. Not attractive and not overly enjoyable, but they were both games where you could see the maturity in our team and how far we'd come from, say, 2020 when we were up to our necks in games but unable to secure the Ws.

 

[Ticky009]

Things are hotting up on the Moore Park/EQ area it seems.

‘David and Goliath:’ Big business, sport to fight limits on Moore Park development

The nation’s biggest sporting codes are backing calls to reverse legislative changes that they argue threaten a $2 billion redevelopment of the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter.

www.smh.com.au

 

[SwansProudly]

Things are hotting up on the Moore Park/EQ area it seems.

‘David and Goliath:’ Big business, sport to fight limits on Moore Park development

The nation’s biggest sporting codes are backing calls to reverse legislative changes that they argue threaten a $2 billion redevelopment of the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter.

www.smh.com.au

How we’ll revive a tired Moore Park precinct and expand green space

The Entertainment Quarter’s vision will not further commercialise public space. It will do the reverse – and increase Sydney’s liveability.

www.smh.com.au

 

[SGBeach]

It is a fantastic space.. and a terribly under utilised space.
I reckon the new Swans head quarters - housing the Swans, GO foundation and potentially the red cross Blood bank & Swifts, plus all the public space it will provide - is pretty complimentary to the over all goal
Would love to see the showgrounds return to their former glory (watched a Simon & Garfunkel concert there 40 years ago as a little kid, loved the Royal Easter Shows, then the Big Day Out as a teen - still have wild memories)

 

[bedford]

This thread could get busy , sorry mods

 

[Makeshift Park]

Have you heard anything about a practice match between Sydney and North Melbourne prior to the community series round?

Someone on our board mentioned there was some kind of practice match in Sydney in a fortnight, but its the first I've heard of it.

Could be wrong, of course, but thought I'd doublecheck as I'd be keen to get along to it if it was really happening.

 

[Portology]

Greetings, Swanpeoples, from an extremely dyed-in-the-wool Port Adelaide person, resident in Surry Hills for the last five years.

So we stumbled into the Tudor hotel here in Redfern tonight, which we know well for its AFL friendliness and broadcasting. It has this entertaining annual ritual called “the scarfing of the deer” that kinda pre-announces the upcoming AFL season.

Chatting to some local Swans fans who refuse point blank to ever go to Homebush so as not to give a single cent to “the enemy”. I said I understood that sentiment very well, speaking as a Port person

Really interesting and very cool to see these sorts of actual traditions just sort of forming in front of ya.

Love it. Best of luck for the season ahead.

On iPhone using recycled electrons, via BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[hairy biker]

Greetings, Swanpeoples, from an extremely dyed-in-the-wool Port Adelaide person, resident in Surry Hills for the last five years.

So we stumbled into the Tudor hotel here in Redfern tonight, which we know well for its AFL friendliness and broadcasting. It has this entertaining annual ritual called “the scarfing of the deer” that kinda pre-announces the upcoming AFL season.

Chatting to some local Swans fans who refuse point blank to ever go to Homebush so as not to give a single cent to “the enemy”. I said I understood that sentiment very well, speaking as a Port person

Really interesting and very cool to see these sorts of actual traditions just sort of forming in front of ya.

Love it. Best of luck for the season ahead.

Thanks.
Great stuff.

A pre-scarfing view of the pub;


Took a while for the Swans to get a foothold in Sydney and I can't imagine that Ricky Quade, Barry Round et al would ever have imagined a pub in Redfern being decked out in the red and white of the Swans.

Good to see.

 

[Ticky009]

Speaking of Swan friendly pubs the Alexandria re-opened in November!

 

[rustycrate]

Speaking of Swan friendly pubs the Alexandria re-opened in November!

I used to play a game with my mates where you played onehanded there on the pinball machines. Beer in the other hand. Lots of verbal abuse while playing. Lowest score bought the round.

 

[bedford]

I used to play a game with my mates where you played onehanded there on the pinball machines. Beer in the other hand. Lots of verbal abuse while playing. Lowest score bought the round.

I'm glad to hear you are normal lol, great pub

 

[bedford]

Speaking of Swan friendly pubs the Alexandria re-opened in November!

The great man that ran it is still promoting and a great supporter of Swans old and new

 

[Ticky009]

I was going through the Swans shop to see if there was anything I was interested in - I'm a big fan of the Heritage clothes they issue - sadly nothing of note for the ladies yet this year and so got to thinking of other things merchandise wise.

2024 will our 150 year celebration.

With that in mind what sort of merchandise would you like to see be issued by the club:
1) Clothing
2) Digital
3) Any particular match day experience

And what could we the fans instigate on own for celebrations game day wise?

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I was going through the Swans shop to see if there was anything I was interested in - I'm a big fan of the Heritage clothes they issue - sadly nothing of note for the ladies yet this year and so got to thinking of other things merchandise wise.

2024 will our 150 year celebration.

With that in mind what sort of merchandise would you like to see be issued by the club:
1) Clothing
2) Digital
3) Any particular match day experience

And what could we the fans instigate on own for celebrations game day wise?

A collector’s edition replica of the James Rowbottom 2023 Brownlow Medal.

 

[Ticky009]

A collector’s edition replica of the James Rowbottom 2023 Brownlow Medal.

And here's my wish list.

1) Clothing: More Heritage clothing celebrating the 150 yrs. I've really loved the ladies heritage hoodies they've put out over the years in the darker heritage colours. But would like the 150th icon to not be fifty inches high on all of the clothing.
2) Digital:

• Homage to all our past Brownlow medal winners
• Photo montage of the club through the years
• DVD/Blueray set

3) Matchday: The Red V for all our away matches
Wouldn't mind if during the year we did a shout out on iconic matches against a particular team were were playing. Like the Bloodbath when we play Cartlon etc.

 

[Bonz]

And here's my wish list.

3) Matchday: The Red V for all our away matches
Wouldn't mind if during the year we did a shout out on iconic matches against a particular team were were playing. Like the Bloodbath when we play Cartlon etc.

In regards to 3 weren't we going to an announcement in regards to our jumper?

 

[Millky95]

In regards to 3 weren't we going to an announcement in regards to our jumper?

Yep. They mentioned it at thr B&F and nothing since

 

[BStaff17]

How we’ll revive a tired Moore Park precinct and expand green space

The Entertainment Quarter’s vision will not further commercialise public space. It will do the reverse – and increase Sydney’s liveability.

www.smh.com.au

I was surprised when i went to the SCG test this summer how dead EQ/fox studios was before hand.

We go the cricket every year and used to go there for a few drinks before heading into the ground every year at the old PJs or the rum and fire.

Nothing was open to 11:30am and business were basically tossing away money on one of there busiest weeks of the year.

 

[Ticky009]

I was surprised when i went to the SCG test this summer how dead EQ/fox studios was before hand.

We go the cricket every year and used to go there for a few drinks before heading into the ground every year at the old PJs or the rum and fire.

Nothing was open to 11:30am and business were basically tossing away money on one of there busiest weeks of the year.

Alas poor PJs we knew you well

 

[Jewelsbon]

Alas poor PJs we knew you well

I don't even drink and I was saddened and disbelieving of its demise! It was THE place we'd go to after a game, particularly if we had newbies with us, to analyse the game.
Last season there was very little left at EQ to while away the hour + that it took for the carpark and Anzac Pde to quieten down.

 

[BStaff17]

Alas poor PJs we knew you well

My favourite day there was the 2016 test against the windies. Pink day got washed out so we didnt bother even going into the SCG.

We just stayed in fox studios and PJs.

Our group of around 12 we had that day just drank at PJs from opening to 6-7pm great day of laughs just talking rubbish as you do on the piss with no cricket on until a couple of the lads finally dropped the jugs walking back to the table and we all got the tap on the shoulder after 9 hours of drinking.

Ironically it was probably the best day at cricket the group spent since we could go and drink about 10 years ago. And we didn't see any of it.

 

[caesar88]