Swanhotels
Club Legend
- Nov 30, 2011
- 2,006
- 677
- AFL Club
- Sydney
- Banned
- #1
Last week and moving on.....
Coming off last weeks bitterly disappointing game against Port Adelaide the Swans will be looking to hit back hard against the Blues but if that is to happen there needs to be some significant changes made by the Swans. On the up side we finally all got what we were waiting for and that was of course Kurt Tippett. Kurt was probably the only highlight that could be taken away from last saturdays disaster.
The Swans will have to put in a far more convincing effort than last week if they are to knock off the Blues. The Swans pressure was well down on their usual standard, they still laid 100 tackles which is higher than average however this number is inflated by the nature of the game that was played in appalling conditions. The ease in which Port moved the ball through the corridor was concerning by contrast the Swans could not clear the ball out of their back 50. The Swans midfield did not appear to be working both ways like they had been in the previous 4 weeks. In short If the Swans are to topple the Blues they will need to lift their pressure and work rate significantly.
This week
And so we move onto this Friday night against the Blues. The Blues have been competitive all year with their biggest loss being by only 17 points against Colingwood and 3 other losses under 10 points. Carlton seem to be improving with every week as the players are obviously adapting to Malthouses new game plan. Calrton's last outing against the Hawks was a 15 point loss however it was a game that should have been won. Carlton dominated all the key areas of the game but stumbled at the finish line to walk away with an honourable loss.
Sydney has won 3 out of the last 5 against the Blues including a comfortable 22 point win in their last outing. Marc Murphy, Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs have been the top rated players in the last 5 encounters between the two sides. Murphy will of course not be available for selection due to a broken jaw suffered against the Hawks so this will be a significant loss for the Blues. Chris Judd has appeared to have slowed down this season in terms of disposals numbers as well pace off the mark but he still remains a champion and still looks to be an extremely dangerous prospect for the Swans. Gibbs has improved since his comeback from injury and has played his best 3 games for the year in his last 3 outings so it will be very important that the Swans pay particular attention to curbing his influence. Gibbs has run with Goodes in the past with a fair degree of success however Goodes will not be available this week so we will probably see Gibbs play his role through the midfield and half back on Friday.
2 Key players for the Blues
This season Carlton have been particularly potent when Andrew Walker has been able to run off half back and set up play. Walker has been one of the revelations for Carlton this year after moving from the forward line to half back. When Carlton win Walker averages 24 disposals but when they lose he is down at 16 so he is somewhat of a catalisyt.
Matthew Kruezer seems to also be running into some decent form with his ruck work being nothing short of exquisite against the Hawks. Pyke will have to bring his A game if the Swans are to maintain their mantle as the number 1 clearance side.
Possible ins and outs
As previously mentioned Marc Murphy will be out of the side but the Blues are expected to welcome back Mitch Robinson and Andrew Carrazzo who will add hardness to the midfield plus Chris Yarran should also line up after being dropped for poor body language.
Swans will be missing Adam Goodes from last weeks side but could welcome back in Andrejes Everitt. Armstrong could be in trouble but the growing injury list could be his saviour. There are whispers that Tim Membrey could make his debut which would be very exciting for Swans fans. Jetta and Reid are still a week away which will hurt the Swans
Key Match ups
Hannebery and Catchia - This will be an interesting match, Cachia has some big scalps to his name already most notably Jobe Watson. Hanners will have to work harder than last week if he expects to break the Cachia tag.
Jack and Judd - These two should go head to head. Jack has had a stellar year to date and will certainly keep Juddy honest.
Kennedy and Carrazzo may go head to head depending on Carrazzo's match fitness, look for Kennedy to use his size advantage to win the contested battle.
Jamison/Henderson and Tippett - Jamison has been on radio this week saying that he and Henderson will share the work load when it comes to Tippett so this will be an interesting match up. We all want to see Tippo have a massive one but he will certainly have his work cut out with the In form pair Jamison and Henderson putting down the gauntlet.
Richards and Waite. This is a really crucial Match up, I don't think Grundy will go with Waite as he has to much speed and mobility for Reg. Richards will get the job, he will look to body Waite and by doing so it may prevent Waite from getting a run at the ball. It will be important for the Swans defenders to work with Teddy to fill the hole and get across when possible because Waite can extremely distructive on his day.
Smith on Betts - Smith has done the job before and has had mixed results, Betts got the better of him on 2011 but Smooch had the honours last year.
Rampe on Garlett - Garlett has been in superb form this season and is in many experts All Australian side at the halfway point. Rampe will have to be on his toes because Garlett has speed to burn and can easily turn a game in matter of minutes.
Prediction
This game will be decided in the midfield as most games are. Hanners, Kennedy, Parker, Jack etc all need to regain their pre bye form if we are to walk away with the 4 points. If the work rate is up and the intensity is there from the start I think the Swans will win comfortably. Having said this Carlton have shown that they are no easy beats this season and if they get out of the blocks well then Sydney could start second guessing themselves after last weeks disaster. Anyway folks I think In the end Sydneys pressure will to much for the Blues and the Swans will walk out 17 point winners.
Coming off last weeks bitterly disappointing game against Port Adelaide the Swans will be looking to hit back hard against the Blues but if that is to happen there needs to be some significant changes made by the Swans. On the up side we finally all got what we were waiting for and that was of course Kurt Tippett. Kurt was probably the only highlight that could be taken away from last saturdays disaster.
The Swans will have to put in a far more convincing effort than last week if they are to knock off the Blues. The Swans pressure was well down on their usual standard, they still laid 100 tackles which is higher than average however this number is inflated by the nature of the game that was played in appalling conditions. The ease in which Port moved the ball through the corridor was concerning by contrast the Swans could not clear the ball out of their back 50. The Swans midfield did not appear to be working both ways like they had been in the previous 4 weeks. In short If the Swans are to topple the Blues they will need to lift their pressure and work rate significantly.
This week
And so we move onto this Friday night against the Blues. The Blues have been competitive all year with their biggest loss being by only 17 points against Colingwood and 3 other losses under 10 points. Carlton seem to be improving with every week as the players are obviously adapting to Malthouses new game plan. Calrton's last outing against the Hawks was a 15 point loss however it was a game that should have been won. Carlton dominated all the key areas of the game but stumbled at the finish line to walk away with an honourable loss.
Sydney has won 3 out of the last 5 against the Blues including a comfortable 22 point win in their last outing. Marc Murphy, Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs have been the top rated players in the last 5 encounters between the two sides. Murphy will of course not be available for selection due to a broken jaw suffered against the Hawks so this will be a significant loss for the Blues. Chris Judd has appeared to have slowed down this season in terms of disposals numbers as well pace off the mark but he still remains a champion and still looks to be an extremely dangerous prospect for the Swans. Gibbs has improved since his comeback from injury and has played his best 3 games for the year in his last 3 outings so it will be very important that the Swans pay particular attention to curbing his influence. Gibbs has run with Goodes in the past with a fair degree of success however Goodes will not be available this week so we will probably see Gibbs play his role through the midfield and half back on Friday.
2 Key players for the Blues
This season Carlton have been particularly potent when Andrew Walker has been able to run off half back and set up play. Walker has been one of the revelations for Carlton this year after moving from the forward line to half back. When Carlton win Walker averages 24 disposals but when they lose he is down at 16 so he is somewhat of a catalisyt.
Matthew Kruezer seems to also be running into some decent form with his ruck work being nothing short of exquisite against the Hawks. Pyke will have to bring his A game if the Swans are to maintain their mantle as the number 1 clearance side.
Possible ins and outs
As previously mentioned Marc Murphy will be out of the side but the Blues are expected to welcome back Mitch Robinson and Andrew Carrazzo who will add hardness to the midfield plus Chris Yarran should also line up after being dropped for poor body language.
Swans will be missing Adam Goodes from last weeks side but could welcome back in Andrejes Everitt. Armstrong could be in trouble but the growing injury list could be his saviour. There are whispers that Tim Membrey could make his debut which would be very exciting for Swans fans. Jetta and Reid are still a week away which will hurt the Swans
Key Match ups
Hannebery and Catchia - This will be an interesting match, Cachia has some big scalps to his name already most notably Jobe Watson. Hanners will have to work harder than last week if he expects to break the Cachia tag.
Jack and Judd - These two should go head to head. Jack has had a stellar year to date and will certainly keep Juddy honest.
Kennedy and Carrazzo may go head to head depending on Carrazzo's match fitness, look for Kennedy to use his size advantage to win the contested battle.
Jamison/Henderson and Tippett - Jamison has been on radio this week saying that he and Henderson will share the work load when it comes to Tippett so this will be an interesting match up. We all want to see Tippo have a massive one but he will certainly have his work cut out with the In form pair Jamison and Henderson putting down the gauntlet.
Richards and Waite. This is a really crucial Match up, I don't think Grundy will go with Waite as he has to much speed and mobility for Reg. Richards will get the job, he will look to body Waite and by doing so it may prevent Waite from getting a run at the ball. It will be important for the Swans defenders to work with Teddy to fill the hole and get across when possible because Waite can extremely distructive on his day.
Smith on Betts - Smith has done the job before and has had mixed results, Betts got the better of him on 2011 but Smooch had the honours last year.
Rampe on Garlett - Garlett has been in superb form this season and is in many experts All Australian side at the halfway point. Rampe will have to be on his toes because Garlett has speed to burn and can easily turn a game in matter of minutes.
Prediction
This game will be decided in the midfield as most games are. Hanners, Kennedy, Parker, Jack etc all need to regain their pre bye form if we are to walk away with the 4 points. If the work rate is up and the intensity is there from the start I think the Swans will win comfortably. Having said this Carlton have shown that they are no easy beats this season and if they get out of the blocks well then Sydney could start second guessing themselves after last weeks disaster. Anyway folks I think In the end Sydneys pressure will to much for the Blues and the Swans will walk out 17 point winners.
