Preview Qualifying Final - Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants

[the hypnotoad]

Ladhams emergency makes my shit itch

you know when you're told not to scratch something ...

 

[Jewelsbon]

Stevic will be doing the dogs hawks game, idiot head Williamson is doing Carlton Brisbane. But stevic , seeing as he was made all Australian, Will umpire the GF (bar being run over by a tram) I swear he has to have photos of people high up in the AFL to keep getting picked.

His head will be spinning if it ends up a non-Vic GF, he won't know who to give all the free kicks to!

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I can't help but feel sorry for Adams. Suspect we signed him to play plenty of minutes on ball but the injuries to Mills, Parker and himself forced us to give big minutes to Rowie, Chad and Heeney. They stamped themselves as our best combo. With Parker playing forward, Mills playing back, Errol and JMac indispensable, but all available to play on ball, Adams would appear to be the odd one out.

But as many have noted, one injury or bad game, and he's first back in. Definitely haven't written him off for our finals campaign.

 

[Voula]

Latest training pics from today:

AFL 2024 Training - Sydney 040924

AFL 2024 Training - Sydney 040924

www.sydneyswans.com.au

I don't like the last photo of Blakey on the ground with his leg being looked at.

 

[Voula]

If true, it's really tough on him after not being dropped all season. Don't really know the alternative though if all are fit and available.

He may well be very pissed off about it after having left the Pies more or less because he was left out of the finals team.

He wasn't left out of the Pies team, he was injured. Regardless, he was very upset that he missed out on the premiership.

I really feel for him, however based on form, Campbell would have been very unlucky to be dropped.

 

[Donza]

Hey Swamp thing.

When was the last time a team went unchanged during a full final series?

 

[zyzzbruh]

The thing that worries me re the Adams omission is if things get real tough we've demonstrated that we can't handle it. One was in a game where Adams was sub, and the other two Adams was the only one doing something.

On the other hand we did play through our skins in the first couple of games of the year without Adams or Parker. And I suspect finals to be more than sort of game. Plus mills looks like he's back.

I just hope horse knows what he's doing in terms of covering that role with Parker whilst not relying on him, and thus allowing him to still play majority forward.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Adams dropped is a big call. On form I probably agree with it, but in a big final I do think someone like him would come in handy. Especially if the game gets tough and contested. Not sure I have a lot of faith in some of our other guys in a similar role in being better in a big final.

That said, if there's one side you want pace + skill against, it's GWS.

I feel as though any squibbish performances will be scrutinised and perhaps Adams may get a call up. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that.

 

[The Mares Leg]

The thing that worries me re the Adams omission is if things get real tough we've demonstrated that we can't handle it. One was in a game where Adams was sub, and the other two Adams was the only one doing something.

On the other hand we did play through our skins in the first couple of games of the year without Adams or Parker. And I suspect finals to be more than sort of game. Plus mills looks like he's back.

I just hope horse knows what he's doing in terms of covering that role with Parker whilst not relying on him, and thus allowing him to still play majority forward.

I think Horse knows Park’s limitations now - he won’t have him chasing a runner up and down the ground - if that happens he’ll either be subbed or benched until a counter-move creates an opportunity.

 

[Bandicoot]

Our best 23 really. Feel for Adams but that’s professional sport. He wouldn’t have played finals had he stayed at the Pies anyway

That is true.

 

[mattpolo8]

Bedford not getting up isnt being talked about enough. He's been doing the tagging job pretty well most weeks.

 

[monopoly19]

I feel awful for Adams. Must have been a tough call and I hope Paps and Juzzy really are ready to go. I also love Fox (in the backline) but he’s struggled to nail down a spot this year. Love that Campbell’s kept his spot but if he’s in the back pocket again…

 

[caesar88]

Really looking forward to seeing what Parker can do as a forward in September. In my opinion that's always been his best position, and though he's not the player he was, I still think he's dangerous if one-out with a direct opponent. Plus he should be very well-rested, having played just four full senior games for the year. 9.2 in those four games is... elite.

However, for me the scenario is the same as every other game. If that trio of Grundy, Heeney & Rowbottom don't fire, then we can forget about the rest coming together.

 

[mattpolo8]

Really looking forward to seeing what Parker can do as a forward in September. In my opinion that's always been his best position, and though he's not the player he was, I still think he's dangerous if one-out with a direct opponent. Plus he should be very well-rested, having played just four full senior games for the year. 9.2 in those four games is... elite.

However, for me the scenario is the same as every other game. If that trio of Grundy, Heeney & Rowbottom don't fire, then we can forget about the rest coming together.

yep. we got a sneak peek of it in that second half against carlton in the elim last year. parker could be about to rip the lid off september.

 

[WhippingCupcakes]

Yeah not saying I disagree with it really, but it is a worry.

There's pros and cons to every player, hell I was even thinking I'd rather Cleary in the team over Lloyd who I'm the biggest fan of, so it's a good place for the team and the match selection committee to be in.

I just look at this team and wonder if we are really any different from the team that's been beaten up on in previous finals due to a lack of 'the hard stuff.' Have we made the same mistake of having too many lighter types who are great and flashy but they don't have that toughness that will hold up in a tight final, etc.

Yeah I'm kinda surprised Roberts is still in since Mills is back there now. I'd rather Adam's toughness and experience/leadership.

 

[The Mares Leg]

Yeah I'm kinda surprised Roberts is still in since Mills is back there now. I'd rather Adam's toughness and experience/leadership.

Roberts will be anything in a year.

Adams has peaked and has been caught out - missing targets and struggling against ‘burst’ players

My view is look forward where you can.

 

[caesar88]

Yeah I'm kinda surprised Roberts is still in since Mills is back there now. I'd rather Adam's toughness and experience/leadership.

Roberts has more than earned his place. He was pretty much our best player during The Weeks That Shall Not Be Spoken Of Again, and then played a key role in our rebounding work off half back in the last few weeks.

I'd have maybe looked at one of the other flanker types - Campbell, Florent or Lloyd - if we wanted another hard nut in the team. But they've all been better than Adams.

The phrase "selection dilemma" gets thrown around a lot. I can scarcely remember a time it was more appropriate than with us this week. We'd be losing something and gaining something no matter which combination of ins and outs we went with.

 

[WhippingCupcakes]

I think we are going to try and run teams off their and feet and apply pressure that way, keep the ball off the opposition. I think backing the guys who played our best makes sense.

This is an interesting game for a few , Parker and Campbell both need to deliver against a good side for instance this year and Amartey.

Just hope we aren't out coached, otherwise that plan will be fine.
If they clog up the corridor and stifle our run, could be a huge problem in a finals game.

But they should all be relatively fresh and ready to bring the high intensity from earlier in the season.

 

[wilsonmatic]

Not sure any of the subs are direct swaps for Adams

Seriously think Adams was squeezed by Parker’s inclusion three weeks ago.

It was sort of brewing all year that it would come down to Parker v Adams.. I didn't see Parker being this good after his layoff but he's really impressed and kicked goals.

On CET-AL00 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[WhippingCupcakes]

Roberts has more than earned his place. He was pretty much our best player during The Weeks That Shall Not Be Spoken Of Again, and then played a key role in our rebounding work off half back in the last few weeks.

I'd have maybe looked at one of the other flanker types - Campbell, Florent or Lloyd - if we wanted another hard nut in the team. But they've all been better than Adams.

The phrase "selection dilemma" gets thrown around a lot. I can scarcely remember a time it was more appropriate than with us this week. We'd be losing something and gaining something no matter which combination of ins and outs we went with.

He was needed for the rebounding position cause a mix of McInerney, Heeney, Chad etc were out and Florent/Campbell were pushed up the ground. With a full team his position is covered by someone with more experience.

 

[Kbroome]

I think Adams is first in for about 15 guys so definitely think he has a part to play just extremely unlucky that all our small/medium players are fit and in form.

 

[caesar88]

He was needed for the rebounding position cause a mix of McInerney, Heeney, Chad etc were out and Florent/Campbell were pushed up the ground. With a full team his position is covered by someone with more experience.

That is a good point. It will be interesting how he goes or what his role will be with everyone back in the team.

This just further speaks to my concern - we have a whole lot of flanker types. I hope we know what to do with them all.

 

[Kbroome]

That is a good point. It will be interesting how he goes or what his role will be with everyone back in the team.

This just further speaks to my concern - we have a whole lot of flanker types. I hope we know what to do with them all.

Probably shows how crucial Mills is to the side as he blends the KPDs and the 5-6 half-back/wingers in the side into a solid defence

 

[Swansujelly]

This is the team that Horse rekons will win a GF, I don't imagine Horses for courses stuff this time of year. Tough on Adams but Campbells late season purple patch kept him out I rekon. Still iffy on taking two in coming of 2 months of no footy, but what would I know?

 

[caesar88]

I love how this section of the team selection has been the same almost every single week this season lol