Autopsy Round 20, 2021 v Essendon - first win against Bombers at the MCG in 98 years

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Its a fair point - and something that I think will improve in time. The issue is the development in other parts of the team has been so rapid this year, that the 'flaws' that are there are being more highlighted then before - this being one of them. In many ways, getting the midfield right is a whole let easier then a lot of other issues around the park - but no doubt we need to improve in there and get a better mix - but father time is going to make that happen to some degree over the next year or two anyway with Joey, and its clear we are open to trying new things - JM had some promising signs again in there today I thought.

McInerney in the mids was not something new. He was just the latest in a long line of young Swans going back to Zak Jones who are just part of the rotating supporting cast around the inside brigade, which is where the real problem lies.

We have no problem getting first hands on it at ruck contests. We are better than our opponents most weeks at actually getting our hands on the pill at centre bounces, because few midfields have the sheer strength and physicality of JPK, Parker and Mills. The problem is they are charged with the ball drop, and the supporting mids (usually a designated young mid - Jones in 2018/2019, Florent in 2019/2020, Rowbottom in 2020/earlier this year, Warner earlier this year, Hewett the last month, McInerney today) then set up accordingly for the clearance. But because those getting first hands on it are stagnant, lacking in agility, composure or awareness, they fail to find that player set up for the clearance. So our clearance is nullified and turned over before it's even happened, the clearance player is then caught out in the attacking position rather than the defensive position, and so the opposition mid is able to just waltz out relatively unimpeded.

Horse hasn't shown any willingness to give the role of player getting first hands on it to anyone who doesn't play like a big-bodied bull in years. The only time anyone who doesn't fit that profile has been given that role is when JPK is out. Hewett had a go at it in 2019 when JPK was injured, and Rowbottom had it for a month or so last year when JPK was injured. This year it seems like he's phasing JPK out (which is smart) and making Mills his successor. But Mills doesn't offer much different really, so it's changing the personnel but not the fundamental dynamic of the midfield.

Apologies for the rant. I love everyone in our midfield individually but as a collective I think it's diabolical.
 

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McInerney in the mids was not something new. He was just the latest in a long line of young Swans going back to Zak Jones who are just part of the rotating supporting cast around the inside brigade, which is where the real problem lies.

We have no problem getting first hands on it at ruck contests. We are better than our opponents most weeks at actually getting our hands on the pill at centre bounces, because few midfields have the sheer strength and physicality of JPK, Parker and Mills. The problem is they are charged with the ball drop, and the supporting mids (usually a designated young mid - Jones in 2018/2019, Florent in 2019/2020, Rowbottom in 2020/earlier this year, Warner earlier this year, Hewett the last month, McInerney today) then set up accordingly for the clearance. But because those getting first hands on it are stagnant, lacking in agility, composure or awareness, they fail to find that player set up for the clearance. So our clearance is nullified and turned over before it's even happened, the clearance player is then caught out in the attacking position rather than the defensive position, and so the opposition mid is able to just waltz out relatively unimpeded.

Horse hasn't shown any willingness to give the role of player getting first hands on it to anyone who doesn't play like a big-bodied bull in years. The only time anyone who doesn't fit that profile has been given that role is when JPK is out. Hewett had a go at it in 2019 when JPK was injured, and Rowbottom had it for a month or so last year when JPK was injured. This year it seems like he's phasing JPK out (which is smart) and making Mills his successor. But Mills doesn't offer much different really, so it's changing the personnel but not the fundamental dynamic of the midfield.

Apologies for the rant. I love everyone in our midfield individually but as a collective I think it's diabolical.

Didn't say it was new with McInerney, but without having the stats on me, seemed to spend a fair bit more time than I can ever remember in there (but just guessing without access to stats).

Can be hard to change your stripes when that is how you've always done it. And its been a staple of our approach for a long time. I suspect it will evolve somewhat once JPK does ride off into the sunset per say.
 
So much to be happy about with this win. 5 great wins in a row, and all 5 were special (Freo was just a case of taking care of business).

A few key highlights (don't have enough time to list them all)
The way we kept taking control of the match, even though Essendon kept responding (and almost immediately). We kept the intensity up no matter how hard Essendon challenged, and finally our class and experience shone through. Very resilient effort in a real arm wrestle.
Papley's mark then give to Buddy for a goal, that had me jumping out of my chair. On a side note, was interesting watching Parker run and bounce in open space, looked like he was running through sand
Papleys burst to score 4 goals, didn't need much of an opportunity and made most of them count
Heeney's 2 on 1 win, never gave up, class
Kennedy's captains goal
Parkers back to back goals when the game was hot
Gulden's cracking goal
The way Mills went back into defence and slotted in like he never left (ditto for coming back into the midfield after the lay away)
Reid (same as above) Came back into the team, continuing his previous form, had some really important marks, especially down back
The way Blakey worked back into the game and gave us some drive
Hawyard's game was really strong and composed, he plays with instinct and has become really solid for us. Delivering on his potential for sure. *I think he's kicked a goal every game for the last 12 or so games. Very consistent and reliable.
Dawson taking a few strong marks
Lloyd, so composed
Mccartin, Rampe, Fox & Cunningham all played their role down back
 
Didn't say it was new with McInerney, but without having the stats on me, seemed to spend a fair bit more time than I can ever remember in there (but just guessing without access to stats).

Can be hard to change your stripes when that is how you've always done it. And its been a staple of our approach for a long time. I suspect it will evolve somewhat once JPK does ride off into the sunset per say.

No you're right, I'm pretty sure he spent almost the entire 4th quarter and a bit of the third at centre bounces. In general throughout the whole game he spent more time closer to the contest than he has in previous games. Can't say I was a fan personally.

I hope you are right but I am not convinced that JPK's retirement will mark the change in our midfield, because Parker will still be there, and we've effectively prepared for JPK's retirement by adding Mills, who is literally just a hybrid of those two. So I don't actually think anything will change really until Horse commits to building the midfield around someone of a different ilk, like a Rowbottom, Florent, Warner type instead of just making them supporting players.
 
Yeah reckon Warner in for Bell would be the only change after today. Chances run out for Bell, weakest link in the 22 now.

Completely agree, whilst I don't think Bell is completely useless the only moments I can remember from him today we're a couple of, oh that was a nice efforts in a few marking contests.
 
Soft frees throughout. Bombers were gifted a lot of free kicks in the first half but they'll only remember Buddy's late in the game. No mention of how manhandled Buddy was all match. Didn't feel like umpiring was the difference, only bombers campaigning flogs would say otherwise
Huge block for Bombers first goal. No holding though. As long as they're consistent.
 

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Yeah reckon Warner in for Bell would be the only change after today. Chances run out for Bell, weakest link in the 22 now.
agree, an easy swap

Bell is an odd one though, I always think he looks good and has had a decent game until I see the stat sheet.
 
Heeneys 2 on 1 tackle was huge. That was a superhuman effort at a critical stage of the year.

That was the play of the year from any player in the competition this year
Did he break his thumb again? Was talking to the Dr about it on field but I'm not sure if it was the same hand.
 
Not sure this is right? Would put us on the same points and would be relying on %. Possible that we could overtake Port on % with a couple of big wins though.
Correct. Port lost 3% in their win over GWS so that helped but its still up to us to win. And neither Saints or North are easy beats atm.
 

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Autopsy Round 20, 2021 v Essendon - first win against Bombers at the MCG in 98 years

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