Well, after that “effort”, I think I need to get the preview up nice & early this week so we can all move on.
Alas, my weekend has been dominated by Codral and Panadol, hence it’s a brief preview this time around.
The Key Details:
Sydney Swans (still 1st - somehow) vs Port Adelaide Power (7th)
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Date: Saturday August 3
Time: 7.30pm AEST
Weather: Not sure. But its Adelaide, so don’t expect anything particularly interesting.
Preamble
There’s a delicious irony about Port.
Watching tens of thousands sing “Never Tear Us Apart” as they tear the club apart, by hurling abuse at the long-suffering coach and club executive is a delight to behold.
But Port fans don’t do irony. They do angry.
Remember, this is the club that decided Pete Ladhams was a bit too level-headed & must be traded.
Nonetheless, Port Adelaide is unquestionably the Swans’ bogey side. Our recent record against them does not make for happy reading. Port has won the last 7 games against the Swans. We haven’t beaten them since 2016.
Indeed, apart from a 2 point loss last year (when Ollie Florent’s last minute shot was buffeted by a biblical gust of wind, the likes of which have never again been seen in Sydney), the Swans haven’t even come close to beating Hinkley’s Heroes.
And given our recent loss of form / lack of effort / loss of confidence / complacency / injury crisis / lack of depth / poor coaching / dud 1st quarters (just choose all the ones you think apply) …. there can surely be no way we start favorites in this one. Having said that – perhaps the Bravedogs debacle was the kick in the bum we needed to have?
The outcome of this game will tell us a lot, but its going to be a tough one.
The Teams
Port appears to have come through their win over Carlton largely unscathed – although there must be doubt over a player called Jones, who was subbed out in the final quarter. I don’t know who Jones is, but it seems likely he’ll be replaced by Quinton Narkle, which feels like an upgrade.
Their midfield unit of Butters (the most heavily fined good bloke in AFL history), Rozee, Horne-Francis, Wines, Boak, Drew and Bergman is handy. And whilst they don’t have star power in the forward line, the “Alex Sexton effect” (now known as the Riley Garcia effect) means someone like Mitch Georgiades is a strong chance to have a career-best game.
Down back, Aliir and Zerk-Thatcher will gobble up long bombs, which seems to be currently all we’re capable of. Dan Houston is in AA form and could potentially be introduced to JJ at opening siren, particularly if Horse decides to get radical …. by instructing the team to play on (or at least in reasonable proximity to) your opponent.
Anyway, the Swans’ team selection will be intriguing. The side that played the Dogs looked like a bunch of blokes that hadn’t yet recovered from a big night out on the turps, which culminated in the purchase of a baby goat.
Trust me, it happens:
Melican will be out (even if the club does try to call it “hamstring awareness”, which is code for 3 weeks). Francis seems the logical replacement.
Up forward, Pete Ladhams had a great game on Saturday in the VFL – clearly BoG in my view. 3 goals, strong contested marking & good around the ground Could it be that one of our 3 talls finally comes under selection pressure? Feels like its time.
Wicks hadn’t really earned a recall & did nothing to justify it today. Problem is, with no Papley, our small forward cupboard is bare. If we scan the VFL side, the answer isn’t there.
But it’s the midfield that probably holds the most interest. Rushing Mills back without a couple of hit-outs in the VFL is looking like a blunder. Adams hasn’t been great. Parker doesn’t appear to be the answer to our current malaise.
Hopefully Rowy returns (seems he’s our only player capable of a tackle) – but perhaps what is most needed is an injection of enthusiasm (plus a bit of engine-room grunt). Selection integrity matters and if the Swans have any, Cleary and Sheldrick must surely be looked at.
Surely.
But …. Horse may take the view that “we’re entitled to a bad day out” & only make injury-driven changes.
6.25pm this Thursday will be truly fascinating.
The Verdict
Split Enz once sang “History Never Repeats, I tell myself before I go to sleep”.
Well, that’s what I’m telling myself this evening. We can't possibly be that bad again.
Grand Uncle Horace used to always declare “Swans by X” (and reference a former player’s number). I was going to do the same this week, but couldn’t decide which player to name. And after today’s performance, I felt no confidence in declaring the Swans will win. So I shelved that idea. And went for a walk to ponder it.
So ….. what will be the outcome of this game I wondered?
And then, as I walked past my local newsagent, I witnessed an omen:
Swans to stage a remarkable form reversal & win by 69.
Sack Hinkley 11 to go into a frothing, demented overdrive.
And the Swans to largely wrap-up the minor premiership.
Shake down the thunder.
Alas, my weekend has been dominated by Codral and Panadol, hence it’s a brief preview this time around.
The Key Details:
Sydney Swans (still 1st - somehow) vs Port Adelaide Power (7th)
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Date: Saturday August 3
Time: 7.30pm AEST
Weather: Not sure. But its Adelaide, so don’t expect anything particularly interesting.
Preamble
There’s a delicious irony about Port.
Watching tens of thousands sing “Never Tear Us Apart” as they tear the club apart, by hurling abuse at the long-suffering coach and club executive is a delight to behold.
But Port fans don’t do irony. They do angry.
Remember, this is the club that decided Pete Ladhams was a bit too level-headed & must be traded.
Nonetheless, Port Adelaide is unquestionably the Swans’ bogey side. Our recent record against them does not make for happy reading. Port has won the last 7 games against the Swans. We haven’t beaten them since 2016.
Indeed, apart from a 2 point loss last year (when Ollie Florent’s last minute shot was buffeted by a biblical gust of wind, the likes of which have never again been seen in Sydney), the Swans haven’t even come close to beating Hinkley’s Heroes.
And given our recent loss of form / lack of effort / loss of confidence / complacency / injury crisis / lack of depth / poor coaching / dud 1st quarters (just choose all the ones you think apply) …. there can surely be no way we start favorites in this one. Having said that – perhaps the Bravedogs debacle was the kick in the bum we needed to have?
The outcome of this game will tell us a lot, but its going to be a tough one.
The Teams
Port appears to have come through their win over Carlton largely unscathed – although there must be doubt over a player called Jones, who was subbed out in the final quarter. I don’t know who Jones is, but it seems likely he’ll be replaced by Quinton Narkle, which feels like an upgrade.
Their midfield unit of Butters (the most heavily fined good bloke in AFL history), Rozee, Horne-Francis, Wines, Boak, Drew and Bergman is handy. And whilst they don’t have star power in the forward line, the “Alex Sexton effect” (now known as the Riley Garcia effect) means someone like Mitch Georgiades is a strong chance to have a career-best game.
Down back, Aliir and Zerk-Thatcher will gobble up long bombs, which seems to be currently all we’re capable of. Dan Houston is in AA form and could potentially be introduced to JJ at opening siren, particularly if Horse decides to get radical …. by instructing the team to play on (or at least in reasonable proximity to) your opponent.
Anyway, the Swans’ team selection will be intriguing. The side that played the Dogs looked like a bunch of blokes that hadn’t yet recovered from a big night out on the turps, which culminated in the purchase of a baby goat.
Trust me, it happens:
Melican will be out (even if the club does try to call it “hamstring awareness”, which is code for 3 weeks). Francis seems the logical replacement.
Up forward, Pete Ladhams had a great game on Saturday in the VFL – clearly BoG in my view. 3 goals, strong contested marking & good around the ground Could it be that one of our 3 talls finally comes under selection pressure? Feels like its time.
Wicks hadn’t really earned a recall & did nothing to justify it today. Problem is, with no Papley, our small forward cupboard is bare. If we scan the VFL side, the answer isn’t there.
But it’s the midfield that probably holds the most interest. Rushing Mills back without a couple of hit-outs in the VFL is looking like a blunder. Adams hasn’t been great. Parker doesn’t appear to be the answer to our current malaise.
Hopefully Rowy returns (seems he’s our only player capable of a tackle) – but perhaps what is most needed is an injection of enthusiasm (plus a bit of engine-room grunt). Selection integrity matters and if the Swans have any, Cleary and Sheldrick must surely be looked at.
Surely.
But …. Horse may take the view that “we’re entitled to a bad day out” & only make injury-driven changes.
6.25pm this Thursday will be truly fascinating.
The Verdict
Split Enz once sang “History Never Repeats, I tell myself before I go to sleep”.
Well, that’s what I’m telling myself this evening. We can't possibly be that bad again.
Grand Uncle Horace used to always declare “Swans by X” (and reference a former player’s number). I was going to do the same this week, but couldn’t decide which player to name. And after today’s performance, I felt no confidence in declaring the Swans will win. So I shelved that idea. And went for a walk to ponder it.
So ….. what will be the outcome of this game I wondered?
And then, as I walked past my local newsagent, I witnessed an omen:
Swans to stage a remarkable form reversal & win by 69.
Sack Hinkley 11 to go into a frothing, demented overdrive.
And the Swans to largely wrap-up the minor premiership.
Shake down the thunder.
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