View Full Version : Sydney V Collingwood - "Moment of truth"
DeadlyAkkuret
3 Jul 2008, 07:19
SWANS coach Paul Roos believes Saturday night's blockbuster showdown against Collingwood at ANZ Stadium is shaping up as one of those moment-of-truth games."Have we come back up again? That's what Saturday night will tell," Roos said.I was slapped in the face once last year after making the bold prediction that we'd knock the Pies out of the finals and I was left pondering where the Swans were headed leading up to the 2008 AFL season.
So far they've suprised me with some big wins against good/average sides and by remaining very competitive against the Dogs and Geelong (until the last 10 minutes) but this week is huge and getting close wont be acceptable.
I'll admit it, Collingwood scares me after our embarrassing run against them last year and players like Cloke, Fraser and Didak especially give me reason not to get over-confident. They seem to lift against us and you can bet Thomas and the Irish kid (Clarke) will be at their annoying best. It's crucial that atleast one of them is stopped, possibly by Jack or Bevan, but I'd imagine one of them will go to Medhurst.
Despite Goodes averaging more touches against the Pies than any other side, I don't expect his absence to make a huge difference. The ruck department is where I see the game being won and lost, with Fraser's fitness being one of the keys. Jolly is a much better ruckman with Spida by his side, so Everitt's inclusion could prove vital.
Rusling and Rocca killed us last year and neither of them will be playing on the weekend, so our defenders must take advantage of that. Collingwood still has some imposing talls as I've already mentioned, but those two should be difficult to cover and it might mean that Leo can take someone who's more his size (4ft?).
My preview seems like a little bit of a ramble but it's just to get things started. I'm interested to read where other posters think the game will be won or lost.
I'll predict Sydney by 22 points for no real reason at all.
swansrule100
3 Jul 2008, 09:48
collingwood are probably just behind adelaide as our worst opponent. Havent ever had that good a patch against them in 100 odd years of footy.
I am not confident but ill go with the heart sydney by 15
be interesting to see how anz stadium is....origin game last night and ground is terrible :thumbsd:
A Collingwood win wouldn't surprise at all. We seem to rise a level against the tougher opponents.
Pies by a goal and a half.
Corpuscles
3 Jul 2008, 11:37
Good intro post Deadly A:thumbsu:
True Collingwood seem to rise to the big game occasion. I actually thing the blockbuster thing is an advantage rather than a fatigue for them.
IMO their unique danger is the number of goal sneak forwards Didak, Davis Thomas and Medhurst... if Swans can contain most and limit the one that shines then they will win. But in other recent years they have had a Rocca type producing one of his rare good ones, as well as others dominating.
The difference this year is Collingwoods backline Clement is a big loss even if Presti is IN?.. he will be underdone. Swans forward line is performing much better this year than any previous except maybe 05 when Hall was a consistent lone star.
Collingwoods young ruckman beat ours over the last few years and Burns always has a red hot go.... so if they show up it will be tough in midfield
Swans if they are on their A+game and contain the goalsneaks will win comfortably this year:thumbsu:
Good intro post Deadly A:thumbsu:
1.True Collingwood seem to rise to the big game occasion. I actually thing the blockbuster thing is an advantage rather than a fatigue for them.
IMO their unique danger is the number of goal sneak forwards Didak, Davis Thomas and Medhurst... if Swans can contain most and limit the one that shines then they will win. But in other recent years they have had a Rocca type producing one of his rare good ones, as well as others dominating.
2.The difference this year is Collingwoods backline Clement is a big loss even if Presti is IN?.. he will be underdone. Swans forward line is performing much better this year than any previous except maybe 05 when Hall was a consistent lone star.
Collingwoods young ruckman beat ours over the last few years and Burns always has a red hot go.... so if they show up it will be tough in midfield
Swans if they are on their A+game and contain the goalsneaks will win comfortably this year:thumbsu:
1. that depends, we play clubs like melbourne, and richmond that really only want a win on us. Which means we can get caught early. Doubt this is the case this week.
2. We played you at homebush last year, without presti and clement and harry, which up until that point was our backline, and even then your forward line was performing well. So yes clement is a loss but we've beaten you before with out him, im sure we can do it again.
Will be a good match, we must some how create another tall forward, whether that means debuting DawesOME, bringing back Jack or playing three rucks we definetly need a thrid tall.
If we can we our share throught the centre, it'll be us by 26
popathon
3 Jul 2008, 12:07
I hope it's a close hard fought game. I enjoy playing the Swans, they play a nice hard bodied game that seems to make our guys lift. I'm hoping we'll benefit the most from the week off due to our massive pre-season but i guess we won't know till around 10:30 come saturday night.
Pies by 8, good luck.
funkyfetlock
3 Jul 2008, 23:45
Swans to win by 37 points and make it 7 in a row.
Swans haven't won without Goodes for nine years.
Pies are certainties :thumbsu:
Pebs is a big loss. He saves his best games for his old team. But Losing Goodes is a big loss too. I think he was BOG in the 2nd H&A game and the EF even though the Swans lost both.
I think the Swans are due to beat us. They are too good a team.
Looking forward to a tough, tight encounter.
swiftdog
4 Jul 2008, 20:54
Collingwood by 3 pts, hoping it will be a close hard fought game.
Collingwood in a scoreline of 12.14.86 Def Sydney 7.16.58
Sydney really seem to struggle with the Pies constant pressure, probably more so than any other team. If the Swans can manage to chalk up a win, I think they are certanties for the top 4, but my money is on the pies.
Collingwood by 3 pts, hoping it will be a close hard fought game.
I hope it's an absolute flogging myself!
Soul_Pie
5 Jul 2008, 01:57
I rate our chances highly for this match. We generally play the big games pretty well, and we seem to play good footy against Sydney. The two best players from the last time the two teams met are both out, those being Goodes and Rocca, so it makes for a very interesting to see who can adapt better to the loss of these key players.
I'm tipping the Pies by 5 points, but I could see Sydney getting over us if they're switched on and we're not. In any case, I'm really looking forward to this match.
funkyfetlock
5 Jul 2008, 08:06
I'm tipping the Pies by 5 points, but I could see Sydney getting over us if they're switched on and we're not.
Good to see you've already got the excuse ready for when we beat you. When Sydney wins it won't be because your guys aren't "switched on" it will be because we are obviously the better team.
unplugged
5 Jul 2008, 08:29
Good to see you've already got the excuse ready for when we beat you. When Sydney wins it won't be because your guys aren't "switched on" it will be because we are obviously the better team.
You obviously haven't watched Collingwood enough this year to see how inconsistent the team can play.
When we're good, we're good. When we're bad... well... we can be really bad. It doesn't always reflect on the opposition, either.
funkyfetlock
5 Jul 2008, 08:49
You have only played as well as other teams have allowed you to play. Don't for one minute think that we will give you the space that Geelong gave you. Carlton and the Bulldogs have shown that you aren't a great side under pressure.
Abba Lonie
5 Jul 2008, 09:34
Medhurst may be the key. I fancy a tall will play on him especially in the absence of Rocca and Fraser. If a Bevan or Jack plays on him they won't be able to compete with him in the air.
Costanza_
5 Jul 2008, 09:49
Extremely nervous about this game, despite playing at home and with fairly solid form behind us. Goodes is a huge loss, partly compensated by the loss of Rocca. This will be a great test of how much we've improved on last year. We could have played you 5 more times last year without a win, we were that uncomfortable. So a win here will not only be great for our top 4 prospects, but will show that we are clearly a better team than last year.
Should be a great game. For anyone living in Sydney, make sure you get out there. This is our showpiece game and it would be fantastic to get 60-65k.
I cant believe im going to say this but the Swans have to play like Carlton today :D
Lockyer24
5 Jul 2008, 12:26
Massive game....Swans have the season form, we have the head to head form.
Goodes and Rocca who have been the most influential players of past meetings out. Swans don't look good on paper to me but they have not put a foot wrong this year - I think some of our more miraculous types may be the difference tonight. Pies by 13pts
the pies have gotta win this to keep top 4 and top 8 hopes alive. im little worried about this one coz the swans have played well over the last couple of months. gunna be tough to win minus rocca but hopefully the forward line can function well without him. if fraser was fit enough to play this week i would have played him at FF and cloke at CHF and leave wood and bryan to ruck thought they did well last week against the bulldogs.
ps. if we up 4 goals halfway through the 3rd then get worried
Massive game....Swans have the season form, we have the head to head form.
Goodes and Rocca who have been the most influential players of past meetings out. Swans don't look good on paper to me but they have not put a foot wrong this year - I think some of our more miraculous types may be the difference tonight. Pies by 13pts
I was completely with you till the last line......
Swannies by 16 :thumbsu:
catters05
5 Jul 2008, 14:02
Should be a great game. For anyone living in Sydney, make sure you get out there. This is our showpiece game and it would be fantastic to get 60-65k.
How are the ticket sales going?
How are the ticket sales going?
On Wednesday it was reported 60,000 had been sold. Not sure of up to date numbers. Most of the sections left only have single ticket allocation.
Will depend on the weather too. I would expect 60K+
Im going to the game tonight. Gonna be great:thumbsu:
Swans will win this one.No doubt in my mind.
On Wednesday it was reported 60,000 had been sold. Not sure of up to date numbers. Most of the sections left only have single ticket allocation.
Will depend on the weather too. I would expect 60K+
Weather wise things arent looking too bad at the moment. It looks like it will be a dry game and be abit warmer than the past few nights.
SkankDanker
5 Jul 2008, 14:47
be interesting to see how anz stadium is....origin game last night and ground is terrible :thumbsd:
I was up very bloody high! I though it generated a decent atmosphere but I couldn't recognise any of the players except the biggest softie I have ever seen in Willie Mason. But forget the league...
I think the ground is OK to watch AFL at - I saw Sydney West Coast earlier and found it enjoyable.
When the AFL buy it next year (hopefully) they will configure it properly and it will be even better.
Meantime I am thinking 6 to Barry, and a solid 34 point win to Sydney. I HATE Collingwood so much that I can't contemplate going all the way to the ground to see them win. Apart from that I think we have good run out of the back-line against the laziest most non-accountable forwards in the comp. Marty, Mal, Leo and Tadgh will leave scorch marks on the ground (and LRT of course).
And I am glad Rocca's not playing as I would have to look at him at some point, but disappointed as they are a better team without him.
Swans haven't won without Goodes for nine years.
Pies are certainties :thumbsu:
Pah! Swans haven't lost without Goodes for nine years. Swans certainties...
Good to see you've already got the excuse ready for when we beat you. When Sydney wins it won't be because your guys aren't "switched on" it will be because we are obviously the better team.
I think either team can win if the other isn't switched on. Both teams have shown the ability to get "up" for some games but less so for others. And both rely on even efforts right across the team, much more so than individual brilliance from a few.
My main concern is that Sydney failed to work out last year how Collingwood was dismantling their systems. You could put the first H&A loss down to the Swans just not being "on" for the night. At a stretch maybe the second one too. But once it got to a EF it becomes a pretty lame explanation.
Certainly the Swans have (correctly) identified that their pressure skills were way down in all three Pies games last year. I'm just not sure they know why they were down.
If the Pies come with their A game I suspect they'll win reasonably comfortably. Just a gut feel. Though hopefully the Swans will be less embarassing than they were last year. If the Pies aren't quite as switched on, I think the Swans will have the edge in a tight game because they seem to be running out games better than the Pies are this year.
Certainly the Swans have (correctly) identified that their pressure skills were way down in all three Pies games last year. I'm just not sure they know why they were down.
I think i have a idea
Playing Injured
Barry Hall
Tadhg Kennelly
Out of Form (now in form)
Jude Bolton
Michael O'Loughlin
Jarrad McVeigh
Paul Bevan
This Swans team also has quite afew different faces compared to last year
New Faces
Kieren Jack
Jarred Moore
Craig Bird
Martin Mattner
Henry Playfair
unplugged
5 Jul 2008, 16:22
Carn the Pies :D
Chase the Ace
5 Jul 2008, 16:48
Any truth to the rumour that Jack Anthony flew up to Sydney this morning?
unplugged
5 Jul 2008, 17:23
Any truth to the rumour that Jack Anthony flew up to Sydney this morning?
You don't happen to mean John Anthony, who was listed as an emergency do you? If so, that's probably true. He'd hardly make a good emergency at home in Melbourne.
kookadog
5 Jul 2008, 17:30
I watched the pies v dogs game for the second time and the pies were good. They are a very disciplined team and have a gameplan that they know well, much like Sydney. the pies don't rely on handball and run, they kick long and move the ball quickly. They push numbers back to the Half Back line and apply great pressure in the middle, which gives their defenders an even chance. Very Solid backline as long as there is midfield pressure. The pies will have have to pressure all over the ground, the swans love that style but the dogs and other teams have shown that Sydney can get beaten in this area.
Swans are hard to beat but I rate the pies and they do have that 86 point thumping of the cats that shows they can tear a good team apart. The intro of Cloke for Rocca is a win, with Rocca not at his best and not accountable enough. The loss of Goodes will hurt Sydney big time as he's in form and one of their best.
The biggest problem for the pies will be the umpiring, when it's tight those cheap frees due to the 55,000 odd swans in the crowd appealing for everything will hurt.
Pies by 15
You have only played as well as other teams have allowed you to play. Don't for one minute think that we will give you the space that Geelong gave you. Carlton and the Bulldogs have shown that you aren't a great side under pressure.Well Collingwood is the team well known for tackling and putting on pressure.
Sydney would be up there too with there clogging off the midfield and crap like that so why do we always knock your bunch off?
Jack XR6T
5 Jul 2008, 18:04
I hope it's close, and I hope we win.
Pretty simple really.
Chase the Ace
5 Jul 2008, 19:18
You don't happen to mean John Anthony, who was listed as an emergency do you? If so, that's probably true. He'd hardly make a good emergency at home in Melbourne.
Oh, I see, you were trying to be funny. Not working
Follow Collingwood much?, his nic name is Jack.
unplugged
5 Jul 2008, 19:26
Oh, I see, you were trying to be funny. Not working
Follow Collingwood much?, his nic name is Jack.
Yeah, I was trying to be hilarious by pointing out a fact to eliminate any false hope that 'Jack' will be playing. I didn't want to say that and then find out you were talking about someone else.
Sorry for not knowing the nickname of a VFL player, either. Shoot me now.
Chase the Ace
5 Jul 2008, 19:29
Yeah, I was trying to be hilarious by pointing out a fact to eliminate any false hope that 'Jack' will be playing. I didn't want to say that and then find out you were talking about someone else.
Sorry for not knowing the nickname of a VFL player, either. Shoot me now.
Finally some sense from you
lynchy23
5 Jul 2008, 19:37
Any late exlusions
Frankie23
5 Jul 2008, 19:38
Yeah, I was trying to be hilarious by pointing out a fact to eliminate any false hope that 'Jack' will be playing. I didn't want to say that and then find out you were talking about someone else.
Sorry for not knowing the nickname of a VFL player, either. Shoot me now.
Who doesnt know his nickname?????????
Anyway, our season is on the line in the next 2 weeks
WIn against Sydney and Adelaide and we can potentially be 2 points out of the 4
lose and we will struggle to keep a top 8 spot
Any late exlusions
John Anthony is in, Wellingham is out.
wegs on pendles
5 Jul 2008, 19:45
Goldy will rape Michael O'Loughlin again.
Maestro15
5 Jul 2008, 19:48
Goldy will rape Michael O'Loughlin again.
Not likely, in the form he is in.
DeadlyAkkuret
5 Jul 2008, 19:49
So I just realise it's not live into WA. Typical of this backward dump!
Anyone know if the game will be streaming on justin.tv?
Goldy will rape Michael O'Loughlin again.
Goldy's a rapist? Do the AFL know this?
Godfrey Jones
5 Jul 2008, 19:49
You don't happen to mean John Anthony, who was listed as an emergency do you? If so, that's probably true. He'd hardly make a good emergency at home in Melbourne.
he is often called jack :cool:
Godfrey Jones
5 Jul 2008, 19:51
John Anthony is in, Wellingham is out.
huh??
taking the piss, right
satchmopugdog
5 Jul 2008, 19:52
Really,really,really nervous now.....help I need chocolate...please start well Swannies
DeadlyAkkuret
5 Jul 2008, 19:54
Really,really,really nervous now.....help I need chocolate...please start well Swannies
That'd be a nice change. If we don't start well, we're finished!
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:00
huh??
taking the piss, right
Nope, that's confirmed.
Carn the Pies!
http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/s/sh/shmoo18/248453_yelling.jpg
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:02
carn the swans
Harry O'brien 50 games:thumbsu:
smiddaz123
5 Jul 2008, 20:16
Daisy!!!
Thomas goal ( 4 mins 1st qtr)
Sydney 0.1.1
Collingwood 1.0.6
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:16
Specky to Thomas and the opening goal
SYD 0.1.1
COLL 1.0.6
Godfrey Jones
5 Jul 2008, 20:17
THOMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS
how did he celebrate? lol
Kick f***in STRAIGHT:mad:
Ugh wasting chances already, this will bite us on the bum as usual.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:22
carn swanners
smiddaz123
5 Jul 2008, 20:23
Christ. Kicking outselves out of it.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:23
shocking shot by cloke
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:23
Pies have missed a few early chances, Lockyer and Cloke missed gettable ones.
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:24
6-1 the frees to Collingwood, home fans getting restless until Ablett gets one.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:24
wow swans have like 3 turn overs in the past minute
wallyt99
5 Jul 2008, 20:25
ugliest game for the year so far.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:25
great rebound of 50
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:27
think jolly has the distance here
Bird goal ( 14 mins 1st qtr)
Sydney 1.1.7
Collingwood 1.3.9
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:27
From seemingly nothing Bird goals
SYD 1.1.7
COLL 1.3.9
Doesn't take Steve Q long to show his bias - piece of shit.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:28
first swans goal
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:29
another behind shocking kick again
F***! Should be 3 goals up.
Good goal there.
Field looks terrible (which is an understatement), patchy all over the ground, you'd think even with SOO on mid-week they could get it right by Saturday night.
:thumbsd:
Andrew Mc
5 Jul 2008, 20:30
Doesn't take Steve Q long to show his bias - piece of shit.
What, did he cheer someone out there other than Thomas?
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:31
mattiner is on fire again had a great game two weeks ago and had 8 disposals so far today
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:32
Field looks terrible (which is an understatement), patchy all over the ground, you'd think even with SOO on mid-week they could get it right by Saturday night.
Pim Verbeek said so a few weeks ago, wonder if anyone listened. Shows why this is a crappy venue.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:32
haha your man thomas just got a bump to the head
Collingwood have wasted chances big time.
Lockyer shooting for goal... gotta kick it...
misses.
Sydney will win.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:34
great corage by both there
and another miss
rdhopkins2
5 Jul 2008, 20:34
Someone wil do a knee on that oval!! Shocking!
How about that Swans player that just came off with a re-arranged nose...seemed to be concussed too. Nothing in the contact ie it was a contest/attempted spoil but knowing the AFL it could well be a week. Didn't look like contact had been made til you see him stagger then trying to run off.
Collingwood must be rueing missed opportunities...but you can't question their effort.
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:35
o keefe
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:35
Can anyone find the middle?
mr_cellotape
5 Jul 2008, 20:36
How does Playfair still get a game in the AFL?
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:36
another miss this time by swans
how many points is that like 10
RobbieGray17
5 Jul 2008, 20:36
two things I've noticed......The pies, are not a bad side, quite often they hang onto the ball and look for the better second option on the handball, lot of other sides just get rid of it, and pass to nearest player.
I can't believe how many Sydney players form in the centre of the oval, massive numbers
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:36
Can anyone find the middle?
yeh thats about the tenth point
rdhopkins2
5 Jul 2008, 20:37
1/4 Time
Syd 1.3.9
Coll 1.5.11
QUARTER TIME
Sydney 1.3.9
Collingwood 1.5.11
SYDNEY: BIRD
COLLINGWOOD: THOMAS
stmookeyj
5 Jul 2008, 20:38
QUARTER TIME
SYDNEY 1.3.9
COLLINGWOOD 1.5.11
SYD: Bird
COLL: Thomas
Phil McCreviss
5 Jul 2008, 20:38
Wow most rivetting quarter of football ever.
RobbieGray17
5 Jul 2008, 20:39
This is a very crappy game.....I'm predicting winning score of around 65 points. Can't be worse than that crappy round one game vs St Kilda
patto_man
5 Jul 2008, 20:39
8 points so far both teams need to lift cmon the swans
markfarmer
5 Jul 2008, 20:39
Anybody want to watch the game live and can't try this
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=14433&part=sports
It really stinks that ANY game these days are delayed....
In WA especially ........... Every fri game is delayed....and a few of the others ......This includes Foxtel.......AFL ......DO SOMETHING ...
Bombers_Forever
5 Jul 2008, 20:40
Good goal there.
Field looks terrible (which is an understatement), patchy all over the ground, you'd think even with SOO on mid-week they could get it right by Saturday night.
:thumbsd:
The ground is shocking. It is over used, the surface is always terrible and it is terrible from a spectators point of view.