Autopsy Started off 2024 in style terrific hard fought win against Melbourne by 22 points

[Ticky009]

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Adding to this, wanted to shout out a few others:

McLean - I think he was our best tall in the front half tonight and was also that player at the end of last year because he just has more ways to bring himself into the game. He was MIA early on but through his rucking, then a big contested mark, then his aerobic might, he was able to just slowly work into the game. A neat & tidy supporting role against Gawn and a handy 2 goals that should've been 3. In those conditions, that's a good night at the office.

Blakey - We often talk about inside mids being "strong through the hips", but it's an underrated quality of Blakey's over the last year or so. When he's wrapped up in a tackle or makes body contact, there's no longer that sense that it'll send him tipping over. In fact he was outright breaking a few tackles tonight. I think adding this has only given him more confidence to attack those sprints off half back.

Lloyd/McInerney - I'm grouping these two together because how many times tonight were they just BRICK WALLS in the middle of the ground? Obviously neither are exactly McCartin-level intercept marks, but their ability to just run and get to so many contests and then throw their bodies into impacting those contests was so important. The uncredited physicality that created turnovers and led to intercept possessions for us.

Fox/Wicks - Grouping these two together as well because I just love what they could bring to our side this year. Many wanted a mid in that extra forward spot (either Sheldrick this week, or Parker this year), but I'm perfectly comfortable with two general forwards who may not get a lot of the ball but who will chase, harass and tackle to make things happen. Things worth more than possessions, but the fact both were able to hit the scoreboard tonight as well was just... chef's kiss.

And finally... McCartin/Melican - Another duo but I strongly suspect you wouldn't have had the performance of one without the other. I particularly liked how there were a few instances where Melican marked the ball and went to take off but stopped himself and realised slowing it down and not playing on was the better option. It's that sort of game-savvy stuff that he's never really shown before, and I say this as a long-time fan of his.

Anyways sorry for ranting. Just know there will be games this year where we have few players to heap praise on, so gotta take the chances when we get 'em.

That was not a rant.

Agree with much of this, especially re Blakey. His dad was hard to tackle and Nick even more so. Nick is very strong.

JMac will never be Charles Atlas but is the classic lean, mean machine. He is also brave and desperate. Somewhere I questioned his place in the team but I was wrong.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Foxy. He was terrific

 

[momentbymoment]

After last week, it just reinforces practice games mean nothing.

Unfortunately too humid tonight which contributed to a tough night for skills.

Great last quarter where last year we tended to fade or just hang on for the win.

One too many tallls up forward didn’t work. Other than that Longmire out coached the Demons.

Not 100% convinced that 3 talls won’t work for us.
I am convinced however that we don’t need 3 talls on a night game in Sydney. It is our home ground ffs, let’s pick a team for the conditions and grab the advantage next time around.

 

[SwansProudly]

 

[SwansProudly]

 

[momentbymoment]

This is why I wanted Heeney in the mids! This is the top tier midfield performance he's able to produce. Give him a chance!!!

up the *ing bloods

I know Horse is worried about losing Heeney’s goals, but I seriously think that Wicks and Hayward (in his new, not running all over the ground role) could make up for it. If picked, Wicks is going to score 40 plus this year.

 

[SwansProudly]

Post-Match Press Conference, Opening Round

Watch Sydney’s press conference after Opening Round’s match against Melbourne.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Grundy shines against Dees

Brodie Grundy shines in his first outing for Sydney, winning the battle against ex-teammate Max Gawn in an enthralling contest

www.sydneyswans.com.au

I love these boys and I love this footy club - Papley

Tom Papley reflects on a memorable win at the SCG that saw the club enjoy some special 150 year celebrations.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Some games mean more, and this is one of those - Blakey

A proud Nick Blakey reflects on a historic win in Opening Round at the SCG.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[BloodySwan]

Warner is such a sweet kick of the footy outside of 50 towards goal. Especially off a couple of steps.

He's better outside 50 and on the run than he is inside 50 with a set shot

 

[McRobie]

Adding to this, wanted to shout out a few others:

McLean - I think he was our best tall in the front half tonight and was also that player at the end of last year because he just has more ways to bring himself into the game. He was MIA early on but through his rucking, then a big contested mark, then his aerobic might, he was able to just slowly work into the game. A neat & tidy supporting role against Gawn and a handy 2 goals that should've been 3. In those conditions, that's a good night at the office.

Blakey - We often talk about inside mids being "strong through the hips", but it's an underrated quality of Blakey's over the last year or so. When he's wrapped up in a tackle or makes body contact, there's no longer that sense that it'll send him tipping over. In fact he was outright breaking a few tackles tonight. I think adding this has only given him more confidence to attack those sprints off half back.

Lloyd/McInerney - I'm grouping these two together because how many times tonight were they just BRICK WALLS in the middle of the ground? Obviously neither are exactly McCartin-level intercept marks, but their ability to just run and get to so many contests and then throw their bodies into impacting those contests was so important. The uncredited physicality that created turnovers and led to intercept possessions for us.

Fox/Wicks - Grouping these two together as well because I just love what they could bring to our side this year. Many wanted a mid in that extra forward spot (either Sheldrick this week, or Parker this year), but I'm perfectly comfortable with two general forwards who may not get a lot of the ball but who will chase, harass and tackle to make things happen. Things worth more than possessions, but the fact both were able to hit the scoreboard tonight as well was just... chef's kiss.

And finally... McCartin/Melican - Another duo but I strongly suspect you wouldn't have had the performance of one without the other. I particularly liked how there were a few instances where Melican marked the ball and went to take off but stopped himself and realised slowing it down and not playing on was the better option. It's that sort of game-savvy stuff that he's never really shown before, and I say this as a long-time fan of his.

Anyways sorry for ranting. Just know there will be games this year where we have few players to heap praise on, so gotta take the chances when we get 'em.

Still standing strong on the ruck position is meaningless?
Surely Grundy gave you something to think about.

 

[Caj]

I suspect Horse's preparedness to switch it up and effective use of the sub in particular won't garner much appreciation from those who knock him for these very reasons.

He coached well Caesar but hardly needs a call out for it. It’s the minimum I’d expect for a bloke on $1m a year who has been in the job for 13 seasons

When he performs when it matters (ie in big finals) he will earn the kudos

 

[SwansProudly]

 

[SwansProudly]

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Think I have rewatched our 150th vid umpteen times. The Club did a great job.

Bec Skilton and Goodes bring tears to the eyes each time. Was really delighted Smokey Cleggs 32 marks got a guernsey

 

[SwansProudly]

Think I have rewatched our 150th vid umpteen times. The Club did a great job.

Bec Skilton and Goodes bring tears to the eyes each time. Was really delighted Smokey Cleggs 32 marks got a guernsey

We Believe

150 years: “Here it is!”

As we kick off our 2024 campaign, celebrate our 150th year of South Melbourne and the Sydney Swans.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[the hypnotoad]

That's just the game we needed to start the season. Shades of our better 2022 play.
1) Grundy giving us something to work with in the ruck. More than something! Easy to overlook but McLean also got 10 hitouts some against Gawn. Was a factor in tiring Gawn out. Well done ruck team!
2) They won't get a lot of votes but McCartin and Melican were superb. So much so that Van Rooyen had to get his goal from a header onto his shin. Totally squashed their KPFs.
3) Matty Roberts had a decent game but made a couple of glaring errors, one of which cost. But for mine he had more impact than Jordon.
4) Other than Heeney none of the mids were absolute standouts but as a group they really got the job done.
5) Nice in Horse's presser to see him acknowledge the conditions and change of strategy. Won us the game I think.
6) It's so great watching Blakey. Everything he does is a treat. Mark, spoil, tackle, run. That little chip inside. Chef's kiss.
7) Lastly so great to see the team finish out the game aggressively and confidently.
Bring on the Pies!

i don't think even us here on the swans board give blakey credit for his vision ... he often pulls off a pass, long and short, that doesn't even seem an option (that's watching on tv, maybe watching live you'd see it) ...
he has become an outstanding footballer

and yes, mclean was important winning a few against gawn ... and it seemed to lift mclean more into the game as it went on

 

[the hypnotoad]

Adding to this, wanted to shout out a few others:

McLean - I think he was our best tall in the front half tonight and was also that player at the end of last year because he just has more ways to bring himself into the game. He was MIA early on but through his rucking, then a big contested mark, then his aerobic might, he was able to just slowly work into the game. A neat & tidy supporting role against Gawn and a handy 2 goals that should've been 3. In those conditions, that's a good night at the office.

Blakey - We often talk about inside mids being "strong through the hips", but it's an underrated quality of Blakey's over the last year or so. When he's wrapped up in a tackle or makes body contact, there's no longer that sense that it'll send him tipping over. In fact he was outright breaking a few tackles tonight. I think adding this has only given him more confidence to attack those sprints off half back.

Lloyd/McInerney - I'm grouping these two together because how many times tonight were they just BRICK WALLS in the middle of the ground? Obviously neither are exactly McCartin-level intercept marks, but their ability to just run and get to so many contests and then throw their bodies into impacting those contests was so important. The uncredited physicality that created turnovers and led to intercept possessions for us.

Fox/Wicks - Grouping these two together as well because I just love what they could bring to our side this year. Many wanted a mid in that extra forward spot (either Sheldrick this week, or Parker this year), but I'm perfectly comfortable with two general forwards who may not get a lot of the ball but who will chase, harass and tackle to make things happen. Things worth more than possessions, but the fact both were able to hit the scoreboard tonight as well was just... chef's kiss.

And finally... McCartin/Melican - Another duo but I strongly suspect you wouldn't have had the performance of one without the other. I particularly liked how there were a few instances where Melican marked the ball and went to take off but stopped himself and realised slowing it down and not playing on was the better option. It's that sort of game-savvy stuff that he's never really shown before, and I say this as a long-time fan of his.

Anyways sorry for ranting. Just know there will be games this year where we have few players to heap praise on, so gotta take the chances when we get 'em.

ha! someone on the main board last night posted that blakey has no hips ...

 

[the hypnotoad]

on melbourne ... didn't realise he got so much of it but i still don't rate viney more than a workhorse ... and he butchered it plenty last night, again
i reckon any game viney is melbourne's "best", they're in trouble

 

[tombomb]

I agree last night wasn't a great spectacle due to the humidity, but spare me the Victorian whining.

We have put up with 15 years of absolute shite from Carlton and Richmond, and they didn't even have a humidity excuse.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Good to see Bedford out and about.

 

[SwansProudly]

I think Friday morning feels really good!

 

[Ed_Gein]

This is why I wanted Heeney in the mids! This is the top tier midfield performance he's able to produce. Give him a chance!!!

up the *ing bloods

He is definitely being wasted spending so much time forward. But you know once Parker and Adams come back in over the coming weeks it'll be back to same ol'. He's so dynamic in the middle, I wish Horse found ways to play him there more.

 

[tombomb]

On the positive side for Melbourne, the players and coach would have had a huge night (and possibly most of today) in Kings Cross.

 

[caesar88]

Still standing strong on the ruck position is meaningless?
Surely Grundy gave you something to think about.

It's been one game.

 

[mcs095]

That's just the game we needed to start the season. Shades of our better 2022 play.
1) Grundy giving us something to work with in the ruck. More than something! Easy to overlook but McLean also got 10 hitouts some against Gawn. Was a factor in tiring Gawn out. Well done ruck team!
2) They won't get a lot of votes but McCartin and Melican were superb. So much so that Van Rooyen had to get his goal from a header onto his shin. Totally squashed their KPFs.
3) Matty Roberts had a decent game but made a couple of glaring errors, one of which cost. But for mine he had more impact than Jordon.
4) Other than Heeney none of the mids were absolute standouts but as a group they really got the job done.
5) Nice in Horse's presser to see him acknowledge the conditions and change of strategy. Won us the game I think.
6) It's so great watching Blakey. Everything he does is a treat. Mark, spoil, tackle, run. That little chip inside. Chef's kiss.
7) Lastly so great to see the team finish out the game aggressively and confidently.
Bring on the Pies!

I thought Jordan came into the game nicely in the second half. Almost seemed overawed a bit in the first half. Roberts made a couple of errors yes, but all players do. Melican made an awful call to try and spoil and took out the other swans player that led to a goal. It happens in footy - but like Roberts, he kept plugging away and had a good game.

 

[Wolfgang West]

Jmacs hardness at the ball must be something else. You never want to see players go off hurt, but he's got 2 now that he appears to have taken out with significant shoulder injuries. Again not parading players getting hurt, but that's 2 people that have come off severely second best in one on one contests with him

Those wiry type of blokes can do some real damage if you run into them.

 

[strauchanie59]

Watching live at the ground, Hayward's work rate was incredible. One minute he was deep forward, then the next he was running back with the ball to spoil it deep in Melbourne's attack. He and Fox as hard-running flankers who are threats up forward in the air and on the ground are great weapons to have.