Autopsy 65! point win against North

[Ticky009]

 

[rustycrate]

So the only thing i hope that doesnt happen is another player that holds a long time grudge and it effects our F/S chances if it comes to that.

But yer zero issue with Parker 293 games in his prime was so important to our side in the mid 2010's

Long time grudge. LOL Get over it.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Long time grudge. LOL Get over it.

What do you mean? i have nothing to get over.

Just saying it happens

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Why is there an exclamation mark after 65 for in the heading?

Without my specs I keep thinking it says 651.

 

[ashep]

if he was still here he wouldn't be playing a 300th. And if he did play it would be purely based on reputation rather than output - and that would be having a negative affect on the development of the side, just how his inclusion reversed our progress last year to the habits of old. He'd be in our side right now purely based on injuries and someone like Hanily would be missing out.

I wish him all the best but his days of being an elite level effective footballer are over. Quite a few times yesterday I was reminded of how poor some of his work in tight had gotten as he's aged. Has and always been a player built for the 2010's game.

Loved him for who he was whilst at the swans but couldn't care less re the intricacies/emotions of his move. His time at the swans was done and however it happened the club rightly (and for his own benefit) made sure that his career continued elsewhere.

Nonsense. He was the leading clearance player on the ground in the first half when it was still a contest and led the tackle count for the match.

He was a critical player down the stretch for us last year. Made valuable contributions up forward and turned at least 2 matches when he went to the centre bounce. Was the the same player he was 5 years ago? Of course not, but the notion that he wouldn't contribute to a side that's desperately lacked grunt in the contest is bullshit.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I find it pathetic the way some rush to denigrate a champion and diminish what he was still doing for the club just so they don't have to face the possibility that perhaps the club cocked this one up. The fact people are having a sook because he had about 5% of the carryon Papley does in an average match is the icing on the cake.

 

[zyzzbruh]

Nonsense. He was the leading clearance player on the ground in the first half when it was still a contest and led the tackle count for the match.

He was a critical player down the stretch for us last year. Made valuable contributions up forward and turned at least 2 matches when he went to the centre bounce. Was the the same player he was 5 years ago? Of course not, but the notion that he wouldn't contribute to a side that's desperately lacked grunt in the contest is bullshit.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I find it pathetic the way some rush to denigrate a champion and diminish what he was still doing for the club just so they don't have to face the possibility that perhaps the club cocked this one up. The fact people are having a sook because he had about 5% of the carryon Papley does in an average match is the icing on the cake.

His clearance work has just not been that effective for a few years now. It is what it is, it's not as simple as just gaining a clearance, the play has to work in your favour. We've been poor in that area since 2022 and he wasn't fixing it then so he sure wasn't going to do it now. In today's game you need speed and skill to go along with the clearance work. 30 yr old Parker is a slog it out type, and ultimately not enough.

All well and good sticking him in the pocket to kick a couple of goals but whoever you stick in that pocket is just as capable of getting on the end of a couple, and it needs to be someone who has the attributes to aid today's playing style and offer more moving forward. We simply had to refresh the starting 22 to progress.

 

[Olian]

Surprise and unexpected

It would be if you tipped the Swans to lose the last two games.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Loved Parker and I wish him all the best but he was simply not part of our future.

 

[zyzzbruh]

Loved Parker and I wish him all the best but he was simply not part of our future.

And ultimately he had the opportunity to play a leading hand in 3 grand finals.

By no means a failure as he wasn't alone in the disappearing acts, but his career with the swans presented him with the chance at ultimate glory 5 times... That alone is enough to just cop his trade on the chin and move on with gratitude. He will retire with a premiership medallion and a prosperous career which some of the greats can't even attest to.

 

[Kbroome]

Loved Parker and I wish him all the best but he was simply not part of our future.

Yep especially with this damning vision in the link below. Yes the game is over but even us as Swans fans want our boys to play 4 quarters when we are winning let alone North doing it whilst loosing

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Found the King twitter

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Yep especially with this damning vision in the link below. Yes the game is over but even us as Swans fans want our boys to play 4 quarters when we are winning let alone North doing it whilst loosing

Good to see The King! trolling North fans.

 

[caesar88]

That was the performance I have been wanting to see from this Swans team for a long time. Not just in the first month, but a few years now. A performance that showed we can play tough, hard, intense pressure footy.

It reminded me of the pre-season game vs Gold Coast, when we were kinda teased with this new 'defensively stronger' Swans side under Dean Cox - where two or three Swans swarmed every opposition player, where tackles stuck and were bone-crunching, where players threw themselves at contests with desperation and a will to not just win, but to physically and morally break down the opposition. It was so great to see the boys do that in a proper game, against an opposition that absolutely had their tails up, if not the ability to execute properly.

It felt like there were storylines everywhere.

Riley Bice's continued emergence. His kicks were absolute piss-takes.

Amartey proving each week that the week before was not just a fluke.

Rowbottom, in a win for the script-writers, having a face streaming with blood five minutes into his first time captaining.

Hayward playing probably his best game for us.

McCartin returning to being an absolute brick wall across the back-line.

Wicks & Hamling continuing to settle in nicely into defence.

Grundy & Ladhams further showing that there may be some merit to the idea of rucking them together.

Sheldrick, if nothing else, proving he's not just some one-paced plodder some make him out to be.

But I think for me the main takeaway was just that pressure. I've seen some suggestions that Hanily, Cleary & Warner Jr. weren't quite up to it and should be easy chops once the cavalry returns. And sure, individually none set the world on fire. But just look at what they - along with Campbell, who was also great - did for our front half game. The speed at which they close down space or arrive to hassle an opponent, and the ferocity with which they hit ground balls or opponents. They weren't always effective in isolation, but cumulatively it had a genuinely massive impact on our game. The four of them had 80 (!!) pressure acts between them. I for one would not be so quick to dismiss the importance of this during selection in coming weeks.

Of course, the challenge for that quartet, and the whole team, is to do it again. I want to see that level of buy-in as often as possible. Hopefully it's just the first of many performances like that.

 

[Kiama Chris]

That was the performance I have been wanting to see from this Swans team for a long time. Not just in the first month, but a few years now. A performance that showed we can play tough, hard, intense pressure footy.

It reminded me of the pre-season game vs Gold Coast, when we were kinda teased with this new 'defensively stronger' Swans side under Dean Cox - where two or three Swans swarmed every opposition player, where tackles stuck and were bone-crunching, where players threw themselves at contests with desperation and a will to not just win, but to physically and morally break down the opposition. It was so great to see the boys do that in a proper game, against an opposition that absolutely had their tails up, if not the ability to execute properly.

It felt like there were storylines everywhere.

Riley Bice's continued emergence. His kicks were absolute piss-takes.

Amartey proving each week that the week before was not just a fluke.

Rowbottom, in a win for the script-writers, having a face streaming with blood five minutes into his first time captaining.

Hayward playing probably his best game for us.

McCartin returning to being an absolute brick wall across the back-line.

Wicks & Hamling continuing to settle in nicely into defence.

Grundy & Ladhams further showing that there may be some merit to the idea of rucking them together.

Sheldrick, if nothing else, proving he's not just some one-paced plodder some make him out to be.

But I think for me the main takeaway was just that pressure. I've seen some suggestions that Hanily, Cleary & Warner Jr. weren't quite up to it and should be easy chops once the cavalry returns. And sure, individually none set the world on fire. But just look at what they - along with Campbell, who was also great - did for our front half game. The speed at which they close down space or arrive to hassle an opponent, and the ferocity with which they hit ground balls or opponents. They weren't always effective in isolation, but cumulatively it had a genuinely massive impact on our game. The four of them had 80 (!!) pressure acts between them. I for one would not be so quick to dismiss the importance of this during selection in coming weeks.

Of course, the challenge for that quartet, and the whole team, is to do it again. I want to see that level of buy-in as often as possible. Hopefully it's just the first of many performances like that.

Good call out on the pressure acts. Lloyd (Matt) showed a lovely clip of the Sydney half forwards and mids shutting down North's space, forcing them wide or backwards. Then North. Ugh!
We should remember that we played a lot of footy like this in the first 14 games last year.
But it's a significant step forward.

 

[bedford]

That was the performance I have been wanting to see from this Swans team for a long time. Not just in the first month, but a few years now. A performance that showed we can play tough, hard, intense pressure footy.

It reminded me of the pre-season game vs Gold Coast, when we were kinda teased with this new 'defensively stronger' Swans side under Dean Cox - where two or three Swans swarmed every opposition player, where tackles stuck and were bone-crunching, where players threw themselves at contests with desperation and a will to not just win, but to physically and morally break down the opposition. It was so great to see the boys do that in a proper game, against an opposition that absolutely had their tails up, if not the ability to execute properly.

It felt like there were storylines everywhere.

Riley Bice's continued emergence. His kicks were absolute piss-takes.

Amartey proving each week that the week before was not just a fluke.

Rowbottom, in a win for the script-writers, having a face streaming with blood five minutes into his first time captaining.

Hayward playing probably his best game for us.

McCartin returning to being an absolute brick wall across the back-line.

Wicks & Hamling continuing to settle in nicely into defence.

Grundy & Ladhams further showing that there may be some merit to the idea of rucking them together.

Sheldrick, if nothing else, proving he's not just some one-paced plodder some make him out to be.

But I think for me the main takeaway was just that pressure. I've seen some suggestions that Hanily, Cleary & Warner Jr. weren't quite up to it and should be easy chops once the cavalry returns. And sure, individually none set the world on fire. But just look at what they - along with Campbell, who was also great - did for our front half game. The speed at which they close down space or arrive to hassle an opponent, and the ferocity with which they hit ground balls or opponents. They weren't always effective in isolation, but cumulatively it had a genuinely massive impact on our game. The four of them had 80 (!!) pressure acts between them. I for one would not be so quick to dismiss the importance of this during selection in coming weeks.

Of course, the challenge for that quartet, and the whole team, is to do it again. I want to see that level of buy-in as often as possible. Hopefully it's just the first of many performances like that.

We actually corralled them with pressure and kept them retreating
My god Horse must've hated Hambling

 

[Coachs Helpline]

That team defence was incredible. Hamling is such a big piece of that backline.
Dunno what happens when Melican comes back but Mccartin/Melican/Hamling can work

Lets hope he doesnt get back … .He did what in Norths game … oh he wasnt in the team …thank goodness. Is that harsh… is he maybe in more loss games. Historic … yes I remember an atrocious GF performance.. what year was that.. Hes become an ok player. There are better options. From 2019-2023 he was in more loss matches than winning matches. 2024 an exception. 2025 two loss matches.

 

[RubbaDuck]

Half the senior team missing, injured, playing golf. That was an impressive outing by all.

I said last week that Hayward was improving and heading in the right direction. I also said he was worth sticking with as he would click, then his best is very very good indeed. My god he can be athletic when on form. To then see him still running down tackles in out defensive 50 in the last quarter is the sort of effort that sends a very good message to the team.

Amartey has proven he's the real deal and on track to kick 50-60 this year. Such strength, he's become so good one-on-one, and so competitive. We could draft JU-H to shine his kit bag.

Good to see Parker, Stephens and Konstanty(nople) having their best games for the Roos. In fact, Stephens has arguably only played one better game, back in 2022 against Crows. Konstanty attitude suggests he'll be a good'un. Not only did he get himself into a lot of play but he swallowed the entire pack of angry pills as he let loose on perceived wrongs. He should bring that every week. Parker looked like he loved tackling his ex-teammates but as the Roos struggled it was his ability to clear congestion that was on full show. Lot of good years in him yet.

If I ever get nostalgic for the no.26 I only have to look at what we got out of that trade. The Bice Man. Crikey. In a game where every Swan lifted, many shone and even Posthumous* Pete looked as sharp as a pointy-stick, it was hard to pick a non-contributor.

Team defence was first rate, especially that country boy just in from a hick team in upper somewhere near the ass-end of nowhere who made the switch to the AFL look like a fun day in the little league. Bice's potential is massive if he can start to do that every game.

We should be looking for more untapped talent doing the hard yards in the country leagues, especially Swans loving fans

*We'll remember him when he's gone.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

That was the performance I have been wanting to see from this Swans team for a long time. Not just in the first month, but a few years now. A performance that showed we can play tough, hard, intense pressure footy.

It reminded me of the pre-season game vs Gold Coast, when we were kinda teased with this new 'defensively stronger' Swans side under Dean Cox - where two or three Swans swarmed every opposition player, where tackles stuck and were bone-crunching, where players threw themselves at contests with desperation and a will to not just win, but to physically and morally break down the opposition. It was so great to see the boys do that in a proper game, against an opposition that absolutely had their tails up, if not the ability to execute properly.

It felt like there were storylines everywhere.

Riley Bice's continued emergence. His kicks were absolute piss-takes.

Amartey proving each week that the week before was not just a fluke.

Rowbottom, in a win for the script-writers, having a face streaming with blood five minutes into his first time captaining.

Hayward playing probably his best game for us.

McCartin returning to being an absolute brick wall across the back-line.

Wicks & Hamling continuing to settle in nicely into defence.

Grundy & Ladhams further showing that there may be some merit to the idea of rucking them together.

Sheldrick, if nothing else, proving he's not just some one-paced plodder some make him out to be.

But I think for me the main takeaway was just that pressure. I've seen some suggestions that Hanily, Cleary & Warner Jr. weren't quite up to it and should be easy chops once the cavalry returns. And sure, individually none set the world on fire. But just look at what they - along with Campbell, who was also great - did for our front half game. The speed at which they close down space or arrive to hassle an opponent, and the ferocity with which they hit ground balls or opponents. They weren't always effective in isolation, but cumulatively it had a genuinely massive impact on our game. The four of them had 80 (!!) pressure acts between them. I for one would not be so quick to dismiss the importance of this during selection in coming weeks.

Of course, the challenge for that quartet, and the whole team, is to do it again. I want to see that level of buy-in as often as possible. Hopefully it's just the first of many performances like that.

And no coincidence it happened while Rowbottom was captain

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

That was the performance I have been wanting to see from this Swans team for a long time. Not just in the first month, but a few years now. A performance that showed we can play tough, hard, intense pressure footy.

It reminded me of the pre-season game vs Gold Coast, when we were kinda teased with this new 'defensively stronger' Swans side under Dean Cox - where two or three Swans swarmed every opposition player, where tackles stuck and were bone-crunching, where players threw themselves at contests with desperation and a will to not just win, but to physically and morally break down the opposition. It was so great to see the boys do that in a proper game, against an opposition that absolutely had their tails up, if not the ability to execute properly.

It felt like there were storylines everywhere.

Riley Bice's continued emergence. His kicks were absolute piss-takes.

Amartey proving each week that the week before was not just a fluke.

Rowbottom, in a win for the script-writers, having a face streaming with blood five minutes into his first time captaining.

Hayward playing probably his best game for us.

McCartin returning to being an absolute brick wall across the back-line.

Wicks & Hamling continuing to settle in nicely into defence.

Grundy & Ladhams further showing that there may be some merit to the idea of rucking them together.

Sheldrick, if nothing else, proving he's not just some one-paced plodder some make him out to be.

But I think for me the main takeaway was just that pressure. I've seen some suggestions that Hanily, Cleary & Warner Jr. weren't quite up to it and should be easy chops once the cavalry returns. And sure, individually none set the world on fire. But just look at what they - along with Campbell, who was also great - did for our front half game. The speed at which they close down space or arrive to hassle an opponent, and the ferocity with which they hit ground balls or opponents. They weren't always effective in isolation, but cumulatively it had a genuinely massive impact on our game. The four of them had 80 (!!) pressure acts between them. I for one would not be so quick to dismiss the importance of this during selection in coming weeks.

Of course, the challenge for that quartet, and the whole team, is to do it again. I want to see that level of buy-in as often as possible. Hopefully it's just the first of many performances like that.

A worthy successor to C.E.W Bean!

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Lets hope he doesnt get back … .He did what in Norths game … oh he wasnt in the team …thank goodness. Is that harsh… is he maybe in more loss games. Historic … yes I remember an atrocious GF performance.. what year was that.. Hes become an ok player. There are better options. From 2019-2023 he was in more loss matches than winning matches. 2024 an exception. 2025 two loss matches.

Are you referring to Melican?

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

A lot of great nickname options for our new # 26 being bandied about, but I rather like the one the missus just suggested: RiBi.

 

[RubbaDuck]

We actually corralled them with pressure and kept them retreating
My god Horse must've hated Hambling

I agree with your first comment but the second's rubbish. Of course Horse didn't hate Hamling. Swans picked up a cheap defender, a guy who had lost his mojo and couldn't get a game at Freo. He was a bargain if Swans could tap back into his full potential. Hamling wasn't much use to us as he was so he was given to the development coaches, made to work hard and learn, at both ends of the ground. With another preseason he was ready for a 2025 relaunch. AFL player development is more nuanced and more complex than the simple "please pick me Sir" system used in school footy.

 

[giantsully]

Brilliant win, just about the perfect team performance.

A response to all the BF gripes (including mine) - Hayward finding touch, Olly showing his class with ball in hand, Grundy showing a real physical presence; Amartey working hard, Gus showing some legs etc - plus more.

In what could certainly have been a danger game, it was four qrs of top class team football. Keep it up lads!

 

[RubbaDuck]

Everyone is suggesting McCartin forward is over. It's literally because Melican went down. It's not over, particularly if McLean isn't plucking grabs because you know McCartin will and his speed adds a dimension to the forward line the Swans don't have.

I agree with McCartin swinging fwd when we need to change up our attack but as for speed, Amartey seems just as quick

 

[bedford]

Are you referring to Melican?

If he is ,he's not needed on the line

 

[bedford]

I agree with your first comment but the second's rubbish. Of course Horse didn't hate Hamling. Swans picked up a cheap defender, a guy who had lost his mojo and couldn't get a game at Freo. He was a bargain if Swans could tap back into his full potential. Hamling wasn't much use to us as he was so he was given to the development coaches, made to work hard and learn, at both ends of the ground. With another preseason he was ready for a 2025 relaunch. AFL player development is more nuanced and more complex than the simple "please pick me Sir" system used in school footy.

It's not rubbish , maybe i shouldn't have used hate in that context , by the way Hambling played good footy last year . What do you mean made to work , hard , how do you know what the development coaches did with him and learn and how do you bring up the school system , the old bedford would not as been as eloquent as that
Also who in the development coaches do you know