Maybe. From memory Clarkson’s hawks didn’t value it that much and they did ok. Sydney are probably as best positioned as anyone to disregard it as a stat given their prowess in moving the ball by foot and punishing on turnover.
But I’d be interested to hear Longmire’s address to the players. He didn’t look happy that much and best guess is that’s why. Get beaten at the coalface in finals in that fashion means there’s not much margin for error, particularly against better defensive teams than the dogs.
You are not going to get any argument from me. Swans clearances have been a major issue in finals. Can hide it in the regular season but difficult to hide it in finals.