Autopsy Blew our chances against Carlton

[Nuggetz]

I just rewatched the game - I know, I'm a masochist. Whip me - but it was our last game of 2023 and watched without the emotion I didn't think we were anywhere near as bad. We missed too many gettable goals when we had the better of general play in the first quarter. Add to that we were comprehansively outplayed in the 2nd quarter and, ultimately, that was the game. We were (almost) brilliant in our second half fightback, showing that Swans never-say-die Bloods spirit that went missing a few times during the year. Carlton were scared but more missed goals, a few brilliant individual efforts by our opponents, a bit of dodgy umpiring and JMac seemingly doing his best to kill our momentum cost us the game. It really could have gone either way and we probably should have won.

Our defenders copped a fair share of criticism but given our year, how few games together they've had to gel, they were pretty good, while some were damn impressive. A great game from Melican without a doubt, stepping up into a huge role off a break. Melican's ordinary is rather ordinary but his best is damn good. If he can find consistency in 2024 the spot is his to lose. McCartin was massive, bringing it all together in the final game of an injury riddled year, a year that cost him plenty of missed games and ultimately forced his brother to retire. Blakey was very good, again, but the team defence overall was strong.

Horse made a good selection move to bring in Melican, but a poor one to bring in JMac, especially when Stephens had been filling the role well. I've never been a big fan of JMac. He's got talent and can pop up and do the flashy stuff but I'd just like to see him do the basics well. Give me an honest tolier any day.

While on Horse, his swap of Heeney and Parker's roles in the second half was a win. Heeney brought a fresh big body into the midfield while Parker brought much needed leadership into the forward 50.

Down the pointy end, Carlton's defence, under the leadership of All Australian Weitering was a consistent thorn for our inexperienced young forwards, who were already challenged by a midfield who were playing into their defenders' hands with long bombs that were easily intercepted. McLean was solid in attack but also gave us a much needed contested marking target upfield. McDonald took limited opportunities and I didn't think Amartey played badly at all, but his opponents outwitted him. Papley had limited impact too, as did Hayward, while Wicks needed to nail his shots on goal. An off-season training without Buddy will do wonders for that group. Heeney is a puzzle I can't solve. Sometime's he's neither a forward nor a midfielder, and sometimes he's both. At least it gives Horse more arrows in his quiver to be able to move Papley, Parker and Heeney between midfield and inside 50 as the game demands.

I hoped Melbourne would overrun Carlton and wipe the smug smiles off all the media personalities and commentators who have piled on board the Blues train. Has the AFL sensed a BraveBlues fairytale they can get behind? The carefully orchestrated Great Cheat of 2016 still rankles.

I know it's no longer our fight but Go Brisbane next week

Very good point regarding Parker. Imo if Mills is fully fit then Parker will spend more time forward, as his organisation skills won't be needed as much in the midfield. It will hopefully help our forward line though. Maybe Heeney can take some of Parkers midfield minutes?

 

[DobmusEdge]

It's not like we knew he'd be a dickhead before recruiting and we kicked him out, no doubt while pointing to the no dickheads sign. Anyway, off topic here.

Michael Talia springs to mind - left Bulldogs under a dick head cloud and backed it up beautifully with his Sheaf coke possession