Analysis Bloods' Performance Discussion 2022

[caesar88]

Our best 22 is always going to be a moveable feast as game plans evolve and form fluctuates. Even as coaches preferences vary.
I think how Stephens has displaced Cunningham by Ollie moving back is a great example. Ollie was probably the slightly better winger but with Harry and Fox injured and JMac still (IMO) COVID affected Ollie going back was worth a try. That created the space for Stephens to come in and the whole structure looks more stable and effective.
In my mind Harry is still a best 22 player, there just isn't space.
Wicks lost form for a while. We tried Ronke but he's more an attacker who you'd use to replace Paps if injured. Don't know who thought of Clarke but he's grabbed it and is best 22 for now.
Campbell is another best 22 with no available spot.
That's why I like to think of best XX being who you would play without hesitation.
Wicks, Ronke, Amartey, McLean, Bell, Campbell, Taylor, Cunningham, Melican, O'Riordan, Ladhams. Might have missed someone but that makes 33 which ain't bad.

Yeah this is very true.

It's more like a "best 15" and then the rest is decided by form.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Yeah this is very true.

It's more like a "best 15" and then the rest is decided by form.

Absolutely. Form and function, as Clarke demonstrates.
They say you will need to play 30+ players in a season. No club can afford for all of them to be stars, the salary bill would be prohibitive, but if all of them can make an effective contribution, again Clarke is a great example, then you are cooking with gas.
We may well delist Lewis Taylor this year but he kicked a terrific goal last week roving the pack on his left foot on the run across his body. It was as good as any goal Heeney has kicked. If you needed him he would give you something.

 

[MF]

I would argue it was the week before... that first quarter against the Bulldogs was really the turning point. It was the first quarter post-Essendon loss.

You're right. I was thinking the dogs game was the week after Freo.

 

[Kapers]

Wow, just wow.

This club has spoilt me rotten. 2 years without finals, and then in 2 years we are genuine contenders. Not St Kilda, bottom of the 8 contenders, but true premiership chance contenders.

Just incredible, unbelievable, and invigorating. Top 4 was a pipe dream 2 years ago, and was a hope at the end of last year, and much of this year until Essendon beat us. Then we win 7 in a row to lock in our first double chance since 2016.

If, and it's a big IF, we win the premiership the first game I'm watching again is vs Essendon, the game that made us realise what we had to do to get top 4.

 

[caesar88]

Wow, just wow.

This club has spoilt me rotten. 2 years without finals, and then in 2 years we are genuine contenders. Not St Kilda, bottom of the 8 contenders, but true premiership chance contenders.

Just incredible, unbelievable, and invigorating. Top 4 was a pipe dream 2 years ago, and was a hope at the end of last year, and much of this year until Essendon beat us. Then we win 7 in a row to lock in our first double chance since 2016.

If, and it's a big IF, we win the premiership the first game I'm watching again is vs Essendon, the game that made us realise what we had to do to get top 4.

Unreal considering we spent most of the season out of the top 4, to then finish inside it and equal 2nd. Just huge. The last 7 weeks would be up there as the most clutch 7 weeks I've seen from a Swans side. All were must-wins if we wanted to finish top 4, saw us play two top 4 contenders and beat them, two top 8 contenders and beat them. Closest any team got to us was 14 points and that was today when we were limping to the finish line. Just a gutsy, clinical, mature and professional two months from our club. Proud to be a Blood.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Unreal considering we spent most of the season out of the top 4, to then finish inside it and equal 2nd. Just huge. The last 7 weeks would be up there as the most clutch 7 weeks I've seen from a Swans side. All were must-wins if we wanted to finish top 4, saw us play two top 4 contenders and beat them, two top 8 contenders and beat them. Closest any team got to us was 14 points and that was today when we were limping to the finish line. Just a gutsy, clinical, mature and professional two months from our club. Proud to be a Blood.

and we also managed to pretty much dominate collingwood, their only loss in 13 weeks

 

[Membling]

Pretty sure this is the most entertaining Swans side to watch with game style etc.

Not sure how we would fair against 05, 12, 14 and 16 sides but play a much more attractive brand of footy IMO

 

[rustycrate]

Pretty sure this is the most entertaining Swans side to watch with game style etc.

Not sure how we would fair against 05, 12, 14 and 16 sides but play a much more attractive brand of footy IMO

I think we have more gears now. Depending upon game situation we can go fast or change it up. Go the corridor or down the wings.
Much more weapons in every part of the ground. I think this side is better but only premierships will prove it.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I think we have more gears now. Depending upon game situation we can go fast or change it up. Go the corridor or down the wings.
Much more weapons in every part of the ground. I think this side is better but only premierships will prove it.

Greater depth of talent IMO across the paddock. Possibly better coached too! The question to be answered is whether we can do it when everything is on the line. So far so good.

 

[Kapers]

Delist Reid, retire Franklin, move parker out of the midfield and get games in Mclean, Amartey, and McDonald,

Get Rankin in, Lloyd out.

We ain't going to be anywhere close next year, scars will be real, so lets go hilter skilter next year.