Analysis Bloods' Performance Discussion 2022

[Slingshot Footy]

But seriously, RubbaDuck you make a good point. There were multiple times during the broadcast where Brereton said "They have so many similar types..." and I was thinking he was referring to the Swans, but then he'd say, "...the Giants, all the same pace."

And I was thinking to myself... do GWS have so many players who are all slow, or do we just have so many players who play fast? All over the field we just have guys who want to take the game on, they attack contests at full pace, they break away from contests at full pace. And they have so many different ways of getting out of trouble, be it spinning, twisting, freeing the arms, sprinting away, side stepping... you're spot on, it's a nightmare to try and combat when they're on.

The Giants are stuck in the congested, stoppage driven league of the 2010s and the Swans have innovated their game plan with the arrival of Don Pyke which now encourages the players to show off their flair and creativity rather than having those traits coached out of them.

The Giants haven't managed their list very well though it must be said, I still can't believe they let Jeremy Cameron go with the gluttony of inside midfielders that all play a similar style.

Let's just hope that the return of Alistair Clarkson doesn't usher in a new era of dour, boring footy for the 2020s as what the Swans and a few of the other top teams are doing at the moment is playing a really attractive brand of football to watch.

 

[RubbaDuck]

I think our numbers in all areas aren't reflective of what we truly are as a team, because they've been skewed by our wild inconsistency over the course of the season. I suspect we fair significantly better in rebound 50s, centre clearances and inside 50s over the last month, when the game plan has come together a lot more.

And, as always, it goes back to quality over quantity. If we're not winning every centre clearance, the ones we are winning are damaging, with speed and precision rather than hack kicks off one step. If we're not amassing a heap of rebound 50s, when we are rebounding, we're going coast to coast a lot more with effective transition rather than gaining rebound 50s by conceding repeat entries to the opposition. And if we're not dominating in inside 50s, when we are going inside 50 it's with long, deep entries to create forward stoppages and then lock it in with our forward pressure (not to mention keeping our kicks lower to nullify the opposition's intercept defenders.)

Quite simply the team is humming along beautifully and performing well across every line. It's been such an important month as each new layer we've added to our game is basically one more layer the opposition have to combat.

You're right Caesar, stats don't tell the whole story. The final score is the only stat that really counts.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Have loved some of the fancy footwork we have seen this year and it was well and truly on display against the Giants.

Remember when our players weren't allowed to play with flair?

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outstanding work
the one i'd add was warner stepping through melbourne to set up the papley goal on halftime in that game
from memory, gawn was one of the players left almost open-mouthed and gasping

 

[Ticky009]

Never underestimate the value if a healthy list

 

[caesar88]

outstanding work
the one i'd add was warner stepping through melbourne to set up the papley goal on halftime in that game
from memory, gawn was one of the players left almost open-mouthed and gasping

Oh there's about a hundred other examples I could've included from throughout the year but I thought I'd make a little less work for myself by sticking only to our most recent game!

 

[caesar88]

Never underestimate the value if a healthy list

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Makes me nervous because I think... who is gonna be the unlucky bastard who gets injured right on the eve of finals

 

[Millky95]

Makes me nervous because I think... who is gonna be the unlucky bastard who gets injured right on the eve of finals

Or who will be the 2022 Mitch Morton?

 

[Kiama Chris]

Or who will be the 2022 Mitch Morton?

There could only be one contender!
Rockin, Rollin Ryan.

 

[RilesMacca]

Quarters won against top 8 sides
Geelong 16-10
Collingwood 15-12
Melbourne 17-15
Sydney 14-9
Tigers 17-14

The rest of the sides in the comp have a negative record.

 

[BloodySwan]

 

[Ticky009]

Say what you will, I really like David King's Pure Footy podcast.

Here's some interesting stats out of the most recent show.

Over the last 6 weeks:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/purefooty-episode-21-2022/video/46932a49a34fbc5455af7e5ea3141699

 

[RilesMacca]

40 man 22 under 22 side just got announced. We have the most players out of any side in the 40 man which is great to see. Great to see a few particular players like rowy get the recognition. I expect Blakey, warner and errol to be locks hopefully.

 

[caesar88]

Whilst I am dubious about McInerney's inclusion relative to the others, I'm glad that at least he's being recognised for his potential.

I really hope he can put whatever is holding him back - be it injury or just form - behind him and find his best form to join those other five as our future elites. God knows he's got the ability for it and showed that last year. We just haven't seen it this year, save for those first two matches of his.

Thankfully it hasn't cost us so far this season, but what an asset it would be to have that player back next year on top of what we already have.

 

[BloodySwan]

Whilst I am dubious about McInerney's inclusion relative to the others, I'm glad that at least he's being recognised for his potential.

I really hope he can put whatever is holding him back - be it injury or just form - behind him and find his best form to join those other five as our future elites. God knows he's got the ability for it and showed that last year. We just haven't seen it this year, save for those first two matches of his.

Thankfully it hasn't cost us so far this season, but what an asset it would be to have that player back next year on top of what we already have.

JMac came out on fire at the beginning of the season. He was the reason we beat North in round 4, and continued his strong form against the Hawks and Eagles.

I don't think he's been poor this year, he's just not been able to capture the same form he did last year week in week out.

 

[caesar88]

JMac came out on fire at the beginning of the season. He was the reason we beat North in round 4, and continued his strong form against the Hawks and Eagles.

I don't think he's been poor this year, he's just not been able to capture the same form he did last year week in week out.

Hasn't been poor, but hasn't been that good. Most weeks I actually forget he's playing and am only reminded when he makes an uncharacteristic error. I still think injury has to be playing a part in it, because a player doesn't just lose their burst of pace or their running capacity like that. Think a reset over the long break and a full pre-season will do him the world of good.

 

[the hypnotoad]

JMac came out on fire at the beginning of the season. He was the reason we beat North in round 4, and continued his strong form against the Hawks and Eagles.

I don't think he's been poor this year, he's just not been able to capture the same form he did last year week in week out.

to be fair, he still does good things on the field but when you've got the likes of warner, rowbottom, papley, blakey, florent et al playing the way they are, and knowing how good mcinerney can be, it probably looks less flattering than the reality
he's just playing a role at the moment, and that's ok

 

[willym]

Hasn't been poor, but hasn't been that good. Most weeks I actually forget he's playing and am only reminded when he makes an uncharacteristic error. I still think injury has to be playing a part in it, because a player doesn't just lose their burst of pace or their running capacity like that. Think a reset over the long break and a full pre-season will do him the world of good.

You're missing the forest for the trees. He just needs to grow the the mop back. I'm concerned it might be too late in the year though...

 

[caesar88]

Regarding youth, I think that above squad proves that youngsters are better off the more experience is around them. Look at the four clubs with the most players selected: Swans (6), Fremantle (5), Melbourne & Collingwood (4 each.) All top four contenders. The bottom four clubs? 3 players between them.

To use the chicken-and-egg analogy, in the case of which comes first out of the well-performing team or the well-performing youngsters, in most cases it is the well-performing team.

 

[Ticky009]

Hasn't been poor, but hasn't been that good. Most weeks I actually forget he's playing and am only reminded when he makes an uncharacteristic error. I still think injury has to be playing a part in it, because a player doesn't just lose their burst of pace or their running capacity like that. Think a reset over the long break and a full pre-season will do him the world of good.

to be fair, he still does good things on the field but when you've got the likes of warner, rowbottom, papley, blakey, florent et al playing the way they are, and knowing how good mcinerney can be, it probably looks less flattering than the reality
he's just playing a role at the moment, and that's ok

JMac hasn't been right since he went out with Covid. Its my firm belief he's been impacted by that.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-sydney-swans-set-to-regain-covidstricken-pair-justin-mcinerney-and-harry-cunningham/news-story/73c38cc878e1e4ce3fbb1de60d2b288c

 

[caesar88]

JMac hasn't been right since he went out with Covid. Its my firm belief he's been impacted by that.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-sydney-swans-set-to-regain-covidstricken-pair-justin-mcinerney-and-harry-cunningham/news-story/73c38cc878e1e4ce3fbb1de60d2b288c

I'm not sure he was much better before that tbh. Felt like he had those two rippers against North & West Coast and has gradually got worse since.

 

[momentbymoment]

You're missing the forest for the trees. He just needs to grow the the mop back. I'm concerned it might be too late in the year though...

I’m surprised this wasn’t addressed in his first year.
Diet and nutrition
Fitness routine
Ball skills
Don’t cut the mullet
Team tactics …

I blame the coaches.

 

[Kiama Chris]

JMac hasn't been right since he went out with Covid. Its my firm belief he's been impacted by that.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-sydney-swans-set-to-regain-covidstricken-pair-justin-mcinerney-and-harry-cunningham/news-story/73c38cc878e1e4ce3fbb1de60d2b288c

Reckon you're right. Harry isn't super flash either. It's a nasty bloody thing and hits some people worse than others and long term too. There are probably a few players around the league in the same boat.

 

[Ballarat Bob]

Coming up to finals what has surprised me more than anything is that during the season we have had a few players rotate through the team which will give us some good depth at the end of the season.
Amartey can be back up 2nd ruck and his mobility can provide good forward pressure. Also brings the ball to ground in the fifty.
McLean not convinced on his rucking but at a pinch can be used as second ruck. Good physical presence and can take a mark and goal kicking is good.
Ladhams doubt you would consider him backup but both him and Hickey provide excellent ruck options regardless who gets the nod in finals.
Cunningham not had the best season but has a wealth of experience and is normally very reliable and can play multiple positions.
Wicks again has been erratic in the seniors this year but his best as a pressure small forward can be right up there. Has started to get some form in the reserves.
Ronke looked like he had resurrected his career this year but got dropped after failing to impact in the seniors after a few games. Has played a few blinders in the seniors previously. Possibly an option as a super sub.
We still have some good options pushing from the reserves as well but without the seniors experience.

 

[GoodesStuff]

Coming up to finals what has surprised me more than anything is that during the season we have had a few players rotate through the team which will give us some good depth at the end of the season.
Amartey can be back up 2nd ruck and his mobility can provide good forward pressure. Also brings the ball to ground in the fifty.
McLean not convinced on his rucking but at a pinch can be used as second ruck. Good physical presence and can take a mark and goal kicking is good.
Ladhams doubt you would consider him backup but both him and Hickey provide excellent ruck options regardless who gets the nod in finals.
Cunningham not had the best season but has a wealth of experience and is normally very reliable and can play multiple positions.
Wicks again has been erratic in the seniors this year but his best as a pressure small forward can be right up there. Has started to get some form in the reserves.
Ronke looked like he had resurrected his career this year but got dropped after failing to impact in the seniors after a few games. Has played a few blinders in the seniors previously. Possibly an option as a super sub.
We still have some good options pushing from the reserves as well but without the seniors experience.

Will be interesting to see who we opt to pick as sub now we are getting to the business end of the season.

If memory serves me correctly, Fox was sub last 3 games of last season, including our final vs GWS.

I reckon Kennedy would have been perfect for it before his injury. Cunningham and Campbell seem like the best options to me, Ronke not the worst option either.

If our VFL side goes deep then I guess we can keep switching it around a little bit though until they are knocked out.

 

[caesar88]

Coming up to finals what has surprised me more than anything is that during the season we have had a few players rotate through the team which will give us some good depth at the end of the season.
Amartey can be back up 2nd ruck and his mobility can provide good forward pressure. Also brings the ball to ground in the fifty.
McLean not convinced on his rucking but at a pinch can be used as second ruck. Good physical presence and can take a mark and goal kicking is good.
Ladhams doubt you would consider him backup but both him and Hickey provide excellent ruck options regardless who gets the nod in finals.
Cunningham not had the best season but has a wealth of experience and is normally very reliable and can play multiple positions.
Wicks again has been erratic in the seniors this year but his best as a pressure small forward can be right up there. Has started to get some form in the reserves.
Ronke looked like he had resurrected his career this year but got dropped after failing to impact in the seniors after a few games. Has played a few blinders in the seniors previously. Possibly an option as a super sub.
We still have some good options pushing from the reserves as well but without the seniors experience.

I think the three most likely medi subs will be:

Wicks - His best is the best of that lot. The consistency to string his best together this year has evaded him, but if we wanted a medi-sub to come out and play one blinder and nothing more, Wicks can do that.

Cunningham - Just the most experienced, and can provide another option as one of those versatile small/medium players (along with Fox, Florent, McInerney etc.) if we need to shift magnets around.

Amartey - For no other reason than his versatility. If a tall forward goes down, slot Amartey in. If a ruck goes down, slot Amartey in. If a tall defender goes down and we need to throw Reid back, slot Amartey in.