Preview Blues v Swans - Friday @ SCG

[Bloods86]

Cripps isn’t the worry.

It’s that boom young talent George Hewett.

I remember when he was surplus to requirements because the game had changed and we needed quicker, more dynamic mids like Chad and Errol.

 

[Kbroome]

I hope they have one word plastered everywhere at training, meetings etc

"TACKLE"

We were 5th for tackles in 2023 and 2024 but are now 15th

It creates pressure which causes mistakes and even creates perceived pressure which are causing awful mistakes on our part with uncontested ball use.

 

[caesar88]

I hope they have one word plastered everywhere at training, meetings etc

"TACKLE"

We were 5th for tackles in 2023 and 2024 but are now 15th

It creates pressure which causes mistakes and even creates perceived pressure which are causing awful mistakes on our part with uncontested ball use.

Even those numbers from 2023 & 2024 are misleading to some degree. Both those years Rowy set new club tackling records. If you took away his totals those years and gave him the next-best-tackler's average, we drop down to 10th in the competition for tackles in both of those years.

Completely agree about its importance though. I said in the non-Swans game day thread a few days ago, it feels like every game I watch whichever team is tackling most/best is the team that's on top. Pressure is absolutely everything these days.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Carlton were in a better position last year too, and it wasn't midfield dominance that was our strength.

You've suggested one change that would arguably improve us in midfield, which most agree with.

The other changes you may / may not make have nothing to do with our midfield or stopping an inside mid like Cripps.

I’ve suggested 2 changes- Cleary (more mid rotations) and Sheldrick in. Blakey off a wing too this is an in team change though. Gets Blakey out of defence and he can roam up and down the wings with. Chad on the opposite. Put the insides in the coal face inc Jordan who is wasted tagging. Basic terms both wingers changed with Sheldrick in the middle, Cleary sharing mins with another mid not fussed who probably Heeney who goes forward a bit more

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

IIRC also we gave them a 5 goal lead before we scored, cant afford to do that this time.

 

[robbieando]

Who knew the answer to all our problems was getting our better and more damaging ball winners out of the middle and hope the kids that replace them can put up enough of a fight to get it to them to so they can cause the same amount of damage or impact.

 

[Kbroome]

Even those numbers from 2023 & 2024 are misleading to some degree. Both those years Rowy set new club tackling records. If you took away his totals those years and gave him the next-best-tackler's average, we drop down to 10th in the competition for tackles in both of those years.

Completely agree about its importance though. I said in the non-Swans game day thread a few days ago, it feels like every game I watch whichever team is tackling most/best is the team that's on top. Pressure is absolutely everything these days.

Firstly, I was slightly misleading by not specifying tackling differential in 2023 and 2024 we were 5th best

Secondly, if you remove Rowbottoms 2023 7.3 tackles per game and replace with Wicks 5.4 it moves us from 5th to 8th and from 5th to 7th in 2024

Thirdly, I think it is a very poor way of analysing statistics by simply removing the top tackler in Sydney's side (Rowbottom) without doing the same to other top sides in given years. For instance in 2023 Port drop from 4th to 7th or something if you remove Drew and replace with Rozee. Adelaide in 2023 as well with Laird drop from 6th to like 13th etc.

 

[Bloods86]

I’ve suggested 2 changes- Cleary (more mid rotations) and Sheldrick in. Blakey off a wing too this is an in team change though. Gets Blakey out of defence and he can roam up and down the wings with. Chad on the opposite. Put the insides in the coal face inc Jordan who is wasted tagging. Basic terms both wingers changed with Sheldrick in the middle, Cleary sharing mins with another mid not fussed who probably Heeney who goes forward a bit more

I said one change that would improve us in midfield, I know you've suggested more.

Fine with Cleary getting a few CBs so Heeney can play forward a bit more, but that improves the forward line, not necessarily midfield.

Jordon isn't wasted tagging as long as he gets the job done, which is often.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Controversial post incoming:

Tackling stats are almost meaningless.

Wrap your arms around a stationary opponent the moment he gets the ball at a stoppage ….. get credited with a tackle.

Do it again at the resultant repeat stoppage …. get another tackle stat!

I rate Rowy - but a fair number of his tackles are exactly that.

Lots of tackle stats doesn’t equate to pressure.

Pressure means giving your opponent inadequate time for an effective disposal. Or even better, getting the Sherrin before he does.
Pressure is gut-busting running.
Tackling a stationary opponent is easy. Pressure is found elsewhere.

 

[Swans22]

Simple - Sheldrick into the starting mids. Rotate Warner and Heeney forward like the back end of last game. The balance looked good. We are severely lacking any sort of class in the forward 50 - we are the worst team for converting i50s this year.
If the swans coaching group aren’t considering this something is wrong. Paton out. Florent subs.

 

[The King!]

Controversial post incoming:

Tackling stats are almost meaningless.

Wrap your arms around a stationary opponent the moment he gets the ball at a stoppage ….. get credited with a tackle.

Do it again at the resultant repeat stoppage …. get another tackle stat!

I rate Rowy - but a fair number of his tackles are exactly that.

Lots of tackle stats doesn’t equate to pressure.

Pressure means giving your opponent inadequate time for an effective disposal. Or even better, getting the Sherrin before he does.
Pressure is gut-busting running.
Tackling a stationary opponent is easy. Pressure is found elsewhere.

Rowys tackles speak to a willingness to work, but yeah hardly turning the game at times, but i'll still take that effort.

 

[Donza]

Missed tackles needs to be a stat.

AFL tackling is windmill like at times

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Is it Florent or Cleary partly obscured behind Heeney in Lachlan McKirdy’s post today?

Seems whoever it is will be either sub or VFL bound.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Is it Florent or Cleary partly obscured behind Heeney in Lachlan McKirdy’s post today?

Seems whoever it is will be either sub or VFL bound.

Please be Florent

 

[Kbroome]

Is it Florent or Cleary partly obscured behind Heeney in Lachlan McKirdy’s post today?

Seems whoever it is will be either sub or VFL bound.

That would be Ollie with Caiden in line with Ollie but just to the right of Gussy

 

[Bloods86]

Is it Florent or Cleary partly obscured behind Heeney in Lachlan McKirdy’s post today?

Seems whoever it is will be either sub or VFL bound.

If it's Cleary, we've lost the plot.

 

[bedford]

The Giants have the full academy rights to the Riverina, we can only get their left overs

I don't doubt you , but really , i thought it was taken off them , please check

 

[Dubai Quacker]

If it's Cleary, we've lost the plot.

Nope, it’s definitely Florent in blue.

The plot thickens ….

 

[McRobie]

This is going to be the Sheldrick game we’ve all been waiting for.
Tipping a breakout - provided he’s not sub.

 

[McRobie]

Controversial post incoming:

Tackling stats are almost meaningless.

Wrap your arms around a stationary opponent the moment he gets the ball at a stoppage ….. get credited with a tackle.

Do it again at the resultant repeat stoppage …. get another tackle stat!

I rate Rowy - but a fair number of his tackles are exactly that.

Lots of tackle stats doesn’t equate to pressure.

Pressure means giving your opponent inadequate time for an effective disposal. Or even better, getting the Sherrin before he does.
Pressure is gut-busting running.
Tackling a stationary opponent is easy. Pressure is found elsewhere.

Tackles missed prob a more telling stat.

 

[Tedeski]

Tickles missed prob a more telling stat.

Oh we tickled our opposition a lot in the 2022 & 2024 Grand Finals.
I’m sure I saw them giggling throughout those games.

 

[grimlock]

View attachment 2314627

That would be Ollie with Caiden in line with Ollie but just to the right of Gussy

The original photo also has Jordon in blue (next to Rowbottom) and I seriously doubt he's getting dropped.

From the other training photos, Francis in red opposed to Ladhams in blue. So it seems like the change will be Amartey in for Paton, Francis to defence (why not Hamling?!) and I guess maybe Florent as sub

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I'm concerned at the form of Roberts given the pivotal role he plays in our team. As the organiser coming out of defence, he controls the tempo and the direction of our play. Last year, especially during our golden run, he was a revelation, especially with his penetrative kicks. This year, he is making mistakes, leading to turn overseas and goals. He also is missing opportunities to switch the play and doesn't seem to be aware of runners coming through, often holding up the ball. Combined with Lloyd and JMac, he is stiffling our offensive rebound, something that was a strength for most of last year.

Now I dont know whether this is under instruction, loss of confidence and form or a bit of both but it might be good for him to have a change of role, stint as the sub or even back to reserves. Sure, he's still finding the ball bit but as another poster alluded to, opposition coaches wouldn't be losing too much sleep at the prospect of Roberts getting 30 touches.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Well, you are well known as the most merciful of the mods…..

"Hi Siri, define pushover..."

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Gallery: Swans prepare for Marn Grook

See the latest photos as we prepare to face Carlton at Marn Grook at the SCG. Photos by Phil Hillyard.

www.sydneyswans.com.au