Game Day Match simulation v GWS

[Dubai Quacker]

I mostly agree but I'd like to add that Florent was sublime. He's amplified his ghost-like presence, appearing out of nowhere to provide an option, to take control, deliver a precise pass, a slick handball or roost a 55m goal. He'll surprise a hard running opposition with an unexpected tackle from out of nowhere. He pops up in spaces where there was no-one a second ago. , either for a goal saving mark in defence or slipping inside 50 unseen.

It's no wonder we get a few newbies every year who ask "What does Florent do?" Might as well ask what the wind does.

Florent was indeed very very good.

Only caveat - the lower pressure games do suit players of his ilk.

 

[RubbaDuck]

I'm cautious of the fact that Amartey kicked 6 of them, and he averaged not even 2 a game last year, but I take your point. It was as impressive as you could hope for given pre-season rust and not wanting players to go silly and injure themselves.

Last year was Amartey's first full season. Injuries, lack of opportunities, time to grow into his enormous body....there were various reasons, but he'd already shown glimpses of real talent.

Amartey was a mere 2nd round rookie pickup. He took a while to get into shape but last year his 43 goals were on par with Ugle-Hagen, who was picked up at no.1 in the draft and had played 45 games previously, compared to Amartey's total of 28 previous games.

On Friday, Amartey (195cm 100kg) was playing more like Jesse Hogan (196cm 100kg) than Ugle-Hagen (197cm 91kg). Hogan uses his strength, speed and weight to get to the ball first then has a decent leap. Ugle-Hagen uses more height and a well timed leap but he lacksdc the strength to body the big defenders.

Amartey was getting to the ball by going hard and fast on leads, like a battering ram sometimes. He used his butt to protect the ball drop and keep defenders off balance. The performance was more like Jesse Hogan (without the stutter kick).

We all recollect the nine goals Amartey kicked against the Crows but these six came from a much improved version of Amartey. Of course McCartin was taking the better defender but there seemed no-one who could contain Amartey. I'm confident we'll see a great year, a breakout year from Joel.

65-70 goals in 22 games

 

[RubbaDuck]

Florent was indeed very very good.

Only caveat - the lower pressure games do suit players of his ilk.

You can't make silk without ilk

 

[RubbaDuck]

I was on a plane for this so can only go on reports. Sounds like:
1) our midfield still leaks when we aren't focused enough.
2) when we are we're still very dynamic with the same core.
3) Amartey may have come on some but McCartin may not be the answer to improvement in our tall forwards.
4) Campbell most likely played himself into HF Rd0. Paton also replacing Harry. Sheldrick way out pointed Adams in the race for a spot.
5) Ladhams looks in good nick.
6) Playing only Melican as a KPD loses us Blakey as an attacking weapon.
7) no-one noticed Jordon .
8) while things were pretty scrappy no-one disgraced themselves and effort levels were very good.

Mostly right. I noticed Jordon but he rarely does the flash stuff.

I was in Berlin when the game was played so all I saw were neo Nazi marches, a very heavy police presence, delicious pork, piles of sauerkraut, mustard and great beer. Weather was cold but the sun and the Gluhwein were very warming.

I watched the game on the flight home.

 

[RubbaDuck]

Geez RD I usually agree with your takes but I feel like you are a bit harsh on McInerney.

All show, aggro, but too slow to go. Gives away lazy frees, can't be bothered going fast or going hard. Corey Warner has twice the nuts of twice the size.

McInerney started the downward spiral 9:22 Q2 of the GF score 26 v37. McInerney when dawdled back and missed an easy opportunity to spoil Daniher by a second. A quick run of Brisbane goals the McInerny loses the ball in a tackle, then later makes an air tackle At 5:35 he finally catches up with the other Swans who have run hard in defence. Ashcroft shakes a Swans tackle which would have been a certain holding the ball if McInerney hadn't been too puffed to even join the tackle. The ball eventually goes to Jarrod Berry goal. He has no impact in the next bounce and his man leaves him minding air as Brisbane surge forward again and his man gets the ball to Hipwood who kicks a miracle goal. 27 v 73 at half time.

McInerney was cooked throughout the finals and struggled to play one quarter. He needed to put up his hand and give the role to Adams or another. I'll forgive him when he earns it back the hard way

 

[RubbaDuck]

Because the other players who can play multiple positions will get rotated through there. Jordon, Gulden, McInerney. For Gus to come into our best 22, you need to give me a name of someone who goes out.

McInerney.

Welcome aboard Gus

 

[Kiama Chris]

Last year was Amartey's first full season. Injuries, lack of opportunities, time to grow into his enormous body....there were various reasons, but he'd already shown glimpses of real talent.

Amartey was a mere 2nd round rookie pickup. He took a while to get into shape but last year his 43 goals were on par with Ugle-Hagen, who was picked up at no.1 in the draft and had played 45 games previously, compared to Amartey's total of 28 previous games.

On Friday, Amartey (195cm 100kg) was playing more like Jesse Hogan (196cm 100kg) than Ugle-Hagen (197cm 91kg). Hogan uses his strength, speed and weight to get to the ball first then has a decent leap. Ugle-Hagen uses more height and a well timed leap but he lacksdc the strength to body the big defenders.

Amartey was getting to the ball by going hard and fast on leads, like a battering ram sometimes. He used his butt to protect the ball drop and keep defenders off balance. The performance was more like Jesse Hogan (without the stutter kick).

We all recollect the nine goals Amartey kicked against the Crows but these six came from a much improved version of Amartey. Of course McCartin was taking the better defender but there seemed no-one who could contain Amartey. I'm confident we'll see a great year, a breakout year from Joel.

65-70 goals in 22 games

I will be delighted with anything over 50 and something similar in assists.

 

[RubbaDuck]

(NB. Swans team chat for first 8 minutes)

1st video. One of those poms who can't speak English.

2nd video. That's 8 minutes I won't get back. Clearly didn't watch the game to the end (if at all) and clearly doesn't know who some players are (Mitchell played two games in 2024).

Bugger all info delivered by video when it could have been a quick text note or audio.

 

[McRobie]

Yes it is. They are in Specials under Shows. You can even watch the replay there

Awesome thank man.

 

[BloodySwan]

That Adams tackle in the forward line is just chef's kiss.

The one he would get a free against as a "dangerous tackle"?

 

[bedford]

Don't some sleep

 

[RubbaDuck]

I got the feeling the Swans went out with nothing but the capitulation against Brisbane first in mind. The tackled, they chased, they bumped, they manned up, they connected with each other, double teamed, double tackled and put their bodies in harms way without flinching

I expect Cox would have been very pleased indeed then dropped the intensity and turned to more mundane matters such as getting in the correct minutes and experience.

 

[SwansLifer]

I got the feeling the Swans went out with nothing but the capitulation against Brisbane first in mind. The tackled, they chased, they bumped, they manned up, they connected with each other, double teamed, double tackled and put their bodies in harms way without flinching

I expect Cox would have been very pleased indeed then dropped the intensity and turned to more mundane matters such as getting in the correct minutes and experience.

I actually think it had more to do with playing against GWS. They also came out with a similar mindset. Maybe it was us putting them out too? But I feel that was a far more intense practise game than most

 

[giantsully]

Last year was Amartey's first full season. Injuries, lack of opportunities, time to grow into his enormous body....there were various reasons, but he'd already shown glimpses of real talent.

Amartey was a mere 2nd round rookie pickup. He took a while to get into shape but last year his 43 goals were on par with Ugle-Hagen, who was picked up at no.1 in the draft and had played 45 games previously, compared to Amartey's total of 28 previous games.

On Friday, Amartey (195cm 100kg) was playing more like Jesse Hogan (196cm 100kg) than Ugle-Hagen (197cm 91kg). Hogan uses his strength, speed and weight to get to the ball first then has a decent leap. Ugle-Hagen uses more height and a well timed leap but he lacksdc the strength to body the big defenders.

Amartey was getting to the ball by going hard and fast on leads, like a battering ram sometimes. He used his butt to protect the ball drop and keep defenders off balance. The performance was more like Jesse Hogan (without the stutter kick).

We all recollect the nine goals Amartey kicked against the Crows but these six came from a much improved version of Amartey. Of course McCartin was taking the better defender but there seemed no-one who could contain Amartey. I'm confident we'll see a great year, a breakout year from Joel.

65-70 goals in 22 games

I loved Joel's game but three of those goals came from soft-to-nonsensical free kicks. All power for him getting in good positions to give the Giants' defence problems, but most days those frees don't get paid.

What I DID love was that he went back and nailed the set shots - hope we see more of that.