Game Day Qualifying Final: Adelaide vs Sydney

[vonn]

FML just found out I have a 21st of a good friend on Saturday night. I would feel bad not going given we've been friends for a while, but there is a massive part of me that wants to sit at home in my living room and watch these ****ers (in all likelihood) lose.

I need the wisdom of the Swans faithful to help me decide. What do I do!?

Edit: Please be in the afternoon!

I've rejected my best mate's 18th for a regular H&A a year ago. They get it

 

[MARK In TIME]

I've rejected my best mate's 18th for a regular H&A a year ago. They get it

For a H&A game? Well I suppose I can claim one degree of moral superiority over you.

My friends just think I have a problem; an unnatural one at that. They definitely don't get it.

I went to Sydney for that Collingwood game and caught up with a few of them on Friday night. I openly admitted to being in Sydney becasue of the game; suffice it to say some were marginally offended.

 

[Dangas]

I've rejected my best mate's 18th for a regular H&A a year ago. They get it

Some who think, 'well it is only football', thank goodness my mates 21st is on Friday

 

[BruceFromBalnarring]

Lot of anger about tonight, perhaps justifiable to an extent. But I wouldn't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater just yet.

The thing that got us beat today, at least in the initial sense, was the umpires falling for the confected outrage of the crowd. Geelong were allowed to attack the contest with far more ferocity than we were. Pyke's perfect tackle on Selwood....around the neck. Malceski contest....free in front of goal. 2 clear throws out of a pack. Bartel lying on the ball. Bartel dropping in a tackle. Both in the back. Pyke gets cannoned into from behind. Holding the ball. Once the game was beyong us we stopped playing and went into preservation. Then Geelong did the same and we got some junk time goals. We are top 4, and have a decent shot at it.

Reid will come back. So will Smith (he was sorely missed). Grundy may serve a week. LRT to the backline. Reid up forward. Armstrong to sub. Walsh out.

Not Morton. Not TDL.

I remain worried about Parker, which got me ridiculed 3 weeks ago, but I'd give him another week.

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

Sat arvo, they will play 1 in Melbourne on Sat night

I'm convinced it will be Sat night

 

[RW]

So... we're playing in Adelaide, then, after our most gruelling month of football for the season. I know 1 from 3 against fellow contenders isn't all that flattering, and I think we are better than this, but am a bit concerned at the formline, especially conceding 100+ points twice in succession and whether we are running out of steam a bit after winning 9 in a row. Losing to Collingwood every year always seems to stuff up our momentum, damn them!

That said, Reid and Smith should be automatic inclusions, and if Grundy goes, LRT would be a certainty to move back into defence, which opens the door for another forward to come in. I think Morton might just about deserve another crack. Armstrong could be the unlucky one, because I liked his game today. The Cats opted not to tag Jetta, which gave him a bit more space, he didn't use the ball as well as he can, but had a bit more of a taste of it. That said, our kicking and decision making were poor today, we kicked short to way too many contests and were generally out-tackled, so not the best lead in to finals football.

On the positive side, interstate qualifying finals have actually been pretty good to us, we beat West Coast in 2006 and only just fell short against them in 2005, and had that famous win over Port in 2003. So maybe not such a bad outcome playing in Adelaide, our record against them is so poor our chances of beating them in Adelaide or Sydney are probably not that much different!

We know now that our best is capable of beating anyone, but the question mark over the 2012 Swans is whether we can play at our best for long enough. We also haven't been able to lock down opponents as well as we used to, when teams get on top we have struggled to limit the damage. Goodes still isn't right, whether it's physical or mental I'm not sure, and Reid has a big burden to carry in the forward line. But in a season as tight as this one, anything can happen if the players believe!

 

[No1SwansFan]

I agree, only one to hit a target all day!

My ins: Reid, Smith & Morton
My outs: Walsh, Malceski & Pyke/Grundy

I'm not sure on Grundy's record but I reckon he'll receive a reprimand if eligible for a discount. If not, he'll be out instead of Pyke.

Pyke? He has been good and his inclusion has meant we have some extra height. He stays!!! If Grundy is clean then he will play. Force was minimal. High but I am not sure the intent was there.

 

[BruceFromBalnarring]

The only thing that can save Grundy is low impact and reductions for early pleas and good record.

I think Geelong will definitely be without Chapman and Johnson though.

 

[baja]

I was again impressed with Armstrong I hope he keeps his spot against his old club. His ball use and composure really stood out and he was creative most of the time. But the best bit to me was his urgency in general and his intent when tackling, I loved it.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

That said, our kicking and decision making were poor today, we kicked short to way too many contests and were generally out-tackled, so not the best lead in to finals football.

Goodes still isn't right, whether it's physical or mental I'm not sure, and Reid has a big burden to carry in the forward line. But in a season as tight as this one, anything can happen if the players believe!

The way Geelong were breaking our tackles today suggested the boys are running out of puff. We really need to win this week to get the priceless week off.

Reid only ever kicks one or two but his marking is so good that he attracts one or two key defenders, creating space for our midfield swarm who can take turns kicking goals instead of him. If he comes back I think our chances improve significantly.

 

[PVF]

In: Reid, Smith
Out: Grundy, Walsh

I did have this crazy idea that won't happen but I think Goodes would be good as a sub. He hasn't been that great the last few weeks and I don't know if that's because of a lingering injury or has lost his touch but he could be a game changer off the bench and would have fresher legs.

But then again he could light it up next week and be best on ground for all I know.

 

[SM]

I thought Armstrong was actually very good.

How long can Jetta keep being carried is the question now imo. Time for the sub vest next week.

Interesting and original idea.

 

[AG]

I'm guessing that's sarcasm.

 

[SM]

I'm going to cry if it's during the day Saturday. May actually call in sick or something, because I hate the guy I'll have to work with enough, let alone to miss a Final for.

 

[SM]

I'm guessing that's sarcasm.

EDIT: Actually you know what, sorry I mentioned anything, that was unfair of me, you're entitled to your opinion, I shouldn't criticise you for it. And that's not sarcasm.

 

[AG]

Considering the criticism you've levelled at me in the past when I've suggested Jetta be the sub to get him back into form/to rest him.

I disagreed when you wanted him as sub earlier in the year when he was in form because you said he'd be dangerous as a sub. Waste having him on the bench in that form. Has done sfa for a while now, so we can't keep carrying him on current form. So giving him the vest now might help.

 

[SM]

I disagreed when you wanted him as sub earlier in the year when he was in form because you said he'd be dangerous as a sub. Waste having him on the bench in that form. Has done sfa for a while now, so we can't keep carrying him on current form. So giving him the vest now might help.

Yeah you're right, was more referring to the argument last week.

But forget it, I'm in a horrible mood because of work and the Swans, and I've been trying to pull my head in a bit, so this isn't the best time to be posting.

 

[bloodsbigot]

I'm going to cry if it's during the day Saturday. May actually call in sick or something, because I hate the guy I'll have to work with enough, let alone to miss a Final for.

You and I both. These Saturday afternoon games are getting ridiculous. Ban them altogether. Too many people work on Saturday afternoons these days. Put all games on Sunday.

 

[AG]

I'm going to cry if it's during the day Saturday. May actually call in sick or something, because I hate the guy I'll have to work with enough, let alone to miss a Final for.

Do it. I missed the 2003 QF because of work and regret going.

 

[SM]

Do it. I missed the 2003 QF because of work and regret going.

Thing is we literally have no one to cover for me, and I'm working with my boss on the Friday so he'd know I'm not THAT sick.. but I'm just praying it's Saturday night/Sunday.

 

[bloodsbigot]

Do it. I missed the 2003 QF because of work and regret going.

Man... it better have been an important job (Non part-time/casual) or I'll reach through this computer screen and slap you myself. That game was unacceptable for any swans fan to have missed.

 

[J_Moore]

I'm hearing 3pm Saturday?

 

[CAS79]

I'm hearing 3pm Saturday?

your hearing correct

 

[Dangas]

Saturday arvo we are playing, fun, now I have to cancel my shift.

 

[SM]

OMG I actually don't know what I'm going to do. I just have to pray my co-worker lost his soccer match.