Opinion Qualifying Final Changes vs. Sydney

[Lost_Deputy]

The 22 is as tight as it's been. It's not just about playing your role anymore but playing your role well

 

[Freeeoo]

We have to fix our clearances, we were poor in that area in the first half yesterday. McGlynn was very good for them around the contest last time we played. Fyfe will help but I recon the main focus of our planning will be around this area. We win clearances (especially centre clearances) we win the game imo.

 

[Kapow!!!]

Dawson on Tippet doesn't worry me really. He's done the job on him in finals before (2012 SF) and knows how to work him. SCOS on Buddy, Reid on Ibbo and Johnson, if still stiff in the back, on Goodes concern me a little. I think Ibbo will have to be at his best because the combination of our best defenders being already occupied and the potential lack of coverage we might have he will have to be a bit more accountable on Reid or Goodes or whoever he goes to.

As for the midfield battle I like our midfield + Fyfe and being able to throw in Neale so readily as well as freeing up Pearce and Hill. Having said that Sydney are good decision makers in the tight clearances which is what it takes to really break open our press as we saw yesterday. I like that we've already come close to them at the SCG this year when we were at our worst (if you forget the St.Kilda-Carlton-3/4's of Geelong game period) off a 6 day break. If nothing else we've shown we can match it.

Sydney should theoretically be too strong (especially if you listen to the football public) but I tell you what, I'm glad it's at ANZ because it gives us a really good chance. Need to hit the ground running though like Richmond and make them come at us because when they start controlling the tempo they just know how the make the most of it and it's really hard to drag back as seen in Rounds 5-22.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

Dawson on Tippet doesn't worry me really. He's done the job on him in finals before (2012 SF) and knows how to work him. SCOS on Buddy, Reid on Ibbo and Johnson, if still stiff in the back, on Goodes concern me a little. I think Ibbo will have to be at his best because the combination of our best defenders being already occupied and the potential lack of coverage we might have he will have to be a bit more accountable on Reid or Goodes or whoever he goes to.

As for the midfield battle I like our midfield + Fyfe and being able to throw in Neale so readily as well as freeing up Pearce and Hill. Having said that Sydney are good decision makers in the tight clearances which is what it takes to really break open our press as we saw yesterday. I like that we've already come close to them at the SCG this year when we were at our worst (if you forget the St.Kilda-Carlton-3/4's of Geelong game period) off a 6 day break. If nothing else we've shown we can match it.

Sydney should theoretically be too strong (especially if you listen to the football public) but I tell you what, I'm glad it's at ANZ because it gives us a really good chance. Need to hit the ground running though like Richmond and make them come at us because when they start controlling the tempo they just know how the make the most of it and it's really hard to drag back as seen in Rounds 5-22.

I don't see how they are theoretically too strong. Reckon we match up bloody well

 

[free at last]

Dawson on Tippet doesn't worry me really. He's done the job on him in finals before (2012 SF) and knows how to work him. SCOS on Buddy, Reid on Ibbo and Johnson, if still stiff in the back, on Goodes concern me a little. I think Ibbo will have to be at his best because the combination of our best defenders being already occupied and the potential lack of coverage we might have he will have to be a bit more accountable on Reid or Goodes or whoever he goes to.

As for the midfield battle I like our midfield + Fyfe and being able to throw in Neale so readily as well as freeing up Pearce and Hill. Having said that Sydney are good decision makers in the tight clearances which is what it takes to really break open our press as we saw yesterday. I like that we've already come close to them at the SCG this year when we were at our worst (if you forget the St.Kilda-Carlton-3/4's of Geelong game period) off a 6 day break. If nothing else we've shown we can match it.

Sydney should theoretically be too strong (especially if you listen to the football public) but I tell you what, I'm glad it's at ANZ because it gives us a really good chance. Need to hit the ground running though like Richmond and make them come at us because when they start controlling the tempo they just know how the make the most of it and it's really hard to drag back as seen in Rounds 5-22.

Because of the buddy & Tippett combo.
I'm sure Sydney would much rather being playing geebung or port week 1 than us.

I'm expecting fyfe to go absolutely nuts which will be the difference.

 

[Kapow!!!]

I don't see how they are theoretically too strong. Reckon we match up bloody well

I'm talking momentum really when I say that. We've got 3 and a bit matches at our best, they've got almost half a season if we forget their 2 Richmond games. They've got more points on the board in terms of replicating their best this season than we do. I think our best is pretty close to Sydney's but I tend to think if one side is going to drop off the pace at any critical stage, the way this season has gone so far, it's more likely going to be us

 

[Kapow!!!]

Because of the buddy & Tippett combo.
I'm sure Sydney would much rather being playing geebung or port week 1 than us.

I'm expecting fyfe to go absolutely nuts which will be the difference.

I'm not expecting anything (results wise, I'd hope they give it a red hot crack though and anything less is intolerable) against the minor premiers that's probably why I lean towards pessimism as historically it's a default setting of mine.

I do agree that they'd much rather be facing Port or Geetroit and I've seen a few posts that suggest that is the case. Even Hawthorn fans on the main board have said they'd rather play Geelong than us at the moment...Hawthorn fans. The same fans who cringed at having to face their 11 game losing streak bunnies. That should say it all

 

[apuchar]

This stadium will be more our cup of tea but a ABC commentator today said it was like a cow paddock.
Stadium dimensions
ANZ stadium Ground dimensions: 160 metres x 118 metres
Patersons 175.6 metres x 122.4 metres

Sydney cricket ground Ground dimensions: 149 metres x 136 metres

 

[westy1]

anyone got footage of the alleged sutcliffe incident ?

 

[calaisking]

The wet weather could really work in our favour

A. We play well in the wet. Barlow, Gu, Fyfe, Mundy, Ballas, Walters etc all great wet weather players
B. Sydney aren't the greatest in the wet ( e.g The games against Richmond and Eagles )
C. Wet weather makes there tall forward line irrelevant and our small forwards of Walters,Ballas, Crozier very dangerous

 

[RUNVS]

Because of the buddy & Tippett combo.
I'm sure Sydney would much rather being playing geebung or port week 1 than us.

I'm expecting fyfe to go absolutely nuts which will be the difference.

I think a lot of us would. I would feel more comfortable as a Swans fan if we were playing Geelong this week as I think the odds of us beating them are much higher than the odds against Fremantle. I am worried about the game quite a bit as while I hope for a Swans win I am not at all confident about that fact. It is a real 50/50 game (cliche I know).

 

[Spoken4]

I think a lot of us would. I would feel more comfortable as a Swans fan if we were playing Geelong this week as I think the odds of us beating them are much higher than the odds against Fremantle. I am worried about the game quite a bit as while I hope for a Swans win I am not at all confident about that fact. It is a real 50/50 game (cliche I know).

I agree. Historically, Freo and Sydney match up really well on each other.

 

[free at last]

I think a lot of us would. I would feel more comfortable as a Swans fan if we were playing Geelong this week as I think the odds of us beating them are much higher than the odds against Fremantle. I am worried about the game quite a bit as while I hope for a Swans win I am not at all confident about that fact. It is a real 50/50 game (cliche I know).

Let's hope it's a classic.The fact that out of no where,we've all of sudden assembled the most potent forward line Ross Lyon has ever had whilst at freo.This factor IMO has really evened this contest up,compared to only a few weeks back.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Thought Rance from Richmond was about as good as I've seen on Buddy this year. Game him no space to turn or fend.

This.
Lance does not like close checking physical stuff. Definitely give him no room to move and he loses self control.

 

[apuchar]

This.
Lance does not like close checking physical stuff. Definitely give him no room to move and he loses self control.

Yeah he lost total focus against McKenzie because he couldn't beat him on the one-on-ones. Silvagni just has to keep his feet and not get sucked into the throat high (don't know how he gets away with it) fend off.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Nah, McPharlin played on Buddy in that EF

That is right. i think people are thinking of earlier in the year when Alex beat him then followed up the next game by stitching up Jon Brown.
It was so long ago it doesn't matter. As Ross would say "History counts for nothing ".

 

[Noobrifle]

Suban out for Fyfe.

Duffield out for Ibbotson? Not so much that Duffield deserves to be dropped, more that Ibbotson 1v1 defending and intercept marking is better.

 

[apuchar]

Suban out for Fyfe.

Duffield out for Ibbotson? Not so much that Duffield deserves to be dropped, more that Ibbotson 1v1 defending and intercept marking is better.

Big call. Will most likely be Suban for Fyfe and someone for Silvagni. ??

 

[theGav56]

Suban out for Fyfe.

Duffield out for Ibbotson? Not so much that Duffield deserves to be dropped, more that Ibbotson 1v1 defending and intercept marking is better.

Did you watch the Port game?

 

[theGav56]

This may prove to be Freo's most potent forward line of all time:

It isn't just the forward line. they get pretty decent supply at the moment, and our midfield kick goals as well.

The really good thing is that we are very different from earlier in the year, making the match-ups from past games a bit redundant. Impey on Ballantyne a good example, as when Walters is in the team, the equation is substantially different.

 

[Noobrifle]

Did you watch the Port game?

Hahah whoops I meant for Silvagni. Just had in my mind that Ibbotson's inclusion over Duffield needed to be justified. One of those Sundays.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

This.
Lance does not like close checking physical stuff. Definitely give him no room to move and he loses self control.

Yeah corralling the big fella kinda works to his advantage. He toyed with Gibson a few weeks ago just by manufacturing space out of nothing. He is also way stronger overhead then in recent years. Such a freak!

Then when you add the rest, they really have one of the most intimidating fwd lines in recent history. Hopefully RTB has been working on something

 

[The Anchorite]

That is right. i think people are thinking of earlier in the year when Alex beat him then followed up the next game by stitching up Jon Brown.

Took a couple screamers on Barry Hall's head in his last game the following year as well. Is capable of some seriously good footy and has worked on his weaknesses in his time in the WAFL. Deserves an extended run at it.

 

[clogged]

Goodes is just about cooked IMO, not worried about him as much as their other forwards.

 

[Freeeoo]

Forecast is for shower or two (BOM Sydney).