Land of the Giants
Premiership Player
“The will to win, when it’s not working their way”. That was what impressed Leon most about yesterday’s victory against Collingwood.
Twelve months ago, we probably would have lost a game like that. Leon thought you could put the change down to a bit of maturity, noticeable cohesion within the group (beautifully captured in that poignant image of Shiel comforting a distraught Scully), and most of the team having their own “big moment” during the match, whereas 12 months ago it was only half of them.
Incidentally, regarding our record at the MCG, Leon thought it was not so much an issue with the ground, but our ability to travel per se, which he thought was improving. Let's hope we improve again in Round 23.
Whatever, it was uncomfortably close, and the four points were achieved at a very high price with the tragic injury to Scully. But Collingwood at the MCG was always going to be harder than the stroll-in-the-park of Round 1.
Now for next week. Initially, I was going to write that this would probably be the biggest derby in Sydney since the Qualifying Final of 2016. But the GIANT upset in the Swans vs Power game will probably dampen those expectations.
The Swans seemed to start the season in excellent form. They (or perhaps Buddy) were pretty awesome against the Eagles in Perth, in a game played with the intensity of a final.
Perhaps that intensity, and the long road trip, took it out of them. They were extremely inefficient with the ball during the first half against the Power, winning the inside 50 count 35-14, but only for a 14-point lead. And there was more congestion at the SCG in that first half than the M5 tunnel during happy hour. Perhaps that also took its toll. I thought they started to run out of puff late in the second quarter.
It’s hard to predict what effect an unexpected defeat like that will have on them. They will probably be a bit deflated, and coming off a six day break. But they’ve just put themselves under a heap of pressure.
With us, I don’t think there will too many changes to the team, because a) we’re winning, and b) the more settled we are, the better. Toby will definitely be back; Jacob Hopper and Harry Perryman played well in the NEAFL and may be in the mix. Hopper is the most obvious direct replacement for Scully, who we have probably lost for the season. I hope he makes a speedy recovery.
We seem to have uncovered something of a gem in The Other Jeremy. We took a punt on him four years ago - at pick 100! It’s taken a while, but has he ever come good. Leon was rapt with the performance he and Phil Davis put in. We’ll need big games from both of them against the Swans, as it’s never a good idea to give Lance Franklin too much space.
Despite the shock result tonight, I still think this is going to be a tough contest with plenty of stoppages. The Swans generally play their little duck pond quite well and will be motivated simply because it's us. We’re going to have to lift another notch or two to win.
Let’s see if Leon’s “will to win” extends for another week.
Giants by 16.
Twelve months ago, we probably would have lost a game like that. Leon thought you could put the change down to a bit of maturity, noticeable cohesion within the group (beautifully captured in that poignant image of Shiel comforting a distraught Scully), and most of the team having their own “big moment” during the match, whereas 12 months ago it was only half of them.
Incidentally, regarding our record at the MCG, Leon thought it was not so much an issue with the ground, but our ability to travel per se, which he thought was improving. Let's hope we improve again in Round 23.
Whatever, it was uncomfortably close, and the four points were achieved at a very high price with the tragic injury to Scully. But Collingwood at the MCG was always going to be harder than the stroll-in-the-park of Round 1.
Now for next week. Initially, I was going to write that this would probably be the biggest derby in Sydney since the Qualifying Final of 2016. But the GIANT upset in the Swans vs Power game will probably dampen those expectations.
The Swans seemed to start the season in excellent form. They (or perhaps Buddy) were pretty awesome against the Eagles in Perth, in a game played with the intensity of a final.
Perhaps that intensity, and the long road trip, took it out of them. They were extremely inefficient with the ball during the first half against the Power, winning the inside 50 count 35-14, but only for a 14-point lead. And there was more congestion at the SCG in that first half than the M5 tunnel during happy hour. Perhaps that also took its toll. I thought they started to run out of puff late in the second quarter.
It’s hard to predict what effect an unexpected defeat like that will have on them. They will probably be a bit deflated, and coming off a six day break. But they’ve just put themselves under a heap of pressure.
With us, I don’t think there will too many changes to the team, because a) we’re winning, and b) the more settled we are, the better. Toby will definitely be back; Jacob Hopper and Harry Perryman played well in the NEAFL and may be in the mix. Hopper is the most obvious direct replacement for Scully, who we have probably lost for the season. I hope he makes a speedy recovery.
We seem to have uncovered something of a gem in The Other Jeremy. We took a punt on him four years ago - at pick 100! It’s taken a while, but has he ever come good. Leon was rapt with the performance he and Phil Davis put in. We’ll need big games from both of them against the Swans, as it’s never a good idea to give Lance Franklin too much space.
Despite the shock result tonight, I still think this is going to be a tough contest with plenty of stoppages. The Swans generally play their little duck pond quite well and will be motivated simply because it's us. We’re going to have to lift another notch or two to win.
Let’s see if Leon’s “will to win” extends for another week.
Giants by 16.
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