So what changed from 2011 to 2012?

[GoTheSwannies]

In 2011, we got smashed by Hawthorn, in 2012, we managed to beat them. There was quite a dramatic change in a 12 month period with pretty much teh same personell. What was the difference?

Our youngsters have improved in that time. Jetta for instance has had a breakout season. Hanners improved in the latter part of the season. McVeigh has also had agreat season, O'keefe also, Pyke has improved, and JPK keeps getting better. And then there's the addition of Morton. However, Goodes & Bolton were in poor form due to injury, Reid hasn't had a great season. Teddy & Mumford were injured

So there was some improvements, and some players who were hampere by injury.

I don't know enough about Hawthorn's list, but they've had some young players who would've improved. Their players have had a fair amount of finals experience as well. And theyre stacked with superstars. Hodge was down on form due to coming back from injury/illness, they had a couple best 22 miss due to injury.

But can ayone break down exactly why there was such a dramatic change over the course of 12 months.

 

[The King!]

*more mature bodies- mick o said he went to the rooms post 2011 and the guys were spent
* jetta improved out of sight- he was a borderline selection at times in 2011 but his speed and dare changed us even when quiet he was drawing a tag and freeing up others
* motivation - i think the 2011 finals lost pissed them off, the senior group were sick of making up numbers, there was a lot of passion about
* mcveigh- a personal view might get howled down by he seemed a way better captain in 2012 a real leader,the way he responded to tragedy is just awesome
* injuries-used 31 players thats a good run
* won games by bigger margins, by comparison to our usual self
* more attacking- longmires plan evolved more this side is number 5 for attack while keeping the defensive mantle.
* goodes being injured- dumb as it sounds they learnt to win without him and learnt we dont have to rely on him.
* i dont think many if anyone dropped off, most improved, even old farts like okeefe
* got a big scalp early- hawks win early was a confidence boost tho lost a few after

 

[scottwade]

Confidence.

 

[CAS79]

I've been reading the main board and it appears we just got this new cost of living allowance thingy...

 

[alanlau34]

I've been reading the main board and it appears we just got this new cost of living allowance thingy...

Naw, that only reflected the change from Prelim Final 2012 to Grand Final 2012.

 

[The King!]

I've been reading the main board and it appears we just got this new cost of living allowance thingy...

And an extra day off after the prelim

 

[CAS79]

And an extra day off after the prelim

And the home ground advantage....... oh wait.

 

[SM]

And the home ground advantage....... oh wait.

And no injuries in the GF..... oh wait.

 

[Ed_Gein]

I reckon no passengers. We got an even spread of contributors as well as having the benefit of a couple of players like Jetta, Richards, Kennedy, Johnson, Pyke, Hannebery make improvements on consistency as well.

 

[SM]

The BF Crew formed. With our undying support every week there was no way the boys weren't going to lift.

 

[Day_night_honourer]

And no injuries in the GF..... oh wait.

And the fact that we were clear favourites this time .... oh wait.

 

[Ed_Gein]

The BF Crew formed. With our undying support every week there was no way the boys weren't going to lift.

Maybe someone should tell Grundy.

 

[grimlock]

Morton
Our goalkicking improved
Morton
Our defence improved
Morton
Our Jetta improved
Morton

 

[Fox71]

Goodish draw to start with, which got the Confidence/belief up
Longmire & assistants learnt from mistakes from previous year

 

[swansfan51]

Morton
Our goalkicking improved
Morton
Our defence improved
Morton
Our Jetta improved
Morton

Correct. Last year we lost our 2nd final, this year we won it due to 7 tackles from Morton. Then the next week we won the grand final by 10 points, Morton kicked 12.

 

[SM]

Maybe someone should tell Grundy.

He's come out and declared he's a Swan for life today. I've done a Sheedy on Watson to him.

 

[Bonz]

Morton
Our goalkicking improved
Morton
Our defence improved
Morton
Our Jetta improved
Morton

Morton was immense as 5 Morton's out there during the finals, Stop selling him short

 

[vonn]

The BF Crew formed. With our undying support every week there was no way the boys weren't going to lift.

Highlighted by my undying support for collingwood.
I discovered Nathan brown. The boys realized if they wanted me to stay a swan they'd have to pick up their game.

 

[SOPH_CROSS]

No major injures to major key players
Kudos to the swans Medicos

 

[The King!]

No major injures to major key players
Kudos to the swans Medicos

Been on the juice for years according to clarkson

 

[Gongswan]

We got better

 

[Arwib]

We hit our best form for much longer. There were glimpses last year and we looked threatening in the last few weeks in particular. That carried on.

 

[Bloodz2005]

We didn't suffer from premature celebration...unlike Hawks to busy working on their celebration routines after they kicked a goal...they expected it...we wanted it...big difference right there.

 

[Sakeistasty]

No doubt we had some significant improvement in players - Jetta, JPK, Superted, Hannebery, Bird etc... And good output from veterans when it counted. But what i think was also important is that the coaching staff were ahead of the curve tactics wise. Our slingshot footy style combined with classic Swans hardness and work ethic really put the club in a great position.

Longmire had seen the way that teams zone heavily a kick behind the play in the midfield and so, if you can get the ball out into the space behind that, with numbers going forward you can kick easy goals. Coaches are going to copy us and find ways to break the game plan down - I'm just glad we managed to get ultimate success before anyone worked it out too well. Let's hope Longmire and co can formulate some further developments to the game plan!

 

[Sketi]

Agree with pretty much all above reasoning...

McVeigh just added so much damn class this year. Also his passion and motivation appeared unparalleled.