Autopsy Some promising signs but Hawks too good

[Del198236]

Not enough love for Heeney.. best on ground for clearances, tackles and contested possessions. Jordon offered some support, but where was Adams, Rowbum and Sheldrick?

Clearances: Heeney 10, Adams, Rowbottom and Sheldrick combined for 5
Tackles: Heeney 7, Adams, Rowbottom and Sheldrick combined for 4
Contest Poss: Heeney 14, Adams, Rowbottom and Sheldrick combined for 10

Chad plays a different role, but maybe should've been sent in to do the hard work? We missed Mills!

 

[TheMase]

The promising sign to me was:

We couldn’t have played worse, are missing key players, had to battle the umpires all game, Hawks played really well…and yet, we were still in it all game.

We could have played far far worse.
The Port game last year will set a low that will be difficult to beat, ever.

 

[Del198236]

We missed Cunners - He and Wicks (fantastic game) could combine to be excellent
We missed another tall to help with rucking, marking etc - Thought Ladhams would've played. Logan, McLean, Snell, Edwards, Buller, Grundy all injured or underdone.
Ive little faith in Francis or Hamling
Andrew, Green, Edwards, Snell still not quite ready for AFL, but would like to see them this year

 

[Del198236]

We missed Errol
None of our outside players got enough of the ball - JMac, Campbell, Lloyd, Corey

 

[Jewelsbon]

My thoughts on our attempts at tackling!

 

[killablood]

My thoughts on our attempts at tackling!

This is the kind of diving 1 handed tackle "attempts" I've seen far to often. Blokes like Papley pull this crap all the time feigning effort when really it's just too lazy to chase for longer to apply pressure and possibly even get into a position where you can attempt a proper effective tackle. I'd much rather see a bloke get completely burnt for speed trying to actually chase than this diving 1 handed bull

 

[caesar88]

I didn't mind this performance, but it was somewhat of a watered-down version of the Swans. Nearly everyone was going at about 65-70% compared to what they're capable of. Those that weren't were either diabolically bad (a certain duo drafted in 2016) or unexpectedly great (basically Sam Wicks.)

There were some aspects from previous seasons that unfortunately were still killers for us - getting beaten too easily around the stoppages, an inability to stick tackles, lack of defensive running, and handballing chains coming unstuck by skill errors. But it was one game, so it's too early to say if these were the result of the aforementioned 65-70% factor last night, or if they're prevalent issues we still need to work on.

It may be one of those games that we can't really get a read on until weeks down the track. But my initial impression is that a team who I think will be one of the best teams in the comp this year came to play and looked red hot from the opening bounce, while we still looked rusty and were never quite 'on.' If that is the case, then we might look back on an only 20-point loss in this game as not so bad at all.

 

[wolftone57]

Florent out
Hanily In
Cleary in
Haydos stays out for now
Gus stays

We did well.

Don't agree. Gus was shitful. He fumbled, his disposal was not AFL standard at all, more VAFL standard. He gets in and gets it but... Too often when he doesn't get the pill and his man does, he is left standing. Four times in a row in the second, until they replaced him in the mids. He went to the bench for a chat with the coach.

Hanily did well.

Paton had a terrible start but did some good things after half time.


I don't know if Haydos is the answer but there were problems when Amartey went into the ruck. We became one dimensional and easily picked off by the intercept. Amartey and McCartin work well together but you take one out and then there is no help in a marking contest or in leading patterns. Barrass and Battle cleaned up when Amartey was in the ruck. What's more there is too much chance of Amartey getting injured.

I was right about the back being too short. We were exploited as soon as Sicily went forward. Mind you he exploited us down back as well. Same problem.

So, you drop Florent for a shank in the wet? Really? Otherwise he was good. I do not like Blakey's new role. It restricts his run when he is stationed on the full back line. Then he also has to defend. Got caught out a few times last night and coughed up goals.

I thought Melly was really good. He battled hard. Rampe on a taller opponent is always going to be over scrutinized by the umpires. Last night 4 frees against. The last quarter ones , one there and one not but they will always pay against him because he is giving away huge height, even to Sicily it seems.

I want to see what Sid can do. Not as Sub either. The other thing is, Tay was playing as a small forward. Why? He is far better in the mids and in the preseason he played there are was good. Either put in in the mids or make him Sub. No forward most of the day, he just isn't that guy.

The effort was good but sometimes you have to stop doing the cute stuff, especially when it is pouring. Just get the ball on at all costs. We wasted far too much ball by trying to be Hollywood. Handball that just wasn't going to come off in those conditions. Our last half of the last quarter was poor. We slacked off in the mids.

On Infinix X6525 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[chads_shoe]

Hello

I think out of everything last night what did my head in the most was the crappy tackling. We tackle hard, they stick we add pressure and the whole perceived pressure comes into play.

I don't think this team of lazy Zoomers wants to tackle, or they are scared to tackle because they might damage their faces and ruin their insta influencer opportunities.

Imagine the 2012-era swans missing tackles or just not tackling at all. Hard to even imagine it.

 

[Superstar swan]

Don't agree. Gus was shitful. He fumbled, his disposal was not AFL standard at all, more VAFL standard. He gets in and gets it but... Too often when he doesn't get the pill and his man does, he is left standing. Four times in a row in the second, until they replaced him in the mids. He went to the bench for a chat with the coach.

Hanily did well.

Paton had a terrible start but did some good things after half time.


I don't know if Haydos is the answer but there were problems when Amartey went into the ruck. We became one dimensional and easily picked off by the intercept. Amartey and McCartin work well together but you take one out and then there is no help in a marking contest or in leading patterns. Barrass and Battle cleaned up when Amartey was in the ruck. What's more there is too much chance of Amartey getting injured.

I was right about the back being too short. We were exploited as soon as Sicily went forward. Mind you he exploited us down back as well. Same problem.

So, you drop Florent for a shank in the wet? Really? Otherwise he was good. I do not like Blakey's new role. It restricts his run when he is stationed on the full back line. Then he also has to defend. Got caught out a few times last night and coughed up goals.

I thought Melly was really good. He battled hard. Rampe on a taller opponent is always going to be over scrutinized by the umpires. Last night 4 frees against. The last quarter ones , one there and one not but they will always pay against him because he is giving away huge height, even to Sicily it seems.

I want to see what Sid can do. Not as Sub either. The other thing is, Tay was playing as a small forward. Why? He is far better in the mids and in the preseason he played there are was good. Either put in in the mids or make him Sub. No forward most of the day, he just isn't that guy.

The effort was good but sometimes you have to stop doing the cute stuff, especially when it is pouring. Just get the ball on at all costs. We wasted far too much ball by trying to be Hollywood. Handball that just wasn't going to come off in those conditions. Our last half of the last quarter was poor. We slacked off in the mids.

On Infinix X6525 using BigFooty.com mobile app

It’s not Florent’s skill execution more so the decision making. How on earth did he think that kick was the kick to make in this conditions. Landing the ball 30m out straight in front . Brain dead

 

[SSwans2011]

I'm starting to think we should return to a 3 tall forward line but one of the talls' primary jobs should be to simply cut-off the most damaging intercept mark from the opposition.

I don't think McLean has the speed to do it. Maybe McCartin could, but his marking is probably too useful. Maybe he's a good option for that role when McDonald returns.

Perhaps Ladhams could do it in the meantime? Gives us a second ruck, he's not a great mark anyway, and he's more mobile than McLean.

It's been a massive problem for us for a few years, especially since we lost Reid, and regardless of whether we've had 2 or 3 tall forwards.

 

[MarshallG]

Forgive my old school parlance but methinks, like last season, we are too soft.

Can't lay a tackle and can't win a contested mark.

When put under pressure by the opposition we are deer in the spotlight.

Need to toughen up.

My lordy wordy those tackles are soft.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Disagree.

Grundy is a former AA ruck who is now getting consistently beaten by solid citizens.

If tonight was a one-off stinker, fair enough. But it’s not. I can’t recall a really good game after the mid-season bye last year.

Everyone has bad games. But when it becomes a trend, it’s a problem.

Many of our problems are starting in the ruck contest. And his impact around the ground has fallen away pretty dramatically.

You can also basically match Swans form line to the form line of our ruck.

For some reason, we are very ruck dependent. Caesar will note that other teams win premierships with mediocre rucks, but for some reason that is not us.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Grundy and Papley didn't look fit for mine and arguably shouldn't have played.

Hannily and Ladhams would have done more. I thought Cox was going to trust his squad but he immediately played two underdone players.

 

[Nuggetz]

Honestly, IF cunners gets back then I'd try wicks in the midfield. He's exactly what's needed, or a wicks type player. Rather him or anyone else give free kicks being overly aggressively compared to the pathetic tackling attempts last night. Even try Wicks in the centre bounces, he's got the speed & defensive application with good kicking skills. Slow players get burnt at centre bounces.

 

[Nuggetz]

I think the tackling issue stems from not being in position to lay an effective tackle, like in cricket you need to the hard work early to get into position to catch the ball. Ditto with tackling. If you're not in position then all you'll get are arm grabs.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Wowee. Loving the tackling chatter this morning.

Cos, you know……

 

[SSwans2011]

Hannily and Ladhams would have done more. I thought Cox was going to trust his squad but he immediately played two underdone players.

Yep, I'll give him some leeway this time because I can understand going safe in his first game, especially when he's already missing 2 of our most crucial players, but if they both play next week and still look underdone I'll start to get concerned.

 

[SSwans2011]

Honestly, IF cunners gets back then I'd try wicks in the midfield. He's exactly what's needed, or a wicks type player. Rather him or anyone else give free kicks being overly aggressively compared to the pathetic tackling attempts last night. Even try Wicks in the centre bounces, he's got the speed & defensive application with good kicking skills. Slow players get burnt at centre bounces.

Nah I can see the merit in it but I think they should just leave him in that backline role. He looked awesome in that role and spent the whole pre-season training there, it would be unfair to him to change his role again.

I reckon they should just give players like Sheldrick, Jordon and Cleary time there.

Jordon especially was really good last night. If he continues to play to that standard and Rowbottom gets back to his best and we our ruck isn't a liability for most of the game, that alone will go a long way. And that's before we even throw Mills (hopefully) into the mix.

 

[GreyGooseGuy88]

We missed Cunners - He and Wicks (fantastic game) could combine to be excellent
We missed another tall to help with rucking, marking etc - Thought Ladhams would've played. Logan, McLean, Snell, Edwards, Buller, Grundy all injured or underdone.
Ive little faith in Francis or Hamling
Andrew, Green, Edwards, Snell still not quite ready for AFL, but would like to see them this year

We haven’t seen Hamling at the Swans yet at this level so a bit hard to make a call like that. We need to see how he goes. Is a great height.

 

[GreyGooseGuy88]

Rampe into the midfield ???

 

[tombomb]

I think our season kind of rests on Mills coming back and getting back to 2021-2022 form.

There's way too much pressure on Heeney to do everything.

 

[Jewelsbon]

The AFL ladder has us in 2nd place.

At the end of opening round, we can’t fall below 4th.

Great start to the season.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Cox has laid down his marker with that first team. Assume Adams is out but everyone else is fit next game:
Plan A: Hanily in, Mitchell sub. Direct swap, don't like it myself, missed opportunity.
Plan B: need at least one more tall. Francis/Hamling in, Florent for Adams, Hanily sub. Better.
Plan C: Plan B but Hanily replaces either Campbell or Corey to sub. Better still. Yes please.
Guys who could have performed better should get another go around after some blunt feedback.
Ignores lack of second ruck

 

[SwansLakeside]

Well it's 2025, and we start again.

Make no mistake, with Will Day healthy and in form, and the addition of Josh Battle and Tom Barass, the Hawks will be very good this year. They outlasted us last night.

Sam Wicks a revelation, well done him in the new role.

Can we look at Hamling and Francis in defense. I don't think we're getting the best out of Blakey in key defense, free him up.

Give Tom Hanily another run, he looked lively and let's not give up yet on Tom McCartin being up forward.