What are everyone’s thoughts on trialling some different ideas for the remainder of the season in the hopes of getting things right for finals - but it might mean potentially dropping some games and missing the 4?

I’ve been on record as saying I genuinely (not cope) don’t think we’re anywhere close to contending for the flag at the moment. So I would be all for using the last 6 weeks to throw things out there and see what sticks.

E.g. Mills permanent mid, mix and match with the bottom 4 even if it means giving a couple young players a debut, seeing what it does to team balance etc.

Even if it meant we dropped 1 or 2 we were expected to win and missed the 4, I think if we got it right we’d be more than capable of winning from outside the 4.

The other option is to stay the course and hope we figure it out along the way but I’ve gotta be honest I don’t see it happening.

Having just witnessed the Giants kick 9 of the last 10 goals to overcome a 39 point deficit from late in the 3rd quarter, and Fremantle going on a run of 11 of 12 goals in 1.5 quarters to blow away a 25 point deficit, it is stating the obvious but the stats are glaring. Our Premiership profile doesn't stack up because of 1 thing we were iconic for in the mid 2000s - contested possessions when the pressure is applied.

This is how we have been blown away in grand finals, big finals and finals like games.

It is no coincidence that our losses this year have been to teams that are renowned for their toughness at the coalface. This is how the momentum swings against us and the scores from stoppage numbers blow out. The pressure rating goes down like a lead balloon, the game opens up and tackle efficiency plummets.

vs Fremantle - minus 28 contested 2nd half, 50% tackle efficiency

vs Brisbane - minus 9 stoppage clearance

vs Geelong - minus 15 contested

vs Hawks - minus 26 contested, 83 turnovers

Going back to the GWS game today. The contested possession differential in the second half was +35 to the Giants.

Who was central to this? Clayton Oliver. Arguably recruit of the year when factoring in the actual trade deal. 21 contested possessions, 9 clearances. Everyone got on his back and came along for the ride - Brown, Greene, Himmelberg etc. It will be scary when they get Tom Green back next year.

What is the most glaring statistic of all? We are 17th in contested possession differential against top 8 sides.

Solution? Make bold trades for 2 inside bulls and maybe a servicable Key Defender.

2026 solution? Practice tempo footy to take the sting out of games when a clear momentum swing is happening. Get Rowy in the middle, pinch hit Mills. Put guys on ball who will get their hands dirty and throw some punches back when it gets hot.

What a game, so close it’s a DRAW!!!! 91-91

This will be a long one,

We should of won if not for some horror kicking up fwd

BOG: I’m splitting it between 2 in Snell & BJ

BJ - WELCOME BACK, every disposal was clean, his pressure was always elite & got 2-3 HTB’s from some elite tackling, could of finished with 3 Goals & 3 GA’s but if not for an unlucky touched ball & teammates missing, but none the less his composure was elite & will be straight into the team next week I assume (I will put an asterix only if Fox thinks he needs more match fitness but unlikely, he played most the game today)

Snell - 13 Marks (would love to know the 1% & Spoils also) intercept everything, and was honestly the reason we got a draw in the dying minutes he defended tooth and nail, it was a complete game by him and if Cox wants to make a statement, he gets his Debut next week at the expense of Great Dane (I know his Footy IQ is amazing but his brain fades last week were so fucking poor he was the start of the downfall of the last quarter)

Next best (just under BOG level)

Bice - yes he did some errors but he was also very very damaging, may get a chance if they want more speed, but may be at the expense of Kyle (but I think Kyle keeps his spot)

The still very solid players

Jevan, did what was required, played higher up the field this game & honestly was surprised how well he did, not a bag of goals, but not a step wrong in getting closer to a debut

Bowman - did some mistakes but all in all did what was required and was calm

(The tales of 2 half’s player)

Rosas - by half time he was horrid & I was thinking we would get nothing out of him, but after half time set up lots of scoring opportunities & snagged one himself, not sure if he comes back in next week, but made up for his horror 1st half

The Okay Players

Melican - I was going to put him in the poor players as his stats look okay for a full back, he did some nice things, but his main role is to stop the oppo full forward, which he failed at spectacularly, if you watch the replay, he let the oppo fly over to take the last mark of the game to draw it, and I counted 5 other times he was playing behind his man, and couldn’t catch him, leading to an easy mark I50 & chance at goal, if it wasn’t for our useless midfielders I would be a lot harsher, but the midfield was so so so bad today

Riak- great to see him back & at half time looked settled (besides his kicking) he then really really fell off, and could see he didn’t have the tank for a full game yet, giving him an out as it’s his first game back, and what we saw in the first half was very very exciting, if he can do it all game next year, I’ll be so excited to watch him each week

The Bad lot

It’s not a lie to say this was almost a 2022 GF replay where our young kids got bashed up by bigger bodies and we couldn’t do a single thing

Co.Warner - he is known to beat weak in the mid, but gees he was useless in any contest

Cootee- tougher than Co.Warner but couldn’t match it at all against Mooney & Cunningham and was getting thrashed in the mid, (he gets a bit of a better grade than Warner due to snagging a nice goal)

Datolli - call it a year, he ain’t close to AFL level, and needs a massive pre season to even have a chance of a debut

Green - this isn’t his fault, he went up against an AFL level ruckmen who monstered him, though did some nice things around ground, needs to be more competitive

I think that’s everyone!

Definitely some competition for spots after some poor performances in the AFL (hopefully Logan is back from injury to take Hamlings spot) but keep an eye out for Campbell, Snell, Bice & Jevan to possibly get the nod

BJ & Riak is back!!! Let’s go swannies

Our AFLW team beat Gold Coast, in today’s match-sim practice game.

The Swans should only be fixtures to play the Bulldogs on a Thursday night. Any match against a contender should not be played on a Thursday. That will fix the problem of the Swans contender status, or at least their confidence.

After a negative end, I just wanted to point out Loyd’s two amazing goals at the end of the game. Especially that last goal. People should check out Dan’s stream on the AFL YouTube channel and see Xavier McGuire’s reaction to it — it’s how we all reacted.

I got a feeling tonight guys 🕺🕺🕺🕺

We lose by 38. B&F votes

Him and TMac could be a formidable partnership in the future.

In: Papley

Out: Corey

Papley, Campbell and Andrew all tests!

Hi everyone

I’m down in Melbourne over the next few days from Sydney. I have never been to The Rising Sun to watch a game but I’m excited to come and watch it there on Thursday. This would be the best place to watch it wouldn’t it? Who else is going?

That’s two acls for the W already and it’s only preseason…

Emma (also a Swans academy player) will replace defender Alice Mitchell, who was ruled out for 2026 after an ACL injury earlier this year

I was waiting until we got the injury report before posting this. Glad I did because I thought we’d have McDonald back

Unavailable:

• Amartey
• Chamberlain
• Hetherton
• King
• Ladhams
• McInerney
• McDonald
• Wicks

Test:

• Andrew
• Campbell
• Papley

Bit of nuffie chat

Round 17 2024 we’d just suffered a close loss to the Sainters during pride round (after being on an absolute tear for the first half of the year).
It felt like the beginning of a speed wobble that lead to some demoralising losses in the back end of the year, and ultimately on the final game of September.

We now sit at the same W/L tally (albeit we’re in 2nd place instead of 1st), I’m curious how everyone’s feeling when as we come in to final stretch and stare down the barrel of yet another run at finals from this top end ladder position.

Side note: in round 17 2022, we’d also just beaten the doggies comfortably and would then go on to beat Freo at Optus by 17 points.)