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BulldogBelle
30-05-2009, 12:21 AM
This is the discussion thread for Saturday afternoon's game at Manuka against Sydney.

My predictions are:

The Dogs by 12 points
BOG : Adam Cooney
Johnson to get the first goal

boydogs
30-05-2009, 12:43 AM
Dogs by 55 points
BOG Ryan Griffen
First Goal Brad Johnson

Scraggers
30-05-2009, 01:37 AM
Dogs by 6 points
Aker best on ground and first goal

chef
30-05-2009, 06:43 AM
Dogs by 23
Boyd BOG
Welsh first goal

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 07:52 AM
dogs by 24
Griff bog
Hahn first goal

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 08:21 AM
Dogs by 32
BOG Boyd
Hill first goal

I want a win at the end but also in the first quarter. The start last time round at Manuka the first quarter had us doggies that travelled feeling very unwell.

Mantis
30-05-2009, 08:35 AM
Dogs by 17pts.

Nice day up here, a bit cold, but sun is out.

Griffen BOG

Akermanis 1st goal

Bumper Bulldogs
30-05-2009, 08:40 AM
Dogs by 21 points

1st goal Minson

BOG - Eagle with that racking left foot, Thought I would never say that!!!!!

Go_Dogs
30-05-2009, 08:47 AM
Dogs by 40 points. Griffen BOG, Hahn first goal.

Unfortunately I've been invited to a mates today to watch the game, but have another commitment that I just can't get out of. Should be able to catch the second half though hopefully. Should be a cracker of a game. If we can win the contested ball and clearances, I think we can run over the top of them in the 2nd half. If we don't, it may go down to the wire.

GVGjr
30-05-2009, 09:01 AM
Dogs by 15 points - BOG Ryan Hargrave - First Goal Jason Akermanis

angelopetraglia
30-05-2009, 09:18 AM
Dogs by 25.

Johnson BOG.

Gia first goal.

The Underdog
30-05-2009, 09:28 AM
Dogs by 15 points - BOG Ryan Hargrave - First Goal Jason Akermanis

You think Shaggy will line up?

Dogs by 1 point
BOG Cooney
First goal Scott Welsh

I'm worried big time about the let down after last week. Also about playing the Swans on their 2nd home ground.

The Pie Man
30-05-2009, 09:29 AM
Dogs by 8
Johnson to exercise demons like he did vs Hawthorn in Tassie last year with 1st goal
Cooney BOG

GVGjr
30-05-2009, 09:30 AM
You think Shaggy will line up?



Wishful thinking :)

The Underdog
30-05-2009, 09:36 AM
Wishful thinking :)

Yeah it'd be great, but all indications were he'd be another week. Usually I'd imagine he'd play through an injury but a quad's not really one you want to risk.

One question, if Gilbee & Shaggy don't get up and Harbrow doesn't come in, who takes kick in's? Even if Harbrow does come in who backs him up?

AndrewP6
30-05-2009, 09:45 AM
Dogs by 11 pts
BOG Griff (c'mon son!)
First goal to Aker

AndrewP6
30-05-2009, 09:48 AM
Dogs by 8
Johnson to exercise demons like he did vs Hawthorn in Tassie last year with 1st goal
Cooney BOG

Is he going to take the demons out for a run? I wish he could EXORCISE the demons that haunt him in the last seconds, not the first!:)

The Coon Dog
30-05-2009, 10:17 AM
To those who are in Canberra, enjoy your trip & load up on the fireworks, afterall, that's the real reason you went up there! ;)

Max469
30-05-2009, 10:53 AM
Dogs 15 pts

1st goal - Hill

BOG - Griff

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 11:23 AM
Dogs by 25 points
BOG - Griff!
First Goal - Barry Hall (sorry :()

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 12:22 PM
Dogs by 8pts
Boyd BOG
Johnno first

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 01:02 PM
Dogs 13 pts

1st goal - S Ried

BOG - R Griffen

Happy Days
30-05-2009, 01:41 PM
1st goal - S Ried


Thats a big ask... :)

Dogs by 17,
Minson 1st goal,
Coons BOG.

Mofra
30-05-2009, 01:49 PM
Dogs by 14
First goal to Eagleton
Hill BOG

Hot_Doggies
30-05-2009, 01:59 PM
Out -Williams

In-Harbrow

AndrewP6
30-05-2009, 02:29 PM
Very ordinary at the start AGAIN... Griff to Hall in the square?? FFS!

AndrewP6
30-05-2009, 02:29 PM
GIA FOR THE FIRST GOAL - and the second!!!...c'mon Doggies!

AndrewP6
30-05-2009, 02:35 PM
That's What I'm Talkin About!!!!

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 03:01 PM
Looks like i made the wrong mistake in staying home and not going to Canberra for the game, dogs are on fire so far, but they have to keep it up and play for the full four qtr. Hopefully we keep stopping them from scoring.

Go Dogs....

becmatty
30-05-2009, 03:19 PM
what link can I use to watch live online?????? ANYONE??!!!

angelopetraglia
30-05-2009, 03:20 PM
13 goals in a row! When was the last time that happened?

First class football from the Dogs after a slow first 15 minutes.

G-Mo77
30-05-2009, 03:20 PM
WOW! :eek:

Well at least Crouch has held Aker, that seems to be all Roos is interested in every time he play against the Swans. :rolleyes:

hujsh
30-05-2009, 03:24 PM
I was said that after Friday we needed to produce another effort with that intensity to prove it wasn't a one off and we have done that.

All without Aka and Johnno doing much as well.

The Adelaide Connection
30-05-2009, 03:25 PM
what link can I use to watch live online?????? ANYONE??!!!

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=40560&part=sports

The only one that is working properly at the moment is the bottom one (the footynet one). The pssword is listed which you will need when the new site opens up

bornadog
30-05-2009, 03:38 PM
Lets keep this going and really thump them.

Sleeve1970
30-05-2009, 03:46 PM
Ummm Dogs by 80+ points... be nice on the percentage.

lemmon
30-05-2009, 03:52 PM
Im going to have to wait for the replay to watch this one but by the sounds of it im going to need a change of pants. :o

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 04:05 PM
Damn, three more goals to Sydney we need to answer.

comrade
30-05-2009, 04:09 PM
HARBY!!!

Ripping tackle, then backs it up with the running goal.

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 04:12 PM
Really enjoying the games of Ward and Harbrow. Hope we put the foot down in the last quarter.

G-Mo77
30-05-2009, 04:12 PM
HARBY!!!

Ripping tackle, then backs it up with the running goal.

Again, he's been very good today.

bornadog
30-05-2009, 04:14 PM
Not a fun quarter to watch, need more from the dogs, must keep up the pressure and intensity. Come on dogs finish them off .

comrade
30-05-2009, 04:21 PM
Disgraceful free kick...

Come on Dogs, put a team away.

comrade
30-05-2009, 04:28 PM
Spewing I missed the first half because this has been horrible.

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 04:35 PM
What a frustrating second half.

bornadog
30-05-2009, 04:54 PM
In the end I will take a 40 point win. The foot was off the peddle in the second half, but still a top effort today.

G-Mo77
30-05-2009, 04:56 PM
I should be happy with a 40 point win over Sydney but I can't help but feel a little disappointed we lay down for them in the second half. I really don't rate them all that highley and thought we made them look a lot better than what they are in those final 2 quarters.

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 04:59 PM
What a frustrating second half.

No one got injured (most crucial of all!), Welshy popped up with a few and got himself back in form, Johnno played pretty well, and Dogs still maintained enough intensity to win by 40. It's impossible to keep a team like the Swans, which are a quality side, down for 4 quarters. I'll take that second half every day of the week after the first half we had.

comrade
30-05-2009, 05:00 PM
If you offered me a 40 point win against the Swans before the game, particularly after how they played last week, I would've taken it every day of the week.

Good to be 6 and 4 with Richmond to come.

mighty_west
30-05-2009, 05:05 PM
The second half was a bit disappointing, but the way we destroyed them was massive, they looked like they were on, but again, our pressure was outstanding and hurt them on the rebound, thats what finals teams do, apply the pressure but also on the scoreboard.

40 point win, yeah, i'll take that.

Gia was super, Ward should recieve his Rising star nom, Harbrow excellent again with his run out of defence, Morris sublime.

Lake owned Hall in the first half, and Hall pulled Lakes pants down in the second, Welsh very good being a target [sweating on his bump though, didn't look good for mine :o], Hahn was also very good, Cross & Boyd also deserve a mention.

Pickering....oh i mean PICKEN, tough, the kid can play, another terrific effort.

Dazza
30-05-2009, 05:07 PM
Weird to feel disapointed with a 40 point win.

Good to see a few of the younger guys back up consecutive good games. Gee Picken/Ward are hard at it.
Harbrow played very well off the backline again and great to see Hargrave back in the side.

angelopetraglia
30-05-2009, 05:07 PM
Scintillating first half. That 13 goals in a row was sensational footy. We were tough and hard at the contest, clean with our disposal and made them pay every time they made even the slightest error.

Very disappointing 2nd half.

If at the start of the game if someone told you;

Hall would kick 6 goals
Goodes would absolutely dominate
Johnson no goals and no influence
Aker no goals and no influence

There is no way you would have thought the Dogs could win.

When we are on top in the midfield we have so many options to goal.

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 05:10 PM
The Good:

Awesome first half.

Hahn, Guido, Eagleton stood up and made their critics eat humble pie (again)


Big Willy and Hudson ruck combo working great.

Harbrow - yes I like the taste of humble pie.

Hargrave - great return

Picken got crunched and is starting to gain some confidence in getting some of the ball and using it effectively.

Welsh with 4 goals (could have had 6). Is he in trouble for the bump on Crouch?

Boyd and Cross with the hardball.

Higgins - struggling with injury? Doesn't show it.

Callan Ward - nearly a great 4 quarter effort.

With Johnno and Aker well held - it was great to see others making contributions.

Griffen - just couldn't get it going. He wasn't help by the fact that one of the best taggers in the business was on him.

Adam Cooney had flashes of brilliance - still working to gain some confidence.

Josh Hill - did okay, but needs to do more with the talent he has.

The Glove shutting down O'Loughlin.

Tiller should still be there to play next round.


The Bad:

Tom Williams - what's going on!!!!! Plantar Fasciitis for crying out loud.


The Ugly:

Brian Lake just couldn't do much to stop Hall - the entries to the forward 50 was an avalanche in the second half was too much.

Second Half fade out. Premiership teams play four quarters and don't give the opposition a sniff. The dogs played one awesome half of football and then took the foot off the pedal. Very disappointing.

Aker and Johnno getting blanketed and not having much influence in the game - look for a big one for both against the Tigers on Friday night.


The Tigers: The Dogs have beaten them before, let's do it again!

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 05:19 PM
Good to see Gia dominate and Welsh's standout game for the season also Picken and Ward going on with it.
Big Will gave some good hard moments and was clean picking up the ball.
Another good one for Eagle and Harbrow.

Good team effort all round, maybe Hill was a bit quiet.

The second half was a good chance to gain some percentage but theres always next week.

LostDoggy
30-05-2009, 07:53 PM
I am not the biggest Minson fan, but i thought he played well today. Didn't try and do to much for a change, and played within his boundaries.

Looked as though he was thinking a little more, and using the right option.

eg. players running past for a handball, who can kick better.

AndrewP6
30-05-2009, 08:43 PM
Johnson no goals and no influence
Aker no goals and no influence
.

Didn't see the second half, but thought Johnno played good controlled footy in the first.

Happy Days
30-05-2009, 09:15 PM
Welsh with 4 goals (could have had 6). Is he in trouble for the bump on Crouch?


Wouldn't have thought so...was just a souped-up sheperd.

Go_Dogs
31-05-2009, 10:21 AM
Dogs by 40 points.

YES!!!



I managed to see the second half, which obviously wasn't as good as our opening half, but was still a pleasing effort. At times when the game was shut down to a contested slog we did really well.

Pleasing spread of goal kickers and contributors.


I saw Tiller opposed to Goodes during the second half, was Tiller also on him in the first half, and for those who caught the whole game, how did they rate Tiller's efforts?

mighty_west
31-05-2009, 01:17 PM
Wouldn't have thought so...was just a souped-up sheperd.


I am not so sure, i hope you are right, but, it wasn't just a good bone crunching bump, like the one Aker gave, seemed more like one of those passing shoulders to his head, he was out with the fairies as well which makes it look a bit dodgy.

LostDoggy
31-05-2009, 06:36 PM
I am not so sure, i hope you are right, but, it wasn't just a good bone crunching bump, like the one Aker gave, seemed more like one of those passing shoulders to his head, he was out with the fairies as well which makes it look a bit dodgy.

that said, it was good to see Welsh give Aker's nemesis a nice hip 'n shoulder. Good ol' 80's type footy!!

Happy Days
31-05-2009, 07:21 PM
I am not so sure, i hope you are right, but, it wasn't just a good bone crunching bump, like the one Aker gave, seemed more like one of those passing shoulders to his head, he was out with the fairies as well which makes it look a bit dodgy.

I think his saving grace is that Ward had played on.

It was a big bump, but was done with the intent to help his team-mate, not to harm Crouch. Had Ward not played on, then he might be in strife.

Dry Rot
01-06-2009, 12:11 AM
Good day at the footy. 3 rows back from the fence on the wing. Sat with a Swans fan, had dinner with her later (no hard feelings). Also with my dodgy Saints and Pies fans Canberra mates.

Gee our ruckmen are lazy bastards or unfit or don't think.

Higgins, Harbrow and Ward were a pleasure to watch. Ditto Morris's work on Micky O and with an objective eye, Bolton's work on Johnno.

Goodes BOG for mine - I still don't know who was on him.

I still think our forward structure is crap.

Scorlibo
01-06-2009, 12:25 AM
Goodes BOG for mine - I still don't know who was on him.

He was great wasn't he? I'm not sure whether it really resonated how dominant he was to the TV audience but at the ground he had an aura and he was the one Sydney player out there that looked close to ripping the game apart.

Tiller was on him.

Dry Rot
01-06-2009, 12:42 AM
Tiller was on him.

Thanks.


He was great wasn't he? I'm not sure whether it really resonated how dominant he was to the TV audience but at the ground he had an aura and he was the one Sydney player out there that looked close to ripping the game apart.



He was tremendous. Always dangerous, and seemed to do what he liked at will. His evasion skills are amazing.

I really enjoyed the work of defenders Morris and Bolton at ground zero. Neither are dirty players, and just displayed great defensive skills NB positioning and spoiling.

Before the game started, I told my rag tag bunch of non-Dogs fans to look out for Harbrow. He didn't disappoint me.

How slack our ruckmen? And forwards? Did you see their efforts when Aker was taking a shot at the limit of his range?

Mantis
01-06-2009, 08:29 AM
Gee our ruckmen are lazy bastards or unfit or don't think.

Going into the game a major concern was how to limit the effect of Jolly (as evidenced by your player profile). One would have to admit that Jolly had no influence on the game which was a major win for our ruckmen and one of the main reasons why we had such a convincing win.


I still think our forward structure is crap.

Yeah it's disgusting.:rolleyes:

We only kicked 18 goals against a defensive minded side like Sydney and we were coming off 17 goals against Geelong who have given up over 100 points against something like 6 or 7 times in the last 55 games.

It may not be the traditional set-up, but it is very effective especially given our midfield is playing extremely well.

dog town
01-06-2009, 08:40 AM
Going into the game a major concern was how to limit the effect of Jolly (as evidenced by your player profile). One would have to admit that Jolly had no influence on the game which was a major win for our ruckmen and one of the main reasons why we had such a convincing win.


l. I have not seen the game yet because I was playing on saturday and I am waiting for the replay. I did however catch the end of it on the radio and the commentators were into Jolly. They noted that he was always looking at Hudson and Minson when he went up for the taps.

aker39
01-06-2009, 08:45 AM
To those who are in Canberra, enjoy your trip & load up on the fireworks, afterall, that's the real reason you went up there! ;)

I thought it was for the porn

aker39
01-06-2009, 08:46 AM
Goodes BOG for mine - I still don't know who was on him.




The reporter in the Herald Sun couldn't find a vote for him in the top 5.

Don't know what game they were watching.

LostDoggy
01-06-2009, 09:28 AM
I thought in the first half Goodes might have got the ball, but he did bugger all with it. He was much better in the second half but the game was over.

ledge
01-06-2009, 11:01 AM
Goodes does get looked after though, how many times i thought he disposed of the ball wrong or held onto it too long i couldnt count.

I also dont see a defensive side of his game. Tiller when he got the ball didnt have Goodes on his tail i didnt think either, thats why Tiller didnt look so bad with his own game either, its only when you compere you see it.

In saying that Goodes is one hell of a strong man and its his strength that gets him through a lot of tackles.
Wish he was in our colours.
You could see how he won Brownlows, the bloke is amazing in the packs.

comrade
01-06-2009, 01:56 PM
Good day at the footy. 3 rows back from the fence on the wing. Sat with a Swans fan, had dinner with her later (no hard feelings). Also with my dodgy Saints and Pies fans Canberra mates.

Gee our ruckmen are lazy bastards or unfit or don't think.

Higgins, Harbrow and Ward were a pleasure to watch. Ditto Morris's work on Micky O and with an objective eye, Bolton's work on Johnno.

Goodes BOG for mine - I still don't know who was on him.

I still think our forward structure is crap.

I thought of anyone, you would’ve had something positive to say, considering all the losses you’ve supposedly had to endure over the years at the hands of the Swans.

Not sure how you can say our ruckmen are lazy when they blunted the influence of one of the best big men in the business. Minson in particular was great at the tough stuff and both helped us at ground level to get the ball going our way.

And as Mantis pointed out, our forward structure is firing at the moment because our mids have lifted their intensity and are working both ways. Any forward line is going to struggle with the crap we dished up against Carlton and West Coast.

Pretty rubbish post IMO.

ledge
01-06-2009, 02:11 PM
I think in Dry Rots defence the lazy ruckman was about no one being in the square on Akers long distance shot and yes that was lazy, someone should have been there.
It wasnt a good look for our forwards at all.

Desipura
01-06-2009, 02:25 PM
I thought of anyone, you would’ve had something positive to say, considering all the losses you’ve supposedly had to endure over the years at the hands of the Swans.

Not sure how you can say our ruckmen are lazy when they blunted the influence of one of the best big men in the business. Minson in particular was great at the tough stuff and both helped us at ground level to get the ball going our way.

And as Mantis pointed out, our forward structure is firing at the moment because our mids have lifted their intensity and are working both ways. Any forward line is going to struggle with the crap we dished up against Carlton and West Coast.

Pretty rubbish post IMO.

Disagree with this based on one incident, mentioned it in another post. That one incident was where he pulled out of a contest thinking there was going to be a collision from behind him. Minson went for a mark one handed rather than clutch two hands at it with his full body behind the ball. There was no one near him. Its no coincedence at the end of the game he came off the ground not happy at all. Looked angry at something, whether at himself, maybe.

comrade
01-06-2009, 02:39 PM
Disagree with this based on one incident, mentioned it in another post. That one incident was where he pulled out of a contest thinking there was going to be a collision from behind him. Minson went for a mark one handed rather than clutch two hands at it with his full body behind the ball. There was no one near him. Its no coincedence at the end of the game he came off the ground not happy at all. Looked angry at something, whether at himself, maybe.

I can’t recall this one particular incident but I wouldn’t hang him out to dry because of it. Will has proven in the past that he’s happy to partake in the physical aspects of our great game and one less than ideal marking attempt shouldn’t change that perception.

Desipura
01-06-2009, 02:50 PM
I can’t recall this one particular incident but I wouldn’t hang him out to dry because of it. Will has proven in the past that he’s happy to partake in the physical aspects of our great game and one less than ideal marking attempt shouldn’t change that perception.
Agree, just goes to show even the toughest players can shirk an issue.

Dry Rot
01-06-2009, 03:15 PM
I think in Dry Rots defence the lazy ruckman was about no one being in the square on Akers long distance shot and yes that was lazy, someone should have been there.


Thanks. That's exactly what I meant.

And all too often over recent years we don't seem to have a ruckman back on the goal line touching a long goal attempt for a point.



It wasnt a good look for our forwards at all.

Agreed. Obviously we don't have too many big bodies up forward, but Hahn and Minson are up there from time to time.

In recent years I don't recall too many of our goals going through where our forwards have shepherded it through.

All the above are not one-offs in a single game which was well won.

Dry Rot
01-06-2009, 03:28 PM
Good day at the footy.....

Higgins, Harbrow and Ward were a pleasure to watch. Ditto Morris's work on Micky O




I really enjoyed the work of defenders Morris and Bolton at ground zero. Neither are dirty players, and just displayed great defensive skills NB positioning and spoiling.

Before the game started, I told my rag tag bunch of non-Dogs fans to look out for Harbrow. He didn't disappoint me.




I thought of anyone, you would’ve had something positive to say, considering all the losses you’ve supposedly had to endure over the years at the hands of the Swans.


Can't read or you've just got poor comprehension skills?






Not sure how you can say our ruckmen are lazy when they blunted the influence of one of the best big men in the business. Minson in particular was great at the tough stuff and both helped us at ground level to get the ball going our way.



See post above.




And as Mantis pointed out, our forward structure is firing at the moment because our mids have lifted their intensity and are working both ways. Any forward line is going to struggle with the crap we dished up against Carlton and West Coast.



So you think we have a good forward structure? And it's scoring against the poorest playing Swans team for many a year is evidence of this?




Pretty rubbish post IMO.

Yep, it seems any criticism of the team or club on WOOF is a "pretty rubbish post".

Desipura
01-06-2009, 03:40 PM
How many goals did we score against one of the best teams going around in Geelong last week?

comrade
01-06-2009, 03:48 PM
Can't read or you've just got poor comprehension skills?

I apologise – you were positive about a handful of our players. Still, after a comprehensive 40 point win, the tone of post was strangely negative.


See post above.

You should’ve clarified that you were referring to a single incident when calling our ruckmen lazy and unfit. I agree that someone should’ve been on the line but I think you’re being a tad harsh with your comments.


So you think we have a good forward structure? And it's scoring against the poorest playing Swans team for many a year is evidence of this?

Our forward structure could be better – Murphy is a massive loss – but with a midfield hitting it’s groove, it will continue to be a dangerous forwardline. High scoring against the Cats showed this, high scoring against the Swans confirmed it.


Yep, it seems any criticism of the team or club on WOOF is a "pretty rubbish post".

Criticism is fine when it is warranted or articulated correctly. Of your original post, 3 of the 4 statements you made about the game were negative – and this after a big win!

Happy Days
01-06-2009, 07:14 PM
DR, we were the second highest scoring team in the comp last year. Our forward line structure is exactly the same. How is it crap?

I'm so over everyone saying we need a tall forward. The good teams find ways to work around their weaknesses, and we have proved that we are a good team.

GVGjr
01-06-2009, 07:23 PM
DR, we were the second highest scoring team in the comp last year. Our forward line structure is exactly the same. How is it crap?

I'm so over everyone saying we need a tall forward. The good teams find ways to work around their weaknesses, and we have proved that we are a good team.

I think this is more of a focus that we don't have the type of forward line power that scores goals in finals and whilst I would have worded it a bit differently in a round about way it's still a decent question to ask.

We do need a strong target and that's one of the reasons why we looked at getting Hansen from the Eagles last year. You are right, we have who we have and we just need to make it work.

LostDoggy
01-06-2009, 11:04 PM
I think this is more of a focus that we don't have the type of forward line power that scores goals in finals and whilst I would have worded it a bit differently in a round about way it's still a decent question to ask.

We do need a strong target and that's one of the reasons why we looked at getting Hansen from the Eagles last year. You are right, we have who we have and we just need to make it work.

Thank God we failed miserably on that one.

bornadog
01-06-2009, 11:18 PM
Since Rocket has been at the club and including ten rounds to this week, we have been in the top three goal kicking team for five years. Go back and have a look, we are a goal kicking machine. Yes, it would be lovely to have a Jonathan Brown, a Buddy etc etc etc , but we don't. Hopefully, we are starting to develop a few from the recruits in the last two years.

dog town
02-06-2009, 11:31 AM
Finally got around to watching the game this morning. Hard to know what to take from that game. The swans were as bad as we were good. The swans game completely fell apart in that first half. We seem to have found a way to open up he swans for a quarter or so at a time. That is 4 games in a row where we have beaten them with a massive burst of goals in one period of play.

I dont think the swans new found handball happy style is really suited to playing us. We were able to turn it over easily and it left us with a lot of space to run into.

Good sign for us to win with still so much improvement to come. Johnson, Aker, Gilbee, Griffen, Cooney, Lake can all play better and Murphy and Williams will be huge inclusions when they come in.

I thought it was quite noticeable how keen we were to clear the congestion with quick kicks or even handballs to space. After the first 10 minutes we were a bit better at getting on to the end of these loose balls and then spreading.

Dominated them in the ruck contests I thought. Its pretty crucial against the swans to stop them from dictating from the stoppages and Hudson and Minson gave us a big shot at doing that. Cross, Boyd and Griffen were pretty good with the bullocking and getting the ball into space I thought.

Hill has copped a bit of flack but I thought he had some very clean quality touches at times. Plenty to work on but he does a lot of quality things.

Morris was amazing all day. Really enjoy his ability to fight back in contests where he has no right to get a hand in. He will often get out bodied early then manage to spoil or worry the opponent out of it in a situation where most players would surrender a mark or fre kick.

Hargrave continued his brilliant form.

Good to see Guido recovering his form.

Higgins I thought sparked us after a slow start. If he stays fit he will only get better.

Cross was huge IMO. Made the one error where he got called to play on. Most players wouldnt have been called for that but the umps know he is looking for it so will be red hot on it.

Harbrow has really clever hands as well as his pace and evasiveness. Still not sure that we couldn't use him in another position but he has clearly shown he can play at this level.

Welsh has taken the pressure off Hahn and gives us that genuine FF option coming out of the square. Looking forward to having Murph back into that mix.

Thought we could have been a bit more ruthless. A few guys didn't really bodyline the ball in that second half which is a it dissapointing. We need to be better to compete with the top sides. Harder for longer has to be the focus because every contest will be vital come finals time.