A FOOTBALL (SWIMMING) LESSON by George on The Outer

A few weeks ago Melbourne played Hawthorn in the wet. It took the players and coaches a full quarter of that game to get the message out that you cannot play the same way in those conditions as you do in the dry. Trying to hand pass and finesse doesn’t work. 

Fast forward three weeks and surely the message would have been simple, plain and unambiguous.  Especially as it has rained there for the past week and a bit with no prospect of even a clearing of the clouds on the day. 

Yet once again the players tried to play like it was a dry day. And each time they tried to pass the ball around with handball (Tyson) or bounce the ball (Frost) or mark the ball in a pack (far too many), it just didn’t work. 

Sydney, on the other hand, played the type of football appropriate to the conditions and reaped the reward. 

Kick the ball forward at all cost. Shovel it forward instead of trying to pick it up.  Kick it off the ground.  Kick it long to the forwards.  It isn’t pretty but it works!

Then Sydney brought an intensity to the game that reflects in their current second position on the ladder.  Over 140 tackles in the game, means they were serious about getting the ball, and importantly, stopping the opposition from using it.

Kennedy was simply superb for the Swans, and showed our younger brigade how to play on such a day.  McVeigh was a rock in defence with 25 disposals off half-back.  Luke Parker with 17 tackles!

Sadly, the Melbourne side had only a few players with wet weather footy smarts.  Bernie Vince showed the way again this week with 28 possessions including 14 contested.  But time and time again he would just put the ball on the boot to get it going forward. The pity was that apart from Nathan Jones, Jack Viney in the second half, and Christian Petracca, no-one else followed his lead. 

The importance of Max Gawn to the side was displayed emphatically in this match.  With the conditions nullifying his 58 hit outs, Melbourne only managed 7 to advantage.  With or without Max’s dominance, they still don’t have the smarts and skills around the ball. 

The backline held together until the last quarter, and once again was cut open by the failure of the HFF and wings to cover their man when the opposition have the ball.  Stretch, Bugg, Kennedy and Kent simply have to find that man who sneaks out the back and then becomes unattended in our defensive 50. 

In only a 10 minute period the Swans kicked 6 goals after being held for the previous 3 quarters to the same score.  Why? Because McGlynn, Towers and a couple of others just walked into the forward line, while their opponents went ball following.  

It is becoming too repetitive a situation to be tolerated, and these lapses in concentration are costing games. 

The Demons were taught a lesson by the Swans.  Yes, they are a seriously good side and will in all likelihood play off in this year’s Grand Final.

But it was an opportunity for the young Demons to be competitive.  It doesn’t hurt to lose to superior skilled and experienced players. 

But it does hurt when the lessons, which should have been learnt from previous weeks are not being adhered to. 

The bye will be advantageous to the young brigade of bodies that we have.  Unfortunately, the games in coming weeks are not going to be easy and we need to see a much smarter side take the field than has done so far. 

Melbourne 1.1.7 2.3.15 3.6.24 4.7.31

Sydney Swans 2.6.18 4.8.32 6.13.49 12.14.86 

Goals

Melbourne Petracca 2 Hogan Kent

Sydney Swans Franklin 4 Towers McGlynn 2 Hewett Kennedy Nankervis Lloyd

Best

Melbourne Vince Jones Gawn Petracca Viney Wagner

Sydney Swans McVeigh Parker Hannebery Franklin Jones Towers

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Sydney Swans Nil 

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

Sydney Swans Nil 

Reports 

Melbourne Nil

Sydney Swans Nil 

Umpires Donlon Stephens Kamolins Jeffery

Official crowd 19,086 at SCG