The Sydney Swans suffered their second straight defeat after going down to the Richmond Tigers at the MCG last night.
The Swans, who had flown out of the blocks in the first five rounds, are now stumbling after successive losses to Adelaide and Richmond.
Sydney’s co-captain Adam Goodes was on the sideline as the Swans delivered a lacklustre performance against a younger and more hungry Tigers outfit.
In the 29-point defeat, Sydney were outplayed in the midfield with Richmond having 100 more disposals and 50 extra handballs than the Swans.
Trent Cotchin had a game high 29 disposals and Jack Riewoldt kicked four goals.
The game was lost in contested ball, with the Swans being starved of the Sherrin and not being able to hit key forwards at crucial times.
Adam Goodes, one of the AFL’s best midfielders, was sorely missed by the Swans in that department on the weekend.
Goodes who injured his quadricep in the Swans loss to Adelaide last week, is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks.
Which begs the question, can the Swans continue to fly-high despite being upset by Richmond and losing their star midfielder?
Fortunately for Sydney, they have a favourable draw over the next six weeks.
They play the Demons in round eight the Saints in round nine, Bulldogs in round 10 and have a bye in round 12.
With the Swans receiving a reality check on the weekend, Sydney can not afford to underestimate their opponents and take these games for granted.
Goodes played a major role in the side knocking off premiership contenders Hawthorn in his record breaking appearance.
Performances like that leave other team’s fans and players weary of the Swans potential for the 2012 season.
But, the drop in standard has left the Swans in limbo.
At times, the Swans play footy that puts them in the premiership winning conversation, with the likes of Geelong and Collingwood.
Other times, Sydney play footy that leaves them on the cusp of greatness, with mid-tablers like Fremantle, North Melbourne and St.Kilda.
This article may look like an over-exaggeration, but its not a case of paranoia or over-anxiety.
Adam Goodes is a key ingredient to the Sydney Swans’ 2012 title aspirations. The Swans fate will not be determined in the next 6 weeks.
But, this period will create the platform for a mid-season charge that will put the Swans in with a good chance come September.
Adam Goodes will thrive in the finals if his side takes advantage of the 6-weeks springboard the draw has provided them.
It may seem incredibly short-sided to judge Sydney based on one bad game and their first week without Adam Goodes, but the Swans need to address this issue before its too late.
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