The Sydney Swans are 0-2 after two rounds of the AFL season. They are hardly in trouble but just not convincing to both themselves and their supporters.
They endured a good offseason after signing Lance Franklin and getting into winning ways in the NAB Challenge.
However after two disappointing results to two rivals in GWS and Collingwood, the Swans will be out to shrug off the doubters and show that they still really do have good culture.
Lately ideas have been thrown around leading to the assumption that the Swans culture has been ‘disrupted’. Some go even further to say that it has been ‘ruined’. Both accusations are incorrect.
Every football club in the AFL has good culture, if they didn’t they would be in serious trouble financially, on the field and in the media. Some may argue that the events of the past twelve months involving the Essendon boys has disrupted their culture, but you only need to look at their performances in both games so far this season to see this is not true.
This is no different with the Swans.
They haven’t had a good start to 2014 but this has nothing to do with culture. Simply, the Swans don’t have enough players playing good football.
Too many of their players haven’t played ‘Swans football’, leading to a disorganised unit that hasn’t delivered in all areas of the ground for four consistent quarters.
This is the issue for John Longmire and this weekend he looks to his players to rebuild the faith within themselves and within their supporters and the football world.
Sydney go to the Adelaide Oval as the Crows (another team 0-2) host their first home game of the season at the newly developed venue.
The stage is set for a cracking game of football. Adelaide haven’t played four quarters yet this season and are still struggling to find their feet in the 2014 season.
This has led many to believe the side will under-perform, which is an incredible accusation after just two games.
The pressure will be high and the outcome for the loser will be tumultuous, however one can feel in a game like this the Swans will silence the critics and come home after securing victory in Adelaide.
We are talking about a very professional outfit that will just get better as the season goes on. John Longmire admitted they were ‘poor’ against GWS and not great against the Pies, yet they improved and players continued to get more valuable game time.
Buddy Franklin is yet to make an impact at the Swans, yet a man getting paid as much as he is will eventually stand up. Once he does, look out!
An elusive midfield and a team built around defence, Sydney will always have the dogged determination and exquisite composure to finish in the top four this year.
This being said, the reality is in fact Sydney are 0-2 and they do have to play Hawthorn, Essendon, North Melbourne and Fremantle before the bye in Round 10.
Sydney are a professional outfit currently struggling through the first two games. Yet it will be in games like this that the Swans show the AFL that they still possess that famous ‘Bloods culture’.
For John Longmire and the Sydney Swans, the 2014 season begins now.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Totally agree teo. We're just not playing well.
Mark
Guest
LRT played in round 1.
teo
Guest
Another fantastic article on the ROAR. you guy's really do leave other outlets for dead in your analysis. I have really enjoyed the varying discussion around the Swans. As a avid follower and club Member I have found the media hype around the losses so far more disturbing than the losses themselves. There have been some worrying signs in the way the boys have been playing but I feel their are legitimate reasons such as 4-5 players regaining form after long injury lay offs. Anyway time will tell and with a tough draw things can still prove difficult for the Swans.......They just need to play the sort of footy we all know they can...
Axle an the guru
Guest
Reply:When i use the word (want) joe , i mean desperation and desire , its a mental thing, offcause both teams will want to win, but if you dont think those words dont mean anything in todays elite sportsmen and sportswomen, then your way off the mark.
Joe
Guest
I struggle to believe in professional sport that there is anything at all to do with "wanting it a bit more." Surely both teams will 'want' to win - isn't that their objective? I reckon at this level it's all about executing the skills in the important moments - not merely a desire in 'wanting' to win. This is where the Swans midfield may just get over the line. Adelaide have Dangerfield and Sloane but their midfield lacks depth and class. This should be a top match - looking forward to it.
Olivia
Guest
My biggest disappointment with my Bloods so far is that they have looked tired and disinterested. That sort of 'look' should not be brought on by our injury list as, let's face it, those who get an opportunity because of those injuries should do a Dane Rampe and leap out of their skins to seize it The issue seems to be between the players' ears. I don't know if it has anything to do with Franklin and in some sense it doesn't matter. The more important issue seems to be that, in interviews I have watched, no one seems to have a handle on the cause nor how to approach a solution. Perhaps it is something the players, en masse, must solve for themselves. I hope the solution starts this Saturdar
Axle an the guru
Guest
Its hard to pick a winner out of this one, both teams are better than where they sit on the ladder. Adelaide have played better opposition than Sydney plus the home ground advantage, but i think Sydney have more guts and determination. Franklin is due to put some influence on a game. Sydney badly miss Goodes, they always play better just knowing he is around, Tippitt is just a WOFTAM so discount him. The Swans and Crows know whats on the line here. I tip Sydney by 15 points or less, i just think they will want it a bit more than Adelaide.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Crunch match for both clubs and whoever loses this match will find themselves on the back foot for the rest of the season. Sydney enjoyed a 77-point win the last time these two sides met but that was before injuries started to cave in and threaten to bring down the Swans' premiership defence. Once again the Swans have been ravaged by injuries which, in my opinion, have also contributed to their poor start to 2014. Goodes and Tippett are still to return, but LRT will be back for the first time in almost twelve months (if I remember correctly). Adelaide have been just as poor, but their cause was not helped by the fact they've had to travel to Geelong and then play last year's fairytale side, Port Adelaide, in the Showdown. The season could take a turn for the worse for the loser, I feel.