AFL Round 9 preview

Jack, a master class by the Swans. Many of the match statistics are actually similar between the two sides, on numbers the Swans seemed to win the match in the first quarter and only outscored the Bombers by 14 points after quarter time but really they were always in control of the game. Buddy kicked 5 goals but actually I think Hurley played a reasonable game on him, against a lessor opponent he could have kicked a lot more. He is a more than adequate successor to Lockett and Hall and no doubt will bring many supporters through the gate. Hooker played a good game on Tippett but the Swans key forwards are quite scary and don't mention the midfield. The Bombers player who played on when less than a goal was needed for victory was Dempsey, I don't think he could have kicked a goal from a set shot from that far out and his idea of playing on was the best chance of a goal. Pity the siren sounded.

Well I'm pretty happy with those predictions, haha. I was two points off the margin and Buddy did kick five goals.

I'm still not sure whether to believe that player welfare and development have been neglected. A lot of people seem happy to come to that conclusion based on the five players leaving, but there doesn't seem to be any other evidence of that. Docherty and Longer had serious family crises so should we even count them? I think there were a number of factors at play. I'm sure the club could've done things better but I don't believe they were significantly worse than the rest of the league. As for Polec, nothing too scandalous. Just scraps of things I've heard secondhand.

You have to wonder about Moloney. As a Dees fan I'm no fan of Neeld. But the fact that he hasn't been able to cement a spot in two average sides suggests that he Neeld might've been on the money.

Swans should win with ease. Whether or not they do, well... If Bombers bring their class we could be in for a cracker. Last few games between these sides have been close . Two extremely - Goodes gets a behind when Swans needed a goal to win and Bombers player plays on when siren goes on the 50m arc, less than goal behind.

Not a long shot really. Only problem is Tippett is behind. I made a comment recently that Franklin could win coleman if kicks straight but Tippett could be best for goals per game. Or Tippett can just go and win the coleman and have both. We just need to deliver it to them.

I guess I'm coloured in my view by what Chad Wingard said the other day in his interview, he was really up front with GWS about not wanting a bar of what they were doing. I don't know what discussions Polec and the Lions had prior to draft day, but you have to think there had to be some warning signs. Mind you, having 5 draft pics all walk out at the same time implies it wasn't just a fluke, player management and welfare was obviously badly neglected the last few years, and is symptomatic of the club not being run all that well. Maybe he did enter into it with the best of intentions, then, after a while got jack of it, and decided that he wanted out, and just stopped putting in. What sort of stories have you heard Tom, I'd certainly be curious to hear them!

I still can't really put my finger on what we did wrong with Polec, if anything. I suspect if he hadn't constantly been injured during the pre-season we might've had a better shot of holding on to him. Paul seems to imply that we should've known from the start that he'd always go back. I don't know about that. He did sign a contract extension in his first season. I think he's a bit of a weird guy. Some of the stories you hear about his behaviour at the club leave you scratching your head somewhat. Maybe it just took him a little longer to grow up than most.

I think the Blood Stained Angels will prevail again. Essendon have many solid and competent players who are good ball users , however the Swans simply want it more. Franklin? He may kick six or two - depends how he kicks early.

No, what’s frustrating is seeing people constantly refer to Polec’s current form at Port, with the implied rebuke of “well, why couldn’t you lot get that sort of performance out of him” and the assumption that it’s all Brisbane’s fault that we didn’t. Simple fact is, these guys are humans, not automatons. If they’re homesick, injured, not enjoying their football...well, there’s only so much a club can do. He obviously wanted to leave as soon as he could, and did. The error was in recruiting him in the first place – obviously they didn’t do enough due diligence in talking to him and his family about what he wanted to do, and achieve in his career. But I certainly don’t look at his form and go “if only” because it’s patently obvious to me that we never would have got those sort of performances out of him anyway, because he didn’t want to put in 100% while he was playing for us. I think most Brisbane fans have moved on, and if they haven’t, they should. You should too.

How's this for a bet? Tippett to kick more goals than Buddy this season. ;)

Probably the most frustrating thing for Brisbane is seeing how well Jared Polec is now going over at Port Adelaide.

I wouldn't be surprised if Franklin kicks five or six goals in this match like he should have last week. The Coleman Medal will eventually come down to him and Kennedy. Swans will win this one by about eight goals.

Various betting agencies are giving Essendon $9 to win by 20-39 points, I think that is a good bet at the odds. I am not saying they are going to win, but they can and they might be following Sydney's rotating forward line strategy from last week. Things don't always go according to form and it is almost as though teams can't back up every week given the frenetic game that coaches have created with interchanges. Look for quite a few more upsets this season, there is not a lot between many of the sides.

My theory is that it's a leg speed thing. I reckon we can carry one of Lester or Moloney but not both, and Leppa has gone with the younger of the two. I feel a bit sorry for Beamer. When he came to Brisbane he was told that what they wanted from him was clearances. A bit over a year later they tell him he's too one-dimensional. It just shows how different the approaches are between Voss and Leppitsch. Golby is another one who thrived under Voss but is struggling to adapt his game to what Leppa wants.

Oh, don’t even get me started on that one. My understanding is that Leppitsch reckons he doesn’t do enough work in defence – he’s great when we’re going forward, but he doesn’t tackle enough or try to win the ball back. I know Moloney has form for arguing with coaches and rubbing people the wrong way – mind you, I think anyone who had to deal with that high-strung twit Neeld would have snapped eventually – but I also don’t think the Lions are in that great a position that you can go round dropping one of the few big bodied mids that we have available to us.

More the mystery is Moloney?

@Aransan, can you really say that given last week? Actually, given most of this season?

I thought Brisbane were vastly improved against Essendon last week, and will be surprised (and saddened) if the margin blows out to 50+ against North Melbourne. Not expecting a win, but I don't think we'll be thrashed either. On another point, Leppa continues to baffle with selections. Lisle and Golby must be getting sick of the revolving door by now.

My beloved Bloods *should* win, and win easily. The only concern for me is it has traditionally been the 'should win easily' games in which we play like rabble and often lose. Even if we play no better than last week this should be a ten goal percentage booster ....... and with a game together under their belt now I would expect our forward line to be more cohesive and potent. McGlynn is a big loss but we're used to covering big losses by now, so everything points to an overwhelming Swans victory. Why, then, am I so nervous about this game? I'll be glued to my seat. Swans by 70 or a tight Bombers win. Could someone ask Mr Franklin to take his kick straight pill this week please?