At the 1974 Football World Cup, the world was captivated as Holland unleashed a style of football never seen before.
‘Total Football’ introduced the tactical theory in which any outfield player could take over the role of any other player in a team.
Rather than being confined to play in one position, the system allowed complete flexibility, and importantly, made it difficult for opposition teams to respond defensively.
Fast-forward to the 2014 AFL season and the same theory is now being used by the Sydney Swans, who are starting to redefine the way in which the game is played.
Tactical innovation in the game is nothing new. Over the last few years we’ve seen Collingwood’s manic forward press, Hawthorn’s zoning, Geelong sprinting up the highway, and Sydney’s ‘slingshot’ football.
Systems like these are dissected ad infinitum by the media and opposition, and perhaps at times there is too much emphasis placed upon them – the system is only as good as the cattle you’ve got on the park.
The latest innovation from the Swans is not based on any particular style, but on the players themselves. You see, over the past few years the Swans have been recruiting and developing as many midfielders into their playing group as possible.
While other teams may claim to having as much star quality in their midfield, the sheer weight of numbers in this area shapes how the Swans play their football. And as any coach or player will tell you, it’s in the midfield where games are won and lost.
Sydney’s A-list of Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Daniel Hannebery and Jarrad McVeigh is now complemented by Luke Parker, Craig Bird and Ben McGlynn. Throw in Tom Mitchell, Adam Goodes (albeit less these days) and Jake Lloyd and that makes 10 players you will likely see in the guts in any game.
There’s plenty of genuine pace in there to complement the inside grunt, but throw in the added outside run of speedsters Lewis Jetta, Harry Cunningham and Gary Rohan and it’s starting to look scary.
Where it gets really clever is that all of these players will also be seen playing different roles on different parts of the ground throughout the game.
The defensive side of Sydney’s game is well known. Tackling, contested possession and getting numbers behind the ball when needed are cornerstones of the Swans game – in essence, every Swan midfielder plays as a pseudo-defender.
But it’s the ability of the midfielders to play in the forward line that’s the real weapon, especially when they can all cause damage on the scoreboard. The Swans love the focus on Kurt Tippett and Lance Franklin, because even if you can hold them – a near impossible task – then any of the midfielders can play as a forward and provide goals.
There used to be talk about the benefits of having one swing player in your team. Adam Hunter, Ben Reid, and Harry Taylor are all lauded for their ability to play as a defender or forward. The Swans now have a bounty of these players in addition to Sam Reid playing the ‘typical’ swing role.
The rapid-fire interchanges and fluidity in the Swans set-up will confuse the most astute opposition coaching group, as match-ups are next to impossible to manufacture or sustain as players constantly shift position. Throw in the gut-running instilled into every Swan, and it’s a potent formula.
Any young player aspiring to break into the first team is also expected to be able to play in any part of the ground. Watch a Swans reserves game and players undertake a variety of roles throughout the game.
The Swans don’t focus on developing specialist wingers, back pockets or crumbing forwards anymore – they develop all-round players who can take a turn in the midfield if or when needed.
Franklin and Tippett are really are just the icing on the cake. Death by a thousand midfielders may be the catch-cry for this team.
Holland didn’t win the 1974 World Cup, losing the final to the hosts West Germany. Similarly, there are no guarantees for the Swans in 2014, but injuries are less likely to derail their season as they did in 2013. There is plenty of midfield cover should anyone become unavailable.
Total Australian Football may be coming to a stadium near you.
Triple B
Guest
You're delusional Tim if you think the Hawks were 'breath taking' in the GF. They were just average, except Freo got stage fright and were god awful Hawks were clearly the best side in 2013 and thoroughly deserved to win the flag, but talk of them being anything else but just going on GF day is just garbage...
Michael huston
Guest
Zzzzzz...
John Wilkins
Guest
Put enough weight under the saddle of the other runners in the tace and you can let just about any horse win. But isn't it time that the Swans join the rest of the adults and at least compete at weight for age? Every Swans flag should be recorded with * alongside it to denote COLA. Respect is earned not bought!
Penster
Guest
Buddy prefers Coke.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Like I have forewarned...
asd
Guest
Season only half way.Cant put all the eggs in 1 basket .theres been plenty of minor premiers over the years couldnt get the job done.
Brian
Guest
Port are actually pretty exciting this year. Running and carrying the ball. They're more of an Argentina. Dockers are Italy dour defensive and effective Hawks play tika taka Espana I'd say the Germans are Geelong, Always there or thereabouts.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Least Buddy would get us there unlike 16 other clubs NYH. Seriously though, I am a realist. Finals are when the play stuff dies down. Plenty of teams e.g. Geelong 08, St Kilda 2009 and Swans in 34,35,36, were the best (or at top of their game) for the season. Premiership is won in the finals. But H&A does set a great building block.
titch
Guest
Not sure what to make of the Swans massacre of the Cats last Thursday. Either the Swans are that good or the win signalled the Cats era is over.
TW
Guest
The comp needs a very good Sydney for the ratings in the finals - We are a National League last time I looked. It is interesting to note that the only clubs complaining about the COLA are from Melbourne.
Radelaide
Guest
Finally!!! someone who knows what they're talking about.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Mick, Enjoyed your article, but I'm worried. Netherlands' 'total football' finished second to West Germany in 1974. Are you obliquely suggesting the Swans 'total football' in 2014 will finish second to say, the German-like industrious and pragmatic Port Adelaide? ;-)
Aussie in London
Guest
your 2nd part hits the nail on the head. And just to add, then you have Reid lurking in there as well... oh and Goodes and McVeigh.
Michael huston
Guest
Exactly. Hawthorn are a brilliant team and I suspect that once they get their players back in top shape, they will again take the mantle and bring a new intensity that Sydney have to keep up with. But right now, the Swans are looking the best. That doesn't mean they will win the flag, and it doesn't mean they ARE the best, but they've shown they're capable of "pantsing" anyone in fascinating style, so for now, you'd be crazy to tip against them.
Swansong
Guest
COLA is spelt ENVY for most supporters. I must admit if i was not a swans fan and a team as good as sydney with the list they have and two gun forwards i too would be clinging onto any COLA excuse to convince myself the swans are bad bad bad just out of pure jealousy. I would also be immensely hurt if i was a hawk fan..but it must be a Sydney thing to not hold onto a grudge..i mean i really couldn't carless that we lost to WCE in 2006..a long time ago now..and by 2008 i was over the loss...unlike Hawk fans. Great article and this system of having players do a certain role and then having the flexibility to swap has been a swan trademark for a while. Last year the players that went down where vital cogs in the swans machine..but we found a whole range of decent parts as spares in case. My only concern is we might have peaked a little too early. It was after all this round last year when the dark injury clouds gathered and basically decimated us..maybe we can repay Port back for being the ones who decimated us this round last year!
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
You seem to forget that Hawthorn took it to another level earlier in the season with how many we were rotating thru the forward line and mids making match ups impossible. Maybe do yourself a favour and get the GF rematch out on video, where we pantsed Freo with a style of football that was breath taking- then lets talk 'levels'........... But, talking about new 'levels' in May is irrelevant for the only time anything matters is in September. The Swans found that out last year when they looked good all season and then were cruelled by injuries when it mattered.
Michael huston
Guest
Haven't I read something similar to this before?
roororse
Guest
When they win the flag this year they can totally fill the premiership cup with COLA and drink!
Col in paradise
Guest
They had to get a stack of mids - to replace Jude and Captain Kirk...2 each minimum..and it works !....but great game plan and the cattle to deliver..Tippett and Franklin were part fo the build of the new game plan...Key power forwards are rare..and as I said in the COLA article if other clubs missed those guys who wanted out of their old clubs then dont blame Sydney..blame your clubs management...only about 4=6 power forwards in the league and u gotta pay up....(% COLA is not the difference...also good power Fowards go to where they will get delivery.....even average ones Like Cloke = he stayed at the Pies as they deliver very well and have a strong mid field...but no one else really coughed up and now they bitch...and Pav, Hawkins and St Nick wont move for money....so the other clubs have missed out by not seeing you have to invest and pay a premium to play sometimes... Whilst were talking game plans -can anyone tell me what Malthouses game plan for the Blues actually is???>..wont even menTion the Tigers...
Michael huston
Guest
I watch plenty of Hawks games, in fact I'm quite the supporter of them. Injuries have no doubt cruelled them this year otherwise I'd even admit they are better than the Swans. But Sydneys best midfielders in Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh have spent large chunks of the year playing a forward role. If you put Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell out of the center, those mids that can get over 30 possessions, the midfield wouldn't be as explosive as the Swans has been. Which is clear given how you weren't as clean getting it out the center yesterday minus Lewis and Mitchell. That's fine, not every midfielder needs to be able to play different roles and the Hawks have proven they're by far flexible enough to be contenders, it's just the Swans have taken things to a new level. But I'll be the first to admit that the Swans could still fall. Opposition teams may wake up to how the Swans work and do their best to stop them and it may work. Hawthorn and Sydney are different, even if flexibility is a part of their game plan. I was simply referring to comments saying Sydney had brought nothing new when their performance on Thursday was one no other teams had yet to give.