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The Sydney Swans’ dismal qualifying final result was the red and white’s fourth consecutive loss in a finals match, dating back to the 2014 grand final.
Excluding that infamous horror showing against the Hawks in 2014, the Swans have subsequently kicked a combined 21 goals and 40 behinds in three finals against Fremantle, North Melbourne and the Giants, scoring seven goals in each match.
While the Swans have had a fantastic year and already achieved so much with their in-season rebuild, questions must be asked about the mental scarring the 2014 grand final continues to have on some of the playing group.
In that game, the Swans’ ‘bottom six’ were found wanting (although they did have plenty of friends). Gary Rohan, Jake Lloyd and Ben McGlynn are three that come to mind that had horror days.
And on Saturday, the pattern was eerily similar again. Except this time around, that cohort are more seasoned and settled in the side.
Gary Rohan is a blistering excitement machine, but come September his game-awareness seemingly disappears in the heat. He needs a strong final this weekend to take the next step.
Jake Lloyd continues to develop in a rebounding flanker role, but Saturday’s 26 possession game was marred by some clangers at pivotal moments. He is an up-and-comer that needs to rid himself of the ‘F’ pressure mantra.
On Saturday, much was made of the physicality of the Giants, and plenty will be analysing the actions of Steve Johnson and Shane Mumford in coming days, maybe even at the tribunal.
What was most impressive was how the Giants completely disrupted and pressured the Swans handball and carry game.
Despite the scoreline reading 39-37 at halftime, the Swans were getting absolutely pulverised.
By the game’s conclusion, Steve Johnson kicked 0.5 with two out on the full, and Jeremy Cameron scored 4.4. Had they landed some of those gettable shots, a 12-13 goal win was on the cards.
The Giants also drew out the Swans massive Achilles heel: a complete lack of class and depth with ball use by foot.
Buddy Franklin had a superb first half, but he was needed in the centre of the ground with his sublime left foot.
As much as they are a hardened physical midfield group, with the exception of Luke Parker and maybe Kieran Jack, the likes of Daniel Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, and Tom Mitchell lack penetration and consistency with their foot-skills.
The ‘fab five’ on the weekend had just 49 kicks amidst 80 handballs, a wonderful insight into the pressure on the ball these players had to endure.
There was no linked handball release to a midfielder running into space; it was complete suffocation.
With Buddy having to play as a quasi-midfielder, and with Kurt Tippett (who appears about as durable as a tissue box) again being waylaid, the forward structure simply fell apart.
Rohan and Isaac Heeney were left obtaining kicks on the halfback line and there was no target, let alone presence, in the rare moments the Swans took the ball beyond centre in the second half.
This week, the Swans are back on sure-footing at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Back forever – and thankfully so from a fan’s perspective too.
After the way they slipped and fell all over what continued to be an average (and that’s being kind) ANZ Stadium surface, that can only be a good thing.
However, the Crows are fresh off a training run against North Melbourne and boast a very solid 11-7 win-loss record against Sydney over the last 18 matches at the SCG.
The Swans took absolutely no chances in their NEAFL grand final on Sunday, also against GWS.
Jeremy Laidler and Toby Nankervis were late withdrawals from the team, and on this basis, the Swans have shown their hand as to who will replace the injured Callum Mills and Tippett.
Losing five finals in a row will not be a fantastic look, and will be a disappointing end to 2016.
The Swans will look to apply their own traditional SCG choke-hold to the Crows midfield to prevent their electrifying forward line, led by Eddie Betts, from taking control of the game.
The one positive is there is a major upside from Saturday’s loss: the Swans won’t be able to play any worse.
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