Sydney have been one of the AFL’s most consistent sides over the past decade, playing in three deciders and missing the finals series just once. However, question marks linger over their ability to compete when it matters.
The Swans were clearly the best home-and-away outfit in 2014 and 2016, deservedly finishing as minor premiers in both those seasons, before capitulating in the finals.
The 2014 grand final started a curse that the side haven’t been able to shake. The Hawks obliterated them on the big stage and one could argue that a psychological element still hampers the Swans in big matches. Others suggest that their gameplan just doesn’t cut it.
In 2016, they were blown off the park in the qualifying final, before bouncing back in the next two finals against sides they historically match up well on.
Unfortunately, they succumbed to a hungrier side in the grand final that year and should’ve lost by more, having been soundly beaten in most areas on the day.
Even last year, the Swans came home with a wet sail but were embarrassed by Geelong in the semi-final – a match they went into as heavy favourites. Some argue they’d spent all their petrol tickets playing elimination final after elimination final following the 0-6 start, but I’m not buying into that. They had the week off following Round 23 and brushed aside Essendon in the first final with relative ease.
The Cats were no genuine force last year, as illustrated by both their qualifying and preliminary final performances, and there were simply no excuses for the Swans producing such a dismal effort.
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Why bring this up now? Well, last Thursday night was hyped as the first genuine ‘heavyweight battle’ of 2018, and once again the Swans just weren’t up to it. Many aspects of the game had the same old stench about it.
John Longmire seemingly didn’t have a plan B to slow the Tigers down. They couldn’t slow the opposition down, attracting comparisons to both the 2016 qualifying final against the Giants and the 2014 grand final against the Hawks.
The team looked slow, tired and didn’t have too many answers, with the scoreboard flattering Sydney for much of the night.
While Sydney are likely to once again make the top four, plenty of things will need to go their way come September if they are to secure another premiership. Their gameplan has obvious deficiencies and they just don’t seem to have another gear when challenged by the very best.
The Round 6 come-from-behind win against Geelong was predominantly off the back of Josh Kennedy, who lifted in the final term. They obliterated Geelong in the clearances, largely due to Kennedy’s influence, and constructed a blueprint that proved how ordinary the Cats can be when their midfield doesn’t fire.
While you can’t possibly fault the back six, there are only so many inside 50s a defensive unit can repel before things start to break down. Jake Lloyd, Dane Rampe, Heath Grundy, Jarred McVeigh and Nick Smith will probably all feature in their top ten come the end of season best and fairest count, but aside from the likes of Kennedy, Luke Parker and Buddy Frankllin, who else consistently stands up when the team is under siege?
Players such as Gary Rohan, Harry Cunningham and Will Hayward need to work on their consistency and Longmire needs to find a way for them to get involved and break the game open when it matters.
Kennedy isn’t getting any younger, while Grundy, Smith and McVeigh are inching closer to retirement. The end of this season could potentially signal the closing of the premiership window for at least a little while. For a team that’s been so dominant in each of the past six seasons, having just the one flag to show for it will not sit well with the club and its supporters.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
One thing I totally agree with is Longmire and no Plan B!!!!! I actually think a change of coach might do them wonders. Aliir Aliir last fortnight alone you have ask what Longmuir doing? Why is it only now is he getting opportunity. They’ve got some great talent on their list, McCartin, Ronke, Aliir, Melican, Hayward, Papley, Hewett.
Bravohorse
Guest
Pies may be glad to be rid of him, he has always disappointed. You can only play on potential for so long and is clearly injury prone. That would free up a lot of money to have a real crack at getting Lynch.
Lroy
Guest
Yep, they should have a panel of neutral refs to do the GF when Victorian teams are involved. For that game a WA/SA crew should have officiated the gig. Kieran Jack (I think) collared high and late after marking, should have been a 50,not awarded and he misses the goal from 40, should have been taken from teh goal line. Would have given the Swans plenty of momentum as they were going well at that point. Vics whine about the Eagles home town decisions, have a look at what happens to the interstaters when they play in Melbourne, its statistically proven Vic sides get more frees home and away when playing against the non Melbourne teams. Time for neutral refs in the GF.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
"While Sydney are likely to once again make the top four" I don't think so. I have Sydney finishing in 12th spot on 44 pts. They are not a shadow of the side they were in the past. Kennedy is slowing down. We can all see Hannebery is way off his game. Palmer is being sacrificed up forward to inject some goal scoring. Rohan is wasted space when in the team. Jack is past it. They have only beaten two teams in the TOP 8 - WCE and GWS, when GWS was struggling. They have a tough run to make the finals. Nth (A); Suns (H); ESS (A); COLL (H); MELB (A); GWS (A); HAW (H). Given their record at home this year they could go 1 and 6 for the rest of the year. But they need to go at least 3 and 4. I will pencil in the SUNS game and losing the rest.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Firstly they need to land Moore, secondly they need to keep him on the park. If anything this year his stocks have dropped.
DeanM
Guest
2012 they won a grand final due to Demetriou and his prelim final tampering. Giving the Swans an extra days rest before the GF despite been the lower ranked side. 2014 Hawks were the better team for the year. Swans only finished 1 goal ahead in percentage with their soft fixture compared to the Hawks having a tough fixture and significant injuries plus Clarkson out for a month of footy.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Looks to me like some tired, old and getting slower bodies. Kennedy, Hanneberry, Jack great warriors and all have recently to me looked slow and vulnerable. Need some real pace injected. A Jetta or a Isaac Smith or Brad Hill at their best would really gee up that team on the outside, i think that would make a world of difference.
anon
Roar Pro
It's suddenly become fashionable to hold the umpires to account (people have woken up to the umpiring advantages particular teams enjoy), but remember that in the 2016 AFL Grand Final the Swans had 4 free kicks up until early in the 4th quarter. The free kick count was something like 17-4. From halfway through the 1st quarter to early in the 4th quarter, Sydney had ONE FREE KICK. I've never seen umpires seemingly go more out of their way to influence a result than on that day.
anon
Roar Pro
What curse? 2014 GF they lost a Melbourne Grand Final to a Melbourne side despite qualifying higher on the ladder than the Melbourne team. 2015 they nearly beat Fremantle in the QF despite no Buddy, no Parker, no Jack, Goodes being booed. Had more scoring shots. They limped into the finals. 2016 GF they lost a Melbourne Grand Final to a Melbourne side despite qualifying higher on the ladder than the Melbourne team. Lost the QF on neutral ground (ANZ Stadium) to GWS when they were on the way up. Hardly a bad loss losing on neutral ground to a team that won one less game than you all year. They made up for it in the preliminary final by smashing a Victorian team in Victoria. Why not write an article about Geelong choking against an interstate team after having a week off? You're supposed to LOSE away finals. Richmond can't win interstate against a top 8 team to save their life.
Ian
Guest
11 players now that have been best 18 12 months ago not available if we were playing today. Tippet. Naismith. Rohan. Reid. Melican. Jack. Hannebery. Heeney. Papley. Mcveigh. Mills
Paul D
Roar Guru
My heart bleeds for you, really
Jamie Mccoy
Guest
So who needs to step up will Haywood or Ollie florent maybe you meant both harsh considering their age.
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Craig, a bit more than a tough run, blatant cheating more like it,.the AFL decided that the Bulldogs needed to win regardless. Bulldogs have shown since it was a faked win and the Swans got duded. And your right no team can match them over the last 10 years of always being in the hunt
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
But that’s Richmond style. They know they will run over anyone at the G in the last qtr so only need to have their noses in front by then and thus don’t have to expend all their energy the first three quarters. They keep fuel in the tank and invariably win by 40+ in the last.
Angela
Guest
Definitely - thanks truetigerfan - they will be okay. Great club, great culture, great coach. Next season potentially looking promising (injuries aside). Patronising article. Trouble is that - at the moment - the Tigers are looking so good (and relatively injury-free) other teams are looking diminished in comparison. I doubt anyone can stop them this year.
Brandon the 1st
Guest
"The first genuine heavyweight showdown of the year".......wait, what? Richmond v eagles, Richmond v Port, Port v Sydney, Geelong v Richmond, Sydney v GWS and these are just the games that come to mind, so yeah nah. Pretty negative article surrounding a top 4 team, super reactive.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Plenty of midfield grunt, perhaps not enough midfield pace and line breakers.
Faunac8
Guest
Poorly thought out and researched article - 2016 GF clearly outplayed ? Maybe try to be slightly subjective rather than recycling old theories
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
What game were you watching, Tim?
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Swans will be okay moving forward. They'll recruit Moore and turn him into a player. Get Reid and Hannas fit. Some astute drafting and trading. Further development of their own. And there you have it. Swans will be okay.