Last Thursday night, I traipsed out to the SCG to see the Swans start their season again – this time against the enigma that is Melbourne.
Their earlier games had featured the inability to play for four consecutive quarters, and the oddly inconsistent form of Lance Franklin.
Meeting my dedicated Swans supporter friends, I was reminded that they are truly great people whose devotion to the cause shows all that is worthy about supporting your team.
Except a muttered threat about how every time they ask me to come Sydney lose (and something about a curse), they all found their seats and looked out at the venerable SCG.
All this rubbish about the turf being like a cow paddock is just that. The ground looked magnificent, hardly the patchwork quilt I had expected.
In the first quarter, the Swans were really on. Faster into the ruck, winning contested ball, and entries into the 50 were hugely in favour of the red and white.
Multiple goal kickers, but where was Franklin? I didn’t matter. All the Swans had to do was to keep on the pressure.
Alas, that was a task too hard.
As often happens in this crazy game, a side gets momentum and suddenly in the next two quarters, the Demons – led by Nathan Jones – kicked five brilliant goals and suddenly the good lead disappeared and so did the statistical dominance.
Remember last year? The Gold Coast did this and the Swans dived to defeat. The same thing happened.
Isaac Heeney, who was dominating in general play, collected a fearsome bump and limped off. He came back but didn’t reach the same heights.
Buddy tried hard but did not seem connected to his fellow forwards and midfielders. When he had a shot, his fearsome power seemed diminished. Did Melbourne have Kryptonite?
For my mates, the game meandered to a desultory end. The mutters started again: “If Keith comes next time, we need Harry Potter’s friend Hermione with her patented curse remover.”
I know I shouldn’t listen to the doomsday theories that the Swans won’t reach the finals this year, but it would be nice to see four quarters’ worth of effort against the Tigers.
Grints
Roar Rookie
When South relocated it was actually easier for South supporters to watch their team as all their home games were televised live into Melbourne on a Sunday... no more trying to get to a run down old suburban ground in the wet, just turn your TV on and stay in the comfort of your lounge!! Id say it was harder for them to stay loyal through a 72 year drought with very few genuinely hopeful seasons in between flags... thats what I give them credit for.
Grints
Roar Rookie
Whilst you are right in looking back over the last 100 years id take their last 20 in a heart beat - i have a mate who was 2 when they played in the 1996 GF and he was shocked to find out what a basket case this club was before then... he only remembers the Swans being successful.
Jezza Jones
Guest
The issue with Sydney was spending too much of their salary cap on 2 players. IMO Trippett was being paid way too much for his ability. There was no way the Hawks were going to match Franklin's offer. It didn't help either with AFL in 2014 imposing trading restrictions on them which IMO was unfair because of their self inflicted salary cap risks. It is the reason why Mitchell went to Hawthorn. The Swans have a lack of depth between 50 to 150 game players. I think Longmire should stay on as a long term coach and have a clear out at the end of this season with older players I thought offloading Hanebury to the Saints was a good call, always injured and banged up. The Swans do have a lot of good quality kids coming through, but they wont be playing finals in 2019 or possibly 2020.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
11 games at the MCG; 4 x Etihad; 1 x Geelong. 15 games within 2 km of the CBD and 1 an hour away. It’s a charade.
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
Mate, I think even the Eagles would pass on him... they have 3 key forwards running around in the WAFL now who they cant squeeze into the side.... Brander, Waterman, and Bailey Williams .. even McCinnes would do a serviceable job given the chance. So no chance Buddy will play for the Eagles.
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
I think you can still get two good years out of the great man... so if you think you can win a flag now then why not. Of course its a gamble, but what isnt in the AFL?. He only needs to kick two goals a game, with Mason Cox theres not a backline in the league that can mark both of them. But then after two years, you have to put him out to retirement, wear his payments and blood a bunch of young guys in a rebuild.
RT
Roar Rookie
Apologies Spanner. Silly me. Diabolical is the word!
anon
Roar Pro
I understand that very well, but we're not talking a $100k here. We're talking $500k plus to make this deal
Dean
Guest
Richietiger, Spanner was referring to the bulldogs diabolical form since the 2016 premiership.
RT
Roar Rookie
Often clubs partially pay the salary of players they have traded to get the trade done.www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-demons-ceo-peter-jackson-defends-paying-jack-watts-to-play-for-port-adelaide-20171024-gz7g41.html
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Very good point. Could well be Ghost’s alter ego for this site, like a few others have. Anyway, my rant came to an end.
RT
Roar Rookie
My presumption is Old Man was tongue in check and is unwittingly trolling you.
anon
Roar Pro
Why would they? Are they a charity?
RT
Roar Rookie
I'd suggest Sydney would still be paying half of it if he left.
RT
Roar Rookie
Diabolical form since their recent premiership? 21 wins and 7 losses. Second only to WC with 22 and 7. LOL. As for Rioli, his outstanding goal was decided by the general public voting on the AFL website.
RT
Roar Rookie
11 home games, astounding!
Spanner
Roar Rookie
It was fixed alright, Mike - hence their diabolical form since ! Fresh in my mind was the unbelievable umpiring versus GWS in that series. Same thing happened the next season for Richmond (Cotchin let off for the GF and Rioli's very ordinary "goal of the year" as proof)
Aus in Engerland
Guest
I think every club (even WC (my club)) would love to have Buddy. Even if using the soccer logic of 'if we have him on the bench then no-one else has him playing against us'. But anon asks the obvious and correct question. In answer, I can't name one club that would take him off Sydney's hands at that price, at that age, in his current injurious state.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
The last time South were a big deal, radio was a new thing & cars were still being crank-started. Plastic milk crates were still decades away.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I wonder if you'd have Richmond at #2 ? 1 AFL premiership aided by an astounding number of home games and one player on a completely different level. It's no wonder Rance likened the Tiger's flag to a comet.