As the Round 11 clash between Sydney and Geelong was coming to a close on Saturday night with the Swans down the scoreboard, Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson made a comment that it was very much a “Swans-type encounter”.
When reflecting on this it became apparent that many Sydney matches this season have been a Swans-type encounter, especially the wins against North Melbourne and Essendon and even the loss to Collingwood. All these matches were tight encounters coming down to less than ten points, yet it’s hard to argue that these matches were played on the Swans terms.
Ever since John Longmire took over from Paul Roos in 2011 fans would have noticed a consistent game plan built on contested footy and building play from the defensive 50. Although often described as ‘slow and boring’ by opposition fans, the results speak for themselves. On the back of Longmire’s style of play the Swans are arguably the most consistent and successful club in the last century.
However, currently sitting on three wins and 15th on the ladder, it’s hard to argue that this game plan is still effective.
John Longmire (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Clubs like Geelong, Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney and Essendon have an absurd amount of talent running through the middle of the ground, which directly affects Sydney’s contested-ball tactics. No longer do the Swans have players like Kieran Jack, Jude Bolton or Dan Hannebery to go get their own ball and generate play in the middle of the ground; these days Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy are the only capable options to compete in the middle, but both are struggling to keep up with midfields that go five or six players deep.
A trend in Sydney’s play of becoming stuck in the defensive 50 and launching the ball out into a contested pack only for it to come straight back into the opposition’s forward is becoming apparent. The fact is that it is a struggle to score if you can’t get the ball out of your defensive 50, and this is putting a lot of pressure on the Swans defensive capabilities.
With a seriously underrated back six led by Dane Rampe and Aliir Aliir, this trend is not noticeable on the scoreboard, but I have noticed fans of the club slowly starting to observe it. Having such a young team is one contributing factor, with players like Colin O’Riordan and Jordan Dawson having to make key decisions coming out of the back half and costing an opportunity to escape the opposition squeeze. Further development by these young players will help limit these concerns.
The belief behind these issues is that the match is no longer being played on Sydney’s terms, and with contested footy not being maximised, the Swans are becoming too predictable. Stop Sydney’s contested ball, win the game. It’s as simple as that.
So where do they go from here? With rumours regarding John Longmire future at the Swans beginning to develop, it makes me question if change might be the best option. We have already seen this year with Rhyce Shaw at North Melbourne that fresh faces can add a new dimension to players, and the Kangaroos look completely different under a new coach. I am not suggesting that Longmire should be sacked on the spot, but proper thought about moving into a succession plan must be considered.
Brett Kirk is the most viable option and has a lot of personal sentiment for me and fellow Swans fans. Kirk was arguably the heart and soul of the club for the early 2000s and knows exactly how to win games of footy. Currently an assistant coach, Kirk has been a poster boy for coaching development programs for the AFL, yet he cannot find a head coaching role as the most qualified coach in the league.
When developing young players John Longmire’s experience would be second to none, but I can’t help but think these players would benefit from a coach that knows what it means to play for the Swans.
If the club does continue with Longmire for the long-term future, I will not be discouraged and know his coaching will benefit this young club. But I can’t help but feel a succession plan must be considered. With a new coach, co-captains and developing young players, several comparisons could already be made to the 2005 premiership-winning team.
Peter Warrington
Guest
so who is on the list? Coniglio? Jack Newnes? Not really a lot of talent on the free agent list, that isn't already 30. You could see if you can coax a couple of years more out of Shaun Burgoyne, he is a big body and superbrain. Could prosper between the 50s at the smaller G? Might have to trigger a contracted player leaving? Would they make a play for a Rory Sloane? The inestimable Bontempelli ?He might have had enough mediocrity? Robbie Gray - he would be dynamite in Sydney I reckon.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Sorry anon, who is your team?
kick to kick
Guest
This down year is being well tolerated by Swans fans who understand that one of the youngest teams in the competition will need more games to get back on top. There is no widespread sentiment to lose Longmire. He is widely admired and there’s a general confidence he is the man to bring a young team through a lean patch. There are some signs the worst is already over. On the contrary most members are nervous Longmire might be lured away by a Melbourne club offering big bucks and the club would have to face genuine gambles like Brad Scott or a rookie senior coach. Nor is the problem the backline which has one of the healthiest opponents inside fifty to goals scored ratio in the league and tops the comp in rebound fifties. Nor are forwards the long term problem. As Buddy eases into veteran status, MCCartin, Blakey, Heeney, Hayward, Papley, Dawson, are the foundations of a gun attacking force in the future. The glaring issue is a midfield that is honest but without elite playmaking skill and is being regularly outplayed with consequently negative differentials in forward fifty entries, both for and against. Now the unconscionable trade ban is over for Sydney and some salary cap room, expect to see the Swans bidding hard for free agent midfielders.
WayneS
Roar Rookie
Obviously you are not one of the true Blood's fans.
WayneS
Roar Rookie
All teams are predictable at times and the Swans are no exception. Like it or not, the Swans have been in a rebuilding phase over the past three years since losing possibly their most important mid fielder in Tom Mitchell. Injuries to their prime players, the loss of COLA, the player trading ban until the end of 2016 and the lack of early draft picks have all also had an adverse affect on the club’s performances. The loss of coaching staff including Stuart Dew also cannot be overlooked. It is still obvious that the “never say die attitude” is still apparent as is the now famous “blood’s culture” and the Swans are likely to win more games in the second half of this season than the first.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
North's improvement at this early stage owes more to Brad Scott than Rhys Shaw. All respect an best to him but... A true test of a leader is how many other leaders he leaves when he leaves. North's board partying in the stands was not a great look. I only hope they are as smart as they obviously think they are and they know how to keep that Shinboneriness going. David King says that means going out to hurt people. I suppose that's a bit like the the Hawks 'unsociable' tactics of 2008. It can electrify in the shot term but if you look at Hawks 2009 they doubled down and more on injuries. Bash and crash is fun to watch like a smash up derby and it gets the juices flowing but it's just not sustainable. Playing the ball and not the man is ummmmmm... obvious. Of course if you pick your targets like Mumford on Murphy well then we can all enjoy a bit of that. Ha Ha Ha. How jolly. Don't sneeze or laugh for five weeks Murph. We all love the hard and tough but shouldn't he have been going for the ball? Delight in the skills. marvel at the contest and thrill at the contact but the deliberate intention to cause another human being pain is just crazy talk and I know we're all a bit crazy but this is where we talk about it. It sounds dumb to say it due to obviousness but hurting people is just not a good idea. Zebel is awesome to watch in this mode but it ain't gonna last. I mean 'Who plays like that?'
the bloods
Guest
so what happened from 1992 to 2012 if you don't accept mediocrity? tigers made finals only twice in that time.. twice in 20 years and you think the tigers are a superior club to the swans? lol and swans since 1992 to 2012 have made finals 14 times with 2 flags.. so before you bag other clubs for getting a handout maybe you want to research the richmond football club a bit more and you will see that the tigers also had handouts
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Possible? Sure. But a long way off.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
True, missed an r. Brad Scott will never coach the Swans and that is no loss. He probably should never have coached an AFL team, another story. Real Swans fans are rightfully proud of a great run of success over the last 15+ years. Nothing you and your mate casper’s cousin will make any diff to that.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Sydney have had zero handouts, if you believe otherwise you are just another gullible Melb AFL media follower. RFC has been one of the very least successful on field clubs of the last 30+ years, the facts shown that. Give Bill a kiss nigh nigh and off to bed with you.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
I have a theory the Swans already have their succession plan. He’s called Stevie J.
The Ghost
Guest
So you are happy with the state of proceedings up at Sydney? 2012 is a long time ago now. I guess our expectations are higher at Richmond. We do not accept mediocrity. Richmond will always be a superior club to Sydney. We have not had all the hand outs that Sydney have had.
Old Man behind the goals
Guest
Shouldn't it be, stick with your mate Shorten, as opposed to you mate Shorten? Maybe you would know what real Swans fans are feeling, if it you stepped outside of the corporate boardroom. Many Swans fans are fed up with the top down complacency. Brad Scott will restore glory to our great club.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
It worked for years against the likes of the Eagles (Judd, Kerr, Cousins - any better midfield group you can think of?) and any number of other teams when Kirk played in the middle. The game is no faster now than it was then. The Swans are currently not the team they once were, like happens to all clubs, so they don't look like they are playing the same kind of footy. There are many teams this year playing better footy than them. Nothing you said and none of this speaks to Kirk's potential as a coach. Do you have a point in that regard?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Who cares? Horse will be at Carlton or North next year. They'll have a new game plan in 2020.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Decent article covering some fairly obvious considerations. Succession plans? Yes - coaches and players that is. Radical changes? No. We are not top 8 standard this year and maybe next. We have a handful of senior players complemented by maybe a dozen game day others who are developing into solid B graders. We need half a dozen A graders to be found over the next 2 or 3 years that we can use across all lines to be back in top 4 contention. Looking fwd to it.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
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michael RVC
Roar Pro
How would you know what true Swans fans are feeling or any other Swans fans for that matter? You wouldn’t. Apart from you and your mate Old Man something or other, there has not been a murmur of discontent from fans, despite a difficult period. Based on past comments from you two, you have zero appreciation of the past 20 years performance or the challenges facing the Swans coaching staff at the moment. Stick with you mate Shorten.
anon
Roar Pro
Swannies should never be on Friday night. They just drag others down to their level.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Rubbish. The Swans were within a couple of kicks or so of two of the top teams in the AFL over the past couple of weeks. It's simply inexperience and associated match fitness that's costing the team. A proper ruckman wouldn't go astray either just quietly. Here's a tip - the Swans will win four games in a row after the bye.