Are Sydney good now?

[mjp]

So...it seems the Swans are rounding into 2024 form just in time to play us:

- The man on the list! Amartey may have just had the one of the lowest rated games in AFL recorded history (-11 I believe!) but 9 shots on goal is still 9 shots on goal. I don't like what the potential is here...
- Contested ball - they SMACKED Port around the footy - Plus 23 I think was the number I saw.
- Mills...and Heeney...and, well...everyone. Heeney had 29, Mills had 27, Grundy did Grundy things (35 hitouts with some strong post-clearance work).
- Territory domination: 51-35. Holy hell.

Sometimes it's not who you play or where you play them. Sometimes it's WHEN!

Sydney seem to be rounding into form just in time for us to play them...I don't want to go into this too much but it might also mean that Dean Cox has 'settled' on his team (Florent kicked to the curb, Sheldrick plays etc) or maybe it's as simple as Gulden and Mills are both back which helps both their ball winning AND their transition.

I know we are 'sorta' in the 8 right now - even though that kind of means closing your eyes to the fact that Gold Coast are 'owed' a game and that game is against Essendon - but given current form might mean next week's post is called "Are North Melbourne good now" (their last 6 have been pretty darn good) I'm actually worrried about this game...a week ago I wasn't.

Season stats wont paint a picture - you need to look at what's happening now...this is a BIG CHALLENGE at a critical point in the year.

[my plums]

Definitely is a big challenge and I hope we see it as such.

[mighty_west]

Unfortunately I think they could be, they ended up finishing off Richmond pretty easily the week before and I know, it's Richmond, but the Tigers have been showing fight in most games, Sydney coming off a few beltings of their own put them to the sword just like we did on Sunday.

They now have 3 guns back in Papley, Goulden and Mills which makes them a hell of a lot better and more dangerous, and especially being up in Sydney, this will be tough and we'll have to be our best to win.

[Happy Days]

I too had thought this. Cox has also overcome whatever that moronic urge was to play Nick Blakey at full back and now he’s good again too. Given we just got shredded by Blakey 2 at Hawthorn it’s not a pleasing development.

Would’ve felt much better about this game a month ago, or even if we weren’t coming off a needless 5 day break into an interstate trip.

[GVGjr]

Ladder positions aside, I would count this game as getting a scalp if we were to get the win.
As for the likes of a dangerous Amartey, a skillful Gulden or an inform Mills thats just part of playing good sides and we will have a plan to deal with it.

[Sedat]

Next 2 weeks will tell a lot about how good we really are. We bank the wins against two in-form sides (North also have their 100-year celebration so will be ginned up for the occasion), and we can rightfully claim very good status (with aspirations of greatness to be tested later in the year). We falter and we are exactly where we deserve to be. Also, you just know Amartey is not going to spray them everywhere this week.

We do have weapons Sydney need to contend with that Port and Richmond obviously don't have. Our midfield bats very deep and hurts on the scoreboard, and we have Darcy. Sydney used the ball very well against Port, who couldn't get the ball off them. Gulden and Mills back helps their ball use a lot.

I would love a couple of hard-fought 2-4 goal wins the next fortnight. We are capable enough and have been very consistent with our effort all season (except against Hawthorn, which was was much poorer than the final 22 point margin indicated IMO).

[1eyedog]

Terrible time to play them with Amartey, Papley and Gulden getting a chance to blow the cobwebs out last week. We have no one for Papley by the way.

To make me feel even better Rockliff was on the videoscope last night saying the Swans can win the flag. Wild stuff.

If we can somehow find a way to grind out a close win that would be an incredible result. This is absolutely a scalp opportunity this week.

[kickit2Koly]

With Papley and Gulden back in they are a much different side to the one we've seen so far this season.

Will be interesting to see who they tag. My guess is Jordan will go to Dale and Mills to Richards.

[Bornadog]

We are a better team than Sydney and need to stick to our game plan. Bon't is back to his best and playing his 250th, Lobb is marking everything coming his way, Darcy is unstoppable. Statistically we are the best clearance team, Sydney turns over the ball a lot and is ranked 5th to our 15th, ranked one for inside 50s to Sydney 9th and the highest scoring team in the AFL. They played Port who to me is really struggling - yes we beat up a few lowly teams, but we were brutal and relentless and our confidence is sky high.

We beat them in Sydney last year when they were at the top of the ladder, and we will beat them again.

[Flamethrower]

Every game from now on is an obstacle on our path to a finals position. Sydney at the SCG is always a tough ask. They may not be in the top 8 but they have top 8 talent, so a win against them will be a significant step in our development. Likewise, a loss will be more evidence that we are not quite a finals contender, falling short again against the better teams.

Having said all that, we have a lot of things going for us at the moment. Bont and Ed are shredding teams, our midfield depth is unparalleled in the competition, and the combination of English and Darcy in the ruck and as goal kicking threats in 2nd to none. it is only our defense that concerns me, both in man-on-man contests, and our high press system that can and does give up too many easy scores.

[Sedat]

Terrible time to play them with Amartey, Papley and Gulden getting a chance to blow the cobwebs out last week. We have no one for Papley by the way.

Sometimes the 2nd week back after a long injury layoff is often more difficult that the first up run. That would be more for Papley than Gulden, who is a freak running machine. Cunningham back from injury also helps them in D50 with the damaging smaller forwards (West won't have an easy time this week).

Having a look at their team on paper, it's pretty good if you can afford to leave Ollie Florent out - they don't have many holes at the moment.

It will be a strong challenge for us, and we need to be totally dialled in and 'on' to overcome them.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Still don't rate Sydney but they aren't easy beats.

No excuses for us. Just win. If we're going anywhere this year, we find a way to get it done.

[jeemak]

I heard they watched the Grand Final replay again over a twelve hour session on their bye and it's made all the difference. Two whole hours on the opening minute, apparently.

Getting good players back is one thing, but Sydney were never going to be easy beats at home on a Friday night. They've beaten Fremantle away and the Giants at home amongst their wins, and it appears they've not gotten themselves up against the poorer teams and paid the price - with form against the better ones not being miles off the mark (outside of the Crows game).

Massive danger game, we need to be ready for their threats and not afraid to be bullish with our forward run to get it into Darcy and Naughton quickly.

[Eastdog]

Certainly a danger game and not the best time to play them. Just need to get the win. It would be considered a really good win on the road and these are the types of wins you need if you are wanting to play finals.

[Rusty12]

Like this thread, and not having to work as hard as last week Vs the Tigers......

Yep, they are going pretty well, but......

Welcome it, go into their building, knowing they are playing good footy, and end their season.

No excuses, no maybes, a flag contender wins this game.

Gulden and Papley are hopefully sore, 2nd up, most athletes feel better first up than 2nd off a longer, lower body rehab.