That Swan Costly Loss

With great possession power comes great accountability. Time to Restump Podcast Sunday’s small setback.

Our 6-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of powerful Swans, who quite simply were just too good. 

With all their guns back and runs under their belts, the 2024 Grand Finalists found their form and returned to that familiar relentless pressure applying unit. For all but 3 quarters, whichever combination we tried, we had no answers to their centre bounce dominance.

The Swan’s James Jordan continues taking down big names and numbers and unfortunately Caleb Serong was next on his list to tick off… in more ways than one. 

Opposing teams are laser focused on Caleb. His name would be on all opposition whiteboards in big bold black letters pre-game. So, we must start giving him a chop out, provide him some assistance by running some blocks and putting some physical heat on opponents for him. Are we capable of that? What we wouldn't have given for a fit Fyfe out there!

We've obviously got centre clearance issues but the re-emergence of Jaegar O'Meara may well help alleviate some of them. His influence upon being injected into the game was instant and hindsight says maybe we should've rolled the dice and pulled the sub lever sooner. 

While he may not have the size and strength yet, is there midfield room for a ridiculously skilful rising star favourite, Murphy Reid? 

It's no secret Jye is struggling a bit. His confidence has deserted him and it has taken his snooker cue straight kicking, dead eye Jye moniker with it. Backing a player in to fight the form slump is admirable, but are there time limits? Does Jye need a breather, a release of pressure in the twos to tear the WAFL apart for a week?

While the axe grinding, coach sacking callers will melt down over the first loss in 6 weeks, an objective view would realise the Swans, with their top liners match fit, who were $1.60 favourites and had won 13 of 20 games against us at the SCG, had to play at a high and relentless level to beat us. To be absolutely belted in the midfield yet still all but win the game against that Swan’s outfit… some issues need attention but we are doing a hell of a lot right. 

With a couple of recent wins over much lower placed teams we needed a test to see where we are. We got the test and the answer and it appears we’re in really good shape for a 4th to 9th team. It may be an inconvenience to hear, but we’re simply not at the Collingwood or Brisbane level yet… but we’re not far off it.

Obviously, we're all disappointed with the loss and what it momentarily means, but in the end, we didn't take enough of the chances and the Swans did. Sometimes you just have to say, too good.

We're out of the eight but we're just a win and % out of 3rd and % out of 6th. We have enough winnable games to come to secure a spot in September. The opportunity is there if we want to take it.

We're not exactly bouncing off the walls with excitement but if it's pessimism you're looking for, check your GPS coordinates because they’ve led you astray. There's an empty room somewhere looking for you to take the shortest view in. 

But if it's a balanced mixture of wider constructive perspective and bouts of exaggerated nonsense, the kettle is on. So, come in, make yourself a coffee, bang this noise in your ears, give us your thoughts and make yourself at home.

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