TOPIC:

Having a look at the breakdown of Swans matches this year is quite illuminating. I won't be surprising anyone here by saying that Swans have lost 10 out of the 13 last quarters this season. Up to about a month ago when things went completely pear shaped, Swans 1st and 3rd quarters were pretty strong,however I counted 7 games where Swans were either in front or close behind at 3 quarter time but lost the game due to their opposition outscoring them in the last. This has to be a fitness issue and any review of the football department needs to look at the effectiveness of the teams preseason program and skills training in 2019. It is likely that the team will finish 2019 with 2 wins and 16 losses and collect the wooden spoon, not because they are a team with less ability than East Fremantle,East Perth or even West Perth and Perth, rather they just cannot play 4 quarters of football implementing the structure and game plan that they have been directed to play with their current level of skills. As the statistics quite clearly show, they can keep it going for 2 quarters, sometimes 3 but invariably stop to a walk in the last. And yes I know our youth is a factor as well but other teams seem to cope with youngsters in their ranks and not consistently fade out of games.

mikeh: good post, but I would just add two points:

I have never seen a poor side play four quarters of good football, lack of ability comparred to the opponent will get them
How can SD be unfit in the middle of a season? I could understand it at the start of a season.

I always refer back to one game, I know, but it is worth reflecting on
1979 Perth Oval,
EP 1.1
S 8.8

this was the quarter time score. How was this quarter possible by Subi? EP had the margin back to five points until Schultz hooked a goal on the final siren.

For a few years to my knowledge the club had a female who was one of the best strength and conditioning brains in WA. Since she departed the club took a couple of easy options with young inexperienced people who maybe saved money.