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Well it all kicks off for 2022 this Good Friday when we take on EP at Leederville Oval.
Not really sure what to expect from this game, I dont take much notice of pre season form but have noticed a few regular boys have missed all 3 games, whilst most of the senior core have played only 1 or 2.
Looks like quite a few Colts boys from last year in the Hewett brothers, Watson, Morris, Chipper, Humphries, Sears, Jones, Hannan, Cartwright could be in line for a League debut.

EP have added H.Brayshaw into their midfield mix from last year to complement the likes of Jones, Ramsay, Schumacher, Scott etc whilst the likes of Taylor & Narrier will give them some real leg speed and skill.
Simpson normally kicks a bagful against us, whilst Msando & Willcocks down back are really impressive interceptors and rebounders.
 

Just a short stagger from the homestay nowadays is Leedy Oval. Weather permitting, I'll be at the match with junior in tow on Friday. Looking forward to seeing these youngsters lead us to premiership glory this year!

Can't wait for friday, just seems like so long ago since the elimination final at Joondalup last year. I'm hoping that Swans can continue their improvement from last season. Frank Anderson is a massive loss so they will need some of the other midfielders to fill the gap as well as the colts from the premiership team last season. To be taken seriously Swans will have to set their mindset to winning some games against the teams that have dominated them in the last 7 or 8 years, namely Subiaco, South Freo, Claremont and West Perth.

mikeh wrote:

Can't wait for friday, just seems like so long ago since the elimination final at Joondalup last year. I'm hoping that Swans can continue their improvement from last season. Frank Anderson is a massive loss so they will need some of the other midfielders to fill the gap as well as the colts from the premiership team last season. To be taken seriously Swans will have to set their mindset to winning some games against the teams that have dominated them in the last 7 or 8 years, namely Subiaco, South Freo, Claremont and West Perth.
 

Big ask to compete with those 4 with such a young list.

One question I have for the SD family. Which player will likely take over the role of our spiritual on-field leader now Riggs is no longer around?? 

Dirty Weekender wrote:

mikeh wrote:

Can't wait for friday, just seems like so long ago since the elimination final at Joondalup last year. I'm hoping that Swans can continue their improvement from last season. Frank Anderson is a massive loss so they will need some of the other midfielders to fill the gap as well as the colts from the premiership team last season. To be taken seriously Swans will have to set their mindset to winning some games against the teams that have dominated them in the last 7 or 8 years, namely Subiaco, South Freo, Claremont and West Perth.

 

Big ask to compete with those 4 with such a young list.

One question I have for the SD family. Which player will likely take over the role of our spiritual on-field leader now Riggs is no longer around?? 

Tony Notte without doubt although a number of other Senior players will also assist including Co-captains Erceg and Jones, Tobe Watson, Jesse Turner, Sam Fisher and Braydon Noble.

Disappointing result. Surprised that Swans only lost by 4 points. Just couldn't get moving and we were pushed aside physically. It actually staggered me how much difference there was in the size and agility of East Perths bigger blokes and our complete lack of marking power other than Noble. Too many short kicks and hospital handballs. I thought that the game was there for the taking at 3 quarter time if they could play some direct footy but alas not. Even when Swans were handed the lead via a dubious 50 metre penalty in the last 5 minutes, East Perth snatched it back again straight away. A lot more desperate and deserved winners. I know its early but from looking at them today, I reckon they may have gone backwards from last year with the loss of Gault, Howard Riggio and Anderson.

A hard game to watch at times despite a few screamers being clutched or not quite clutched Pretty flat display for a season opener on a beautiful sunny day. A few of our guns looked very under done and at times this game mimicked a scratchy. Aside from the first 15min EP had a lot more team synergy. Thought the difference in the game was that and also EP’s much better work at the fall of the ball.
For us Noble was excellent up front looking to have his opponents measure all day. Outside of his efforts I hope we got a bit more up our sleeve as we roll into season 2022. Kicking not just sideways but noticeably backwards all game ain’t gonna win much footy against the usual top 4 suspects .

It wasn't a skilful game.and looked like two bottom four teams out there.both teams dominated in small patches but fortunatley for me the royals did it for longerI always thought we were too short in the backline and noble killed us.He is a good kick for goal.both teams have winnable games over the next two weeks but both will need to improve a lot to be challenging for the top 5.

The big difference in the game for mine was Jones in the ruck for EP.
He dominated and gave EP midfielders an arm chair ride out of the middle and from stoppages, never more evident than when we hit the front at the 25 min mark of the last qtr he won the next 2 hitouts to advantage and easy goals came about straight away.
He has done it consistently vs us before and this has never been addressed, neither has our foot skills!
Not sure on who has had covid recently within our team but quite a few looked under done, considering the length of the pre season you would hope general fitness wouldnt be an issue, also noticed many of them cramped up in the second half.

Congrats to Kemp, Pina, E.Hewett & B.Watson on making their League debuts for Swans.

What a pathetic display and if that is to be our style of play for the year then may as well get rid of Pickering now. Chip, chip, chip sideways, chip backwards and chip fwd again to a 1 on 1. Made it very easy for EP to roll back, outnumber at the contest with bigger bodies and then score on counter. That game style is outdated.

Clearly we are undersized so idve thought quick ball movement would be the better option and when it was evident that Noble was our only real threat up fwd then Jones or Notte had to be switched from defense in the 2nd half.

Another thing that stood out to me was the lack of feeling, leadership and intensity around the huddle, especially at 3/4 time. Both captains very despondent and I got the feeling the players lacked a genuine belief in the style, in each other and in the coach. 

Long year ahead.