TOPIC:

I remember this year, because at the time, I was shocked by the 15 goal loss to South in the finals. Since then, I have forgiven John Todd, especially after SD supporters stressed the half dozen or so players whom had moved on or were injurred.

In particular, I wanted to ask, all the SD supporters how much they missed Gellespie and Casey in the back line during 1981?

Ark I think they were just mentally weak that finals series, they were never going to beat the tiges but they should've got over the dogs that day. I remember one of our best poached guys Randy played a cracker and Johnny Begg was serviceable as well, apart from beas they were garbage

As disappointing as the 1981 Finals series was AR it turned out to be a blessing in disguise to be honest as it built even more hunger in our Finals inexperienced squad.
From memory injuries didnt help our cause that year including Smith, Richardson, Williams, Solin, Blackaby, Holmes, Fitzgerald, Rance, Shine etc missing a final or both.

DG -- they should not have lost by such a big margin I agree -- Subi nearly beat South twice that year, as you know. If you add Gellespie, Casey and Hoyer to BH's list, they were missing over half a side from 1980.

AR we were in front at half time but fell away badly in the 2nd half against a very strong SF side. It must be remembered if SF had of kicked straight in the GF they would have probably beaten the all conquering CL side of that season that contained the likes of J.Krakouer, P.Krakouer, Moss, Ralph, Blackwell, Malaxos, Daniels, Panizza etc

bease: the irony of that great era is that CL nearly botched it as you said. It should be re-stated that the 1980 Cl side included Hunter, as well, and it finished, a pathetic fourth; that is the worst performed side I have seen, on ability in relation to achievement.

South should of beaten EF in 1979; but overall, I would give Brownie a tick as a coach because his side had less ability than CL and SD.

Possibly AR but any side that contained the likes of M.Rioli, Michael, Carter, Hardie, Monteath, McKay, Vigona, Barrett, Cronan, Campbell, Morley and many others etc was going to be a bloody good side and tough to beat imho.

bh -- agreed -- I just regard them as a little bit weaker than the other two sides in the key positions and in the ruck. As I have said before, the brilliance of Moss and Michael, essentially rucking alone for their respective sides, only won one flag for each club.

Swans kicked the first two goals after the long break to go 16 points up in that game, and it should have been 22 point after 7 minutes if Baker hadn't given away a silly free kick in the goal square that disallowed a third. After that we kicked five of the next 25 goals...

The prelim of 1983 was sweet revenge.

Casey and Gillespie would have made little difference to Swans' defence in 1981. Both players - essential to Swans' rise in 1979 like Butch Hemming, Peter Chidlow and Ross Parker - were fringe players by 1981. No disrespect to either - Steve Gillespie was one of my favourites, but remember he played his 200th game in 1981 and he was no longer young.

You have a great memory SH.
It probably took us until 1982 in that famous game at Fremantle Oval were Mal Brown made the SF players stay on the field and train during half time that we could actually beat SF, plus having no Maurice Rioli who had gone to Richmond helped!!!