Longmire says quality over finals

So we asked Sydney coach John Longmire post game where to now? after another win at the SCG. He wasn’t at all interested in talking about the possibility of playing finals football. Instead it was all about consistency. Well that was pretty evident in the first minutes of this game. Lance Franklin and Tom Papley left off, kicking goals as they had been in the game against West Coast. Sydney’s forward set up is operating in a better manner. Tom Papley has stepped up and is taking more responsibility in the half forward, forward pocket zones. He’s roving well and proving an option. Earlier this year, it seemed Sydney would simply bomb the ball up forward and expect Lance to do all the work. Sydney have made real progress in the forward zone. Throw in Nick Blakey and the Swans forward zone looks like it’s potent former self. Blakey’s mark in the final term was stunning when you consider he’s only played a dozen games of AFL senior football. He “sunk the putt” after his brilliant mark, he slotted home a goal in what was the play of the night. Just hope he can continue building on his game and not become distracted by the hype that surely is coming his way. Also loved James Rose’s game. Again given another chance and he did some smart things. He put pressure on the Hawks midfield and provided some nice 1% plays, things you must do if you are to be a consistent AFL footballer. Can the Swans make the eight? Well this weekend should see them defeating the Gold Coast Suns. Surely history will not repeat itself like it did last year after the Suns scored the shock of the 2018 season by defeating the Swans at the SCG. With Sydney only 2 games out, another win would help their cause. We’ll find out more about Sydney’s aspirations after they play Fremantle, Geelong, the Giants and then Port Adelaide, if they can win two of those games they are a chance.

Tough loss. Lance Franklin is expected to miss 4 games from the hamstring injury he copped on Friday night. Photo: Jodie Newell

Tough way to celebrate 100 games for Cal Sinclair

Poor Cal Sinclair. 100 games up, team in front and in control what could possibly go wrong? Well Callum had a nasty tumble during the final term on the slippery, firm surface of the SCG on Friday night. He landed awkwardly around the head region and was clearly concussed as he struggled to find his feet after the fall. I think sometimes, we from the sidelines can’t really comprehend what it’s like to play AFL football on such a surface. When we walk around to the opposing coaches media conference, the thing that strikes you is just how slippery and dewy the grass is, and how firm the ground is at the SCG. Callum Sinclair hit that ground hard and was pretty worse for wear afterwards. He could be seen on the Sydney bench acting as if nothing had happened. He laid down for a leg message and then got up to chat with team mate Aliir Aliir who seemed bemused by Cal’s convo. Thankfully the medicos at Sydney knew what was going on and told Callum it was game over for the big ruckman who has played some good football in recent weeks. Bravo on 100 games!

Callum Sinclair’s 100th game banner made by the Sydney Swans cheer squad. Photo: Jodie Newell

Clarko’s honesty

It’s always a pleasure to see and hear Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson talk at a post-game presser. He has an amazing football brain and his views on the game are always educational. I was lucky enough to ask him a question on Friday night. He actually said it was a good question, which was cool, but we asked about where the Hawks stood with regards to the remainder of the season. Clarko was totally honest, he made the point his side needed to make adjustments before any further “silverware” would be acquired and he was of the opinion that wouldn’t be happening at the end of this year. Apart from the obvious disappointment of losing the game, Alastair looked a little tired as you would in the middle of a losing AFL season. The Hawthorn team do have personnel issues which definitely will be sorted out at the trade period. They sorely miss Tom Mitchell at the contest as Clarkson alluded to in my question to him. No doubt Jarryd Roughead has played his last game in Hawks colours at the SCG. There has been plenty of speculation around about trading Isaac Smith. The bottom line is Hawthorn is in much need of a rebuild and it begins with youth. They can’t afford to continue with the current older group.  Can the 4 time premiership coach re-invent the Hawthorn football club into the powerhouse it once was remains to be seen. But anyone who writes off Alastair Clarkson does so at their peril. He’s the greatest in the current AFL coaching business. Anyhow you can listen to our question and Alastair’s response below.

Lewis Melican continues to develop as a defender

Really enjoying the work of Lewis Melican at the back. He’s another player of the Swans “new breed” that has been given a lot of responsibility. Since the retirement of Heath Grundy, Melican has been playing at the full back position, playing a tagging type of role. On Friday night he was pitted against Jarryd Roughead. Whilst Roughead showed glimpses of his former self, Melican kept the Hawks forward legend down to only one goal and kept him in close check. Lewis has only played 30 games of AFL senior football but is showing a lot of poise beyond that experience. Earlier this season, we were a little shocked that coach Longmire decided to drop Lewis to the NEAFL, but since then he hasn’t looked back. We had a chat with him after the game.