“Lazarus” gets another run

That man Lazarus has been brought up time and time again and in many scenarios. Over the years, scribes have used the biblical tale of  a man being raised from the dead and applied it to things such as politics, music and sports. The Sydney Swans comeback from a 36 deficit against an in-form Richmond was classic. I honestly thought Sydney were gone for all money. I didn’t spot Jesus at the game, but the Swans brainstrust brought up a plan that would revive their team’s chances and season. They were disciplined at the back, they had structure and their forward line began to fire. Eleven separate goal kickers tells you something about this mob. Nine goals kicked to three in the final half and some of them were absolute beauties. Kieren Jack’s banana snap in the 4th quarter to put the Swans ahead was a ripper. Josh Kennedy who had been uncharacteristically quiet slotted home a massive 50 metre goal. Sam Reid was another who kicked a great goal. Gary Rohan’s sealer was total joy. I wrote about Dean Tower’s effort earlier in the quarter to get the ball across to Tom Papley who goaled. Towers looked like a man possessed as he chased after a smothered kick in the left pocket at the Punt road end and somehow managed to get the ball to Tom. In our opinion,Towers should have been playing in last years grand final. Last season at Geelong, Towers played a solid game and it was a bad gamble to play the injured Callum Mills and Jarrad McVeigh in the grand final against a hardened Western Bulldogs outfit. I spoke with Kieren Jack after the game and he said Dean is one of those blokes that quietly goes about his business and delivers when required.

Kieran Jack talks media in the sheds after the Swans big win. Photo: Jodie Newell

Bobby Skilton club legend soaks up that winning feeling

Apart from the rousing rendition of the Sydney Swans club song, another great sight in the sheds observing the action, was one B. Skilton with a massive grin on his face. Bobby thoroughly enjoyed the Swans win and it’s hard for me to describe the absolute joy of seeing such a legend of the Australian Football League being a part of the club culture. Bobby is the living heart and soul of the South Melbourne and Sydney Swans football club. He’s similar in stature to say EJ Whitten to Footscray and Bob Davis of Geelong. It’s inspiring to see him amongst the players of today and it surely must bring back memories to Bob of what it was like post-game as a player to relish a hard fought win against a rated opponent. Kieran Jack went over to speak with Bob and it was a great sight. We took a pic which really captures the mutual admiration that both these men have for each other, being former captains of the club. Bob has recently had some medical issues and he walked in with a crutch, but nothing was going to stop Skilts enjoying the tonic-like benefits of a comeback Swans win, it was a great vibe and the afterglow remained for quite some time afterwards. Great to be able to forward this pic to Bob’s granddaughter in Bec Skilton who was with her Pa after the game. Bec’s a journalist and an equestrian and you can see how she views the world on Twitter. https://twitter.com/Becskilton

Bobby Skilton was in the rooms to savoir an exciting win with Kieran Jack. Photo: Jodie Newell

Taubo’s Towers. Those ruckman do it again

Fair dinkum those number crunchers and couch experts sometime miss a glaring significant stat. The ruck work by Sydney in Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith was massive. Again the Swans dominated and blitzed in the ruck. Last week it was a count of 65 to 16, this week it was 50-21. Plenty of the ball was going to the Sydney midfield especially in the second half of the game. Swans ruck coach Steven Taubert again deserves much credit for the craft he teaches down at Moore Park. Both lads in Naismith and Sinclair are working together beautifully. Sam made 24 hit outs and Callum 26. They did plenty of little things around the ground as well.A deft kick or handpass off to a team mate all added up in the win. Great job yet again to the rucking department at Sydney.

Callum Sinclair wins yet another hit-out for Sydney. Photo: Jodie Newell

Two questions answered

There were two questions before the start of the game and for me they have been answered. Were Richmond the real deal? For a half of football you could say yes, but I think they have a long way to go. They are not closers. Last season they were an absolute train-wreck of a footy side. The game against Sydney at the SCG last year saw the Tigers beaten by 113 points. Under a year they have lifted their program to a competitive unit, but there is much improvement to be made. Their ruck area is an obvious one. Sure Toby Nankervis is a recent addition and he will take time to adjust to the Hardwick methodology, but he needs help. The Swans cashed in big league in that area. The other question was are Sydney back? Yes Yes Yes and another Yes! every week means something. They cannot afford to drop any games in such a tight season. The hole they dug for themselves is a bizarre motivator. Who knows? Credible talk of a lack of pre-season for several players, or can we really do this again after losing 2 out of 3 grand final appearances? To Sydney’s credit they have adjusted their style. It must be difficult to do. New players have to learn the system and get accustomed to the pressure of the game. Nic Newman is a great example of the ability of the Swans player list management. He’s added new life into the team. As has Will Hayward. Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney and George Hewett have only played less than 120 games combined yet they show experience beyond their years. Only a game outside the final eight and a massive match against Essendon this Friday. The stakes couldn’t be any higher. If they show the heart, desire and application to their match day plan. They will be in the finals.

Tiger tough? not just yet. Richmond need to become closers. They are not closers. Photo: Jodie Newell