Bolton laments lost chances
Sydney Swans veteran Jude Bolton was disappointed with how the home side gave Fremantle a sniff of victory late in the contest
Few words were spoken as the players warmed down, while some players shook their heads in astonishment following four points that got away.
After leading by 27-points at the 11 minute mark of the final term, Fremantle stormed home and kicked 4.3 to almost steal the game from the Swans.
While a brilliant mark on the last line of defence from Sam Reid saved the Swans from their third loss of the season, Swans midfielder Jude Bolton said tonight’s result was almost more frustrating than a loss.
“To not get four points when the guys acquitted themselves tonight and really attacked the contest and basically had control of the game was disappointing,” Bolton told SwansTV after the match.
“We were 27 points up at one stage there and just to not be able to take the sting out of the game and to actually give them the momentum and let them find a way to find a draw was pretty disappointing.”
Bolton conceded that the Swans succumbed to the Dockers’ style of play in the dying moments of the match, which gave the visitors the chance to pinch the game.
“I think we just made some little errors with our ball movement and just played into their hands a lot,” Bolton said.
“You don’t need to give teams opportunities late in the game when you do have control of the scoreboard, so when the momentum starts to change you need to address that pretty quick.
“We weren’t able to and that’s why it’s so disappointing down here in the rooms.”
The Swans face a fast turnaround after Saturday night’s match, with the team set to travel to Melbourne to take on Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.
Bolton said he hoped the team would learn from tonight’s contest and would make the most of their opportunities against the Magpies next week.
“I think there are certain things you need to do in tight games, and we’ve played in a lot of tight games over the journey, but I think we need to make sure we’re all on the same page in the last few minutes because we don’t want to have that feeling again,” he said.
“We’ll certainly be working on that and we’ll have to regroup really quickly because we have to turn it around for Friday night football next week.
“(Collingwood) are obviously used to playing in big games and certainly Friday night next week will be huge.
“Obviously we just need to make sure we strike back again and it’s disappointing after a really good start and hopefully we lick our wounds and get ready for it.”