1. Goodes? No… Great.
Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes lit up AAMI Stadium with one of his finest finals performances. Goodes was slowed in the middle part of the season after missing six weeks with a quad injury. But the dual Brownlow medallist flicked the switch against the Crows. In his 317th AFL game, Goodes collected 22 disposals and kicked three crucial goals. He set the tone early with two vital first quarter goals and was pivotal in the Swans, staving off Adelaide's desperate late challenge. "He was outstanding and we knew that was coming with Adam," coach John Longmire said. "He's received some criticism from outside the footy club [for his recent form], but his work rate is second to none and we thought his start, in particular, really set the tone."
2. Which build up would you rather?
There was a noticeable difference in the team's form line coming in to the qualifying final. The Swans had lost three bruising encounters against fellow finals combatants- Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong. The Crows won two of three against the lowly Lions, Demons and the Suns. The Swans adjusted to the elevated tempo of finals football much more proficiently than their opponents. They out-tackled the Crows (76-50), reflecting the difference in mindset between the sides.
3. More safe, more smart, Morton
One of the compelling stats out of the Swans' memorable qualifying final win was the discrepancy in inside 50 entries. The Crows had the clear advantage (59-37), but failed to make them count on the scoreboard. While smashed in the statistic, the Swans capitalised on their entries thanks largely to none other than Mitch Morton. The former West Coast and Richmond forward kicked 77 goals in the NEAFL competition for the Swans reserves this year. But his two goal return - which included a significant pack mark and goal in the third term - was crucial in determining the result.
4. Goalkeeping
One of the key strengths of the Swans is their ability to manufacture a loose man behind the ball. Depending on the situation, that player peels off and offers support to teammates or is given the licence to rebound and provide overlap run. This time, however, that loose man was critical in stifling the Crows' goal scoring attempts. On a number of occasions, Rhyce Shaw or Lewis Roberts-Thompson prevented likely Crows goals by stifling the ball on the last line of defence.
5. Makeshift defender
Lewis Roberts-Thomson made his name as a defender in the Sydney Swans' glory years in 2005 and 2006. In 2012, however, LRT was shifted in to a permanent forward role and finished the season with 22 goals to his name. But the one-match suspension handed to usual key defender Heath Grundy forced the Swans to explore other options. LRT stepped up to the line and completely blanketed Kurt Tippett. Tippett had just five possessions and was kept goalless by the dour defender.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
