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Round 9: The Red and the White – Buddy’s Back.

Much has been said recently about the state of the game …. it’s esthetic! I know the game is different than 10, 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Perhaps less high marking and free flowing play than once had been. However, often our view of the past is enhanced by rose tinted glasses. I can recall seeing my Swans in some horrid games in the past. One out at Moorabbin against the Saints in the late 70s springs to mind …. cold, wet and we only scored 3 goals.

 

One thing that has not changed for me is the tension, the anxiety of the contest and the joy of winning. Fortunately in the last 20 years the Swans have provided more wins than losses, a stark contrast to the first 40 years of my supporting life. Though the game may have changed there is still much to excite, there is beauty and joy …. a Howe mark, a Franklin goal, the brilliance of Fyffe, Dangerfield or Martin to name a few. Often though in the heat of battle it can be a smother, a chase or a tackle or another act of courage that makes the difference. It depends on what you look for and what you appreciate.

 

As a Swans supporter it has been a joy to have Buddy Franklin in my team over the last 5 seasons. I was watching some of his highlights packages the other day. It can be easy to gloss over just how often he does the seemingly impossible. So with Buddy missing with injury in recent weeks, how were we going to win … who would stand up? Well in this three week period there have been two wins on the road that I think I will remember for a very long time. A 7 goal last quarter at Geelong led by Captain Kennedy though supported by the likes of Fox and Hayward, then the 7 goal performance of Ben Ronke at the G last week for a sweet win over the Hawks. What’s not to like, and I was privileged to be there for both wins.

 

Buddy’s back along with mate Dan Hannebery for this week’s home game against the Dockers. We are getting closer to our best team. Young Tom McCartin gets another game. He looked pretty good last week, presenting well and providing a contest. What will Ronks deliver this week, now that everyone knows who he is? Towers and Robinson are both unlucky to miss out.

 

We have to start winning at home if we are to be a realistic chance this season. Lets hope Buddy adds to that extensive highlights reel.

 

About Keiran Croker

Keiran is a lifelong Swans supporter, despite a brief dalliance with the Cats and Tigers in primary school years. Family connections to Port Melbourne and South Melbourne demanded loyalty to the Swans. The long wait for success was worth it.

Comments

  1. Jan Courtin says

    Post game: we won, we boosted our percentage, the backline was magnificent, Buddy was fine, young boys, especially Ollie, good.Cheer cheer

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