THE only team to beat Kerang all season gets another crack at the Blues in tomorrow’s second semi-final, but don’t expect either side to be a carbon copy of the teams that met back in Round 9.
The Swans have been forced to adapt without ruckman Callan Beasy since that win over the Blues, while Hugh Foott — a nine goal star against Troy Coates’ side — has struggled through the second half of the year with injury.
Beasy’s season-ending ankle injury has seen Toby Thoolen shoulder most of the rucking duties, a job the formerly Collingwood-listed player has handled well.
Young gun Arnold Kirby has also offered support in ruck in recent weeks.
Beasy’s loss hurts all the same though, robbing the Swans of key flexibility in a department that could be Kerang’s only weakness.
Mark Walter has rucked all year for the Blues and been wonderfully reliable but is probably not in the same class as either Swans big man.
Foott’s struggles have forced Swan Hill to evolve in attack and, while the Swans still look short of avenues to goal without their former coach, while Jon Hirst is one who has grown in stature in the forward line.
The game opened up for the Swans last week, with Hirst, Declan Quin and Xavier Moloney — a midfielder who is as classy when attacking as defending — adding three goals to a tally of 17.
At least that number will be required tomorrow.
The Blues are a formidable side in attack — often starting in the midfield with coach Coates and Lance Picioane.
Luke Livingston and Troy Thamm are dynamic forwards that stretch most defences.
Swans defender Brendan Blackmore started on Thamm back in Round 9.
Thamm proved a handful for Swan Hill with six but it wasn’t enough that day. Kobi Wilson is also a handy inclusion who can play attack and defence.
Without Livingston, Jon Murphy — another who can head to either end as required — and Picioane the Blues managed just 12 goals.
VFL player Troy Davis has been a part-time player for his hometown club this season and will be a crucial inclusion tomorrow.
The former Melbourne player will be an option primarily in attack or defence, but can also go in the ruck if required.
Moloney said Foott was a “week-to-week” proposition, but otherwise Swan Hill would line-up similarly to its first final against the Saints.
“It was a good team performance last week and there won’t be too many changes,” he said.
Wins over Woorinen and Tooleybuc Manangatang have the Swans feeling confident again, Moloney said.
“Obviously we found ourselves in a bit of a hole after beating every team. We probably eased back a little bit so to get out of that we’ve been doing some solid training and hard work,” he said.
Moloney said the form slump — the Swans lost four in a row from the shock upset against Koondrook Barham in Round 12 — was something he “could have copped” if it had only been down to injuries.
“I sort of feel it was more about the way we were playing [than injuries], it wasn’t our usual style of footy,” he said.
I sort of feel it was more about the way we were playing [than injuries], it wasn’t our usual style of footy
Moloney said the Swans would need to focus on restricting the rebound work of Josh Bray, Brandon Hayes and Ryan Gillingham.
Bray will return after missing the Round 18 game against Cohuna.
“Our forward pressure has been really good lately… One area we need to focus on is maximising our inside 50s and maximising our scores from our inside 50s,” he said.
Blues coach Troy Coates said the week’s break had been valuable to his team.
“Obviously the boys had the week to freshen up a bit which has helped,” he said.
Obviously the boys had the week to freshen up a bit which has helped
Stopping Foott and Hirst in attack will be a focus while still rebounding off half-back, Coates said.
The Swans need to control the midfield to get on top of the Blues.
If Coates, Picioane, Gillingham and co are allowed to control proceedings the Swans’ defence will come under heavy scrutiny by a dynamic Blues attack.
The Round 9 game resulted in a convincing win to Swan Hill but the stakes are much higher tomorrow. The Blues are fielding an improved side, while the Swans appear to have regained some touch.
For more footy semi-finals previews, see Friday’s paper (Agust 5, 2014).
