Swans set to review season
SOUTH Barwon coach David Farrell says the inquest into the Swans’ season has already started after their finals hopes were officially dashed on Saturday.
The Swans suffered another disappointing loss, this time to St Mary’s 8.11 (59) to 2.5 (17), to sit three games adrift of the top five with two rounds remaining.
South Barwon was held to its lowest score of the year in front of its home fans, with Ryan Dillon and Taylor Mulraney the only Swans to hit the scoreboard.
“There’s some really clear areas within the group with what they’re doing — whether that be how they are away from the club or not — to improve and be able to take that step forward,” Farrell said.
“We’re preparing that in our end-of-season review.”
South Barwon needed a win to keep itself a mathematical chance of making the finals.
But the Swans never challenged St Mary’s on the scoreboard despite having plenty of the football.
Farrell said his side’s ability to keep possession had let them down again.
“Our ability to control the ball and periods of the game is an issue we’ve spent a lot of time addressing,” he said. “It’s not something you can flick a switch and the tide will turn.
“That’s where we’ve got to get better to compete with the top-four sides, and we’re clearly not able to do that at the moment.”
Jack Driver stood out in defence again to be the Swans’ best, and ruckman Andrew Jarvis won plenty of hit-outs, but the Swans had few winners.
Brett Blair (corked hamstring) and Ben Lusby (knee gash) didn’t play out the game, while star forward Andrew Boseley was moved to defence after being blanketed by Ryley Hall.
“When the heat is in the game, our ability to get our hands on the footy just isn’t at the level,” Farrell said.
“It was probably another opportunity to roll over, but they should be proud they showed character and want to play for each other.”