The Swans are absolutely flying in 2024, sitting six premiership points clear on top of the ladder with a win-loss record of 10-1.
They’re in sync, with connection across all three lines at an all-time high.
And breaking down the “taboo” of opening up is something the side has been focussing on for some time, says Melbourne champion Garry Lyon.
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“It’s just something we’ve worked on massively, staying connected and talking about how we’re feeling out there,” Swans midfielder Errol Gulden told SEN last week.
“Obviously in games, everyone can go through phases throughout the game where you’re not feeling as connected with the group or you’re struggling to get the ball or impact the game.
“We’ve been really big on talking to each other and not being afraid to say ‘look, I’m struggling here’ or ‘can you get me involved in the game’.
“We’ve kind of taken away what can be a taboo topic with negative connotations of being selfish and stuff like that, but we just want to make sure we’re all staying together as a group and talking about how we’re feeling.
“If someone’s in a bit of a slump during the game, get each other out of it.”
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Vision shown on Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday night, highlighted how John Longmire’s side is embracing each other and breaking down the stigma around struggles on the football field.
“Just remember the more tired you get, the more exhausted you get, it becomes even more important that you communicate,” Longmire said in an audio clip from pre-season.
“You keep communicating, it’s not just using your voice either, you’re looking around the whole time and you’re thinking, thinking under fatigue is really important.”
The On the Couch team used an example of Gulden getting around new ruck Brodie Grundy to highlight their connectedness in season 2024.
“How are ya? You alright? Great contest, good boy. We’ve got two minutes, stay connected,” Gulden asked Grundy during a game.
Melbourne champion Garry Lyon said he “loved” how the Swans were challenging what has previously been a “taboo topic” amongst footballers.
“I just loved it, he talked about how it’s a taboo topic, we’ve all done it, we’ve all had games where we just cannot get near it and I bet you none of us walked up to a teammate and said ‘listen, I’m struggling here, I feel like I’m not connected, I feel I can’t get into the game, can you get me a kick?” Lyon said.
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Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown spoke about how the game has come a long way in that regard, saying “it wouldn’t have happened in our day”.
“It’s a recent trend, isn’t it,” Brown said.
“Different feedback from (ex-captain Michael Voss) ‘Vossy’ and the boys, different tone.”
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley said the way the Swans were handling connection as a club was a “modern evolution”.
“It actually builds trust with each other, a deeper connection and understanding of each other and care for one another,” he said.
“We talk about it in the locker room and in a club environment, it’s taken it to another level, it’s got to make things better.”
Brown added: “When Leigh (Matthews) came on at Brisbane, we had a psychologist, Phil Jauncey, who worked closely with the team. We used to have things called flags that we all knew about each other when a bloke was struggling. Luke Power might look at his toes when he was struggling and you’d say ‘Lukey, head up mate’. It was probably delivered a little bit stronger than what Errol Gulden does, but that’s the evolution of it.”
Lyon said the “vulnerability and confidence” displayed by the Swans players this year was exceptional, but so too the change in attitude at the football club.
“One of the great qualities of leadership is the ability to observe, which is underrated across the board,” he said.
“When you open your eyes and have a look around, you invest in someone else and feel better being a part of it.”
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In contrast, Buckley highlighted vision of young Fremantle forward Jye Amiss struggling with goalkicking in his side’s round 11 clash with Collingwood.
Amiss missed two set shots in the first term and did not get a kick for the rest of the game.
“Jye Amiss looked like he went inside himself to me,” Buckley said.
“I actually felt like his work rate dropped significantly, it felt like he didn’t actually move towards the ball or put himself in a position to win the ball as often.
“I’ve seen him really demand the ball and really want it, he’s a young player, it’ll be a real good coaching opportunity, but he defeated himself on Friday night.
“You could see the glazed look, he wasn’t there.
“You’ve got to be able to connect first and foremost and then try to draw the player out of himself and then focus on something that’s achievable in the next short period.”
The Swans are in red-hot form, and it appears as though their increased importance and focus on team connection is playing a big part in that.