“People were having trouble”: Swans’ sincere all-in that might have prevented a disastrous season

Sydney has been energized by an all-out coming-out ahead of an important finals campaign.

After the Swans’ 112-point loss to Port Adelaide, talented winger Ollie Florent reports that during the meet, players shared their thoughts on their daily lives.

Rather than concentrating on flaws in the game, the all-in was more concerned with personal issues unrelated to the game and “filling up your cup.”

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Sydney has won back-to-back games since the humiliating Round 21 setback, which ended a six-game losing streak, including defeating Essendon last Friday night to maintain its lead in the ladder with one home-and-away match left.

In the history of the VFL and AFL, only one premier, Carlton in 1945, has lost by more than 100 points and gone on to win the flag that same season.

In the days that followed that disastrous trip to Adelaide Oval, Florent told foxfooty.com.au, “It was a really tough week, obviously.”

“It was pleasing to come in the next week and put that behind us, just move on, and have a really clear focus into next week, even though losing by that much is never a good thing.”

The Swans’ crushing at the hands of the Power was the greatest in AFL history for a team atop the standings, but Florent continued to talk about how the playing group was coming together and stated the loss didn’t feel that crippling.

“However, I believe that the energy we had the week after was so much higher that it didn’t feel like we had lost that much,” he said.

“We all got together, caught up, and had a conversation – everyone expressed their emotions.

“Hey, how are you all doing? We were able to put it behind us and go on, even if certain guys were having more difficulty than others.

Coach John Longmire decided to give his players a few days off following Sydney’s defeat to Port, then bring them back to the club to get ready for Collingwood on Friday.

After arriving back to Moore Park, the players got together to share their opinions, but they limited their conversation to subjects unrelated to football.

“Basically, it was just guys talking about how they felt about regular life, like ‘how are you going?’ and ‘what’s filling up your cup?'” aside from football. Florent disclosed to Foxfooty.com.au.

“Blokes were acting in ways that were consuming… Not because we lost, but rather because we had the mentality to “do some things that will fill up your cup” the next week.

“We managed to accomplish that following a few days of rest.”

 

In response to a question about whether the idea gave the squad a boost before a test finals series, the 26-year-old former first-round choice gave a definitive response.

“Unquestionably,” replied Florent. “I genuinely appreciate sticking fat with this gang; I don’t think things could have gotten any worse.

“Having the friendships that we all have—it’s not always highs; we can get through the lows together—is something that I really enjoy about football.”

Last Friday, Florent’s Swans won for the second straight game, although it required a tremendous effort in the second half following yet another slow start.

Regarding the disparity in performance, he stated that “it was just work-rate.”

We were coughing it up a little bit, which allowed their outnumber to come into play. They were beating us at the ball, groundballs all over the field.

“Basically, the instructions were to move on, get to the contest, and get over with them.”

Florent played an important wing role and recorded 23 disposals at 83% efficiency, 10 marks, five inside-50s, and a goal last Friday, helping Sydney to victory.

The 164-game veteran was unaware of the reason for the Swans’ losing streak of 14 of 22 first quarters this season, even with their victory.

He quipped, “You’d be a rich man if you knew the answer.” “We just felt that the pressure from the scoreboard was really (evident) in the first quarter, but we didn’t feel out of the game.”

“We simply need to have that proactive mindset because teams are going to come out and hunt us, and we have the right to go after them as well. We just need to rock up and keep fighting.”

Prior to a tough series of games in September, Longmire won’t rest any major stars, even though the Swans are one game and a large percentage ahead of second-place Port Adelaide going into their Round 24 match at the SCG against the Crows.

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