Former Richmond coach Danny Frawley believes Sydney showed the blueprint of how to stop Hawthorn midfielder Isaac Smith.
Smith has been described as in career best form, but Swans midfielder Harry Cunningham tagged him to 16 disposals in his side’s victory over the Hawks.
Frawley explained how Cunningham was so effective.
“You put a hard tag on him and Harry Cunningham made the point that he played on Smith’s left leg,” he said.
“That’s the way he loves to run, he loves to run onto his left and he had to change his running angle.
“On his right, Smith doesn’t feel as comfortable and it was a very good tactic.”
Fellow midfielder Jaeger O’Meara also struggled, finishing with 13 disposals for the night and the former St Kilda captain is concerned about his form.
“O’Meara to me, he’s a bit of a worry, he didn’t have a clearance,” Frawley said.
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon added Brisbane and their coach Chris Fagan should be taking notes as they play Hawthorn next week.
“Whoever’s scouting this match will take plenty from it,” he said.
“Fagan knows these players well already so you’d expect he’d have an idea or two.”
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Correctly guess the total possessions in Round 8 of: Dylan Shiel (GWS), Jesse Hogan (MEL), Travis Boak (PA), Matt Crouch (ADE) & Ben Cunnington (NM). Eg.: 128
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