Squad of 26 named

[dendol]

A question mark should be asked of Schauble as well. If he is getting injured as he is, should we keep faith in him or throw a youngster at the deep end (we might not have any, mind you). Schauble is a weak first choice key defensive position for a premiership winning team, I think.

Our defense looks a little shaky without Schaubs. He is the old head of the backline and hes also the only player we have now that can play on the opposition "gorillas". He was very good for us last year, so I think this talk about getting rid of him for a youngster is nonsense.

Like it or not, he is our fullback; Rogers and James arent ready - the former is a rookie! What are the chances of a Matthew Scarlett or Jonathan Hay suddenly becoming available and wanting to come to Sydney? I dont think we're that lucky.

[NMWBloods]

I fail to see the point of this message board if anyone who decides to question any player or anything else is ridiculed. Is the purpose of it so we can simply bask in the glory of our players no matter what. I disagreed with Newbie, but I don't find it offensive that (s)he made some comments. If you disagree with someone, why not simply address their comments with reasoned arguments rather than ad hominem attacks (or sly comments that pass for the same). Still, maybe some people think their opinions are worth more than others?

[monopoly19]

Originally posted by Newbie


It would not come any surprise to me to see those likes C. Bolton, Barry, Fosdike, etc.. to make way for younger and more talented players.

I've heard some stupid things, but this is close to the top of the list. You want Leo Barry to make way for who? Dempster? Why don't we just play the team we did against Carlton and take the wooden spoon right now.

Seriously, WTF?

[DST]

These threads are getting funnier by the minute,

You were having a lend of us Newbie weren't you............................................... ...weren't you

If the pre season is any indication we are in for a very intereting year on here !!!!!!!

DST

[Charlie]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I fail to see the point of this message board if anyone who decides to question any player or anything else is ridiculed.

Mate, I know what you're saying, but seriously. It's March, for God's sake, and we still haven't finished the Wizz Fizz stuff.

When people are talking about scrapping blokes like Barry, Fosdike and C-Bolt because they aren't teenagers, and it's only March, and they've all come off the best seasons of their careers, there's a few 's and 's due, don't you think?

As for the rest of the post, I find your "Still, maybe some people think their opinions are worth more than others?" particularly odious. Do we really still have the clique claims floating around this site? I've always felt that Newbie's posts are quite good, worth reading and generally insightful. This time, he or she posted a shocker, and I posted as such. Anything wrong with that?

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Charlie
Mate, I know what you're saying, but seriously. It's March, for God's sake, and we still haven't finished the Wizz Fizz stuff.

When people are talking about scrapping blokes like Barry, Fosdike and C-Bolt because they aren't teenagers, and it's only March, and they've all come off the best seasons of their careers, there's a few 's and 's due, don't you think?

No, I had no problem with people disagreeing, saying it was silly and why. I did as well. This is debate and discussion, even if you want to call him an idiot in jest. I have a problem with the general sarcastic and condescending tone floating about.

As for the rest of the post, I find your "Still, maybe some people think their opinions are worth more than others?" particularly odious. Do we really still have the clique claims floating around this site? I've always felt that Newbie's posts are quite good, worth reading and generally insightful. This time, he or she posted a shocker, and I posted as such. Anything wrong with that?

No, I dislike the posts along the lines of 'a lot of people are making silly comments', 'can't believe what I am reading on here', 'so many stupid threads', 'typical of the standard of threads', and plenty of general sarcasm thrown about. These sort of comments and others tend to come across like they know just a little bit more than everyone else and what they say is right, and they can't believe the nonsense the riff-raff are coming up with.

It's early in the season, everyone is excited and wants to comment on a few things. Some of the 'geniuses' should just lighten up and leave off with their general disdain.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
No, I had no problem with people disagreeing, saying it was silly and why. I did as well. This is debate and discussion, even if you want to call him an idiot in jest. I have a problem with the general sarcastic and condescending tone floating about.

Ok.

No, I dislike the posts along the lines of 'a lot of people are making silly comments', 'can't believe what I am reading on here', 'so many stupid threads', 'typical of the standard of threads', and plenty of general sarcasm thrown about. These sort of comments and others tend to come across like they know just a little bit more than everyone else and what they say is right, and they can't believe the nonsense the riff-raff are coming up with.

I don't consider myself a poster as consistently insightful as Des, Mike, Cliff or Liz, but I'm firmly of the opinion that the standard of threads has been about as low as I've seen it recently. Personally, I think it's a result of a pre-season that's been a lot less spectacular than some people may have expected. From memory, the standard of posting in the 2002-03 off-season was poor as well.

I also don't think there's much wrong with some sarcasm. Tone is bloody hard to express on a messageboard, and sarcasm is probably one of the easier ones. It's a perfectly reasonable posting device, and this is definitely a thread that deserves it (through no fault of Sharpie, whose thread has gone off on a tangent, to say the least). If you think it comes across as elitist... well, we'll just have to disagree.

It's early in the season, everyone is excited and wants to comment on a few things. Some of the 'geniuses' should just lighten up and leave off with their general disdain.

Well, I'm confident that you're not referring to me as a 'genius', but from my point of view, I do have disdain for any player specific critical posts at this stage of the season. There's definitely a place for those threads, and if halfway through the season, Saddo is still not playing well... then there'll be something to post about. In the meantime... patience.

[Newbie]

I dont think recent posts have been that bad. The posts were absolutely a disgrace few years back, nothing but simply full of clueless praise for any players. These days, it is the opposite.
We will get to a more balanced view sometimes soon. That would mean the maturity for us as supporters .

It is true that we have no one to replace Schauble but it does not mean his position in the team is safe. He is injury-prone, lacks the talent to be of the top half in the business, I question the concept of building a premiership-winning defensive unit around him. He is simply not that good. If the selection committe believes the same thing, then it might be the good time start planning the life after Schauble. Mathew Scarlett was not unearthed overnight.

Barry and C. Bolton while performed magnificently last year, their performances were within the current setup. Whether their playing styles could fit in a new setup, is a totally different ball game. Adding an extra KPP to the backline would mean a new setup and I dont have the confident that both will fit in with two true defensive KPPs in our team, at least in our back six.

I believe, both Barry and C. Bolton sneaked under the radar of the opposition last year somewhat. This year, it will be much more difficult for both of them. The opposition now knows their weakness and will try to exploit those to their full advantage. Perhaps by isolating one of them back to the last line of defense with their much taller matchup. A long kick strategy over the head might work in that case. How this is going to shape up? we will find out in the next few months.

IIRC, the demise of M Nicks started when his direct opposition took him back to the goal square. He was not able to respond. Shifting him up the ground was probably aimed to cover this weakness of him and by now we all know that it didn't work.

BTW chill down people. It is only March. There is no need to get heated on anything.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by Newbie
I dont think recent posts have been that bad. The posts were absolutely a disgrace few years back, nothing but simply full of clueless praise for any players. These days, it is the opposite.
We will get to a more balanced view sometimes soon. That would mean the maturity for us as supporters .

It is true that we have no one to replace Schauble but it does not mean his position in the team is safe. He is injury-prone, lacks the talent to be of the top half in the business, I question the concept of building a premiership-winning defensive unit around him. He is simply not that good. If the selection committe believes the same thing, then it might be the good time start planning the life after Schauble. Mathew Scarlett was not unearthed overnight.

Barry and C. Bolton while performed magnificently last year, their performances were within the current setup. Whether their playing styles could fit in a new setup, is a totally different ball game. Adding an extra KPP to the backline would mean a new setup and I dont have the confident that both will fit in with two true defensive KPPs in our team, at least in our back six.

I believe, both Barry and C. Bolton sneaked under the radar of the opposition last year somewhat. This year, it will be much more difficult for both of them. The opposition now knows their weakness and will try to exploit those to their full advantage. Perhaps by isolating one of them back to the last line of defense with their much taller matchup. A long kick strategy over the head might work in that case. How this is going to shape up? we will find out in the next few months.

IIRC, the demise of M Nicks started when his direct opposition took him back to the goal square. He was not able to respond. Shifting him up the ground was probably aimed to cover this weakness of him and by now we all know that it didn't work.

BTW chill down people. It is only March. There is no need to get heated on anything.

Point taken Newbie. But the thing I love about Leo and B2 is that they are really resourceful and enterprising clear heads when under pressure. I can't see them or the coach being exploited ala Nicksy.

They aren't robotic types and last year they thought on their feet when the challenge was on and Leo did it with a lot of injuries.

As an aside, can someone, anyone, please please tell me why we struggle with aquiring the 6'5", 105 kilo full back. I mean can we just go and get the cheque book, take it down to Geelong and bring Scarlett back on the next flight! ha

You have to envy the sides that have this problem sewn up like Dons, Cats & Lions.

[liz]

Originally posted by Newbie

IIRC, the demise of M Nicks started when his direct opposition took him back to the goal square. He was not able to respond. Shifting him up the ground was probably aimed to cover this weakness of him and by now we all know that it didn't work.

My take on the "demise" of Matthew Nicks was that it started when he developed a chronic back condition that meant his ability to train was severely restricted and thus he lost some of his fitness base.

And IMHO, the shift up the ground most certainly worked. He has been a very clever and productive half/smallish forward for the Swans over several seasons, generally being in our top 3 or 4 goal kickers. I don't dispute that he probably faces a challenge now to remain as a regular within the senior team, but that shouldn't take away from his past achievements.

[floppinab]

It's interesting the way C. Bolton plays on the taller forwards. He has that knack of timing his runs in a marking contest where he knows there is zero chance of getting his hands to the ball but he puts enough body on his opponent to upset their balance and move them out of the flight of the footy making it virtually impossible to mark, while not going overboard with it to give away a free.

It's a great tactic to use (he's not the only one that does it) but I'm waiting for the day the umps might just start to awarding frees against it because of the lack of intent at playing the footy.

He won't be disappearing out of our side for a long time yet.

[Bart]

Re: Squad of 26 named

Originally posted by sharp9
From this team 2 will come in (Doyle, Schneider) so six will go out, the most likely being Bevan, Buchanan, Powell, Ablett, Meiklejohn and Roberts-Thomson.

I reckon LRT would stay in the side, and remember Rogers hasn't been elevated yet. If he is, either James or Rogers would make way, but maybe Powell will be competing for that same spot. Haven't seen any pre-season, but liked what I saw last year. McVeigh to get the nod over Buchanan against Brisbane.

So from the Newcastle 26 out for me would be

Bevan
Buchanan (emergency for Schneider)
Powell (emergency for James)
Ablett
Rogers
Meiklejohn (emergency for Doyle)

I am not THAT concerned about Schauble, as we do have several options, although vastly less experienced

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by TheHood
As an aside, can someone, anyone, please please tell me why we struggle with aquiring the 6'5", 105 kilo full back. I mean can we just go and get the cheque book, take it down to Geelong and bring Scarlett back on the next flight! ha

You have to envy the sides that have this problem sewn up like Dons, Cats & Lions.

Interestingly, Scarlett is not that big, although he's probably one of the best defenders in the AFL.

He's 191cm, 92kg, so reaonably tall (6'4" and a bit), but not that heavy.

As comparison, our defenders are:

Barry 184, 88
Bolton 188, 86
James 191, 90
Kennelly 190, 83
Powell 190, 88
LRT 196, 86
Rogers 191, 90
Saddington 194, 88
Schauble 192, 93

Looking at players from other sides:
Bradshaw 191, 90
Leppitsch 191, 97
Michael 190, 99
Clement 190, 95
Prestigiacomo 193, 95
S Wakelin 191, 94
Fletcher 197, 92
Lucas 192, 93
Hay 196, 96
Nicholson 197, 102
D Wakelin 192, 96
Gaspar 193, 90

Looking at the size of some of the key forwards in the comp:
J Brown 195, 99
Lynch 193, 98
Whitnall 190, 101
A Rocca 195, 104 (too many of mama's pastas I suspect!)
Tarrant 193, 94
Lloyd 191, 92 (although I suspect this has increased this year)
N Thompson 196, 100
Neitz 193, 100
Tredrea 194, 94
C Cornes 191, 91
Richardson 196, 105
Hall 194, 98

Generally speaking on this very rough sample, it looks like the average key forward is bigger than the average key defender (193.5, 98.0 against 192.8, 94.9).

Our guys are not too bad height wise, but really lack in the bulk and strength department.

[Captain]

Originally posted by NMWBloods


As comparison, our defenders are:

Powell 190, 88

Wow I can't believe Powell is 88kg. I went to the Swans website and it confirmed he was. Surely this must be a mistake.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Captain
Wow I can't believe Powell is 88kg. I went to the Swans website and it confirmed he was. Surely this must be a mistake.

Yeah, he looks more like 78! Maybe he has bulked up in the off season? I don't know as I haven't seen him yet.