1 Passenger

[sharpie]

I think I read somewhere yesterday that although Dempster had an awesome preseason, he is going to miss out in round 1 because of the availability of almost all our senior players.

In 2003, LRT was probably not in our best 22 each week, but got a game anyway and it was a great learning experience for him.

I think the swans should play the best 21 available each week, leaving 1 spot on the bench for a youngster to gain experience. This way, they'd be more likely to be ready for more eresponsiblility if there are injuries to the senior players.

I think this is especially important now that we have some depth in the list, otherwise too many of the young guys may just go stale in the reserves, knowing they have very little chance of playing in the seniors.

[footyhead]

Same old same old for the Swans:
play guys who have had a million missed opportunities(read fosdike), while the kids who are brimming with talent and determination and who have the preseason runs on the board, sit around as emergencey's or deal with bitter dissapointment in the reserves.
All part of the Swans @@@@y culture that Roos, besides his brilliance in other areas has not been able to affect.
Very conservative and stayed club the Swans.
If they move up the ladder this year it will be a miracle and will certainly not be because the young kids are continually denied year in year out.

[j s]

"Passenger" is definitely the wrong word but I like the basic idea behind it.

I would assume ( or hope) that when it comes to selecting the last few there is not much between those who get in picked and those who don't. A good policy would be one of rotation for the marginal selections. More youngsters would get a chance to prove themselves and some of the stigma and fear of being "dropped" would be removed ("rotated out" is a lot more comfortable)

[Mike_B]

Even if not on a weekly basis, maybe take the attitude that Essendon have, where a senior player is likely to only miss 1 game, blood a youngster in their place.

But it definitely is important to give the younger players a chance to show what they have to offer, even if it is only for 1-2 games at a time, so that if later in the season there are injury problems or whatever, that they have at least had a taste of senior footy.

[NMWBloods]

It's worked well with unexpected discoveries like Schneider and Bevan, so hopefully they continue to play a few of the young guys.

[silent lurker]

I wonder if Fosdike is a "Colless selection".

[swansrule100]

Originally posted by Mike_B
Even if not on a weekly basis, maybe take the attitude that Essendon have, where a senior player is likely to only miss 1 game, blood a youngster in their place.

But it definitely is important to give the younger players a chance to show what they have to offer, even if it is only for 1-2 games at a time, so that if later in the season there are injury problems or whatever, that they have at least had a taste of senior footy.

I agree with that 100%...........im not quite sure about always picking 1 young player, but theres enough chances due to injury etc to blood youth. Teams that dont blood youth dont go anywhere

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by j s
A good policy would be one of rotation for the marginal selections.

Cricket does this all the time, reffering to the policy with the racing term of "horses for courses".

Only problem is, despite all the games at the SCG, the Swans haven't drafted enough spinners.

[BonBon]

That's not fair. Dempster should have a go.

[Red]

Sorry, <b>NO</b> passengers! We must pick the best players available every week, keeping balance, conditions and match-ups in mind.

I feel bad for Dempster too, but he absolutley will get his chance this season. Does anyone really think that we're going to have a near-full strength side to pick from every week? Forgeddaboudit.

It'll only take an injury to one of our medium-sized defenders like Nicks, James (or God forbid, C.Bolt or Tige) and he's in there. Given our injury history, that'll be in about 2-3 weeks.

I just really hope Saddo isn't promoted ahead of him. ATM I rate Dempster ahead and Sadds should have to work to displace him. However, if Sean <i>really</i> wants to assure himself of a spot, he should hit the Maccas & the weights and learn the sublime art of Fullback while he's in Canberra. Then he'll have a job for life.

[Wil]

Originally posted by Red
Sorry, <b>NO</b> passengers! ...

It'll only take an injury to one of our medium-sized defenders like Nicks, James (or God forbid, C.Bolt or Tige) and he's in there. Given our injury history, that'll be in about 2-3 weeks.

Exactly! That's how to coach. Don't give the kids any experience and only play them when they are needed and then wonder why they are so disappointing...

Good coaches don't take "one week at a time", only clich?s do.

[Red]

Originally posted by Wil
Exactly! That's how to coach. Don't give the kids any experience and only play them when they are needed and then wonder why they are so disappointing...

So who do you drop Wil, to give the kid some experience?

[Wil]

Originally posted by Red
So who do you drop Wil, to give the kid some experience?

Ahh, pay me what Roo's is getting and I will tell you.



Actually I would of cut Maxfield and Willo. I would also move J.Bolt out of the centre. All good players in the short term... cant see them ever winning a championship for us in the long term. (they have not helped for the past two years when they needed to)