2026 Preseason

[BRS328]

my worry is, hasn't cox leant, they get serong to play back, but what happens he spend a lot of time fwd of centre. why did we play Gulden particularly when it was obviously known of the conditions coming. Have to change mind on sheldrick played well but kicking still lets him down. a worry is he is getting more time on ball than rowie. hope thats not signs of things to come and he doesnt finish up like wil and ollie. also why cant the swans get its injury list to us. seems like a few injuries we havent been notified of.

Cannot agree with you on any of your comments. Players need match hardening prior to the start of the season, and this is exactly what these two practice games are about. If a player has not played at least one of these two games its highly unlikely that they would be selected for the first round.
Guldens injury was obviously of a minor concern and he certainly did not appear in discomfort when he came off at quarter time.
I strongly agree with trying Serong in other positions after a strong showing in defence against the Bulldogs. He shows great versatility and his disposal skills are excellent. The backline of Wicks, Melican, McCartin, Rampe, Blakey Mills and Bice is settled, and Serong will get his chance to play there, but he needs other options for his development.
Good coaching in my opinion.

[rickmat]

Rosa's fined $1000 for abuse to umpire and can play against Blues next week

[dejavoodoo44]

Rosa's fined $1000 for abuse to umpire and can play against Blues next week

Glad that there was no suspension. Though I still have no idea what he said. A bit surprised that Nick Madden wasn't mentioned at all, for his high hit on Chad. I suspect it's one of those incidents, that if it caused a concussion, then it would have earned three or four weeks, for being late and high. But since there was no damage, except for a bit of pain, then it didn't even draw a free kick.

[dejavoodoo44]

Glad that there was no suspension. Though I still have no idea what he said. A bit surprised that Nick Madden wasn't mentioned at all, for his high hit on Chad. I suspect it's one of those incidents, that if it caused a concussion, then it would have earned three or four weeks, for being late and high. But since there was no damage, except for a bit of pain, then it didn't even draw a free kick.

Look at me, not even opening round and I'm already trying to make sense of tribunal decisions. When will I learn?

[KSAS]

Look at me, not even opening round and I'm already trying to make sense of tribunal decisions. When will I learn?

Players have various tolerances to hits to the head. Suspensions has always been result based. With the revised suspension structure, not sure why hits like this get a week suspension.

[KSAS]

I must admit i was also initiallly confused and did a double take when i first switched onto the Q clash practice match last night. Wonder if club had any prior knowledge to this? If not, wonder they’ll lodge a complaint to the AFL?

I recall when GC first came into the competition, the rear of their jumpers also mimicked ours with white numbering.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/so-confusing-afl-teams-jumper-change-torn-to-shreds/news-story/3aa730943787b14fed065c5131e3512d

[imuninformedtwo]

Cannot agree with you on any of your comments. Players need match hardening prior to the start of the season, and this is exactly what these two practice games are about. If a player has not played at least one of these two games its highly unlikely that they would be selected for the first round.
Guldens injury was obviously of a minor concern and he certainly did not appear in discomfort when he came off at quarter time.
I strongly agree with trying Serong in other positions after a strong showing in defence against the Bulldogs. He shows great versatility and his disposal skills are excellent. The backline of Wicks, Melican, McCartin, Rampe, Blakey Mills and Bice is settled, and Serong will get his chance to play there, but he needs other options for his development.
Good coaching in my opinion.

Also, if Errol is going to play more inside this season, and to a lesser degree McInerney, we need to strengthen our wing rotations and Serong did it regularly and well at Box Hill. So trialling him there makes perfect sense.

[mcs]

If anyone wants a good read - I highly recommend signing up to the One Percenters newsletter - link here: https://www.onepercenters.net.au/

He has done his swannies preview today and it is very good reading - I've copied the main text below, but his overall analysis is really solid and interesting, so I thoroughly recommend signing up!

[dejavoodoo44]

Thanks for that, mcs, it was an interesting read. Especially since I'm someone who never really notices much tactics wise, except for the most obvious things, like trying to slow the game down or putting an extra player in defence. So it was informative to read that sort of analysis.

I guess he has much the same opinion as most of us, in that, he's quite optimistic, but that optimism is tempered by our notorious fade outs. So, I think all of us would like to see the team being consistently good, in things like contested possessions and disrupting the opposition's ball movement.

[stevoswan]

Glad that there was no suspension. Though I still have no idea what he said. A bit surprised that Nick Madden wasn't mentioned at all, for his high hit on Chad. I suspect it's one of those incidents, that if it caused a concussion, then it would have earned three or four weeks, for being late and high. But since there was no damage, except for a bit of pain, then it didn't even draw a free kick.

IMO, it's absolutely disgusting that there was not even a free kick for the Warner high hit. That was an extremely dangerous challenge on a player with his head over the ball.

[SwansongFanCams]

[/QUOTE]

Very interesting to note, we have a relatively young list, with the 4th most games played.

[UUaswan]

BC out indefinitely with a fractured shin

Every year without fail its someone

[imuninformedtwo]

I don’t want to put the jinx on anything but with the BC injury we’re hanging on for dear life. Last year, it was best 22 injuries. This year, it’s probably only Harry C and BC, but under that we have a lot of players either injured or with limited preseasons. We better hope our core stay fit as there’s not much behind it.

[Dow]

BC out indefinitely with a fractured shin

Every year without fail its someone

Don't wish injury on anybody and wish him a speedy recovery, but this maybe a blessing in disguise and maybe someone like Datolli can be given some extended in the seniors or allow us to play a different set up

[Dow]

I don’t want to put the jinx on anything but with the BC injury we’re hanging on for dear life. Last year, it was best 22 injuries. This year, it’s probably only Harry C and BC, but under that we have a lot of players either injured or with limited preseasons. We better hope our core stay fit as there’s not much behind it.

Yes those fringe injuries mount up an before you know you lose one or 2 key players an the cupboard is bare - will be and interesting watch