A reserves idea

[liz]

Originally posted by SimonH
but the opposition is unlikely to contain anyone under serious consideration for a rookie listing.

The timing of the game - clashing with the U18 Championships - makes this sadly true. If not for this, however, I would have thought that an U21 SFL squad would include a handful of rookie possibilities.

Last year's SFL Rising Star, Dean Davies, apparently came under very serious consideration for a rookie spot. (Colless told us that at the Pre-Season Guernsey Presentation dinner.) Sadly he's not playing at the moment, having done his knee during the pre-season.

Bevan and Jack would both have listed with SFL clubs before they were rookied (as indeed were the McVeighs and Hayes). If he doesn't get picked for the senior SFL team, you'd expect someone like Troy Bartlett to play in the development team. I'd be surprised if Goodrem isn't in it. Maybe a rookie listing has passed both of these two by, but I suspect the Swans would be keeping an eye on them just in case they show rapid development.

However, as noted above, the best of the U18s won't be available to the SFL squad (and maybe wouldn't have come into consideration anyway).

[adnar]

So the squad is basicly the best 19-21 year olds in the SFL? That's pretty dumb.

[Northern_Swan]

I think that the idea definately has merit. I think that a BDAFL team would kill (not literally) to play against a Swans Reserves team. For the regional players, the opportunity that it offers young talented players is enormous, given that many regional players are not given serious consideration for the RAMS program.

The problem that would be faced is however, the lack of suitable opposition that would be there. I would consider that there are probably only 6 leagues that would be sufficient standard to compete (SFL, AFL Canberra, Hume, Farrer, Riverina & BDAFL). If they play twice per year, that would give the Swans 12 games, add in 2 against perhaps the Lions and 2-3 against the RAMS to prepare them for the Nationals (because going on results they need it). That would give the Reserves 17 matches, but Clubs within these leagues would not be appreciative of playing against the Swans in the lead up to their domestic finals series, which could prove to be a problem.

[floppinab]

Originally posted by liz
The timing of the game - clashing with the U18 Championships - makes this sadly true. If not for this, however, I would have thought that an U21 SFL squad would include a handful of rookie possibilities.

I think there are six Sydney based players in the U18's, they may well have played a part in this game and have had an impact on the standard. (or then again on looking at the U18 results maybe not). A number of these have already been picked up in the Scholarship program as well.

Originally posted by liz


Bevan and Jack would both have listed with SFL clubs before they were rookied (as indeed were the McVeighs and Hayes).

Bevan, Jack, et. al. came through when the RAMS were more or less full time, they might have played a few games for their SFL clubs prior to being Rookie Listed but not many. That has changed now though with the majority of U18 talent playing most of the season in the SFL or SFA senior or seconds teams and the country footballers doing the same in their local leagues, again keeping in mind that the various TPP setups keep them in development squads for 1/3 to 1/2 a season.