Swans 22 for Rd 1 (Teams named)

[RogueSwan]

In my 22 I was thinking what we're likely to see on the ground given the opposition and the track record of our selectors. Not necessarily what I'd like to see.

I agree with much of what Mountain Man is saying, but I'd drop Grundy for White for his versatility.

After what Roos said at the end of last year I would be expecting a lot more youngsters, but then again he may have forgotten about that over Christmas.

[Swanner]

My 22

B - Richards, Bolton, Barry
HB - Kennelly, LRT, Mattner
C - Ablett, Goodes, Bolton
HF - Buchanan, Hall, O'Keefe
F - Davis, O'Loughlin, McVeigh
Rucks - Jolly, Kirk, Fosdike

I/C - Everitt, Barlow, Bevan, Schmidt

Emergencies - Bird, Grundy, Jack

If Malceski is fit .. slot him in for Bolton ... drop Bevan from the bench

The team with Malceski in is stonger on paper than the Premiership team... big call i know ... to me the big question marks are whether Hall, Barry and Kirk can maintain their performance given they are over 30 .. good depth too ... with Matthews, Crouch, Brennan, Laidlaw, Playfair all unlucky (that's 400 games plus experience on tap to replace poor performers/injury)...

There is no excuses - top 4 this year ... as you can see i am very excited about our chances this year!

[AnnieH]

I just like the way we're going in to 2008 without the "grand finalist" bull@@@@ pressure behind us.

I think it's made a difference.

[Chow-Chicker]

I'd rather not have Davis in the side. I'm tired of his skitting and mazza type play. Reality says he will be selected, but if he continues to be a passenger, dump him immediately. Other than that, the rest is OK.

[ernie koala]

B - Richards, Bolton, Barry
HB - Kennelly, LRT, Mattner
C - Ablett, Goodes, Bolton
HF - Buchanan, Hall, O'Keefe
F - Davis, O'Loughlin, McVeigh
Rucks - Jolly, Kirk, Fosdike

I/C - Everitt, Barlow, Bevan, Schmidt

Emergencies - Bird, Grundy, Jack

If Malceski is fit .. slot him in for Bolton ... drop Bevan from the bench

Looks pretty good; except..........Bird in - McVEIGH OUT

[Chow-Chicker]

Yeah, those 33 goals last year weren't much use (second most goals per game for the team)...

That just highlights my opinion of him being totally selfish. Does not contribute to any assists / one percenters that he should be doing. Even Barry Hall goes in to assist with shepherds, tackles etc that Davis would most likely be the beneficiary of.

[Chow-Chicker]

Davis' job is to kick goals - he does that very well. He also contributes in the forward line not too dissimilar to MOL and not much behind Hall (who is clearly the main target). He also gives away less free kicks than either of them, has less clangers, and clears the ball more often, and has less time on ground.

Per game

Hall 1.2 assists, 1.2 tackles, 2.4 I50s, 0.0 clearances, 3.2 clangers
Davis 0.7 assists, 1.3 tackles, 2.3 I50s, 1.3 clearances, 1.6 clangers
MOL 0.9 assists, 1.4 tackles, 1.7 I50s, 0.3 clearances, 2.0 clangers

Yes, you can lay out all the stats you want. But for someone with his talent and ability, he is capable of FAR more. Naturally you believe Davis' contributions are adequate. I simply don't.

[sharp9]

Yes, you can lay out all the stats you want. But for someone with his talent and ability, he is capable of FAR more. Naturally you believe Davis' contributions are adequate. I simply don't.

And you can avoid the facts all you want but saying Davis doesn't do the things he actually does do is just plain, well I would like to say stupid, but blind is probably more accurate.

Everyone thinks Davo could be even more....suggesting he should be dropped is really ridiculous.

[smasher]

I would not be at all surprised if Craig Bird was named in the centre.That's the position Roosy has him earmarked for and I have a gut feeling he will play round one.

[TheGrimReaper]

I have a gut feeling that Birdy, will play in all 22 games, and hopefully take home the AFL's Rising Star Award.

[AnnieH]

I had a gut feeling.
I sat on the toilet for a while ....



(Sorry guys, I couldn't resist!!)

[Chow-Chicker]

And you can avoid the facts all you want but saying Davis doesn't do the things he actually does do is just plain, well I would like to say stupid, but blind is probably more accurate.

Everyone thinks Davo could be even more....suggesting he should be dropped is really ridiculous.

I shall point out the many occasions where he does stuff all during the season. So be prepared for a few reminders.

[Go Swannies]

If Davis finally starts playing to his potential, and
If Barry Hall really can see and move this year, and
If Goodes is in the form he seems to be in, and
If the kids like Bird fit in, and
If Kennelly comes back as good as ever, and
If we have no major injuries (ie those players listed above)

I think we could go Top Four - and that Premiership membership premium could even be worthwhile.

[2005]

Davis' job is to kick goals - he does that very well. He also contributes in the forward line not too dissimilar to MOL and not much behind Hall (who is clearly the main target). He also gives away less free kicks than either of them, has less clangers, and clears the ball more often, and has less time on ground.

Per game

Hall 1.2 assists, 1.2 tackles, 2.4 I50s, 0.0 clearances, 3.2 clangers
Davis 0.7 assists, 1.3 tackles, 2.3 I50s, 1.3 clearances, 1.6 clangers
MOL 0.9 assists, 1.4 tackles, 1.7 I50s, 0.3 clearances, 2.0 clangers

The Stats show it all.
Im not a Davis fan either same as Chow Chicker, though he is in our best 22; no doubt. He kicks goals !!
Assists : Least out of the 3. Looks after himself most of the time.
Tackles : For a mobile player doesnt work hard enough
Inside 50s : The other 2 play forward all the time . Davo is in the middle and up the ground far more than them.
Clearances : As Above.
Clangers : For a guy of his abiliity and skills and the amount of disposals he gets per game ( Averages 12 ) is poor

Look, he just a guy I wish would give more as he could be anything.Go get it , chase makes things happen. Just dont demand it all the time and then get @@@@ty when they dont kick it to him . Micky O was a gun when Plugger was around because he wanted the pill, he wanted to chase , moved around , worked off Plugger made things happen even with a bung knee.
The reason why Davo spends more time on the woodwork than the other 2 guys is simple. Barry and Micky O work all day , where Nick is more of a impact player and the other 2 demand better defenders and Davos opponents generally rebound off him .
Nick Davis : My Only Whipping Boy !!

[Nico]

We need to be quicker and cleaner round the packs and have much more precise delivery to moving forward targets rather than static ones. QED.

The ball was far too easily cleared form our forward line in 2007.