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He's a deadeye dick, Cheese.
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Barlow's position is in the forward line, no question. Whenever he goes there, he just looks dangerous. Somebody mentioned him getting in the way a bit, and yes, I think I noticed him do that once against the Eagles (he only really had time to do it once, as he spent so little time down there), but he is some fresh talent in a forward line that has become a little bit stagnant, which I think more than compensates. He is just so tough to match up on! Not to mention that he is our best kick in any situation, at least of the side out there at the moment. Possibly better than Eski as well.
I doubt Grundy will make it back this week, if he has stress fractures in his foot. Isn't that the injury that kept LRT out for most of last season? I reckon it will be a while before he is back in the side. I also think Brennan should be dropped after a less-than-inspiring performance (had a couple of good runs, but was otherwise not particularly damaging, and made a few terrible clangers). If he was young, then fine, give him another go, but his game was pretty typical of his games last year, and what I remember of his games at Hawthorn. He's 23 now, and should have stepped up by now, either at Hawthorn or the Swans. You can see why he was delisted from the Hawks. I don't think we should delist him, as his versatility means he is quite a good backup player in a pinch (I wouldn't object to always having him as an emergency, barring extreme drops in form), and he is still relatively young, and might yet develop.
So, that leaves two tall spots missing, in Hall and Brennan (who isn't really a tall at 185 cm, but he plays tall). I say move Barlow from the midfield to a permanent position in the forward line. That way we now need one tall and one midfielder. White to come in as the tall (unless Spida is ready, in which case White misses out), and either Vezspremi, Smith, Laidlaw (he is back, isn't he?) or Davis (in which case he would rotate with Barlow and/or O'Keefe between HF and the midfield). Davis would probably be my first choice of those players mentioned, as he just kicked 8 in the reserves, and, well, he has a pretty good record against the Catters! BUT, I have to admit, we have functioned very well without him. I also don't know how much Roos wants him to prove before coming back. I don't know if he played a team-oriented game in the reserves or not, but if he didn't, and played selfishly, and didn't work that hard, then Roos might still not name him. A couple of weeks ago I would have been spewing, but I have to admit, there is a reason I'm sitting here on my computer and Roos is up there in the coaches box. Err, I mean, on the bench.
Also, unless Roos decides to play Bevan as a permanent-ish forward, he should just be dropped. One good game on a day when every player played well, and the opposition didn't put up much fight, isn't (or at least, shouldn't be) enough to keep him in the side. When he is pushed forward, all of a sudden he finds the ball, and looks vaguely dangerous, but if he doesn't play most of the game there week in, week out, then he isn't going to contribute enough to be in our best 22. If he is dropped, then Davis can come in as well as Smith, Vezspremi or Laidlaw. I'd choose Vezspremi, because apparently he can play as a leading forward as well as a midfielder.
So, my ins and outs:
OUT: Hall, Brennan, Bevan
IN: White, Vezspremi, Davis
My setup would be Davis out of the goalsquare, O'Loughlin doing his thing, being both a KPP and a crumber at the same time, Barlow anywhere in the forwardline, sometimes out of the goalsquare, sometimes CHF, sometimes HFF pushing up to the wing occasionally (a la O'Keefe), whatever, O'Keefe doing the same old same old, and then the rest is just rotation. At various times LRT, Jolly, Goodes, Richards, Vezspremi rotating through the key position forward role. And then the usual suspects providing small-forward options, like Moore, Buchanan, Bird, Jack, McVeigh, B1, etc, etc. Maybe Luke Ablett down there for bits as well, though I suspect he will be occupied mainly with keeping Corey/Bartel quiet (Jack will get Gablett).Officially on the Reid and Sumner bandwagon!Comment
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CHF - O'keefe - Barlow - Moore
FF - O'Loughlin - Davis - LRT
Could rotate Goodes with Barlow. Buchanan with Moore. Jolly with LRTWhenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect... MTComment
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Forward line up for next week
Lets move on.
I'm hoping either Jesse White or Grundy get a run at full forward next week however I imagine, Micky listed at full forward, Nick Davis back in the pocket somewhere and token player listed at centre half forward.
With the length of the Geelong stadium, I would imagine that it would be crucial we have a proper CHF. It's alright to list Micky at FF and Davo in the pocket but who will be the link man?
I think Spida could be due back as well.
What about Goodes or Barlow at CHF?
Goodes at least is big and strong. Your thoughts on what our coaching panel will do.In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.Comment
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Merge with other thread.
Barlow at CHF.
I only support one team: The SYDNEY SWANS!!!!! :adoreComment
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I can't see how evryone is comparing Barlow with Goodes. Barlow seems to have better accuracy at goal but I don't understand the comparison.
I would take Goodes over Barlow because Goodes has a bigger frame.In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.Comment
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Yeah i think Goodes would do the job well at CHF, tall, athletic strong man, highly skilful.
Its gonna be interesting, but i dont think we will give up easily to the cats.. we all know what damage davo does to the cats...Comment
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I've been very excited over the last three weeks from the performances of Jack, Moore, Bird, Barlow and Grundy.
Next Saturday will be a real test for these young guys. I imagine Jack will get Jnr Ab.
I still think on form the Swans will lose but hopefully by only a small amount.In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.Comment
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Goodes doesn't have a bigger frame; he's just had longer to get some muscle hanging off it. The comparison comes from the fact that they are both over 195 cm tall, and both are very athletic, quick and agile with great stamina. I can't see how somebody couldn't understand the comparison.Officially on the Reid and Sumner bandwagon!Comment
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You forgot to mention experience and skill level.
Does every player who is very athletic, quick and agile with great stamina immediately become an Adam Goodes clone?
Footy brain might have something to do with it as well. I hope Barlow is as good if not better than Adam in the long run but I'm saying that Barlow has not been round long enough to get that comparison yet.
Lots of Swans supporters are already saying the young Irish kid is the new Chris Judd. Unnecessary pressure on the kid.
I will say that I have more confidence in Barlow kicking goals compared to Goodesy.In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.Comment
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Nobody has said Barlow is as GOOD as Goodes! That's just stupid. He's played 7 games! People are saying that he has Goodes-like qualities. Nobody said he was an Adam Goodes clone; they said he was a similar sort of player to Goodes.
Although I agree about the unnecessary pressure comment. Stupid.Officially on the Reid and Sumner bandwagon!Comment
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