Swans team vs. Saints

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Crouch
Ablett

I know this is wrong but I'm glad Playfair is out injured at the moment, one less spud we have to worry about. Eventually I'd like to see Ablett replaced with Thornton or Jack, and Crouch replaced by Vez.

[Triple B]

I thought Crouch was one of our best against the Dogs. Admittedly, good amongst a bad bunch, but he straightened us up and made some good ground by dashing from deep in defence.

I'm well prepared to give him a chance to show what he can still offer.

[sharp9]

I think you'll find Jack is playing....did you mean Brabazon or Schmidt or Laidlaw??? (or Hanneberry, meredith or O'Keefe???) :-)

[dimelb]

I thought Crouch was one of our best against the Dogs. Admittedly, good amongst a bad bunch, but he straightened us up and made some good ground by dashing from deep in defence.

I'm well prepared to give him a chance to show what he can still offer.

Crouch is easily in our best 22, and if he starts this season as he finished last season I'll be very happy.

[Xie Shan]

All of Crouch Ablett and Buchanan are a bit disappointing.

That was my thinking too, thought they could have used Round 1 to inject a bit more youth into the team but otherwise I think the side is OK given what we've got.

I'm not sure how that backline's going to go during the season without Leo, we'll do alright against the Saints but a lot depends on whether Grundy can step up.

[SCGonasunnyday]

Its a good looking team on paper. Lets see what sort of team turns up to play.

[Mr Magoo]

Team is pretty predictable but not suprising as everyone on here who has been to preseason seems to be saying that none of the younger guys have shone in the preseason games.

Doubt the positions remain as is eg In the back line alone I would be suprised if bolton doesnt pick up Riewoldt and jack will probably pick up milne to allow shaw to run of schneider.

[Dalai Lama]

Oscar the Crouch can tag that dud Del Santo - just in case he ever wanted to earn a kick?

[Dalai Lama]

Toobee V Incy

Shaw V Schnieder the dream match up? Or Barrice V Zac of spuds?

[ernie koala]

He talks constantly about injecting youth...but once again Roos goes down the same old path. Safe, conservative, predictable. I'd just love to see him stick his neck out and pick a few untried (or barely tried) players ...sometimes this kind of challenge brings the best out in young players. It would also give the opposition something a bit less predictable to think about.
Merideth is one who seems more than servicable...where is he?
Brabazon, he's been around a few years now...where is he?
O Dwyer.....ditto....
Lot of talk about Murphy over the last few years...where is he?
We all know where they are.. they're minding the shop while comrade Rudd strutts the world stage.

[Dalai Lama]

both Commrade Roos & KRudd are all about stimulus packages. Roos will stimulate the Utah Saints tomorrow eve into submission!

[Gary]

It may be the best available...but what a drab team. To see both LRT & Grundy in the key defence positions (even if they don't play there) is sad, sick, anything else you like to call it. It just says at a look "this team is going nowhere".
2005 / 6 is still a vivid memory...but am I alone in thinking that we have not managed our list well?

[Mr Magoo]

It may be the best available...but what a drab team. To see both LRT & Grundy in the key defence positions (even if they don't play there) is sad, sick, anything else you like to call it. It just says at a look "this team is going nowhere".
2005 / 6 is still a vivid memory...but am I alone in thinking that we have not managed our list well?

You know Grundy is only 22 (i am sure someone will point out if Im slightly wrong) so he isnt really that much older (if at all) than many of the younger guys we keep screaming about missing out on a chance. Really when you look at , none of the alternatives could hold down key position places but like any key position player they rarely start to show anything until they are about this age anyway, so I think he should be given a chance. Wait for at least five solid full games before he is consigned to the "we tried but he just wasnt up to it" scrapheap

[Plugger46]

I don't mind Reg at all. Would like to see him have a decent stint on the forward line, especially while O'Loughlin's out of the side.

He lacks urgency at times but I think he is worth persevering with.

[Gary]

"He lacks urgency at times" is something of an understatement...I think this is the 4th season he has played in the seniors & apart from some encouraging form very early he has mostly looked slow, without the other skills to compensate for that major deficiency. I hope you prove right...but I think it unlikely. The need for a quality key defender has been obvious for several years...& we just don't seem to rate such guys.
Perhaps we do need 2 / 3 really bad years to get some quality picks in the draft.