R19, AFL 2010 Swans V Hawks: Pre-game discussion

[hammo]

I'd be interesting to know which journo asked the question. The trouble with media coverage of the club is the press conferences are usually attended by general sports reporters who wouldn't know the difference between Lewis Johnston and Dale Lewis. That leaves members and supporters relying on the puff pieces rolled out by the PR department for club news.

[Ratna]

There was a great thread on the reserves game from the weekend that had several reports suggesting that no-one except possibly TDL was ready to step up. It also suggested there was plenty to like for the future.

If the team is decimated by injuries especially in key positions that is not the coaches fault. It is also not the coaches fault that those drafted may not be ready or are not doing what's required.

Merry may be a prime example that those in the twos just aren't ready yet. IMO he should get another few games as if a player is good enough to be promoted they should get fair chance to show their ability.

No changes for mine but Merry must know he has to step up soon or others will get their chance. (Hurry up Braddy and LRT). TDL in if anyone.

[swansrob]

From the AFL website's 'In The Mix' section:

SYDNEY SWANS
After the same 22 players delivered successive heavy losses, it seems unlikely Paul Roos won't make changes. Gary Rohan is fit again after an ankle injury, but didn't star in the reserves' win over Eastlake, where first-year midfielder Byron Sumner, ruckman Daniel Currie and key forward Lewis Johnston (five goals) were among the best. Mike Pyke is suffering from a sore ankle and will be assessed. Defenders Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Nick Smith are still at least a week away.

This is the first I've heard about Pyke.

Out: Pyke
In: ????

I sincerely hope that's not the case though; I've been thoroughly enjoying listening to and reading about (damn you Europe!) Pyke's progression this year.

[Hartijon]

Totally agree. Roos arguement makes no sense. He says the guys in the seconds have to earn it but it seems like, once you get in, you can play poorly for extended periods without repercussions at the selection table.

Earlier discussion about senior players not delivering 1%ers is the repercussion. This sort of policy robs both motivation from those on the fringe and those on the field.

Exactly and it begins a kind of malaise that leads to the Melbourne type debacle.However this is not an unusual situation for a football club. Its only human nature to want to reward players you have known for years and who gave you a cup. To depose them for some young upstart seems unfair. It pays a good coach not to be too close to the players,and this makes the necessary culling easier. Collingwood and Malthouse seem to pick on merit only and partly explains their success.

[jono2707]

Collingwood and Malthouse seem to pick on merit only and partly explains their success.

I don't totally disagree with you but Collingwood have about 10 players who are fully fit that don't make the side on a week-to-week basis at the moment , that would pretty much be walk-up starts on most other teams. That sort of quality depth is a luxury that we don't currently have. In fact most teams dont have that sort of depth at this point in time which is one reason that Collingwood are doing so well.

[bennyfabulous]

I don't totally disagree with you but Collingwood have about 10 players who are fully fit that don't make the side on a week-to-week basis at the moment , that would pretty much be walk-up starts on most other teams. That sort of quality depth is a luxury that we don't currently have. In fact most teams dont have that sort of depth at this point in time which is one reason that Collingwood are doing so well.

Who would these 10 players be?

[sWAns63]

Totally agree.Meredith has been awful.

You can say that about the whole team for the last two weeks, except Goodes and a few others though if you were looking to dump one of the youngsters he would probably be it on saying that though you could easily rest one of the tired old lethargic senior fringe players.

[sWAns63]

I've been thinking the same thing about lots of our games recently. Not just in relation to Jetta. There is a pronounced difference between the Swans and the teams that beat them in terms of shepherding, both when on a run and in close.

We cant stay close enough most of the time to lay a good shephard on I remember seeing Rohan put one early in the season and thought this is good are we going to see more of this then I didn't see any more like he was told not to do it It's partially why I want to see more youngsters in the team because I know they bring a certain amont of enthusiasm to the team like when Amon Buchanan cemented his spot in the side all those years ago he was throwing himself into the contests along with the other youngsters which sparked on the older players.

[ugg]

From Facebook

Roosy has just told the media there will only be one change this week. Trent Dennis-Lane will come in for Brett Meredith. He said they would have liked to make more changes but most of the reserves players haven't done enough to warrant selection. However he's praised rookie Nathan Gordon who has worked hard and been elevated to the senior list.

Facebook

Very interesting about Nipper, they wouldn't promote him unless he is in serious contention for senior selection.

[hammo]

Another brave week at the selection table.

[Go Swannies]

My apologies for passing on wrong information about who was fit for this week. My source was Craig Bird and I took him to task about it at Trivia last night. His reply? "Well I was right about me, just not the others." He's coming back through the 2s and that's where we'll find one G Rohan too. It sounds like LRT and Nic are a week off. Braddy and B2 will be ready "before the end of the season" and no Swans players thought they'd be coming back through the 2s.

Incidentally, I caught the lift down with Byron Sumner and asked him if he'd be playing seniors this year. He replied that it depends if a place opens up for him but "I've been doing alright the last few weeks so I might get a chance." I found my car, wished him luck and left him looking for his lift home.

[aardvark]

I think I may have to rediscover the garden Saturday Arvo.....and GS all is forgiven.

[royboy42]

My apologies for passing on wrong information about who was fit for this week. My source was Craig Bird and I took him to task about it at Trivia last night. His reply? "Well I was right about me, just not the others." He's coming back through the 2s and that's where we'll find one G Rohan too. It sounds like LRT and Nic are a week off. Braddy and B2 will be ready "before the end of the season" and no Swans players thought they'd be coming back through the 2s.

Incidentally, I caught the lift down with Sam Reid (I think) and asked him if he'd be playing seniors this year. He replied that it depends if a place opens up for him but "I've been doing alright the last few weeks so I might get a chance." I found my car, wished him luck and left him looking for his lift home.

How was the Trivia night??

[hammo]

Why was Meredith dropped? Is it a last into the team first out rule? Is he suddenly not good enough? Is he struggling with the pace of the game and if so how is sending him back to Canberra going to help? This must be getting really demorilising for the young guys on our list watching the seniors hang onto their glory years and not cracking it for a run, or getting elevated, having one or two games then being dropped again.

On AFL 360 last night Mark McClure made what I thought was a very good point. As a supporter you want to see your club compete for a premiership and if that's not happening, you want to see the kids coming through being played. Neither applies to the Swans right now and we are no closer to another premiership than we were in 2005 because of the conservative approach taken to team selection, list management and game plan.

If the young players aren't exposed to the big time then how will they ever develop into better players? Does LJ have to kick 10 goals every week, Veszpremi get 40 touches and kick 5 goals? That only encourages the selfish play that doesn't go down well at the club. Currie? If the club thinks these guys have a long term future at the club then play them, not let another season go to waste.

With Melbourne and Richmond up and going, Adelaide, Essendon, Carlton with arguably better lists, a Gold Coast side made up of virtually first round draft picks, it's looking like a pretty bleak period ahead of us.

[Go Swannies]

How was the Trivia night??

I thought you'd never ask. There must have been about 18 tables of 10. There were 8 rounds of 10 questions from "what's the Italia name of spiral pasta?" to "What recently retired Bombers player went to school with Jude Bolton?" Had a player at each table and they swapped halfway through. Very relaxed friendly night hosted by Craig Ruecastle (sp?) of the Chaser who was very funny. Asked Q on who is recently appointed director of the Sydney Opera House then said "funny, I was just talking to Rhyce Shaw about this apointment the other day" and did the old elimination game (on Swans stats) with players signalling with hands on head or bum explaining "hold your own bum, this isn't David Jones". The team assembled by ORB (of which your correspondent was a humble part and stenographer) won. Prize $250 each. Ted was on our table at the end and when we knew we'd come first or second he was very excited to be in the Grand Final. Mal helped Annie's team to disaster then moved to another table that he took to the wooden spoon.