Rd 3 team discussion - Alex Johnson to debut. Meredith out.

[dimelb]

i wouldnt worry about the 2nd ruck, might help with cox and natanui, but leaves us short a runner, and means we either have a 2nd ruck parked on the bench all the time, or a useless pyke or seaby offering nothing up forward.

In fact they can both play forward. Seaby is used to it, is a good mark and a decent kick. Pike is a very good mark and (going on the ressies reports) has become a good kick. I agree with those who have said that against Cox/Naitanui we will need to play two ruckmen, so I'm inclined to agree with P46, though I wouldn't be too disappointed to see Seaby there instead of Pyke.

[Cheer_Cheer]

It is great to be in a position to say I would be happy with either Pyke or Seaby coming in.. I agree with Meredith out and I reckon Rohan is made to be a sub. It seems that most sides view the sub as a late in the game impact player. Rohan is like an excitable red setter. I can see him siting on the sideline just raring to go..

[Primmy]

Just re4membered - Seaby, West Coast......they would have to play him wouldn't they?

[RogueSwan]

Surely we will play two ruck men this week, Mummy against Cox and White against Natanui will be asking for trouble.
I am guessing that Seaby would be the one to come in, especially seeing it against his old team ....

Just re4membered - Seaby, West Coast.....

I thought this gave it away.

[Bas]

Seaby in for White. As Triple B said - he knows the team and the ground well.

No it was this one !

[giant]

In: Pyke
Out: Meredith

Sub: Rohan.

That's about where my thinking was too - you obviously don't want to go in too tall at Subi but the Eagles are a very tall team as well. Either of Rohan or Jetta as the sub.

[ShockOfHair]

And the incoming player is.... Johnson! As in Alex. I'd have thought he'd be the last of our 2010 draftees to be picked (after Lamb & Parker), but hey, not the first time I've been completely wrong.

Longmire says AJ will definitely be picked in the 21.

http://m.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/another-young-gun-answers-call-from-swans-20110406-1d4jc.html

Congratulations, Alex!

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Very shocked. I don't get to watch the reserves, what is this kid like?

[wyatt]

Johnson to debut

This story briefly appeared on the Swans website, now it seems to have disappeared.

Johnson to make early debut - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club

Good on the young fella, though I'm surprised he's leapfrogged a few others in the pecking order. Good luck Alex.
(edit: it's back up)

[liz]

Very shocked. I don't get to watch the reserves, what is this kid like?

Definitely one from left field. He has looked good in the three reserves games I've watched - but more along the lines of "good for an 18yo developing KPP who was a 3rd year draft pick last year".

From a team structure point of view, it is not an obvious selection either. He's been playing mostly in defence for the reserves so far, but has been thrown forward for parts of games. Hard to see them bringing him in to play in a key defensive role. Reg, Ted and Marty have been largely doing this, and can't see young Alex being preferred over them. So if he is to play down back, it is likely to be at the expense of Rohan or Everitt, you'd think (though Rohan could be used in another role possibly). If he plays up forward, does this mean they will drop White? Plausible if either Pyke or Seaby is to play. Or maybe Reid's shoulder, which looked sore at the end of Sunday's game, is going to keep him out of the team.

[Legs Akimbo]

It seems longmire is putting together HIS future team. Wonder who will drop out given a tall is in, but not the one we expected.

[Primmy]

Have been watching Alex closely, and although it may seem a bit early to bring him in, he is an organiser and he is safe and importantly very self assured. Plays way above his age group. I am delighted, slightly surprised, but not in the slightest worried we have him. Think Sam and you will get what I mean. And he is tall. And we need back line defense like mad.

[Primmy]

I thought this gave it away.

Arf, what makes y ou think I read the first page.......or all of the second.......it was just a fleeting blast of redzone what made me done it.........

[BSA5]

A bit like Cambo last year, perhaps? Young, not dominating, but has impressed at training, earnt respect, is recognised as a player for the future and is considered "safe", even if they know he doesn't yet have what it takes to stand out.

[ernie koala]

Well how refreshing, we are seeing that coach Longmire is certainly no clone of Roos. For starters, he has a vastly different approach when it comes to playing youngsters.
And a game plan of fast ball movement, including a licence for the quickies to run and carry, and a rapid spread from stoppages, and, like most teams now, plenty of forward pressure (Collingwood style).
Whether Johnson plays well this week or not, they will find out plenty about him playing at this level, which is invaluable for future reference.
Horse obviously loves players that are athletic and can play at both ends of the park. His endurance (top5 at Swans) may be handy in the last quarter.