Bring back TDL?

[Cheer Squad]

TDL is no certainty to come back this week.

Dennis-Lane delivers but Swans know they have plenty in reserves

There have been other players in the reserves this year who've been promoted, but not TDL as yet. Longmire really doesn't seem to explain why.

[Yuri H]

I'm all for the protest idea! Honestly, unless the "they know he's plotting to jump to GWS & are punishing him" theory is true, I'll be really, really irked if TDL doesn't play. Between that and the way the Swans have been playing, this might be the year for me to do my study of rugby (not that it interests me that much, but heck, it might be on the citizenship test so I ought to learn a bit more about it ...).

[Yuri H]

Halfjest, by the way. Of course I'd ne'er abandon me Swannies.

[Big Al]

TDL is no certainty to come back this week.

Dennis-Lane delivers but Swans know they have plenty in reserves

There have been other players in the reserves this year who've been promoted, but not TDL as yet. Longmire really doesn't seem to explain why.

Seems pretty clear in the article to me.

Horse said what the Reserves watchers have said all year that the raw numbers don't mean a thing. They have to assess whether the performances in the reserves translate to AFL level.

Playfair also said earlier in the week that TDL has to run games out which suggests his fitness has been suspect this year. To my eye he seemed to do that on the weekend but I guess my observations might not be shared by the coaching staff.

Horse said in the article that he's close so I take from that TDL is doing all the things required of him.

We have to remember he's a small forward and won't get the same latitude at AFL level that he's being afforded in the NEAFL. He has to bring something else to the table especially the way footy is played at the moment.

[Big Al]

I'll vote yes for 2 reasons. One because I believe he deserves his chance and secondly so RWO is spared a melt down with the inevitable over reaction that his non selection will cause.

[Hartijon]

If TDL is not selected to play in the Seniors I would be very interested in hearing the reason why. Also are there any similar historical precedents anyone knows of where a Senior team ,desperately devoid of Goal kickers,doesnt pick a goal kicker through fear his defense will give the opposition goals?

I don't know what the definition of negative thinking is but that has to come close to it!

[Glenn]

Obviously light years between NEAFL and AFL, but surely the latest two bags of goals by TDL has to carry some weight when considering a call up to the seniors considering the incompetence shown in the forward line against the Cows.

[mcs]

Seems pretty clear in the article to me.

Horse said what the Reserves watchers have said all year that the raw numbers don't mean a thing. They have to assess whether the performances in the reserves translate to AFL level.

Playfair also said earlier in the week that TDL has to run games out which suggests his fitness has been suspect this year. To my eye he seemed to do that on the weekend but I guess my observations might not be shared by the coaching staff.

Horse said in the article that he's close so I take from that TDL is doing all the things required of him.

We have to remember he's a small forward and won't get the same latitude at AFL level that he's being afforded in the NEAFL. He has to bring something else to the table especially the way footy is played at the moment.

That is all true, but we know he is a good kick for goal, and we are desperately missing another style of option (i.e. we have either the big boys up forward or the midget Mcglynn and that's it) up forward. He has done it at WAFL level and that is well above NEAFL level, so I just can't see how you can't justify giving him a decent run in the seniors. It is even more bewildering considering our absolute struggles all year to kick a winning score.

[jono2707]

Seems pretty clear in the article to me.

Horse said what the Reserves watchers have said all year that the raw numbers don't mean a thing. They have to assess whether the performances in the reserves translate to AFL level.

Playfair also said earlier in the week that TDL has to run games out which suggests his fitness has been suspect this year. To my eye he seemed to do that on the weekend but I guess my observations might not be shared by the coaching staff.

Horse said in the article that he's close so I take from that TDL is doing all the things required of him.

We have to remember he's a small forward and won't get the same latitude at AFL level that he's being afforded in the NEAFL. He has to bring something else to the table especially the way footy is played at the moment.

This may be a zany idea but wouldn't it be nice to have some sort of a 'loan' agreement with a VFL or WAFL club whereby someone like TDL could play a few games with them on weekends when not selected in the senior team. I think it would be of a greater benefit to someone like TDL to play at least a few games for the loan team to give us a better idea of where he's at. The NEAFL isnt exactly getting votes of confidence at the moment and we have no idea how someone's form there is going to translate to the big stage. At least the VFL and WAFL are of a higher standard and would be a better hit-out.

I'm not suggesting a feeder-club situation per se as that doesnt seem like its gonna happen. What I'm talking about is for 1 or 2 players who are considered close to senior selection to play a handful of games over a few weeks for the loan club, whilst still training at least most of the week with the Swans. There's probably plenty of holes in this idea but I'd get more excited to see TDL kick 3 or 4 in the WAFL or VFL than 12 in the NEAFL at this stage....

[Plugger46]

TDL is no certainty to come back this week.

Dennis-Lane delivers but Swans know they have plenty in reserves

There have been other players in the reserves this year who've been promoted, but not TDL as yet. Longmire really doesn't seem to explain why.

He got promoted? He played two games and didn't do too much. He also got subbed off in both games which may explain the fitness issues that Longmire is talking about.

I hope he plays this week because our forward line is pretty ordinary but I don't think he'll be the saviour.

[wolftone57]

TDL is no certainty to come back this week.

Dennis-Lane delivers but Swans know they have plenty in reserves

There have been other players in the reserves this year who've been promoted, but not TDL as yet. Longmire really doesn't seem to explain why.

Is Longmire an idiot or does he take us for idiots? Dennis-Lane delivers but Swans know they have plenty in reserves.

''Obviously he's close,'' Longmire said of Dennis-Lane breaking into the senior team. ''He kicked a bag on the weekend, but we won by 160 points. That's the challenge for us as a coaching staff, to see what we see at reserves' level, and can we get the same performance at senior level?
He brings other players in from the resies with no problems! What is ups blokes kilt about TDL? At least the bloke can kick a goal! I say TDL in Longmire out

[wolftone57]

If TDL is not selected to play in the Seniors I would be very interested in hearing the reason why. Also are there any similar historical precedents anyone knows of where a Senior team ,desperately devoid of Goal kickers,doesnt pick a goal kicker through fear his defense will give the opposition goals?

I don't know what the definition of negative thinking is but that has to come close to it!

Early in the piece I think Micky O was dropped because he failed to chace. That was very early though. He never was much at chacing over any distance but would you drop Micky O, not Horatio

[wolftone57]

Sorry should heve been an I before the Horatio

[wolftone57]

Seems pretty clear in the article to me.

Horse said what the Reserves watchers have said all year that the raw numbers don't mean a thing. They have to assess whether the performances in the reserves translate to AFL level.

Playfair also said earlier in the week that TDL has to run games out which suggests his fitness has been suspect this year. To my eye he seemed to do that on the weekend but I guess my observations might not be shared by the coaching staff.

Horse said in the article that he's close so I take from that TDL is doing all the things required of him.

We have to remember he's a small forward and won't get the same latitude at AFL level that he's being afforded in the NEAFL. He has to bring something else to the table especially the way footy is played at the moment.

Sorry Al just a few probs here & I realise you are a fan of TDL but Longmire has brought lots of players in from the really poor NEAFL Comp this year & it is the only way players can impress. He has also tried to play a couple of players into fitness in the seniors, two with dire consequences, Mummy & Jack, both now injured again. Everritt goes down to that level & doesn't do anything special but cmes back regularly & I wouldn't rate him as especially good defensively.
By the way he plays more as a mid sized forward not a small as he can take a contested pack mark, I still can't believe he is the same height as Jude (I think they got that wrong on the Official Web).
I know you are trying to rationalise the thinking of the coaches & I agree his fitness level has probably been down but I would rather a 3/4 fit TDL than a fully fit Everritt anyday.

If Longmire has decided that the local comp is no barrometer of form for our resies what the hell is? Training track conditions , especially competitive work, are not instrucive to the form of a player because whether the coach likes to believe it or not they are not going to go all out & risk injury at training. Last year form in the 2's was not a problem for selection & our side was not travelling as well as this year. I think the squad is just better this year & the toppies are better in the resies. We are building to a wonderful side & the talent is there on show in the resies. Yes the comp isn't great but it is the only one we have.

[BSA5]

If TDL is not selected to play in the Seniors I would be very interested in hearing the reason why. Also are there any similar historical precedents anyone knows of where a Senior team ,desperately devoid of Goal kickers,doesnt pick a goal kicker through fear his defense will give the opposition goals?

Nick Davis?