NAB Cup Round 3 - Swans v Essendon

[S120]

He played as much forward last year as he is this year so far. In fact probably more as a permanent forward at the end of 2011.

I think his game last night showed how much value he has as a forward (where I think he has the most value for us atm incidentally). He touched the ball 8 times and kicked 2 goals. He barely got near it and had a quiet game all in all but still manufactured enough chances to make a good contribution to the scoreboard. He dropped a few marks he should have taken which would have allowed him to have a few more shots on goal. Add his tackling ability (that is even more valuable up forward given the press and emphasis on frontal pressure in footy right now) and normally good skills and I think FOR NOW, his best place is mainly as a forward.

Definitely could do with being pushed up onto a wing every now and then when he isn't getting near it or to speed up his development, I don't have a problem with that. But our forward line is haphazard and sporadic enough atm as it is without taking one of our biggest talents out of it. We need as much sustained structure and goal kicking ability and general talent next to Sammy atm as we can get IMO. That means Rohan ought to stay there as far as I'm concerned.

[wolftone57]

He played as much forward last year as he is this year so far. In fact probably more as a permanent forward at the end of 2011.

I think his game last night showed how much value he has as a forward (where I think he has the most value for us atm incidentally). He touched the ball 8 times and kicked 2 goals. He barely got near it and had a quiet game all in all but still manufactured enough chances to make a good contribution to the scoreboard. He dropped a few marks he should have taken which would have allowed him to have a few more shots on goal. Add his tackling ability (that is even more valuable up forward given the press and emphasis on frontal pressure in footy right now) and normally good skills and I think FOR NOW, his best place is mainly as a forward.

Definitely could do with being pushed up onto a wing every now and then when he isn't getting near it or to speed up his development, I don't have a problem with that. But our forward line is haphazard and sporadic enough atm as it is without taking one of our biggest talents out of it. We need as much sustained structure and goal kicking ability and general talent next to Sammy atm as we can get IMO. That means Rohan ought to stay there as far as I'm concerned.

I'm sorry S120 I do not agree at all. He could kick just as many goals from the wing (ask Andy Gowers a similar sort of player). We have a lot of HF's TDL, Lamb, Morton, Cunningham, Everitt, ROK, Bulldog, Gordon (who I think is underrated). We also rest quite a few there Bolts, Macca, Parker, Jack and the possibility of Mitchell coming in later also resting there. We need blokes who can deliver long to position on the wings and in the mids. Rohan has proved to be a very good deliverer of the pill and Jetts is also developing that way.

A few differences from his role last year. I saw the Intra and became aware that they seemed to want him to play a more static HF role being a foil for Reid. Last year even though he played HF he was given a bit of a free run to roam in the style of ROK. Not quite as far as ROK but to HB. This year from what I have seen so far the role has changed somewhat to a more stay at home forward role (up to Wing no further). If he was allowed to do the same as last year I think he would be more effective but I still prefer him on a Wing. Abate I did not see this last game so I am quite ready to be challenged if his role was the same as last year in the Essendon game.

[MightyBloods]

I agree with Wolf that we'd be better served with Rohan further up the ground. I would have him across half-back giving him the opportunity to have more possession and using his pace. He would create havoc to an opposition's press. What concerned me last night more than anything was our strategy to beat the press (assuming it was under coaches instructions). The amount of times we just bombed the ball to tall targets was perplexing. You could understand it if we had 3 Reids and 3 McGlynnes but we didnt and dont have. We need a more balanced attack. I prefer Shaw on the forward line. He's hardworking, can kick goals and is experienced. He worries me in defence as he is prone to turnovers. He can also spend time in midfield tagging. And I'm looking forward to seeing Tony Armstrong down back because if he's as quick and skilful as this forum is suggesting....and hoping he can perform under real pressure.....hhhmm...please let him be Andrew McLeod the second!

[Reggi]

I get why people weren't impressed with Walsh, but I thought he was OK and ahead of anyone else as the second big forward. He was unlucky not to kick two goals last night, however he was a great physical presence and will clear space for smaller players and help us get goals. Will take more heat off Reid, and can only improve. Would definately continue to play him. We have not had that physical presence since Hall.

There is not a massive amount of good tall defenders so many sides will have trouble with him and Reid. Spangher is just not very threatening

Cunningham will probaly get games as a Sub, quick runnign legs late in the game are always handy

Last night was still a practice match against an average side, the fact we had Walsh and Cunningham in the backline emphasis that good on Horse for continuing the practice

We still need some quicker midfield run. I don't think we can play Bolton, Bird, Kennedy, Parker in the same side we become to slow in the midfield. We need to find more runners we were really shown up.

We are also short a mid sized marking forward, with O'Keefe coming to the end. Not sure Morton is the answer

[S120]

I'm sorry S120 I do not agree at all. He could kick just as many goals from the wing (ask Andy Gowers a similar sort of player). We have a lot of HF's TDL, Lamb, Morton, Cunningham, Everitt, ROK, Bulldog, Gordon (who I think is underrated). We also rest quite a few there Bolts, Macca, Parker, Jack and the possibility of Mitchell coming in later also resting there. We need blokes who can deliver long to position on the wings and in the mids. Rohan has proved to be a very good deliverer of the pill and Jetts is also developing that way.

A few differences from his role last year. I saw the Intra and became aware that they seemed to want him to play a more static HF role being a foil for Reid. Last year even though he played HF he was given a bit of a free run to roam in the style of ROK. Not quite as far as ROK but to HB. This year from what I have seen so far the role has changed somewhat to a more stay at home forward role (up to Wing no further). If he was allowed to do the same as last year I think he would be more effective but I still prefer him on a Wing. Abate I did not see this last game so I am quite ready to be challenged if his role was the same as last year in the Essendon game.

It's all well and good to say we have plenty of other HF's and midfielder who can fill that area on the field, but which of them can have the same or at least similar impact to Rohan as a forward? I contend none of them at this point aside from maybe Benny McGlynn. His pace, tackling and goal-kicking nous combined make him a unique proposition for opposition teams to counteract.

On other hand, with Goodes, Jack, McGlynn and Jetta showing strong form in the middle so far this year, we have enough foot pace in the middle to break lines and then add to that Shaw off HB as a fleet-footed runner. Rohan could absolutely be useful in spurts through the middle. I absolutely agree with that. But the forward structure is just bereft of genuine goal kicking talent without Rohan and Goodes in the middle (where he is at his most valuable, I think we all agree). We need a functioning forward line and structure this year more than just about anything if we are going to contend for a solid top 8 spot. Our defence is extremely solid bordering on very good at full strength and in the midfield with Jack, Kennedy, Goodes, Hannebery, Mumford, McVeigh we are well served there.

It was when we properly structured our forward line last year (incidentally when Rohan returned to the side as a forward) that we really surged. When our structure was strong and consistent with solid goal kicking options, we improved markedly. For all those reasons, as far as I see, we are best served by Rohan's talent when he's played as a forward.

[Mountain Man]

When is TDL ready to play; I think he is an excellent 'permanent' candidate to give us that much needed 'structure' in the forward line.

[Wazza]

I am not a big fan of would've and could've but if ted richards had of played and went onto rider i think the game would have been ours, jetta has improved a lot over the preseason and i reckon will be considered a great player possibly top 10 for the swans by the end of the season.

Missing four out of our top 22: Mattner, Richards, ROK and Hanneberry and they had their top22 in for the most part so a pretty good effort considering.

Plus McGlynn,

Cheers

[Wazza]

I get why people weren't impressed with Walsh, but I thought he was OK and ahead of anyone else as the second big forward. He was unlucky not to kick two goals last night, however he was a great physical presence and will clear space for smaller players and help us get goals. Will take more heat off Reid, and can only improve. Would definately continue to play him. We have not had that physical presence since Hall.

There is not a massive amount of good tall defenders so many sides will have trouble with him and Reid. Spangher is just not very threatening

Cunningham will probaly get games as a Sub, quick runnign legs late in the game are always handy

Last night was still a practice match against an average side, the fact we had Walsh and Cunningham in the backline emphasis that good on Horse for continuing the practice

We still need some quicker midfield run. I don't think we can play Bolton, Bird, Kennedy, Parker in the same side we become to slow in the midfield. We need to find more runners we were really shown up.

We are also short a mid sized marking forward, with O'Keefe coming to the end. Not sure Morton is the answer

You rate Walsh ahead of White for 2nd tall?? White hasnt done much but we played better with him as a fwd late season vs Walsh has done nothing to show he will be a consistent fwd
Cheers

Waz

[wolftone57]

When is TDL ready to play; I think he is an excellent 'permanent' candidate to give us that much needed 'structure' in the forward line.

I agree and add Lamb Chop and Nipper and I think we have a few who can kick plenty. I don't agree with you S120 on Spangs he had 61 disposals, 22 marks 8 contested, kicked 8.6 in 6 games. In one game he was off being taped up to look like the mummy (not our Mummy the one in the movie) for a good deal of the game. In his first game he only played about a half. So given that I think his figures are quite good. There is a plus to playing him as he is a wonderful spot kick and he takes a lot of pressure from Sammy.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

What is it with the current fixation of turning every youngster that shows some talent into a midfielders. I agree with S120 on Rohan play him forward!

As for comparing him to Andy Gowers. In the areas of explosive pace, endurance, aggression at the man, aerial ability and X-factor the two are complete opposites. I think the better comparison might be between Gary and StevieJ.

The problem with TDL is knowing when he is ready to play, even when he isn't injured and actually gets onto the ground, he seems to put very little into the match, I know he's been credited with 16 tackles but does anyone recall any of them? He's almost Davo-esque in that regard at least. He was almost the entithesis of the modern small forward.

[wolftone57]

What is it with the current fixation of turning every youngster that shows some talent into a midfielders. I agree with S120 on Rohan play him forward!

As for comparing him to Andy Gowers. In the areas of explosive pace, endurance, aggression at the man, aerial ability and X-factor the two are complete opposites. I think the better comparison might be between Gary and StevieJ.

The problem with TDL is knowing when he is ready to play, even when he isn't injured and actually gets onto the ground, he seems to put very little into the match, I know he's been credited with 16 tackles but does anyone recall any of them? He's almost Davo-esque in that regard at least. He was almost the entithesis of the modern small forward.

Um! Not turning him into a mid fielder. He played mid field, forward and back for both Falcons and Vics. So we are not trying to turn him into anything maybe you are trying to turn him into a forward? He is versatile and I like that but we need great delivery out of the wings while Hannas is injured and to play Everitt on the wing is a waste of Rohan and Everitt plays better forward. Rohan might end up being a very good half forward but I would rue the loss of his pace around the flanks. Playing HF or FP is a total waste of that pace and delivery. He can still kick 2 to 3 goals a game as a Winger. 'Hungry' kicked nearly a hundred in a year as a rover. As did Lethal.

[wolftone57]

As for the reference to Gowers they are about the same height and Andy was a forward turned Winger who kicked a lot of goals. Also Gowers was deceptively quick over the first 20 metres. Oh and I almost forgot they both take a great contested mark.

[707]

The problem with TDL is knowing when he is ready to play, even when he isn't injured and actually gets onto the ground, he seems to put very little into the match, I know he's been credited with 16 tackles but does anyone recall any of them?

Yes, I do - the tackle against Carlton player in our goalsquare. HTB, kicks the goal - is that how it went or is my memory wrong?

Other than that, agree TDL at this stage does not appear to be the small fwd answer. Rohan can do the mercurial so has real value as a forward and gives oppositions match up nightmares with his speed, leap, agility. Let's try and build a potent and difficult to counter forward structure.

Am I correct in thinking Walsh may be a little slow across the ground or did it just appear that way last night?

[ernie koala]

Morton didn't do enough for me, I'm not sure he's guaranteed a place in Round 1. Seemed to skirt the edges of the pack waiting for the ball to come out and his tackling and chasing wasn't crash hot either.

Agree, very disappointing, he played like a tiger.....a toothless tiger.
No way should be in the team for round 1.
Unfortunately, it was a pathetic effort last night.

[ernie koala]

Anyone know what sort of injury does Jack has ?