Changes for Rnd1 v Giants

[Dosser]

Longmire will take the first chance in memory of us stacking up some percentage buffer at the beginning of the season. We will have our best-available team on the paddock. Never flirt with form (admittedly, it's the first game).
I think we will see GWS about 4 goals behind at half time and then get slaughtered in the 2nd half when they run out of legs.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

While I'm generally not in favour of using LRT in the ruck, I think the unavailability of GW$'s big Bogan makes this a safe time to do so. I think we should also play Everett as a third tall (although more through injury to Spanky & Rok than choice).

[dimelb]

Something tells me Longmire won't necessarily go with his best 22 for Saturday. Look at the context - an established Sydney Swans Football Club goes up against a brand new Greater Western Sydney Giants in front-line strike against a code and in a market that will decide AFL's future success in NSW. The game will be played as both a season opener and a historical inaugural derby with each code's primary pin up boys in Sydney - Adam Goodes and Isreal Folau - it's focal point. The league has given this match such importance that the remaining teams will all play a week later.

Longmire knows we'll win. He could field 22 players who give the Cats (as reigning premiers) a run for their money. But this game is about publicity. What's important is how the uninitiated see it through the media. That may influence his final decision I think.

The week after is an entirely different (and familiar) story.

Thoughts?

I think Horse is aware of the issues you raise, but he will also be aware of a couple you didn't: Melbourne in 2010 and last year, Richmond last year. I think he will want the pedal to the metal.

[Danzar]

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't agree with fielding anything other than our best 22 but I'm wondering whether this game will approached differently. A lot of investment has gone into it and a lot is riding on it.

The notion will likely be proven unfounded but worth consideration nonetheless.

[Swansongster]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/sydney-swans-take-a-punt-on-gws-discard-harry-cunningham/story-e6frexwr-1226306673564

[Wazza]

While I'm generally not in favour of using LRT in the ruck, I think the unavailability of GW$'s big Bogan makes this a safe time to do so. I think we should also play Everett as a third tall (although more through injury to Spanky & Rok than choice).

Good point I dont think Giles will worry Mummy in the ruck but he is resonably mobile around the ground so sense to start LRT as 2nd ruck. As longmire said he might look at rotating the rucks depending on who we are playing this could be an early insight into this theory.

Cheers

waz

[desredandwhite]

It seems mad that they are even thinking about playing Red Rooster. Give him the two weeks off to get his ankle right. Give Harry or Jed a shot and we'll reassess coming up to round two.

[jono2707]

I think Rohan should be rested to get his ankle right - it didn't look good last Saturday at the ground when he did it, so an extra 2 weeks rest now might hold him in good stead for the rest of the season.

I would love to see Mike Pyke get a run out there and monster some of the smaller bodies. He ain't the slowest going around either. I don't see too many Giants other than Giles and Folau that could handle big Mike and I don't think he'd be the worst addition to the squad for this game.

[magic.merkin]

I think the Rohan talk is just that, talk. They won't risk him with what's at stake at round 1, with a week off next week and based on his soft tissue history. All a smokescreen. The only way he plays if it genuinely was a minor tweak, and he trains hard and freely today.

[aardvark]

All a smokescreen.

although its hardly worth the trouble really.

[CJK]

Did a team get listed, or is that today?

I'm horrified I'm so disinterested in this game.

[ugg]

Teams will be named exclusively on Channel 7 news at approx 6.25ish. Hooray for AFL corporate sellouts.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/monday-section/exclusive-for-seven-on-afl-team-lists/story-fna1k39o-1226303287191

[CJK]

Teams will be named exclusively on Channel 7 news at approx 6.25ish. Hooray for AFL corporate sellouts.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/medi...-1226303287191

Oh wow. Disinterest justified.

Shame on you AFL.

[DLBIA14]

I think the Rohan talk is just that, talk. They won't risk him with what's at stake at round 1, with a week off next week and based on his soft tissue history. All a smokescreen. The only way he plays if it genuinely was a minor tweak, and he trains hard and freely today.

It's not a smokescreen if he's training today...I agree with what your saying about not risking him, but clearly he's made strides this week that allow him to train. If there was even a risk of Gary worsening his injury they wouldn't be letting him run around today. I genuinely think it's line ball in the minds of the coaches.

[Primmy]

Just because Red thinks he is 10foot tall and bullet proof won't mean the coaches do too. (And just quietly, I think he really does think he is andetc.....)