Changes for Rnd 8 V The Dees

[Ludwig]

Good time to try several players doing well in the Ressies

I know that coaches don't like to make wholesale changes, but what better time than now. Mitch Clark is the only tall forward to worry about, so we don't need a tall lineup this week. We will probably get beaten in the ruck as Jamar is far better than anything we have to offer, so we should go for a team than can move the ball quickly over the ground.

Pyke in for Seaby. We know Seaby can't match it Jamar, so why not Pyke. Has been playing well and offer a better option up forward.

Walsh in for Reid. I don't know why Horse has been playing the kid injured. I one of those that think Longmire is a good coach, but can't understood putting this sort of pressure on such a young player. Needs to regain his touch in the reserves before coming back to the seniors.

Nipper, Moore and Cunningham in for White, Everett and McGlynn. Armstrong, Morton or Meredith would be okay too.

I think we should bring in a few guys that have been going well in the ressies in place of some of our more marginal players. Its more about getting some fresh players in than who goes out. Also think we should try a smaller lineup. It's been a waste just kicking it to a marking contest and watching the ball race out the opposition back line. We have produced nothing by this tactic. Let's get some smaller and quicker players in our forward line that can kick goals and put some pressure on.

Richards or Walsh can play the backup Ruck. Walsh and ROK to play the key forward roles.

Instead of kicking it long to a contest, we should kick it to open space or along the ground. I'd back our boys to win the ball on the ground more than in the air, at least until we get Goodes, Mummy and a healthy Reid back in the team.

As for those who think we must play out best players (on paper) every week, just look how well some teams have gone when forced to make changes due to multiple injuries. If we are going to do something in September we need to produce some depth early in the season. The last half dozen games are going to be very tough.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Some of our best 22 may be running around in the 2's, we just don't know it yet. Only one way to find out.

[Melbournehammer]

I don't get to see the twos but I trust the judgment of those that do. They picked mal and smithy as real standouts and they knew pretty early about those who weren't going to make it. I don't get a sense yet that there is anyone there who is ready to just climb straight in. apart from maybe Cunningham who looked lively per-season and looked like he could play a role.

But I'm in the camp that most of our available best 22 were there and what is in the twos ain't gonna turn it around. It is the core of the ones who have to lift intensity and the coaches who have to show that the super constricted game plan will work down here.

It is said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Maybe it is time to drastically alter the game plan for the next match at the mcg. Otherwise the swans are going to just going to show the same stagnant slow play until we can't win.

[bodgie]

I hope we keep White and TDL and play them forward, along with Reid, with the bizarre notion that it might be good to experiment aiming for known targets, other than rotating opportunists (I know that can work too). White was asked to play 3 positions - ruck, forward and bench with an inadequate Seaby. Pyke to ruck with Seaby. Out Everitt, maybe McGlynn. If Cunningham is fast he may provide some extra speed. LRT need only return if there is a need in the backline or Reid is unfit.

[aardvark]

Hi all, Long time reader, first time poster etc.

Welcome aboard.

[Ludwig]

If we had Pyke, Moore, Walsh, Cunningham, TDL, Nipper, Arnstrong, etc. in the senior team at the same time it may work well as they are used to playing together over a number of weeks and would be familiar with each others attributes. Same like a line change in ice hockey.

[Dosser]

If we had Pyke, Moore, Walsh, Cunningham, TDL, Nipper, Arnstrong, etc. in the senior team at the same time it may work well as they are used to playing together over a number of weeks and would be familiar with each others attributes. Same like a line change in ice hockey.

I can see what you are saying Ludwig, but to swap our senior forward line for the reserves forward line I dont think kind of works. Beating Sydney Uni by 200 points is a bit different to playing AFL. Mind you, I am conscious that I wrote 'senior forward line' when I am aware that there isnt one.

[aardvark]

Mind you, I am conscious that I wrote 'senior forward line' when I am aware that there isnt one.

Beat me too it !!

[BillyRayCypress]

If anyone can play the Demon's back into form - then its the Swan's.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Mind you, I am conscious that I wrote 'senior forward line' when I am aware that there isnt one.

Let's look at the Demons for a sec.
They're quick, they have few hard bodies and they're not particularly tall.

Melbourne kicked 6.13 against Hawthorn at the MCG, we kicked 8.14 against Richmond at the MCG.

This week however we're playing at the SCG. So this is not the time to go small (the time to do that was last week, on the MCG).

This week it's time to go tall. Now whomever we pick, I suggest we try something radical and new this week. . . .

A properly structured forward line (and that means 3 tall forwards).

1 Keyforward: I think Walsh (but perhaps White or maybe try Grundy again (either way I think this may be Goodes position in future).

1 Forward/ruckman: Pike or LRT or White (if he's not playing keyforward). Don't really mind which just as long as they realise their role is to run around bumping things (particularly James Frawley).

1 Tallforward: Reid. Give him a chance with some support around him for Puck's sake! Before he gets so badly damaged by the two or three opponents he faces each week that his confidence flatlines (if it's not already happened).

[magic.merkin]

Seaby has to go. Tired and no effective. Barely wobbled through the 50m freebie.

Last week he lost the HO 27 to 44, this week lost 18 to 28 against a guy rucking on his own and with a splendiferous mullet.

Pyke is a fantastic tap ruckmen, is hard around the stoppages and is quicker.... He has done his time, give him a run. What harm could it do? If LRT is fit ruck him or white as backup just to maintain some experience.

Morton or Nipper should come in.

Moore is killing it, comes in if Benny M gets a rest? Or Harry?

Walsh in?

Reid a rest/Confidence boost?

TDL 4 quarters.

Look 99% of that can't or won't happen. But we have options. But we need to keep that baby when we lose the bathwater. All about balance.

But it's question time!

[Hartijon]

Seaby has to go. Tired and no effective. Barely wobbled through the 50m freebie.

Last week he lost the HO 27 to 44, this week lost 18 to 28 against a guy rucking on his own and with a splendiferous mullet.

Pyke is a fantastic tap ruckmen, is hard around the stoppages and is quicker.... He has done his time, give him a run. What harm could it do? If LRT is fit ruck him or white as backup just to maintain some experience.

Morton or Nipper should come in.

Moore is killing it, comes in if Benny M gets a rest? Or Harry?

Walsh in?

Reid a rest/Confidence boost?

TDL 4 quarters.

Look 99% of that can't or won't happen. But we have options. But we need to keep that baby when we lose the bathwater. All about balance.

But it's question time!

I agree with most of this particularly the need to give Reid a rest.He will be awesome but you need to manage young players wisely and he needs a rest, then straight back into the Seniors. I am not sure about why Mummy got injured but I felt his work load was unrealistic and break down inevitable. Maybe I was wrong but he would have needed a cape with S on it to handle his work load. Now Reid is playing poorly carrying injuries when we have Morton kicking a bag in the twos.

It makes good sense to rest him against Melbourne. White and Everitt have been tried and found wanting and should stay in the twos. TDL needs a whole game to get used to the speed of AFL. He showed enough in a very short time. So out Seaby,Mc Glynne,White ,Everitt ,Reid In: Pyke, LRT, Morton, Walsh and one from Moore,Harry or Nipper .

[woo]

Seriously why are you all giving ROK such a hard time. I promise you every other club would take him in a heart beat, chill out, support him. He's one of our best, dude just had a second child born and is a little weary, hardly playing poorly though so please, respect, and a little calm.

[Snake]

Seriously why are you all giving ROK such a hard time. I promise you every other club would take him in a heart beat, chill out, support him. He's one of our best, dude just had a second child born and is a little weary, hardly playing poorly though so please, respect, and a little calm.

At age 31 with $400k per year contract, I guarantee you very little attraction from other clubs........(maybe gws, gold coast)

And if he is so tired, imagine how much better he would feel after a weeks break....

[magic.merkin]

Doubt Morton is on the table, not mentioned by the Horse in today's press conference when discussing possible in's, and players with good reserves form.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/135753/default.aspx

Or smoke and mirrors and we are leading the dee's off the scent.

Or he just forgot to say his name...