Changes for Rnd 11 V Bombers

[BSA5]

I really hope Everitt gets a full game as a HFF/wingman, and Malceski gets the sub vest. Everitt as sub is all sorts of wrong, he always takes time to work himself into a game, and his attributes allow him to give us structure through HF, something that we'll need throughout the entire game, not just a quarter and a bit. Malceski is experienced, can come on and have an immediate impact, and doesn't provide much in the way of structure. It should be an obvious choice.

[Plugger46]

While I do think the changes are uninspiring and conservative, there are some reasonable explanations.

Everitt will almost certainly get the sub vest and clearly the coaches rate his versatility. I reckon Spangher could play the same range of roles as Everitt but none of us knows what his fitness levels are like yet, and they may well want to keep getting more game time into him in the reserves so he can come in and make a strong contribution in the second half of the season. I don't think there is anyone else on our list (who is fit) who offers the versatility that these two provide.

Eski, when fit and firing, is one of the top half dozen offensive players in our squad, IMO. He knows how to find the ball and moves it forward quickly. He played some pretty good football earlier in the season. However, I suspect he is a player whose form tapers off quickly when he is sore, and the ongoing issues he has had with his knees I reckon make him more susceptible than most. I am speculating that this is why he has dropped off over the past few weeks. Notwithstanding that his form hasn't been great, I still think that - right now - he is more likely to contribute to a win than, say Harry. It comes down to when you give inexperienced players games just to start giving them a chance vs maximising the likelihood of winning a particular game. We supporters love seeing young players come in and get their chances, but I don't think Harry has exactly been knocking the door down with his form in the reserves. He has been solid and I think he continues to look like a very good prospect but he is being trialled in different roles.

The reality is that we don't have that much depth right now. We are missing 4 players who would be automatic first team choices, all of our main list draftees from last year are still getting their bodies ready for senior AFL, as is Lamb. Moore, I suspect, has his cards marked and won't get a game this year unless we become desparate (unfair though that might seem). Spangher has a history of injuries so you can understand why they are being cautious. White, Walsh, Heath and Seaby best fit into roles already covered in the senior team. Goodness knows what is going on with Meredith. For all the goals he has kicked, I don't think Morton's tackling and overall work rate has been remotely close to AFL standard, based on what I've seen of him this year. And Harry and Nipper have a total of 3 games senior experience between them and have had fluctuating NEAFL form.

We have lost two tough, in-and-under, smallish players and the reality is we don't currently have ready replacements running around in the twos.

Pretty balanced assessment.

Everitt is certainly versatile but if you're poor in all roles, which he has been for the most part, is the versatility all that important?

On Spangher, he was talked up as a possible inclusion by Longmire following the St.Kilda loss. He has had two weeks of training (presumably) and another reserves game since then. Surely he'd be fit enough by now and he's no taller than Everitt.

I think the concern is that we lose two hard players and gain two outside players with little scope for improvement.

[Hartijon]

I really hope Everitt gets a full game as a HFF/wingman, and Malceski gets the sub vest. Everitt as sub is all sorts of wrong, he always takes time to work himself into a game, and his attributes allow him to give us structure through HF, something that we'll need throughout the entire game, not just a quarter and a bit. Malceski is experienced, can come on and have an immediate impact, and doesn't provide much in the way of structure. It should be an obvious choice.

Totally agree with Mal as sub.He has experienced success in the backlines and done ok on the centre line. He could play on a forward flank if need be and he doesn't take long to get into a game. I am not sure that Everitt is an afl level footballer. I have seen only one good game from him this year and rather than structure our forward line,I fear he might confuse it,get in Reid's way and allow turnovers through fumbles. I have never seen him ever catch anybody he is chasing. Would rather try a youngster even against the Bombers!I don't watch reserves so have no opinion as to which youngster would suit.

[caj23]

I think the selection of Everitt is imaginative. The coaching staff know he has limitations, but obviously less than the other alternatives available. I didn't say that Morton wasn't up to it, as his good games at Richmond would suggest the contrary. However at this time, it would appear he has not mastered the improvements to his game that the coaching staff have set him as non-negotiables for senior selection. I think Cunningham will ultimately make it but needs time, and a full house at Etihad in a pressure game may not be his go AT THIS TIME. Gordon on the other hand has a bit of the headless chook about him. After all he is a running machine that they are trying to make a footballer out of. It could take more time learning the basics at lower levels. Everett is obviously training well and is meeting the requirements for selection that the coaches have set. As JL has said - players are not given games at Sydney, they have earn their selection. Enough said. I don't live in Sydney and don't attend every training session, and am not privy to the internal benchmarks set for players therefore I am only TRYING to see it through the experienced eyes of those in the know.

Fair enough BC - its just disappointing in my eyes that some players have a gold pass to a senior game

The other point I will make is contrast it with Collingwood who are more than happy to let their youngsters debut in big games, certainly hasn't hurt them

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Everitt will almost certainly be the sub. Looking at what the coaching staff have said before, they really value Dre's versatility. He can play as a lockdown/rebounding defender, he can add some toe to a wing/outside runner and he definitely can add an extra marking mid-sized option to our fwd line.

While I'm not sure what precisely you mean by wanting to be "called out" and in any case I have unfortunately just put my duelling pistols into the wash, but I think you are mistaken in some of your assertions.

1) 'Dre can play well as a lock down defender. Possibly, although he's better known for his terrible looseness.
2) He can add some toe to a wing/outside runner. Only if the man he was replacing was Mark Seaby. 'Dre is not quick.
3) He's an extra marking mid-sized option. Leaving aside his incomprehensible inability to compete in the air. The guy's 6ft5, maybe in the Harlem Globetrotters that's midsize but not in the Swans.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

What's the alternative? . . . . . Cunningham? - promising but playing a top side might be a bridge too far.

There's only so much you will find out about a player (or a team for that matter) during 100 point slaughters of rabble like Melbourne and Footscray, everyone looks good against rabble. Isn't going up against serious opponents (and running the risk of being beaten) an important part of developing and evaluating a promising player?

Paul Kelly was a promising youngster in 1990, if we'd protected him from teams that were better than us, he'd never have got a game (because everyone was better than us back then).

And no, I'm not comparing Harry to Kelly, but we have to give the kid a shot sometime, and we needed his speed this week.

[aardvark]

I suppose the "Getting another chance" precedent has been set with White. In 6 years time after failing to improve Dre will finally be banished to the ressies.

[swansprincess]

I don't understand the reasoning that the likes of cunningham and gordon were not selected is because of their lack of senior experience. Don't they have to be given a CHANCE to play in the seniors to actually gain that experience..
I mean, yes I am aware how well Essendon are travelling and all that, but the run home is significantly harder and if we are unfortunately struck down with more injuries (touch wood that doesn't happen) then we will be forced to play these players then and so for longer term strategising, it would seem smarter to give them a go now.

[BillyRayCypress]

I don't understand the reasoning that the likes of cunningham and gordon were not selected is because of their lack of senior experience. Don't they have to be given a CHANCE to play in the seniors to actually gain that experience..

This way everyone can blame Mal and Andrejs and Longmire's coaching. Swans beaten by Adelaide with a rookie coach, then St Kilda, now Bombers.

I'm still working out how to blame White and Seaby for the loss on Saturday night. That is taking some thinking to come up with that - believe me.

Spangher literally was a cat's whisker of tearing his hamstring off the bone so that's why he isn't being hurried back. Secret weapon for the run home.

Everyone forgets its not about just playing players but its about match ups.

[BSA5]

While I'm not sure what precisely you mean by wanting to be "called out" and in any case I have unfortunately just put my duelling pistols into the wash, but I think you are mistaken in some of your assertions.

1) 'Dre can play well as a lock down defender. Possibly, although he's better known for his terrible looseness.

Correct.

He can add some toe to a wing/outside runner. Only if the man he was replacing was Mark Seaby. 'Dre is not quick.

Incorrect. Everitt is very quick. It's the reason he is so highly rated, at least in theory. He hasn't had much cause to show it as a makeshift key forward, but when he gets up the ground it canbe dangerous.

[QUOTE=Ruck'n'Roll;5754743) He's an extra marking mid-sized option. Leaving aside his incomprehensible inability to compete in the air. The guy's 6ft5, maybe in the Harlem Globetrotters that's midsize but not in the Swans.[/QUOTE]

Correct, in the sense that he's bad overhead for someone his height. However, if he can get matched up on a smaller player, he will have an edge in the air (for example, that matchwinning shift forward against WC last year was a result of him getting matched up on Hurn, who he was able to beat comfortably with his height).

[ugg]

Everitt is deceptively quick, but we haven't really had a chance to witness it yet. Perhaps it's due to the position he's occupied in the seniors or just pure laziness but the 2 instances I've seen him really sprint away from the pack have been at a NAB Cup game @ Bruce Purser against the Kangaroos and last week reserve's game against Gold Coast Reserves.

[Alan]

I would have though Bulldog Moore was a like-for-like replacement for Parker. It seems as though some of us think his days in Red & White are numbered.

[Dosser]

Everitt is deceptively quick, but we haven't really had a chance to witness it yet. Perhaps it's due to the position he's occupied in the seniors or just pure laziness but the 2 instances I've seen him really sprint away from the pack have been at a NAB Cup game @ Bruce Purser against the Kangaroos and last week reserve's game against Gold Coast Reserves.

He is very quick. You should see him sprint to the bank every pay day as they give him some of the money I paid for my membership.

[Bloody Hell]

Notwithstanding that his form hasn't been great, I still think that - right now - he is more likely to contribute to a win than, say Harry. It comes down to when you give inexperienced players games just to start giving them a chance vs maximising the likelihood of winning a particular game. We supporters love seeing young players come in and get their chances, but I don't think Harry has exactly been knocking the door down with his form in the reserves. He has been solid and I think he continues to look like a very good prospect but he is being trialled in different roles.

I see it as more winning the next premiership vs winning the next game. Everitt will not be a part of our next premiership. Cunningham or Gordan might.

Along with the rest of your post I understand and agree with the Malcheski selection....but am disappointed with the Everitt one.

[Auntie.Gerald]

matchups