Changes for Rd.4 V The Cats

[Ajn]

not sure about Armstrong, I think it may be chance for Rampe to be the HB.... shows much more.
Mitch M may be unlucky and Lamb needs a chance to show if he can step up

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I am now doubting my sanity because I thought Armstrong was an ineffective windmill against the Suns ressies and he got promoted for the North game, and the week before I thought 'Dre was playing touch football against the Giants ressies and he got promoted too.
So buggered if I know!

[Auntie.Gerald]

How did Rampe play in ressies last wknd ?

[ernie koala]

Armstrong out...Cats would maul him. Bird in to contain one of their many smalls.
Morton to replace Everitt...Probably as Sub....Having said that, Everitt is better suited as a sub...? I've got no idea.

[Primmy]

Birdy needs a run. Ressies.

Morton has to come in.
Everitt to wear the green jacket.

Armstrong out if Shaw back in. BUT if its a wet track, and Shaw has a groin on the edge which would be ok on a dry track, then Armstrong to keep his place.

Has anyone dared to think that perhaps Jetts needs a gig in ressies for a game?

Thanks for report on Morton's display Al. Kind of thought the penny dropped, and it looks like it has. You gotta give to get back.

[Primmy]

Not functioning?? We just won our 22nd game from the last 28 including a premiership. How many times do the talls in the forward bring the ball to ground for our mids streaming forward. How often do our forward line work together to provide space for our faster men to run into. How many times do the forward line provide the required pressure to keep the ball in the area to create opportunities. To say the forward line isn't functioning just astounds me.

I need say no more.

[ernie koala]

Not functioning?? We just won our 22nd game from the last 28 including a premiership. How many times do the talls in the forward bring the ball to ground for our mids streaming forward. How often do our forward line work together to provide space for our faster men to run into. How many times do the forward line provide the required pressure to keep the ball in the area to create opportunities. To say the forward line isn't functioning just astounds me.

Spot on

[RogueSwan]

No change, give Rhyce another week to get to 100%. Harsh on Armstrong to drop him after one average game. At least give him one more to redeem himself.
Geez it doesn't send a good message to the other fringe players. Perform this week or else! It would make any/most young footballers nervous and stifle their natural game. "I hope I don't stuff up".
I too would like to see Morton in, dunno why he wasn't from game one, but who's spot does he take?

[barry]

Not functioning?? We just won our 22nd game from the last 28 including a premiership. How many times do the talls in the forward bring the ball to ground for our mids streaming forward. How often do our forward line work together to provide space for our faster men to run into. How many times do the forward line provide the required pressure to keep the ball in the area to create opportunities. To say the forward line isn't functioning just astounds me.

Yes, not functioning. Not functioning so much that despite a premiership we still spent $1m on the best available forward in tippet.
Not functioning such that we played LRT as a forward for 2012 in a makeshift forward line.
Not functioning in that our midfield is relied upon to score goals. Thats the forward job.
Not functioning last week because from our premiership side, Morton and LRT are not in the forward line anymore.

A forward's job it to mark the ball and kick goals. His secondary job is to bring the ball to ground. A forward is underperforming if he's only doing the second.

[Melbournehammer]

Yes, not functioning. Not functioning so much that despite a premiership we still spent $1m on the best available forward in tippet.
Not functioning such that we played LRT as a forward for 2012 in a makeshift forward line.
Not functioning in that our midfield is relied upon to score goals. Thats the forward job.
Not functioning last week because from our premiership side, Morton and LRT are not in the forward line anymore.

A forward's job it to mark the ball and kick goals. His secondary job is to bring the ball to ground. A forward is underperforming if he's only doing the second.

I remember when the cats played david mensch in the forward line and he was complimented on how he was doing his job bringing the ball to ground - i remember laughing that they had such low expectations.

[alt_mattr]

Yes, not functioning. Not functioning so much that despite a premiership we still spent $1m on the best available forward in tippet.
Not functioning such that we played LRT as a forward for 2012 in a makeshift forward line.
Not functioning in that our midfield is relied upon to score goals. Thats the forward job.
Not functioning last week because from our premiership side, Morton and LRT are not in the forward line anymore.

A forward's job it to mark the ball and kick goals. His secondary job is to bring the ball to ground. A forward is underperforming if he's only doing the second.

I agree that it is frustrating to watch a forward line working in this way but it is working, we are winning games. If your midfield and small forwards can kick goals, why not set up a forward line like we have?

Think of it this way. Normally the mid-field's job is to give good delivery to the forward line to kick goals. However the swans have it the other way around, the job of the forward line is to deliver the ball to the mid-fielders who are moving into the 50 so they can kick the goals. It is working a treat so far. It is very different, but very effective.

Meanwhile, the obviously talented talls, Pyke, Mummy and Reid are all getting marking experience at AFL level so that at some point the tactic could be swapped back to "normal" if necessary.

Genius!

[DLBIA14]

No change, give Rhyce another week to get to 100%. Harsh on Armstrong to drop him after one average game. At least give him one more to redeem himself.
Geez it doesn't send a good message to the other fringe players. Perform this week or else! It would make any/most young footballers nervous and stifle their natural game. "I hope I don't stuff up".
I too would like to see Morton in, dunno why he wasn't from game one, but who's spot does he take?

I don't think it is an unfair expectation on fringe players that they play their role first week in or not. Armstrong has proven last year that he is capable of making a strong contribution to the team as somebody outside the best 22. The thing that was most disappointing about his performance last week was that he never really picked up the speed of the game.

We're the Premiers remember. This team shouldn't be in the habit of giving players 'chances to redeem themselves'. We should have other players knocking on the door asking for their chance.

Which brings up an interesting point. This year and last year we haven't really introduced any young players - none have pushed like Hanners, Parker, AJ, Reid, Jetta ect. their way into the side. Personally I find that a little concerning. Hawthorn have had a good couple of youngsters getting games this year and haven't been worse for it. Geelong has continued its success on the back of young kids bringing in speed and skill. By comparison we seem a little static, no? What are other people's thoughts?

[barry]

id rather see Tippet, Reid and Morton clutching species and raming through goals, as well as bring the ball to ground if outpositioned.

[RogueSwan]

..Not functioning such that we played LRT as a forward for 2012 in a makeshift forward line...

Booo, leave the soft-haired Viking out of it. A premiership forward who should never be doubted.

[ernie koala]

id rather see Tippet, Reid and Morton clutching species and raming through goals, as well as bring the ball to ground if outpositioned.

I'm sure thats what the Swans coaches would want also. Unfortunately, Morton is gaining match fitness in the 2's.(He missed much of the late pre season). Tippett is suspended.. and Reid is out of form.

The Swans have fashioned their forward set up with what they've got.....And so far it's working...That'll do me.