Changes for Rd.4 V The Cats

[Ludwig]

Initially, I made some negative comments about Armstrong's game on Saturday, but after watching the replay I think it was a bit harsh. He made a few mistakes, but not much more than many of our senior players. I think Joey got caught HTB a couple of time. There were a few easy marks dropped by players, etc.

I realised that I was judging Tony more harshly because he didn't have the runs on the board. But his disposal is very good. He hits targets as well as anyone on the team,which is of great value. Like many young players without many games at top level, he doesn't always evaluate the situation correctly, but I think that will come with experience. He can became a bit too optimistic about what he can do at AFL level, but I think he can easily adjust to this. I am sure the coaches will point this out to him.

He is also a bit quicker than I originally thought.

We know now that Rhyce is out again this week. Geelong are a tough team and will can hurt you if you make mistakes. But I think Tony did well enough to get another game.

I would switch Bird and Dre for the vest. Steve Johnson played last week coming off of surgery and no match time and racked up something like 26 possessions. I think Birdy can play out a full game, and he's always a solid performer.

[ScottH]

I think Armstrong is a much better player than he showed on Saturday.

[jono2707]

I'm in the 'Keep Tony' camp as I think his run and distribution from the back line is important with Rhyce out. I also think Birdy will be important and hopefully he'll have a full game in him. That leaves Andrejs and Morton and I think we need Mitch's smarts around goal this week.

As for sub - Jetts did cross my mind but he's important for our structure. So it's probably down to Andrejs/Mitch or Tony as the last players in. Goodsey would make a handy sub but I can't quite see that happening.....

[ShockOfHair]

As most of our mids rotate through the forward line goalkicking is pretty much one of their responsibilities. Except for Jude, who's a forward who rotates through the midfield.

[Big Al]

As most of our mids rotate through the forward line goalkicking is pretty much one of their responsibilities. Except for Jude, who's a forward who rotates through the midfield.

Yep, i know its cliched but at the Swans it's about playing your role. If you're out of form or aren't having a good day then at the Swans you are still expected to help out a mate, lay a tackle, put on a shepherd, pressure an opponent. When you watch the GF that sort of thing stands out. Jude and Sammy didn't have great games from a statistical stand point but they still played their role and contributed. It's why we're Premiers and still winning games. We have contributors from player 1 to player 22.

[Ludwig]

As for sub - Jetts did cross my mind but he's important for our structure. So it's probably down to Andrejs/Mitch or Tony as the last players in. Goodsey would make a handy sub but I can't quite see that happening.....

I made this point on several occasions:

He's an impact player.
He often doesn't get going until the game is on the line.
He would be very difficult to cover for a tired team in the 4th qtr.
It would go a long way to extending his footy lifetime.

I can hardly think of a better sub in the league. The role was made for Goodesy at 33+.

[Hartijon]

Yep, i know its cliched but at the Swans it's about playing your role. If you're out of form or aren't having a good day then at the Swans you are still expected to help out a mate, lay a tackle, put on a shepherd, pressure an opponent. When you watch the GF that sort of thing stands out. Jude and Sammy didn't have great games from a statistical stand point but they still played their role and contributed. It's why we're Premiers and still winning games. We have contributors from player 1 to player 22.

I agree with this analysis and it is good to see that Jude has turned his bad form around and now could be regarded as a dangerous forward and a reliable shot on goal.Sammy is another story.Maybe its just me but he doesn't seem to be playing to his potential which we all agree is awesome.It looks like we are just getting game time into him on the logic that when he comes good he will be a champion CHF.When you have a totally dominant midfield one would normally expect a CHF to kick a bag maybe not every game but at least once.So maybe I should just take a shower (Thanks Kevin) when he fumbles the ball or handpasses to the opposition and wait for the one spectacular mark that will make all the pain go away. The beauty of the Swans at the moment is that we can afford to "run in" a KPP and wait for the results later in the season.

[mcs]

I made this point on several occasions:

He's an impact player.
He often doesn't get going until the game is on the line.
He would be very difficult to cover for a tired team in the 4th qtr.
It would go a long way to extending his footy lifetime.

I can hardly think of a better sub in the league. The role was made for Goodesy at 33+.

He still at this stage has too much to offer to the team to be a sub in my opinion, but down the track, just maybe.

[crackedactor]

Not Time Yet

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?

There is no point bringing in young kids if they are not ready yet, it will only destroy their confidence. Hawthorn and Geelong youngsters where obviously ready. But personally I am excited about Tom Mitchell, Jed Lamb and Alex Brown playing AFL football in the not too distant future. To play them now would be a mistake. Agree it is time to bring back Morton and maybe leave out Armstrong and give Bird a full run in the backline. Morton would likely be the sub.

[liz]

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?

I've been pondering this off and on too, and I oscillate between thinking it is a good thing and a concern. I think there are a few factors in play.

Both teams have lost a first choice best 22 player to a knee injury, but both teams have also brought back a first choice best 22 player who missed the GF through injury. So in pure numbers terms, those cancel each other out.

Both teams also have a probable best 22 player who missed the GF out through long term injury, in Whitecross and Rohan. Neither is likely to return any time soon.

The Hawks lost one grand final player to Collingwood. We lost none. So that is one spot they have to fill over us.

As has been discussed frequently, our "bottom 6" of our grand final team were better performed than the Hawks'. And this probably applied throughout the season, not just in the GF. A couple of their lesser lights have been forced out of their team, in Ellis (is he injured or just on the fringes?) and Savage, who has played but lost his spot with Hodge's return. We've "chosen" to replace one fringe player in Morton with another in Everitt. (You can argue about the extent to which Morton's interrupted pre-season contributed to this - it might explain his omission from the round 1 team but his fitness now looks fine). Ellis and Young have effectively been replaced with the two youngsters in Hill and Anderson.

The Hawks have had an extra spot or two, over the three weeks so far, become available due to injuries to Hodge and now Sewell. We've had Rhyce miss a week, which gave Armstrong a chance (and he is still a relative novice). In each case there was (or will be) no question of the veteran resuming their spot once available.

I am confident we do have players who can come in and make a real contribution if opportunities arise. Morton is a definite. But Lamb, too, is literally knocking the door down, Rampe has already been rewarded with a brief opportunity, and if Mitchell can string half a dozen or so games together his claims are going to be hard to ignore. Alex Brown and Cunningham (at least before this weekend) are another couple who look like they could contribute something right now, and Membrey might not be far off. Even some our newbies who aren't physically ready yet, have been playing disciplined "Swans footy" in the reserves for a week. If we had a horror run with injury later in the year, I wouldn't be overly surprised if someone like Lloyd came into the team and didn't disgrace themselves.

It is a fine balance between playing your best team and generating some turnover in the team to give young players a chance and keep everyone fresh. But when you're playing for a premiership, you play your best team. And some of our older players are showing no signs of slowing down. I wouldn't be surprised if half the players drafted last year (not just at the Swans, but across the competition) are long gone from AFL ranks before ROK decides he's had enough. And right now, even Jude looks like he's got another 100 games left in him!

[ernie koala]

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?

It's also true that this club isn't, presently, in the habit of handing out games for the sake of it.

We'll, no doubt, get our fair share of injuries as the season progresses.

Thats when the consistent standouts from the 2's will get their chance....

[Primmy]

While Goodsey is still organising the traffic and stuffing up the confidence of his opponent, I cannot see him playing the sub role.

Don't think I agree with the thoughts that this crop of younguns are not pushing for selection. We have a premiership side that has pretty much remained unchanged this year, except for injuries. Brissy wasn't introducing new blokes during their premiership reign so why should Sydney just for the sake of it. Changes happen as must. And the new kids must push into the team, but although they are darned good, they would get run over at this stage.

I feel sorry for Jed, and Tommy for that matter, but its only a matter of time. Morton should get a gig this game - he was behind in the non negotiable preseason regime, and he knew it was non negotiable. I am thinking he will come in and perhaps Andreys will drop out, or Jetts will get a rest. Looking forward to seeing what transpires.

[RogueSwan]

... Brissy wasn't introducing new blokes during their premiership reign so why should Sydney just for the sake of it...

We don't want to lose a potential Craig Bolton? Although that may have happened last year with Campbell Heath. Also, look where the Blions are now. They have been in the relative wilderness ever since their glory days.
I realise we should do everything we can to win another Premiership whilst we can, but we can also learn from other teams... mistakes seems too harsh a word ... but it is the best I can come up with.

[Reggi]

I think you would need to say it is a bit disappointing no young player has clearly pressed a case for a spot.

A few players are not in great form, including jetta. I am not as hopeful on some of the younger guys. I saw a fair bit of Lamb pre season, he is touch and go really. I would probably make him sub ahead of Bird as he is more likely to be an impact player, would guess Horse wants him as insurance for injuries to our core midfielders.

Anyway we seem to have a solid group of talent underneath, I think sometimes we can overrate them

[Big Al]

I'm pretty happy with the current player management philosophies of the Swans. Any club that wins a flag and then 7 years later rebuilds and wins another without doing a Hawthorn and bottoming out has something going for it. While no one wants to lose good players I'm more than happy that we aren't the Aussie cricket team and only hand out games to those that deserve it.