Changes for Round 16 - GWS

[jono2707]

Whilst Reg had a shocker yesterday causing me to howl at the tv numerous times, calling for him to be dropped is a bit much. Unless he's ill or injured he stays. He's not part of one of the best defensive units of the last few years for nothing....

[mcs]

Reg has been poor the last month or so. But he is a good defender, and hopefully will rediscover his form. Maybe he is carrying a niggle or two, because he really has been well off his best - I actually thought his game against Port (in bad conditions I know) was much worse than his last two games have been. He won't be dropped though - as there is simply nooone ready to go to replace him.

Saying all that, we need to be patient. We only have to look back a year to see how temporary form can be, as was illustrated by one N Malceski. It looked like, at the middle of last season, that his career was potentially all over. But he got one chance, took it, and from there he turned his season and career completely around. From such a low point at that stage, to the wonderful high of his grand final performance, and his continuing excellent form this season (if the panel has any brains at all, will go very close to adding All-Australian selection to his career achievements if his performances so far this year continue), he has shown that things can turn very quickly.

[alt_mattr]

Its got to be Morton or White for Reid, surely. Anything else is wishful thinking

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I really can't see us playing for ruckman sized players in one team, even I think that'd be too much. As to who replaces Sam, it'll be very interesting to see whether Membrey or Mitch play.
When was the last time the Swans had five debutants in one season?

[swansrob]

I really can't see us playing for ruckman sized players in one team, even I think that'd be too much. As to who replaces Sam, it'll be very interesting to see whether Membrey or Mitch play.
When was the last time the Swans had five debutants in one season?

We've had five debutantes already this season

[On-Baller]

Its funny all the conjecture about the four talls playing together when last year we essentially did this when LRT was in the team, they will all definately play if fit. To me when we have a few more fit options Horse and co need to make some statements at the selection table to send a clear message that no one is guaranteed a game each week if they dont put in week after week.

Bolton,Mcglynn and Reg have for my mind been getting a game because there's no better option,yes Benny started the year off amazingly well but his best and worst are so far apart its scary. Jude needs to be given another role or else Morton would be a better option in the forward line.Reg is just about the worst decision maker ive seen at our club,he is great in a contest but once he has the ball 9 times out of 10 itll go to the opposition, his kicking is embarrasing which doesnt help.

This week id bring in Morton,White [or Membrey],Towers
out-Bolton,Reid,Mcglynn

At the moment players can turn in insipod performances week in and week out and have no fear of being dropped,oh that is except if your name is Jessie White.Hows about the same treatment for everyone,previous runs on the board can only get you so far,time to make a statement. So much talk about having to really earn your spot at the swans,although seemingly once youve done that your a protected species and cant be dropped.When was the last time one of our top 15 players were dropped due to bad form? Maybe Malceski? And look what that did for him,gave him the kick in the arse he needed and he hasnt looked back.

[MightyBloods]

In his press conference Longmire was asked specifically about White coming back in next week, and his answer was a very generic one that did not include one mention of Jesse. Also didn't sound very confident on Jetta returning for this game.

Morton should be first in the queue but he hasn't played any football in 2 weeks (weird team management there). Membrey and Towers have been the main forwards in the reserves, and in some games the only listed players playing forward. Towers only just got his first mention in the best list yesterday and for all the praise we've been heaping on Membrey, yesterday was only his second mention. The other emergency is Armstrong and bringing him in would require re-organising the defensive seven which I think they would be quite reluctant to do.

Cunningham has also done well since his return from injury but to play him forward or shift another player from the midfield to the forwards to accommodate him would be problematic since we have Mitchell, Jack and Lamb all playing that half-forward pushing up role already.

hasn't Morton been injured and thats why he hasn't played the last few weeks?
and after Reid having the quad recurrance I can see the selectors & medical staff being ultra conservative with Shaw, Jetta, Morton and anyone else for that matter.

as for Reg, yes he hasnt played well in recent weeks but we dont have the luxury of backline depth to replace/rest him. Also, never underestimate the power of keeping the backline as steady as possible. They know each other and communicate well (ie Richards, Grundy,Smith,Malcevski) and make it a lot easier for new guys like Rampe to settle/learn.

and an elephant in the room (for me anyway), he may be popular and gives his all but Benny McGlynn's poor disposal may cost us in finals. It may be too early however I can see Brandon Jack eventually taking his spot if BJ's improvement keeps going at the rate it is. I for one have been staggered at BJ's development. I have no doubt that Benny will play finals but he really does need to improve his kicking....or else BJ,Rohan will get his spot.

[ugg]

Morton was the traveling emergency yesterday so he was fit to play

[Triple B]

hasn't Morton been injured and thats why he hasn't played the last few weeks?

Morton pulled out in the warmup last week with tightness in the quad (?). He then travelled to Melbourne as the 23rd man on the weekend, so presumably was fit enough to play if needed, which meant he missed another week. I have to agree with ugg that it's unusual player management.

That said, still happy to back the fitness team in. It's been a tough year for sure injury wise, but their record down the years has been pretty impressive...

[Bloodthirsty]

Sounds like we're falling apart.

[giant]

Sounds like we're falling apart.

Exactly. Wasn't a pretty win on the weekend, and I'm all for taking notice of the warning signs, but there is no prospect of wholesale changes.

Only qn will be whether to replace Reid with a tall or a small.

[ScottH]

Benny was singled out by horse at 3/4 time.
They had a very long chat.

Benny seemed to be running to the right spots. Just not getting the ball.
At one stage he was going for the mark when he saw Tippett coming for it, he then change angles and ran to the front to collect the crumbs.
Unfortunately for him, Tippett marked it.

No other alternative for Reg. His disposal has always been dodgy, but we need his big strong body down back.

Morton seems like the likely replacement for Reid, unless one of the newbies is deemed ready.

[swanwolf]

At one stage he was going for the mark when he saw Tippett coming for it, he then change angles and ran to the front to collect the crumbs.
Unfortunately for him, Tippett marked it.

Our crumbers may starve to death with such a marking monster. Unless you're an evil Jack brother of course; spooked Tippett's mark, crumbed Lamb's bounce, bamboozled a Demon's kick-in. Watch out McGlynn!

Longmire is not one for flippant remarks so I'm expecting another debut and these are the games to do this, not against Hawthorn at the MCG. So in for Reid comes... I don't know.
Have the coaches given up trying to shoehorn Towers into the backline? Is Membrey's defensive pressure Blood's standard? How many rookies can we promote? Tough choices now and ahead.

Elsewhere, did Lamb do enough to keep Morton at bay? I think they'll want Mitch back for West Coast who'll provide more of a challenge than the Tangerine Toddlers. No disrespect, they may be Giants but we have the very weapons they fear the most and have since time began. If either Jack doesn't slay them, the slingshot will. Go you Bloods!

[Dosser]

Elsewhere, did Lamb do enough to keep Morton at bay?

That questions bugs me, too.

[swansrob]

This article - Roberts-Thomson a serious doubt, Rohan recovery nearly complete - M.afl.com.au - says Morton is still battling his quad, so Membrey has got to be right in the mix.