Would you rather...

[Bloodthirsty]

I posted this comment in the match thread, however after I did I thought it more appropriate that it has it's own thread due to the fact that they are seasonally ongoing and often complex considerations, and not a comment about the Weagles match only.

Swans performances like the Weagles beg the following questions:

Come finals time, with no margin for error, would you rather have:

- An in-form White or an out-of-form Reid?
- An in-form White or an out-of-form Goodes?
- An in-form Brandon Jack or an out-of-form Jetta?
- An in-form Rohan or an out-of-form Jetta?
- An in-form Everitt or an out-of-form LRT?

[Swansongster]

I posted this comment in the match thread, however after I did I thought it more appropriate that it has it's own thread due to the fact that they are seasonally ongoing and often complex considerations, and not a comment about the Weagles match only.

Swans performances like the Weagles beg the following questions:

Come finals time, with no margin for error, would you rather have:

- An in-form White or an out-of-form Reid?
- An in-form White or an out-of-form Goodes?
- An in-form Brandon Jack or an out-of-form Jetta?
- An in-form Rohan or an out-of-form Jetta?
- An in-form Everitt or an out-of-form LRT?

The short answer is that I'd always like the in-form option.

However, I am a believer that kneels at the "Form is temporary, class is permanent" altar.

Goodes and Jetta would have to be in if available. Even if we have to get them on the pitch without form to build touch and match fitness in the lead-up to the finals. With a few games under their belts and sound bodies, I'd like both those guys out there come Prelim and Granny dates should we make it.

Keeping in mind that "available" takes into account the Match Committee's wise counsel as to whether they are fit and ready. Most likely including a return through NEAFL (even for Goodes if we are still winning well).

Same for LRT. Big game experience is still a strong currency if he is "available".

Rohan is a difficult one. He will have to be playing really well for long periods in NEAFL to demand selection. I am sure the meds are still managing him closely but if "available" you couldn't leave him out.

[GongSwan]

Good point. I doubt Reid or Jetta will play again this year and while Goodes is a champ it does take him a number of games to get warmed up these days. If Rohan gets his fitness up, he'd be in my team for B Jack. Shaw for Lamb, releasing Macca into the midfield/fwd. I'd put all hte long term injured away for next year now

[Matimbo]

"Come finals time, with no margin for error" ... I'd go with in-form players as a rule.

On a case-by-case and based on the Injury List before the Freo game ...

LRT - was still listed as indefinite, so the selectors are unlikely to have to make a decision about him before or during the finals

Reid - was listed as 5-7 weeks so at best will be available for the the last 2 H&A games. Selectors will be wary given his relapse. Plus he won't have played a full game for over 10 weeks, so may come need to come back via reserves. I definitely wouldn't want him selected for a comeback in either the Geelong or Hawthorn H&A games, which is his best case. This in turn means no game time for him prior to finals, so he's too big a risk then also.

Jetta - 4-5 weeks quoted, thus best case back for 3 H&A games before the finals. But he's had even longer time out, he'd likely need to come back via reserves. So not likely to be considered for seniors until either the Geelong or Hawthorn games. Would love to have him there, but difficult to consider for selection.

Goodes - 4 weeks quoted, thus best case back for 3 H&A games before the finals. Shouldn't have lost as much match condition either. If he can be available on this schedule, he could come straight back in for the St Kilda game. If so, I'm sure he'll be selected.

But of course all of this is best case.

[Bloodthirsty]

The short answer is that I'd always like the in-form option.

However, I am a believer that kneels at the "Form is temporary, class is permanent" altar.

Goodes and Jetta would have to be in if available. Even if we have to get them on the pitch without form to build touch and match fitness in the lead-up to the finals. With a few games under their belts and sound bodies, I'd like both those guys out there come Prelim and Granny dates should we make it.

Keeping in mind that "available" takes into account the Match Committee's wise counsel as to whether they are fit and ready. Most likely including a return through NEAFL (even for Goodes if we are still winning well).

Same for LRT. Big game experience is still a strong currency if he is "available".

Rohan is a difficult one. He will have to be playing really well for long periods in NEAFL to demand selection. I am sure the meds are still managing him closely but if "available" you couldn't leave him out.

You make good points, but on the flipside it means that yep, you'd drop Everitt for LRT (for example) who hasn't played AFL since the beginning of the year? Actually dropping these guys who have been putting wins on the board would be very difficult - even unfair. We'd be choosing a team by past reputation rather than current form.

- - - Updated - - -

"Come finals time, with no margin for error" ... I'd go with in-form players as a rule.

On a case-by-case and based on the Injury List before the Freo game ...

LRT - was still listed as indefinite, so the selectors are unlikely to have to make a decision about him before or during the finals

Reid - was listed as 5-7 weeks so at best will be available for the the last 2 H&A games. Selectors will be wary given his relapse. Plus he won't have played a full game for over 10 weeks, so may come need to come back via reserves. I definitely wouldn't want him selected for a comeback in either the Geelong or Hawthorn H&A games, which is his best case. This in turn means no game time for him prior to finals, so he's too big a risk then also.

Jetta - 4-5 weeks quoted, thus best case back for 3 H&A games before the finals. But he's had even longer time out, he'd likely need to come back via reserves. So not likely to be considered for seniors until either the Geelong or Hawthorn games. Would love to have him there, but difficult to consider for selection.

Goodes - 4 weeks quoted, thus best case back for 3 H&A games before the finals. Shouldn't have lost as much match condition either. If he can be available on this schedule, he could come straight back in for the St Kilda game. If so, I'm sure he'll be selected.

But of course all of this is best case.

I tend to agree with your summation here. When you break it down, considering the player in question and their injury status, it seems Goodes is the only one who could be trusted to come back and have an impact in big games. So I guess overall form has to win out, unless you're one of the best sportsmen in the history of Australia.

[Matimbo]

I tend to agree with your summation here. When you break it down, considering the player in question and their injury status, it seems Goodes is the only one who could be trusted to come back and have an impact in big games. So I guess overall form has to win out, unless you're one of the best sportsmen in the history of Australia.

Yep, and to clarify what I said further - I'd bring Goodes back any week he is ready to play, not just if he is fit in time for the St Kilda match. He kicked the goal in the GF that put us in the lead ... while he was playing on one leg. So the moment he says both of them are right, that's good enough for me.

[707]

Can't see them going for players on reputation who don't have a solid match base fitness.

Shaw should be returning in a couple of weeks, McGlynn off suspension in two weeks but has a hammy so? Rohan could be a wildcard, particularly as permanent late season sub.

LRT I'd suggest is done for the year and we have adequate match fit firing replacements, Jetta wasn't in good form before his injury so reckon he won't get back at the expense of others, Reid is probably in the same boat.

Goodes is a champion so comes straight back in, not just because of what he may/can do, but because he scares the wits out of opposition coaches and defenders.

If we keep winning or can run Geelong & Hawthorn very close I doubt we'll see LRT, Jetta and Reid again this year.

[jono2707]

Good point. I doubt Reid or Jetta will play again this year and while Goodes is a champ it does take him a number of games to get warmed up these days. If Rohan gets his fitness up, he'd be in my team for B Jack. Shaw for Lamb, releasing Macca into the midfield/fwd. I'd put all hte long term injured away for next year now

Whatever happens we must keep Macca in his current role sweeping off the half back. We are at our most effective when he is organising/quarterbacking (sorry to those who don't like that term) from a kick behind play. He's so good at that now and our success is in a big part due to how well he is playing that role.

[Go Swannies]

Yep, and to clarify what I said further - I'd bring Goodes back any week he is ready to play, not just if he is fit in time for the St Kilda match. He kicked the goal in the GF that put us in the lead ... while he was playing on one leg. So the moment he says both of them are right, that's good enough for me.

I'm with you on that. Goodes whenever he's ready as he has the ability to be a game changer even if a bit underdone.

But I'd add Jetta as the other long term return. I didn't see him sprint this year so if that's cured he'd be invaluable in a role that doesn't have to be as match-tuned as an inside player. We also will fit Ben and Shaw when they are ready. There's no Swans player hungrier for a Premiership medallion than Ben so he'll play his heart out - he just has to do it with a bit less aggression. Shaw's run would be invaluable.

Despite Reid's rein jury I have faith in our medical team and our selectors so I'm happy with whoever they put up week by week.

BT the logical conclusion of your selection "by past reputation rather than current form" would exclude Goodes and Rohan from any consideration for finals wouldn't it? Personally, Goodes would fit in with Ablett, Judd (maybe not anymore) and now Macca as one of those rare players that I'd play whenever he's ready.

[Doctor]

Strange questions if you ask me. The players you're referring to are injured so you're really using "in form" instead of "match fit". My answer would probably be different as out of form players with experience and class can and will lift for finals whereas players who aren't match fit can't physically do it even if they wanted to.

Of those on your list, I think we can draw a line through LRT for the year unfortunately. The others we're going to have to wait and see how their rehab goes. The quality of our opposition in the last 2 rounds doesn't do the injured players any favours either as we won't be able to risk them or ease them back in.

- - - Updated - - -

Strange questions if you ask me. The players you're referring to are injured so you're really using "in form" instead of "match fit". My answer would probably be different as out of form players with experience and class can and will lift for finals whereas players who aren't match fit can't physically do it even if they wanted to.

Of those on your list, I think we can draw a line through LRT for the year unfortunately. The others we're going to have to wait and see how their rehab goes. The quality of our opposition in the last 2 rounds doesn't do the injured players any favours either as we won't be able to risk them or ease them back in.

[Bloodthirsty]

Strange questions if you ask me. The players you're referring to are injured so you're really using "in form" instead of "match fit". My answer would probably be different as out of form players with experience and class can and will lift for finals whereas players who aren't match fit can't physically do it even if they wanted to.

Of those on your list, I think we can draw a line through LRT for the year unfortunately. The others we're going to have to wait and see how their rehab goes. The quality of our opposition in the last 2 rounds doesn't do the injured players any favours either as we won't be able to risk them or ease them back in.

Just posed the scenario that if you had to pick a finals team, and the players listed on the left were in form at that point, and the players listed on the right have hardly played any AFL standard football, then what option would you go for?

I personally wouldn't assume that certain players will automatically lift and play them instead of fit and in-form options, but I agree that Goodes is a rare automatic-in.

[wolftone57]

The short answer is that I'd always like the in-form option.

However, I am a believer that kneels at the "Form is temporary, class is permanent" altar.

Goodes and Jetta would have to be in if available. Even if we have to get them on the pitch without form to build touch and match fitness in the lead-up to the finals. With a few games under their belts and sound bodies, I'd like both those guys out there come Prelim and Granny dates should we make it.

Keeping in mind that "available" takes into account the Match Committee's wise counsel as to whether they are fit and ready. Most likely including a return through NEAFL (even for Goodes if we are still winning well).

Same for LRT. Big game experience is still a strong currency if he is "available".

Rohan is a difficult one. He will have to be playing really well for long periods in NEAFL to demand selection. I am sure the meds are still managing him closely but if "available" you couldn't leave him out.

Rohan & Shaw both had good games in the Twos last week Both have been out for an extended period. I wish people would stop treating Rooster differently as the medicos gave him the 'All clear' two weeks ago. If he wasn't fit he would not be playing footy and HE IS !! As Longmire said he is now another player in the mix for Senior Selection. i wish people would stoop being so ruddy precious.

Frankly I think Rhyce is going to have to work exceedingly hard to get a game back in our backline. The backs have been superb for most of the year and are working very impressively and if I was on the selection panel I would be loathe to tamper with a successful formula.

[ernie koala]

Rohan & Shaw both had good games in the Twos last week Both have been out for an extended period. I wish people would stop treating Rooster differently as the medicos gave him the 'All clear' two weeks ago. If he wasn't fit he would not be playing footy and HE IS !! As Longmire said he is now another player in the mix for Senior Selection. i wish people would stoop being so ruddy precious.

Wolfie I don't think it's people being precious.

It's people acknowledging that other players with the same type of compound leg fracture have all had significant issues when they started playing again.

Mainly with soft tissue and confidence.

Of course that doesn't mean the Rooster will have the same issues but I think caution will be taken.

So far he's played 40 mins and 75mins of reserves footy.

I'll be staggered if he gets a run in the seniors before he's played at least a 3 full games in the 2's.....But I'm always being staggered, so who knows.

[hot potato]

I love the way the present team is playing so well, and all the long term injury people just will struggle to pick up the tempo in time for the business end of the season, including Goodes. He was gold in the Granny last year, but maybe it's someone else's turn to produce gold.
HP

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Whatever happens we must keep Macca in his current role sweeping off the half back. We are at our most effective when he is organising/quarterbacking (sorry to those who don't like that term) from a kick behind play. He's so good at that now and our success is in a big part due to how well he is playing that role.

Sure Macca has done brilliantly filling the hole left by Shaw's injuries. But if we get Shaw back I suspect Macca may return to the midfield, because he's better there than Shaw . . . . . . . I wonder if Horse would consider using Shaw as a super sub, much as a similarly ageing Giansiracusa is used by the dogs. Then Macca could stay on the HBF. Thoughts?