Swans v Saints

[dimelb]

One of our basic problems is that we are missing last season's top goalkicker, and nobody has replaced him. Perhaps Rohan could; in any case I'd like to give him the chance, despite his comparative lack of experience.

[DK_]

I'm convinced that the across-the-board under-performance of the team over the last two weeks had more to do with a heavy training load than any structural problems.

A bit more speed down the wings would be great, so Rohan's an outside chance, but I'd be shocked if the coaching staff made any changes this week.

I'd expect the lads to get smashed at training this week as they continue preparing for September, drag themselves through on Sunday, have the media conclude that they're not really a threat this year and then rest up for a big game at Simmonds on the following weekend.

[DK_]

I must say I am as worried about pyke as i am about white. Pyke seems to have lost his ability to take marks in the forward half since the arrival of tippett, and to be honest he just doesnt contribute as much around the ground as mummy. unless we work out how to use him more he becomes very lamppost like in the forward line

He took a few around the ground on the weekend didn't he? (I could be confused with the GF rerun that my son put on to cheer himself up on Sunday)There seems to be a bit of friction and trial-and-error going on trying to make the most of the big men without getting in each other's way.

The question is whether Longmire will upset the apple cart by replacing one of them with Goodes when he returns. Based simply on the roles that they play, I suspect Goodes will slot into White's role.

[alt_mattr]

He took a few around the ground on the weekend didn't he? (I could be confused with the GF rerun that my son put on to cheer himself up on Sunday)There seems to be a bit of friction and trial-and-error going on trying to make the most of the big men without getting in each other's way.

Pyke is still number 3 for contested marks and at least the 5 which Cloke has over him are the result of umpiring discrepancies. Cloke gets a charmed run from the Umps while they still seem to struggle with the idea that Pyke is not the one infringing. Game after game he gets his head smacked and his arm pulled and pushed under the ball. I think the fact that he is so professional means it does not get noticed. He never remonstrates... never.

I agree the big men need time to learn how to work together. I think it is coming together though. Not once did Pyke or White or Mumford get in the way of Tippet against the Pies. Once, when Pyke and Tippet were in the same contest, Pyke kept out of his way and concentrated on keeping his opponent from spoiling.

On that point, if White does nothing more than keep a good defender out of the contests, he will be doing a good job. Six from Tippet each week covers both of them

[Nico]

3 games to go. I expect them to play what they believe is the best side coming into the finals, Goodes excluded. He will be back in soon.

[Velour&Ruffles]

I like the idea of Lamb in for Everitt.
I think Lamb offers higher level of Skill than Everitt. he got shown up a bit last night.

And Lamb also shows a higher level of skill than Mummy or Ted. But so what?

[bodgie]

Mumford struggles to stay uninjured rucking alone week to week so we need to Pyke in form on the field. Tippet, White and the 'resting' ruckmen have been learning to work together to draw defenders. The C-wood game was useless from that perspective because of a bad day from our mids.

[ScottH]

And Lamb also shows a higher level of skill than Mummy or Ted. But so what?

Really?

[Snake]

Zero changes.

But would like to see, either Jed Lamb or Ginger Ninja in, BJ out, Everitt Int.

[Bloodthirsty]

I have been re-thinking my view on this, and I'm thinking one change:

Out: BJ
In: Rohan (sub)

If Rohan is going to be a finals player for us, this is the game to get it happening. I know the club have been hinting at round 22, but I don't see the difference between a week earlier against poor opposition vs a week later against the best.

[Industrial Fan]

Not once did Pyke or White or Mumford get in the way of Tippet against the Pies. Once, when Pyke and Tippet were in the same contest, Pyke kept out of his way and concentrated on keeping his opponent from spoiling.

I noticed that contest too - he managed to keep both his own and Tippetts opponent on the ground to allow Kurt to take an uncontested mark. While we may be trying to work out the best system of fitting them all in - Pyke will work whichever way suits the team best without ego and without question.

He's been a star this year and is almost certainly all Canadian for 2013.

[DK_]

I noticed that contest too - he managed to keep both his own and Tippetts opponent on the ground to allow Kurt to take an uncontested mark. While we may be trying to work out the best system of fitting them all in - Pyke will work whichever way suits the team best without ego and without question.

He's been a star this year and is almost certainly all Canadian for 2013.

Pyke's best work has always been in creating space for others to capitalise on through a well-timed block or bump.

In his interview last night, Horse said he's very happy with the forward setup and that they're learning to work well together. I'm not expecting any changes there in the near future.

Four talls may be the strategy for this flag. Relying on a slingshot is very high risk given the uncertainties around the main protagonists - Shaw, Jetta and maybe Rohan. A battery of power forwards could be the alternative.

I'm starting to wonder whether Horse is talking up the return of the injured stars to a) keep the opposition guessing and b) keep pressure on the incumbents when he doesn't actually expect them to play.

[ugg]

If the club are serious about Rohan returning to the side, this would be the best week to do it. The Reserves are playing Sydney Uni who with all due respect won't be much opposition (they lost to UWS 2 weeks ago by 192 points, and we beat UWS by 65 points last week) and the intensity of the match won't be much greater than that of a training drill.

[DK_]

He's been a star this year and is almost certainly all Canadian for 2013.

There's a lot to love about the big man - the Canadian Rugby Rep to AFL Premiership player story, the discipline, commitment, his contested marks, blocking to create opportunities for teammates, top class rucking and whole-hearted embracement of Swans culture.

But I think the thing I love about him the most is when he does something big like take a huge contested mark and then goals to put the Swans in front with 10 minutes to go. Most forwards in the competition would jump around like crazy, high-five their teammates, the bench, the first three rows of the crowd and a couple of people who just happened to be driving past the stadium at the time. Instead, Pyke treats himself to a single understated fist pump and then trots back to the centre square for the ball up. You would think he's just slotted a practice goal at training for all the celebration! Gold to watch!

[undy]

Pyke is still number 3 for contested marks and at least the 5 which Cloke has over him are the result of umpiring discrepancies. Cloke gets a charmed run from the Umps while they still seem to struggle with the idea that Pyke is not the one infringing. Game after game he gets his head smacked and his arm pulled and pushed under the ball. I think the fact that he is so professional means it does not get noticed. He never remonstrates... never.

I think there was one occasion where he seemed to quote chapter and verse to the umpie about what the ruck infringement rules really were, but he is pretty focused on getting on with the job at hand.