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[The Big Cat]

I can't believe people are mentioning blokes like Eddie Betts or Alan Didak or FFS Stephen Milne. All are well past their best and wouldn't be in our best 25 anyway. And I haven't even mentioned the baggage the latter two carry. The only Essendon player I would contemplate would be Joe Daniher. Even if pinged by ASADA he'll still be a baby after that time. (I bet Anthony lays awake at night and wishes he could give his fatherly advice about the F/S all over again.)

[Ludwig]

I can't believe people are mentioning blokes like Eddie Betts or Alan Didak or FFS Stephen Milne. All are well past their best and wouldn't be in our best 25 anyway. And I haven't even mentioned the baggage the latter two carry. The only Essendon player I would contemplate would be Joe Daniher. Even if pinged by ASADA he'll still be a baby after that time. (I bet Anthony lays awake at night and wishes he could give his fatherly advice about the F/S all over again.)

Daniher's not a problem because he wasn't at the club during the drugging program (2012). But no way they would let him go. Besides, I'm not too sure about him. I would be worried by his atrocious goal kicking of late. Something doesn't look right about him. He looks a bit like an LRT gone overboard (I was going to say on steroids, but that's for another thread). Maybe he'll grow out of it (as LRT did).

[ernie koala]

I can't believe people are mentioning blokes like Eddie Betts or Alan Didak or FFS Stephen Milne. All are well past their best and wouldn't be in our best 25 anyway. And I haven't even mentioned the baggage the latter two carry. The only Essendon player I would contemplate would be Joe Daniher. Even if pinged by ASADA he'll still be a baby after that time. (I bet Anthony lays awake at night and wishes he could give his fatherly advice about the F/S all over again.)

I agree about Didak and Milne being past their best....

But if Betts was on our list today, you wouldn't have him in the team....really??

Betts would easily make our 21.... He's about 26 years old and in his prime...He can turn a match.

We are crying out for a classy small forward, IMO...

I'd love to see him at the Swans....But given his asking price, it won't happen.... Unless he halves it.

[Ludwig]

I agree about Didak and Milne being past their best....

But if Betts was on our list today, you wouldn't have him in the team....really??

Betts would easily make our 21.... He's about 26 years old and in his prime...He can turn a match.

We are crying out for a classy small forward, IMO...

I'd love to see him at the Swans....But given his asking price, it won't happen.... Unless he halves it.

I think you'll find that Benny McGlynn stacks up rather favourably against Eddie Betts. They play similar roles. Would you trade McGlynn for Betts in a straight swap?

[ernie koala]

I think you'll find that Benny McGlynn stacks up rather favourably against Eddie Betts. They play similar roles. Would you trade McGlynn for Betts in a straight swap?

They play as small forwards, that's where the comparison ends though.

I'm not comparing him to McGlynn. McGlynn is a tough hard defensive type forward, and good at it. But he lacks class and his finishing in front of the sticks is so so at best.

As I said before, IMO, what would really compliment our forward line is a classy small forward, who can conjure goals from nothing....like Betts.

[Alan]

Unless Eddie tackles/grapples/fights when the ball is on the way out of our F50, he won't get a game though. I have not seen him do much of that at the Blues.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

They play as small forwards, that's where the comparison ends though.

I'm not comparing him to McGlynn. McGlynn is a tough hard defensive type forward, and good at it. But he lacks class and his finishing in front of the sticks is so so at best.

As I said before, IMO, what would really compliment our forward line is a classy small forward, who can conjure goals from nothing....like Betts.

Additionally Benny can play as a run with player, I suspect he was the last Swan to beat Joel "Quackers" Selwood

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Wasn't there a rumour that Yarran and Garlet were on the outer with the blues, both have pace and skills . . .

[ernie koala]

Unless Eddie tackles/grapples/fights when the ball is on the way out of our F50, he won't get a game though. I have not seen him do much of that at the Blues.

Never saw Morton do that at the Tigers either....but he does it in spades at the Swans.

[Ludwig]

They play as small forwards, that's where the comparison ends though.

I'm not comparing him to McGlynn. McGlynn is a tough hard defensive type forward, and good at it. But he lacks class and his finishing in front of the sticks is so so at best.

As I said before, IMO, what would really compliment our forward line is a classy small forward, who can conjure goals from nothing....like Betts.

I actually find Betts and McGlynn to be very similar players. Both are quick, quite good with defensive pressure, run through the midfield a bit and can kick a good goal, with Betts being a bit more spectacular. Benny has a plus by being a good tagger if needed. Statistically over the years, they are quite close in most categories. McGlynn's goalkicking has been better than Eddie's this year.

I can't see both playing in the same Swans side. That's why I asked what your preference was. I wouldn't mind having Betts at the Swans, but if I had to choose between the two, I would give the Nod to Benny.

[Triple B]

I actually find Betts and McGlynn to be very similar players. ..

I agree with Ernie, not totally chalk and cheese, but hardly similar IMO...

[wolftone57]

LJ kicked 6 last weekend. Better get Lockyer up to speed ASAP

Lockyer won't play KPP. He is a medium player 191cm, a flanker probably as that is the role he has in the Twos. I know the Swans website says Reg is 190cm but I am pretty sure that is a mistake. Most KPP these days are 193-196 or even taller in the case of Tippett.

[jono2707]

Lockyer won't play KPP. He is a medium player 191cm, a flanker probably as that is the role he has in the Twos. I know the Swans website says Reg is 190cm but I am pretty sure that is a mistake. Most KPP these days are 193-196 or even taller in the case of Tippett.

Sounds right to me - would it be correct to say that Alex Brown is being groomed as another key defender, along with Xav?

[wolftone57]

AJ is 193 cm and will be heavier than Ted in a year or 2, so I would count him as a KPP.

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If we wanted to create another spot on our list, could we delist Tommy Walsh and resign him as an Irish International, which I believe may be separate from other list size calculations?

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The list size, I believe, is a total of Senior and Rookie of 44, with the senior list between 38 and 40 and the the rookie list 4-6. I think we started the year with a full contingent of 6 Rookie A List players, but not certain.

So we actually have 3 open spots at this point. Elevating Rampe doesn't change the total. Perris reduces our active picks to 2. So we now have picks (around) 14 and 30 as effective live picks. I'm not sure if we can expect to get anyone better at pick 48 than what we already have on our list. Would you trade anyone on our list for a pick 48? I am not sure about Lockyer, Armstrong or Brown, but would prefer to give each another year rather than exercise a pick 48.

We actually had seven rookies at the start of the year. We had three players that were Rookie Zone inclusion or Academy players who do not fall within the restriction, BJ, Rampe & Naismith. We can always de-list players on the main list and pick them up as rookies later. Lockyer might fit into this situation. Dick was only picked up this year so has one more year to run on contract so I don't know if you can rookie list a list player who is still contracted. It would be good if we can as we have some more deserving players at this time.

The other thing is do we risk players who have lately been an injury risk. Players like LRT, Shaw and even Goodsie who are all in the sunset of their careers? What would happen if they were to spend considerable time out again next year? As much as every one of those players is revered and respected there comes a time for a full body assessment to see if they are going to be able to front up for at least 75% of games next year. If not they should retire. The tests I am talking about are the stress and body endurance tests given to athletes and triathlon competitors to prove their fitness. These are by far the hardest fitness tests of all and they soon discover if the injuries are going to be long term and not just short term.

I think by the way we have seen the best of LRT, Ryano, Rhyce & Goodsie and if they play on it will be in a much more diluted role due to injury management. Maybe it is time to look at all retiring as well.

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They play as small forwards, that's where the comparison ends though.

I'm not comparing him to McGlynn. McGlynn is a tough hard defensive type forward, and good at it. But he lacks class and his finishing in front of the sticks is so so at best.

As I said before, IMO, what would really compliment our forward line is a classy small forward, who can conjure goals from nothing....like Betts.

I don't know where you get the idea he is dodgy in front of the sticks. He has kicked 28.16 this year which is a pretty good goal percentage. Shooting at around 65%, I think the league average for forwards is between 50-60% so he is in the top bracket. By the way Eddie has kicked 20.10 this year in 15 and Benny 28 in 18. I am not for getting rid of Benny for a bloke who can be at times lazy and very easily put off his game.

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Sounds right to me - would it be correct to say that Alex Brown is being groomed as another key defender, along with Xav?

Yes but like Lockyer is a bit on the short side (191) to be taking on KPP forwards in the AFL. He is also a bit on the light side a little in build like Lewis Johnston. I know he is being groomed for KPP but I am not sure about it at the moment it is the lack of height that worries me. He is a good footballer and makes good decisions, he is a great spoiler but when he has to mind a huge forward it is a bit of a problem although getting better at not bodying and jumping over them. Xav is a true KPP 194 and got the right sort of build and will get stronger although strong already, I think he is a real talent.

By the way I don't know who does the heights on our AFL site but Reg is definitely NOT 190cm and nor is he 88kg. What the @@@@ are they doing there, he has somebody else's stats. They are so good they have him down in the overall stats for the year as not kicking a goal and he kicked 1.1 against Bullies.

[Alan]

Never saw Morton do that at the Tigers either....but he does it in spades at the Swans.

Fair point...I guess. I never really watch either side but, your point is spot on, Mitch had to earn a game with us by doing all those things. So who, then, is most likely to adapt to our style?

[RogueSwan]

...By the way I don't know who does the heights on our AFL site but Reg is definitely NOT 190cm and nor is he 88kg. What the @@@@ are they doing there, he has somebody else's stats. ...

This site says 192 and 100.