Now for ...

[mcs]

If Mummy is gone, does anyone know where to?

I hope it's not GWS, because they could take him with the first pick in the Pre Season Draft. The Swans would get nothing for him accept the satisfaction of processing the paper work to delist him!

It'll only get to a PSD pick if we can't organise a trade with GWS. Means we won't get much currency for him potentially - but I'd be exceptionally suprised if there aren't a few other suitors in for him. Collingwood being one potentially, hawthorn (if Buddy was to go) another, and there are a few other clubs that would surely be interested. I'd be very suprised if he ended up going to GWS in the PSD, unless he made it absolutely clear he would go nowhere but GWS. In a business where winning Premierships is the ultimate aim, he would be pretty foolish to not at very least consider other options, and thus that would give us a chance to get something decent for him (Maybe a 2nd rd draft pick plus a swap of 1st rd picks or something potentially?)

[On-Baller]

Alot of peeps seem to think if we dont get a backup ruckmen if Mummy leaves we will have to go with Pyke supported by Tippet and White, from what ive seen Tippet is @@@@e in the ruck even around the ground, and Jesse has always struggled, but your all forgetting LRT he is our best backup ruck if Mummy goes, surely the setup will be LRT and Pyke swapping ruck/forward. I dont think 2 genuine ruckmen can work for us anymore unless of course we had a second ruck with the mobility of a midfielder ie NicNat.

And as i and others mentioned months ago Collingwood are the big players for Mummy, i guess things change but id be very surprised if he went anywhere else.

[liz]

I have mixed feelings about the idea of Mumford leaving, and whether we need to find a replacement. When at full fitness he has been a valuable part of our centre bounce work because of how good he is when the ball hits the deck, and his around the ground tackling is fierce and effective (sometimes too fierce). As a tap ruckman he is just OK, however, and it's not like he offers us heaps around the ground in a Cox like way.

I am also not convinced that our tall structure is sustainable. We've been playing Mumford and Pyke and Tippett (and White) because they're all in our best 21 (White arguably just the best 21 available in the second half of the year). At times it has worked, but against the better teams we have come up short this year. How much that is due to the tall structure and how much due to general injury issues, none of us can know. But a different structure may not be a disaster. I do like the idea of a forward line that includes at least one, maybe both, of Membrey and Rohan next year, who are still reasonably tall but offer something different to the 'bomb in it long' tall targets of Tippett, White and a resting ruckman. But if you're going to include these players, someone else has to come out of the team. A tall or a runner? Losing a tall may not be a great loss.

The biggest concern with losing Mumford is a long term injury to Pyke. We would have little left. But just as we made do without other key players missing this year through injury, I am sure we would find a way with some combination of White, Tippett and LRT. Maybe Big Sam in time.

And of course, Mumford hasn't proved to be the most durable ruckman ever. Most rucks tend to be a little injury prone. Must be something to do with subjecting those big bodies to all that bash and crash. If the Swans aren't keen to offer Mumford the length of contract it sounds like he is after, maybe that is because they have concerns about his long term durability.

[Melbournehammer]

Alot of peeps seem to think if we dont get a backup ruckmen if Mummy leaves we will have to go with Pyke supported by Tippet and White, from what ive seen Tippet is @@@@e in the ruck even around the ground, and Jesse has always struggled, but your all forgetting LRT he is our best backup ruck if Mummy goes, surely the setup will be LRT and Pyke swapping ruck/forward. I dont think 2 genuine ruckmen can work for us anymore unless of course we had a second ruck with the mobility of a midfielder ie NicNat.

And as i and others mentioned months ago Collingwood are the big players for Mummy, i guess things change but id be very surprised if he went anywhere else.

actually jesse is fine as a ruckman around the ground as a resting ruck. it is when he is there full time and in the centre square that he struggles.

[BillyRayCypress]

I have mixed feelings about the idea of Mumford leaving, and whether we need to find a replacement.

If the Swans aren't keen to offer Mumford the length of contract it sounds like he is after, maybe that is because they have concerns about his long term durability.

I agree with you and think that the possibility of injury would deter them from making a four year offer.

If he does go, I'm sure he'll be looked after and hopefully so will the Swans in the trade. He's certainly nothing like Dean Cox. If it looks like Mummy will go then more likelihood that Jesse will be kept on.

[Ludwig]

I have mixed feelings about the idea of Mumford leaving, and whether we need to find a replacement. When at full fitness he has been a valuable part of our centre bounce work because of how good he is when the ball hits the deck, and his around the ground tackling is fierce and effective (sometimes too fierce). As a tap ruckman he is just OK, however, and it's not like he offers us heaps around the ground in a Cox like way.

I am also not convinced that our tall structure is sustainable. We've been playing Mumford and Pyke and Tippett (and White) because they're all in our best 21 (White arguably just the best 21 available in the second half of the year). At times it has worked, but against the better teams we have come up short this year. How much that is due to the tall structure and how much due to general injury issues, none of us can know. But a different structure may not be a disaster. I do like the idea of a forward line that includes at least one, maybe both, of Membrey and Rohan next year, who are still reasonably tall but offer something different to the 'bomb in it long' tall targets of Tippett, White and a resting ruckman. But if you're going to include these players, someone else has to come out of the team. A tall or a runner? Losing a tall may not be a great loss.

The biggest concern with losing Mumford is a long term injury to Pyke. We would have little left. But just as we made do without other key players missing this year through injury, I am sure we would find a way with some combination of White, Tippett and LRT. Maybe Big Sam in time.

And of course, Mumford hasn't proved to be the most durable ruckman ever. Most rucks tend to be a little injury prone. Must be something to do with subjecting those big bodies to all that bash and crash. If the Swans aren't keen to offer Mumford the length of contract it sounds like he is after, maybe that is because they have concerns about his long term durability.

I've had much of the same thoughts about Mumford. A couple of months ago, I think you suggested that we were too tall with the big 4, and I was supporting going with the big 4. I have since come around to your viewpoint on this.

The big concern, as you have pointed out, is the risk of a long term injury to Pyke. It's too early to say if Naismith is ready for the big time. I think we can cover this for one year by rookie drafting an experienced ruckman that's not contracted to an AFL team. Former swans Seaby and Jolly as well a Cameron Wood and David Hille come to mind. A cheap backup plan.

If you have someone like Tippett anchoring the forward line you can be very flexible on the supporting cast. Rohan, Towers and Membrey all play taller than their listed heights and are great marks. I can even see playing all 3 along with Tippett (no White, nor Reid). The speed, marking and goal kicking power would be hard to contain. But that's just one option. There are many others, especially if Goodes plays on for a while.

[Matt80]

If Mummy goes, we need a back up ruckman to support Pyke and buy some time until Naismith is ready!

Maybe we can get one of Geelongs ruckman as they have many. Darren Jolly may be interested in continuing in Sydney. Maybe a Jonathon Griffin from Freemantle (coming of ACL). Billy Longer from Brisbane may have realities in Sydney ( would require something good from Sydney.

[longmile]

At the moment I'd easily have White over Reid, we have to keep him!

[On-Baller]

If Mummy goes, we need a back up ruckman to support Pyke and buy some time until Naismith is ready!

Maybe we can get one of Geelongs ruckman as they have many. Darren Jolly may be interested in continuing in Sydney. Maybe a Jonathon Griffin from Freemantle (coming of ACL). Billy Longer from Brisbane may have realities in Sydney ( would require something good from Sydney.

Yeah your right the Cats would be first place i looked for a ruckmen, i like the romance of Jolly returning but i think Roosy may beat us to him, they defiantely had a chat over lunch recently and of course for such a journeyman it may be fitting he ends where he began.

Not sure how anyone could want Jesse over Sam, to me Sam has showed as much in his short time at the club as Jesse has in his whole time here. Reid imo is going to be one of the best forwards in the league given time, paired with Tippett and Goodes he starts to get second or third defender and will jump all over them. So much more upside for Sam than Jesse.

[Melbournehammer]

I think reid has the potential to be an AA CHB. He has the reach to spoil anyone from behind as well as the leap could take contested marks by the dozen jumping from an unimpeded position and is quick enough to play on anyone.

White wont ever be AA for anything.

Reid >>> White.

But at this moment and on the back of the past 12 games white is a required player and starting 18/21. and i think probably more so than any of the other talls that have played in the last few weeks - including tippett.

[Matt80]

If Melbourne take Jolly, then they would have Jolly, Jamar, Max Gawn and Jake Spencer as primary ruckman on their list. They would also have forward targets Mitch Clark and Jack Fitzpatrik who can also ruck! It would be too many! Maybe the swans could make a play for Jamar or Gawn?

[Ludwig]

I don't think we need to compare Reid and White and choose who is better.

I think Reid will probably become a better overall footballer than White, but is more a natural defender than a forward. He is still young, but feel that he will remain inconsistent and struggle at times in a forward role. Much like his brother, he should excel as a backman.

White, on the other hand, is a perfect fit for a CHF. He has size, speed, agility, is a good mark on the lead and can kick a long goal. He can also backup in the ruck. He has constantly improved throughout this year. He hasn't kicked many goals the last few games, but his around the ground work has been of a very high standard. He's tackling and making 2nd and 3rd efforts. He's doing the things now that we have always criticised him for not doing. It's unfair to cast the current Jesse White by the way he was a couple of years ago. He's put in the effort to improve his game, he's gotten the opportunity due to injuries, and he's delivered. Give him his due.

[Melbournehammer]

if that was directed at me i think you will note that i think he has been the best of our talls in the past 12 weeks. bar none. I rate jesse and i like what he brings to the game - enthusiasm, a strong kick, quick in a straight line, decent leap. his decision making can be flawed and is prone to errors but he is also doing everything we want at the moment. but (and there is always a but with him) i would like to see him keep at it for longer than 12 weeks. if he does he will become our most valuable tall bar none, because he will be the one dragging defenders to him and open it up for tippett and not the other way around.

i have high hopes for jesse i really do and dont want to see him traded. i think mummy has more currency anyway.

[Matt80]

Jesse has the potential to be an AA.

I think if he bases his high half forward game on Nick Reiwalt and runs back harder to goal after being involved on the wing, then he will kick more goals and become an AA.

[Ludwig]

if that was directed at me i think you will note that i think he has been the best of our talls in the past 12 weeks. bar none. I rate jesse and i like what he brings to the game - enthusiasm, a strong kick, quick in a straight line, decent leap. his decision making can be flawed and is prone to errors but he is also doing everything we want at the moment. but (and there is always a but with him) i would like to see him keep at it for longer than 12 weeks. if he does he will become our most valuable tall bar none, because he will be the one dragging defenders to him and open it up for tippett and not the other way around.

i have high hopes for jesse i really do and dont want to see him traded. i think mummy has more currency anyway.

No, not directed at you, but rather several comments that feel the need to pick one or the other. I know that you rate Jesse highly and are one of the posters that have given him a fair go and appreciate what he's accomplished this year.