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I also hope that we rest key players when possible but I don't think you can classify this as a rest. First round of the year with a bye next week
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I agree with others that the coaches intention is to preserve him for the business end of the season.
From a players perspective, I think he will be absolutely shattered. He has publicly stated that he wants to play past 2014 and thinks he is fit enough. He is the AFL benchmark as a trainer and preparer for game - so no more he can do there.
It must be terrible for him to think if we are a fit team and play against a fast running team later in the season, he won't be there.Comment
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When Goodes comes back from injury, I would like to see him played as the permanent sub.
At his age playing a quarter of football every week would be much kinder on his body, his versatility would make him perfect for the job and to top it all off, how brilliant would it be going into the final quarter of a tight game, to be able to bring on a fresh Adam Goodes? Opposition coaches would crap their pants!Comment
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I don't agree with the view that leaving ROK out is a "big picture" thing.
Come on please, there's a 2 week break after this game and he's one of our fittest most durable players on the list
I think it has more to do with where ROK now sits in the pecking order., rather than 'resting him'...
Ahead of him are : McVeigh, Jack, Kennedy, Hannebery, McGlynn, Bird, Mitchell, Parker...hard to argue against that.
Obviously, as the injuries kick in, ROK will be back in the fold...But on form this year, these other mids are all ahead of him.Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect... MTComment
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ROK has traditionally started seasons slowly. I think combination of factors. Will play plenty this yearYou don't ban those who supported your opponent, you make them wallow in their loserdom by covering your victory! You sit them in the front row. You give them a hat! Toby ZieglerComment
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Wonder what has been said internally and how the players feel about this.
Luke Abletts reaction on Twitter was interesting...
Then again Luke did his best to lose us the 05 GF so who cares if he is shocked!Comment
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Goodes is part of the top 22 if he is fit... you don't leave a dual premiership player and dual bronwlow medallist out that has the experience he has come the big games, unless he has really fallen off the pace.
AJ, if he shows the form of 2012 in the reserves, will soon find a way back into the Top 22. He has a great deal of versatility which is missing in our defending ranks (i.e. ability to play as a third tall and on more mobile defenders). Would not surprise me if we don't see him till mid season, but I have no doubt, fitness permitting, that he will be part of our first team come the pointy end of the season.
I think its difficult to judge what it means for ROK until we see a few more line ups. Maybe he will become a SCG specialist?"You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."Comment
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I think it's a great sign for the club that they think ROK isn't an automatic selection but I imagine it's a huge kick in the teeth for him. He's a very proud footballer and his words suggest he thinks he has a lot of footy left in him. Maybe there has been something rumbling over the off-season and this is the coaches sending out a signal he needs to be flexible in the roles he plays. That said, he has shown a great deal of flexibility in recent seasons anyway, to the extent his style and attributes will allow. He's played a far few defensive roles in the midfield, including tagging Green in the corresponding fixture last year while ROK himself was the reigning NS medallist.
He's been a favourite player of mine for many years now, so I hope he finds a way to keep making his mark in the side as the season progresses.Comment
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I don't think it's so much a question as to whether ROK is in our best 22. I am sure he still is. He probably offers more than say a Tom Mitchell does at this point, or Harry Cunningham or a number of other players for that matter. But you have to give the younger players a go when they have put in the effort and show that they're ready to play. As hard as it may be for ROK, as a senior player, he has to understand the situation from a team point of view. It's more than where he is as an individual, but rather where he is in respect to what is best for the team going forward.
The fact is that the Swans not only have a very strong midfield group now, but have a number of promising players waiting for their turn to come (Lloyd, Perris, BJ, Towers, Jones, Marsh). Something has to give.Comment
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WOW
I think this is a good call, and brave.
But ROK is one of the fittest and hardest working players going around.
I think Longmire was telling it straight when he mentioned match ups.
One thing which still amazes me is talk of Rampe losing his spot for AJ, Laidler or anyone else.
I'd HATE to see him out of the side, one of our most reliable and solid players.The difference between insanity and genius is measured only in success.Comment
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Surprising, but not disappointing.
Probably has to do with the youth of GWS. Plenty of teams with big bodied plodders that ROK will match up on.The eternal connundrum "what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object" was finally solved when David Hasselhoff punched himself in the face.Comment
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It's an EXTREMELY interesting move by the coaching staff.
Still want O' Keefe to get to the 300 game mark (Only the 3rd swan ever to do so) and possibly beyond.
On dropping Rampe for AJ... I really would like to see both in the team.Comment
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4th player*Comment
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