2014 round 1 team vs GWS

[stellation]

I hope Horse took the opportunity to walk up to Ryan at the end of training and say "on your bike, son".

[swantastic]

no match up for ROK...wtf???? umm wonder whats really going on

[Matt80]

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.

I thought earlier in the week that Rampe could be in trouble due to the concerted "pumpage" of Laidler by Swans defenders and officials, but he has made the 22. Rampe or Cunningham will be the Sub in that 22.

The Giants have not named Boyd in their 22, meaning that LRT will play forward / back up Ruckman.
The ROK decision has been a shock based on the fact that all regular Red and White bloggers have commented. I think on reflection that AFL is very tough for any player aged over 32. Michael Tuck and Dustin Fletcher are the exceptions to the rule. We have seen in recent year?s players such as Peter Bell, Simon Black, Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Scott West and Brad Johnston struggle in their early to mid30s. It?s hard to keep defying nature!

Its credit to ROK that he reinvented himself from a classy All Australian Half forward, to an elite inside midfielder who won the 2012 North Smith Medal with an astonishing 15 tackles. He was smart to realise that in his late 20s that he did not possess the electric speed to continue to be as effective as a medium half forward. Think of electric half forwards like Garry Rohan and Jeremy Howe and see my point. He then got into the midfield where the retirements of Luke Ablett , Jarrod Crouch and Brett Kirk and the trading of Amon Buchannan opened up good opportunities for him, which took brilliantly. Now the opportunities are being opened up for young midfielders such as Luke Parker, Tom Mitchell and Harry Cunningham.

It will be interesting to see how ROK reinvents himself from here!

[Ajn]

Match hasn't started yet...would not be surprised to see a late change. But for those plotting his demise, don't react to every player that is rested this year because it will be more likely after the finish to last year to see a star rested. Honestly he can start in Rd 2 and we can rest the next in the rotation. Wouldn't be surprised to see each player rested for 1 or 2 weeks throughout the year.

...cause we can!

[wolftone57]

I think that Ryano not wanting to play as a permanent forward would not help his chances. I think flexibility is the key here, if a player is not willing to be flexible then he is going to be a doubtful starter. The other thing is the match ups. Yes he could play on Green but during the preseason other players like Parker and Mitchell have performed better. ROK was getting most of his ball in the back half and his delivery was not AFL standard at all. some of his decision making was terrible. I watched the GWS NAB Challenge match again and he had a OOF free. He kicked the ball straight to a GWs player, luckily the ball was brought back because the umpire had not whistled play on. He had a second kick and butchered that as well landing it at a players feet. ROK did not perform as well as the rest of the mids preseason. He is a slow starter and this year his slow start will be in the Twos and the form players will play Seniors. I think any player who thinks just because he is a senior player he has an armchair ride is deluded this year. If a player is down on form, no matter who they are, expect them to be dropped.

[Nico]

Any chance this is simply a player management issue. Other clubs have done this in previous years. It might simply be saving him for a certain number of games.

[Nico]

I think that Ryano not wanting to play as a permanent forward would not help his chances. I think flexibility is the key here, if a player is not willing to be flexible then he is going to be a doubtful starter. The other thing is the match ups. Yes he could play on Green but during the preseason other players like Parker and Mitchell have performed better. ROK was getting most of his ball in the back half and his delivery was not AFL standard at all. some of his decision making was terrible. I watched the GWS NAB Challenge match again and he had a OOF free. He kicked the ball straight to a GWs player, luckily the ball was brought back because the umpire had not whistled play on. He had a second kick and butchered that as well landing it at a players feet. ROK did not perform as well as the rest of the mids preseason. He is a slow starter and this year his slow start will be in the Twos and the form players will play Seniors. I think any player who thinks just because he is a senior player he has an armchair ride is deluded this year. If a player is down on form, no matter who they are, expect them to be dropped.

So ROK does a couple of errant kicks. So why is McGlynn in the side. He does multiple errant kicks every game he plays.

[CureTheSane]

I think that Ryano not wanting to play as a permanent forward would not help his chances.

ROK "I don't want to play as a permanent forward"
Longmire "OK, but just so you know, it may be harder to slot you in the team every week"
ROK "No problems I'll take that risk" (thinks to himself "yeah, sure - they are going to leave me out of the team - I'm kinda like Goodsie - walks into the team at any time)
Longmire ""
ROK " Well damn...."

[Ludwig]

I doubt that ROK's preference to play midfield was an issue. That was a few years ago anyway. Probably a combination of ordinary preseason form and some good form of a few of the younger mids.

[Jewels]

Any chance this is simply a player management issue. Other clubs have done this in previous years. It might simply be saving him for a certain number of games.

Yep my thoughts too Nico, if he's not named in the squad in two weeks time to play Collingwood then we'll know there's an issue.

[CJK]

Sydney coach John Longmire says improved youngsters pushed out veteran Ryan O?Keefe

[ShockOfHair]

Yep my thoughts too Nico, if he's not named in the squad in two weeks time to play Collingwood then we'll know there's an issue.

Yep. Sounds like he's been a bit down on form over the preseason, so why not give the younger ones game time against GWS and make sure ROK is fit and firing at the business end of the season. But it's a good message to everyone in the club.

[liz]

Jed Lamb didn't make first selection for GWS - he's an emergency.

I hadn't realised this until a colleague just pointed it out to me. That is almost as eyebrow raising as ROK not making our team, given the fuss they made about pursuing him.

[Meg]

I hadn't realised this until a colleague just pointed it out to me. That is almost as eyebrow raising as ROK not making our team, given the fuss they made about pursuing him.

Yes and the big money they are said to be paying him. I know I'm a bit mean (and I do wish Lamb the best fot a great career) but I had a little smile when I read his name on the emergency list. Reality strikes - AFL is a tough gig!

[Auntie.Gerald]

loyalty is a lovely quality but as we have have heard the last few days John Longmire is a leader of a team that strives to be better week in week out not just season to season.

Champan was in a similar boat to ROK in 2014 and the Cats made a very decisive call on his career

The competition is red hot and it was a real Kevin Sheedy type call that has all our players on notice !