Changes Round 17 V Carlton

[wolftone57]

Looks like we'll be limping into the bye. Happy for Towers but I feel like his form can be patchy. Hope he proves me wrong.

With BJ, Rohan, Lloyd, Jones (albeit omitted) and now Towers in the squad I feel like we are starting to draw on our reserves at an exponential rate.

Part of me wonders whether it would have been preferable to bring in an experienced leader like O'Keefe.

We are really drawing on reserves. We have used 30 players including Towers. O'Keefe is yesterdays hero, time to develop a new group of heroes. Ryano can't match it with the young blokes today, lost all pace and is not up to AFL standard. Most clubs have used about 35 players we have used the least in the AFL. Stop living in the past Ampersand we have to move on. I know it is hard to accept our favs are no longer up to the task but we need to recognise that and embrace the new breed. I love Ryano but unfortunately in the NAB Cup you could see the writing on the wall. His pace had gone and he was struggling. In round 1 he hardly touched the ball, 7 disposals and no goals even though when he came on early he played forward. His next three weeks were hopefully for him and us forgettable. A total 37 disposals for 1 goal as a forward. Please stop putting Ryano forward as a Seniors target. He is no longer up to that standard. It pains me to say this but it is the case.

By the way for years Ryano was my fav player and my friend Pat thought he was a spunk.

[Swans500]

Looks like Horse is searching for a plan B .... and with Tippett's knee we may need it.

Tippett reminds me of when Bradshaw came to our club...all this promise and several really teasingly good displays...but totally injury prone and of little use in the long run....

[MomentByMoment]

Tippett reminds me of when Bradshaw came to our club...all this promise and several really teasingly good displays...but totally injury prone and of little use in the long run....

It's a hard one - do we take a chance and risk more of the same or move on?

One thing is clear - to get the most out of Buddy we need a power forward up front.

[Ampersand]

We are really drawing on reserves. We have used 30 players including Towers. O'Keefe is yesterdays hero, time to develop a new group of heroes. Ryano can't match it with the young blokes today, lost all pace and is not up to AFL standard. Most clubs have used about 35 players we have used the least in the AFL. Stop living in the past Ampersand we have to move on. I know it is hard to accept our favs are no longer up to the task but we need to recognise that and embrace the new breed. I love Ryano but unfortunately in the NAB Cup you could see the writing on the wall. His pace had gone and he was struggling. In round 1 he hardly touched the ball, 7 disposals and no goals even though when he came on early he played forward. His next three weeks were hopefully for him and us forgettable. A total 37 disposals for 1 goal as a forward. Please stop putting Ryano forward as a Seniors target. He is no longer up to that standard. It pains me to say this but it is the case.

By the way for years Ryano was my fav player and my friend Pat thought he was a spunk.

Fair enough. I agree his form in the first four rounds was pretty poor but the entire team's performance was woeful. The numbers you cite weren't dissimilar to BJ or Rohan in winning sides.

If reserves form is the standard by which we select players, then ROK has been a consistent performer at that level. I agree we need to blood young players. I just hope it doesn't come to bite us if we find ourselves down in a tight match. Experience does count for something as Goodes has ably demonstrated.

[Conor_Dillon]

Bit harsh comparing Tippett to Bradshaw...he has another 4 or 5 years after this one if he can get his body right. I think the big wigs at the Swans are happy to be patient and nurse him through any niggles because they know how valuable he can be in the long run. As long as he gets a few games in before finals and is fit in September...i'll be happy.

Also, could work out as a positive...if he isn't getting on the park much or setting the world on fire and the rumours about only a 2 year contract are accurate, we may be able to re-sign him at a significantly reduced rate and free up some salary cap space. Seems to be loving his time at the Swans and couldn't see him leaving for money...if he was only chasing coin he would be currently playing for the Suns or Lions.

[Matt80]

Bit harsh comparing Tippett to Bradshaw...he has another 4 or 5 years after this one if he can get his body right. I think the big wigs at the Swans are happy to be patient and nurse him through any niggles because they know how valuable he can be in the long run. As long as he gets a few games in before finals and is fit in September...i'll be happy.

Also, could work out as a positive...if he isn't getting on the park much or setting the world on fire and the rumours about only a 2 year contract are accurate, we may be able to re-sign him at a significantly reduced rate and free up some salary cap space. Seems to be loving his time at the Swans and couldn't see him leaving for money...if he was only chasing coin he would be currently playing for the Suns or Lions.

Every time Tippett has been on the park, he has delivered for the Swans. I think he has been unlucky this year. I think the current injury is not long term and all we need is to have him in good form for the finals.

A couple of performances like the one in produced in that 2012 preliminary final is all that's required.

We can cope without Kurt and the tacking and chasing pressure is sensational when we play an extra small.

[Mountain Man]

I am surprised Towers has been selected over Membrey.

The latter is not a 'power forward' but from what I have seen, he does his best work in the forward line not dissimilar to Tippett - area of ground; short sharp leads; accurate kick; reasonable forward pressure etc.

If Tippett is to work in September, then continuing to simulate his role now seems sensible. IMHO, Membrey is a better fit for our midfield and Buddy to gain experience for the September Plan A.

Towers, BJ, Rohan don't.

[Ampersand]

IMO the three players you mention have talent and physical ability but their issues are above their necks in terms of smarts, confidence and effort (I'll let you work out which applies to which).

As a top of the ladder team we can afford to carry one. Two at a stretch. Three? We'll see, I guess.

[Jewels]

I am surprised Towers has been selected over Membrey.

The latter is not a 'power forward' but from what I have seen, he does his best work in the forward line not dissimilar to Tippett - area of ground; short sharp leads; accurate kick; reasonable forward pressure etc.

If Tippett is to work in September, then continuing to simulate his role now seems sensible. IMHO, Membrey is a better fit for our midfield and Buddy to gain experience for the September Plan A.

Towers, BJ, Rohan don't.

Perhaps they are trying out a Plan B in case Tippett doesn't get/can't stay on the park in September.

[ugg]

It will be interesting to see how the team structures up in defence with Jones' omission. The choices are:

• Cunningham who did the role last week after Jones went off; or
• McVeigh whose performance against Carlton in the semi last year still stick in the memory; or
• Rohan who has been playing there in the reserves but has yet to be trialled in the seniors in that role; or a dark horse in
• Towers who played VFL and started his Swans career in defence but has played forward for 1.5 seasons now.

[Matt80]

I am surprised Towers has been selected over Membrey.

The latter is not a 'power forward' but from what I have seen, he does his best work in the forward line not dissimilar to Tippett - area of ground; short sharp leads; accurate kick; reasonable forward pressure etc.

If Tippett is to work in September, then continuing to simulate his role now seems sensible. IMHO, Membrey is a better fit for our midfield and Buddy to gain experience for the September Plan A.

Towers, BJ, Rohan don't.

It's a shame that many people can't see the value of players like Towers, Brandon Jack and Garry Rohan. They are tackling machines. One of their forward line tackles is worth three possessions to another player. Last round Rohan had 8 possessions and 7 tackles. That's like Garry having a 21 possession game.

The Swans seem to have a tackling KPI of over 80 tackles. When they achieve that KPI, they win more often than not. This is the Longmire system.

The tacking and pressure of Brandon Jack, Garry Rohan and Towers off the subs vest is essential to hitting this tackling KPI. Forward line tackles are also worth more as they allow the midfield and backline to set up the defensive wall.

ROK was playing half forward early in the year and the ball was coming out far too easily. Players like Lloyd, Brandon Jack, Garry Rohan, Harry Cunningham and even Buddy have made it extremely difficult for the ball to be run out quickly by opposition defences.

[Mountain Man]

I agree that tackling pressure is wonderful.
What surprises me is that for another week we are playing Plan B and not rehearsing Plan A which I would think is Tippett and Franklin in September

[liz]

It will be interesting to see how the team structures up in defence with Jones' omission. The choices are:

• Cunningham who did the role last week after Jones went off; or
• McVeigh whose performance against Carlton in the semi last year still stick in the memory; or
• Rohan who has been playing there in the reserves but has yet to be trialled in the seniors in that role; or a dark horse in
• Towers who played VFL and started his Swans career in defence but has played forward for 1.5 seasons now.

Carlton are a team that have a couple of players important to them getting going but who aren't overly difficult to shut down. While I don't really rate Yarran as a complete footballer, when Carlton play well he's often a big part of it and is therefore worth sitting on. I reckon that's a job tailor made for Harry.

The other key I think is Murphy. Wouldn't be surprised to see either Bird or Benny shadowing Murphy very closely.

[CJK]

It will be interesting to see how the team structures up in defence with Jones' omission. The choices are:

• Cunningham who did the role last week after Jones went off; or
• McVeigh whose performance against Carlton in the semi last year still stick in the memory; or
• Rohan who has been playing there in the reserves but has yet to be trialled in the seniors in that role; or a dark horse in
• Towers who played VFL and started his Swans career in defence but has played forward for 1.5 seasons now.

McVeigh please - guy won a B&F there and adds so much calm. We can put Rohan in for a bit to see how he goes.


Assuming Towers gets the vest but I pray to the Old Gods it will be Brandon the Useless or One Leg Rohan

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think Towers will get the vest too

good luck Deano and Jonesy just do your thing !!!!