Changes for Rnd 21 V St Kilda.

[ernie koala]

It's hard to fathom how much space Harry was afforded. It seems to happen in most games.

Surely teams will start to man him up soon.

[liz]

One thing I would like to see is both Cunningham and Lloyd in the 21 this week. Both had good games on Saturday. Harry looked confident all game and is looking as if he will develop into a top shelf player. Lloyd had 8 possession in 12 minutes and was very composed for such an important game. That sealer goal would have been a big confidence builder and it would be good to reward him with a full game.

That's all very well, but at the expense of who? The other youngish, "fringe" player currently in the team is Rohan but he was good at the weekend too, playing a different (and arguably more pivotal role than either Harry or Lloyd) and is improving every game playing this new role.

[liz]

Swans won't rest on their laurels as finals approach - AFL.com.au

A predictable Horse response. So all conjecture of resting sore players goes out the window....

As aardvark predicts, so do I...

IN : Smith

OUT : Laidler

Nothing if not boring and predictable is our Horse. Must be a nightmare for the journos to interview. You could listen to two dozen of his interviews - pre match, post match, midway through the week - and he says exactly the same thing. When we lose, we just weren't good enough. When we win, lots of players played their roles, which was pleasing.

It must be far more fun to interview Malthouse or one of the Scott brothers, who always manage to find something other than their teams to blame for ordinary performances.

[Ludwig]

That's all very well, but at the expense of who? The other youngish, "fringe" player currently in the team is Rohan but he was good at the weekend too, playing a different (and arguably more pivotal role than either Harry or Lloyd) and is improving every game playing this new role.

Goodes. Green suits him.

[longmile]

I have to admit I'm a bit skeptical of Reid's form and role in the team.

[The Big Cat]

I have to admit I'm a bit skeptical of Reid's form and role in the team.

Horse said his role is crucial to the team's structure.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Reid was quiet at the weekend but he's playing a role that nobody else can at the minute and has done it pretty well this year I think.

[The Big Cat]

Nothing if not boring and predictable is our Horse.

Agree entirely Liz. Just add "we need to continue to improve". "It's a relentless competition". etc etc.

Perhaps more predictable is the young bloke who does the after match interviews in the rooms "How important was it to kick the first four goals?" "How important was it to stop Gary Ablett from having an impact?" "How important was it to get a team performance" "How important was it to feel you were over your injuries?" How important was it to score more goals than the opposition?" "How important was it to our finals chances to keep winning" "How important was it to my question to ask how important was it ....."

[mcs]

Id be very surprised if there were any moves to rest people this weekend. I'd expect that may happen in Rd 23, should we win our next 2 and results go our way, meaning that we are assured a top 2 finish. Would be awfully risky to make 4 or 5 changes, then not show up and get done in a game we are expected to win.

[rojo]

Goodes. Green suits him.

What????????? Too much indignity. Make it Jets.

[Conor_Dillon]

We might not 'rest' players but it wouldn't surprise me if we have a few guys not play with injuries that we didn't know they had...

I'd say Jets would benefit from a week off...and if K.Jack's ribs will improve with a week off then Horse and co would be stupid to not give him a spell - and the same goes for Goodesy and his knee.

In previous seasons it would have been much riskier to rest players because we didn't have the depth like we do now, having so many guys running around in the NEAFL that are capable of playing top line AFL is a luxury that we should exploit over the next 3 weeks.

[Ampersand]

K. Jack's rib problems go back to the start of the season and have survived two byes. What makes people think a week off will make a difference?

I simply don't think Swans medical staff permit players to play with injuries that could be cleared up by a week's rest. If someone's not up to play then they'll be pulled like Smith this week and Buddy the week before.

[ShockOfHair]

Bad luck for Keiran or Goodesy if they were planning a weekend away with the missus.

Swans won't rest on their laurels as finals approach - sydneyswans.com.au

[liz]

My guess (and it is purely a guess) is that Jack's ribs aren't a huge concern during game time but that he may be prevented from training midweek as hard as he otherwise might. That could explain why we're not seeing the end to end gut running from him that we've gotten used to. He's still making handy contributions, and I don't think there's anyone in the reserves (certainly not fit and in the reserves) who could come in and make remotely the same kind of contribution he's making.

[RogueSwan]

I have to admit I'm a bit skeptical of Reid's form and role in the team.

I think you would be in the minority there.
If we are to only play one recognised ruck who will help out Pyke?
If the opposition have two big forwards who goes on their ruckman when resting in the forward line?
Reid can play on the ball, out on a wing, sweeping defender, full forward and a roaming CHF and play those positions well. As someone mentioned in another thread Reid would be one of the first picked each week. He is sort of playing the Goodes role of a few years back.