Changes v Tigers (aka will ROK get a farewell game?)

[Ampersand]

If any of the above players that I've suggested to rest get injured in the Tigers game, you would be kicking yourself.

The ins are quite handy and the team would not lose much. Sam Reid needs a chance to play a key forward post to built his confidence. He can't do that with Tippett and Buddy in the team. You can't let anything happen to Pyke. Mglynn need to build some match fitness in the midfield. Its easier to do that with Mcveigh and Jack out if the team.

I highly recommend you take the time to watch John Longmire's after match press conference, if you'd like to get some facts from the Horse's mouth (pun intended) about resting players and the reasons for Mitchell missing games this season.

[Matt80]

I'm just proposing some different ideas. That's what Red and White is about. We can't let anything happen to Pyke. Maybe you can give him general soreness. If he does something then you have to get by in the finals on two ruckman who are yet to play a senior game. It it worth the risk against a Tigers team who will be playing at manic intensity?

I proposed to rest Buddy to give Sam Reid a chance to play a key post and clunk some marks. It also freshens up Buddy's knees. I did not propose to rest Tippett because his fitness and form are building and the game time would be valuable.

The other ones were players who had played most games and it may be good to freshen them up.

Remember Micky O in 2003 or that Blood Bath at Simmons stadium last year. Don't we want to minimise that risk?

[Auntie.Gerald]

Buddy has been on a reduced mid week training all year i believe

so instead of resting him from a game leading into the finals he has been reducing his workload during the week

[baskin]

[QUOTE=Captain;652385] Good service but move on with dignity like the great LRT did.
- - - Updated - - -

ROK was a guest announcer on ABC radio for the GWS v Pies game on Saturday. When all the Pies players were on the bench injured the other announcers suggested ROK should go out and give them a hand. He commented along the lines of "I'd play anywhere I could get a game at the moment. I've got my boots in the car" I was hoping he was kidding but I'm not so sure.

[CureTheSane]

Won't get a run in the final game.
But I'd love to see him play.
But it won't happen.
But it would be good if it did

Culture and all that.

In fact doesn't the 'bloods spirit' dictate somewhere that this should take place?

[ernie koala]

It's a difficult situation with ROK.

He hasn't said he wants to retire. In fact it seems he wants to go on next year if there is a club that wants him.

And the Swans don't want to pre empt with a farewell game, when there is still a very slight chance, if we got an unprecedented raft of injuries,

that he may get a senior game in the finals.

[Jewels]

I'm just proposing some different ideas. That's what Red and White is about. We can't let anything happen to Pyke. Maybe you can give him general soreness. If he does something then you have to get by in the finals on two ruckman who are yet to play a senior game. It it worth the risk against a Tigers team who will be playing at manic intensity?

I proposed to rest Buddy to give Sam Reid a chance to play a key post and clunk some marks. It also freshens up Buddy's knees. I did not propose to rest Tippett because his fitness and form are building and the game time would be valuable.

The other ones were players who had played most games and it may be good to freshen them up.

Remember Micky O in 2003 or that Blood Bath at Simmons stadium last year. Don't we want to minimise that risk?

Buddy had the weekend off three weeks ago! Surely another run at ANZ ( a ground he hasn't played much footy at) would be far more advantageous than a week off.

[barry]

Jude Bolton said on sunday morning footy show that Longmire absolutely hates the idea of resting players. So no, we will treat Richmond as a finals preparation game. The list will be selected of the best 22 at the club, in anticipation that, baring injuries, the same 22 will line up at ANZ the week after.

The way it should be.

[Rod_]

I voted yes because I want him to play a last game.

My head says no if we want to win the GF

[Industrial Fan]

I was listening to the radio the other day on the way to the SCG, they were inferring that ROK was staying in condition on the off chance he'd get the miracle call up for the GF. Their outcome was that if you're picking between Towers and ROK as the 22nd player in the GF, they'd go for ROK.

I think Longmire would still pick Towers, so cant see ROK playing in the seniors again.

[Matt80]

I was listening to the radio the other day on the way to the SCG, they were inferring that ROK was staying in condition on the off chance he'd get the miracle call up for the GF. Their outcome was that if you're picking between Towers and ROK as the 22nd player in the GF, they'd go for ROK.

I think Longmire would still pick Towers, so cant see ROK playing in the seniors again.

I think ROKs papers have been marked at the Swans. I only hope that Longmire and ROK can turn up to the 2012 Grand Final reunions and be at ease with each other. It will probably take time.

I heard a rumour that the Swans tried to get ROK to take an early retirement after the 2013 season. Can anyone confirm or deny this rumour?

[Nico]

I think ROKs papers have been marked at the Swans. I only hope that Longmire and ROK can turn up to the 2012 Grand Final reunions and be at ease with each other. It will probably take time.

I heard a rumour that the Swans tried to get ROK to take an early retirement after the 2013 season. Can anyone confirm or deny this rumour?

I think ROK is a realist and an "A" Class clubman. From what I gather he has played to his best in the 2's and not likely to drop his performance. He has aspirations to coach so I expect that he respects the decision to play him in the 2's. At the end of 2013 most people thought he had another good year in him.

[Bloody Hell]

If anyone watched the 60 seconds with John Longmire on the Swans Website - one question that stuck with me was - "What's the hardest thing about being a coach", to which he responded rather seriously considering the context - "Ending players careers.". My thoughts went straight to ROK.

[Conor_Dillon]

Maybe a bit of a knee-jerk call because of his form in the 2s on the weekend but does anyone think another club would give ROK a game as a third-forward who could pinch hit in the midfield?

He was a gun forward before he was moved into the midfield and no doubt his hands are still vice-like and his kicking still decent. He would be invaluable in forward 50 stoppages but the obvious question mark would be on the defensive pressure he could apply.

[iigrover]

Where's the 'no... he's too exhausted from his 30 day challenge' option in the poll?

Maybe he be the half time entertainment. :-D