List changes and trade bait

[Conor_Dillon]

We didn't recruit Buddy to start a mini rebuild after 1 season. Our premiership window is as open in 2015 as it is ever going to be.

Hawthorn won't improve...their younger players coming through aren't at the level of ours. Their core is getting on in age...Hodge, Mitchell, Gibson, Lake, Hale, Burgoyne etc.

They rely much more on their older players than we do on ours...Goodes, Shaw, Pyke, Ted.

I wouldn't be against trading Bird as much as I love him, provided we can get a pick somewhere between 20-30.

Also, wouldn't surprise me to see Robinson elevated for 2015 and played as a defensive mid...from all reports he did this very well in the NEAFL and is also a proven ball winner.

We can't afford to lose Jetts...especially if Mal goes (his comments yesterday didn't exactly fill me with hope). Our field kicking is our biggest weakness and those two players are in our top 3 in that area in my opinion.

Social media should never be taken too seriously but seeing Tim Membrey's Instagram post last night would indicate to me that he isn't going anywhere.

Did anybody else watch the Allies v Academy game saturday morning? Mills was very impressive...geez that kid is going to be a star. Heeney spent most of his time in a back pocket or forward pocket and still got plenty of the ball, looks so composed and confident whenever he gets it, definitely leadership material. I'd say he played minimal midfield time to give the guys that aren't guaranteed to be drafted a chance to prove themselves. Davis did a few good things too...played both CHF and CHB. Didn't see Hiscox at all, I'm not sure he played? There was a kid playing for the Allies from the NT called Cockatoo...kicked one of the best individual goals you'll ever see and was named best afield. Big midfielder in the mould of Morabito with unbelievable pace and skill. If he is still around with our second pick I'd love us to have a crack at him. Was overlooked in last years draft (not sure why) and barely played this year due to injury but is a rare talent. Played the entire game with a smile on his face and was a pleasure to watch.

[Reggi]

Frawley might help. Beams and Ryder wouldn't help us. Probably just add to the problem

We need another 185cm plus strength around stoppages to clear the ball, help out JPK.

Only ones with potential there are Dan Robinson and Marsh. Having Mitchell fit and running would be a bonus

[pccoops]

What I'd like to see in 2015

Gutted after Saturday, the Hawks played a game from heaven and we weren't up for it. On to 2015.

Player review.

Re-sign

Malceski - Will stick around now that he feels there is unfinished business to do, a great mentor for Rohan, will sign a 2 year with kicker or 3 year 1.5 million with the red and white.

Retirements

Shaw - probably getting a little slow for the game and the Swans need to blood some new defenders, there is a chance he wants/needs to look after his brother over at GWS to make sure he doesn't do too many stupid things.

Goodes - Legend, champion, time for a role in politics, probably could go again but won't.

Struggle for game time in 2015

Grundy - contracted for next year but a succession plan has to be considered, will likely retire next year, no need to trade

Lloyd - Feel good story but isn't up to it at this truly elite level, doesn't have a real position in the side. Should see plenty of time in the 2s.

Rampe - Shown up a couple of times throughout the year but always responded well, will see how he handles 2015.

Players that need to step up/change their game

Kieran Jack - 1 year removed from AA selection, needs to support the mids more, dropped off penetration into the 50.

Jetta - Had a good year but seems to get exposed with early physical targeting, needs to change.

Reid - Needs to be moved into defence, replace Reg at CHB. Struggled getting settled into the swingman role, a tough one to play. CHB will showcase his marking.

McGlynn - Not a midfielder (absolute great player) play him as a small forward and let him thrive at the feet of Buddy and Tip

2s, young kids and dark horses

Walsh - Big bodied, playing plenty of games in the back line, a chance to replace a slow/injured Grundy.

Zak Jones - Will definitely see plenty of time in 1sts next season.

Membrey - Need another mid sized forward with Goodes and Reid gone from those positions, showed promise and could fill that role.

Nankervis - Helps with the ruckload and can play a role in front of goals, could push Membrey out.





Team round 1 2015.

B:Smith, Richards, Rampe
HB: Rohan, Reid, Malceski
C:Jack, Kennedy, Jones
HF: Hannebery, Franklin, Bird
F: McGlynn, Tippet, Membrey
Foll: Pyke, Parker, McVeigh

I/C Jetta, Heeney, Mitchell, Cunningham

[magic.merkin]

Heya!

Thanks for your input, but this and heaps more is being discussed over at
List changes and trade bait (merged thread) . Think that might be the place to post.

[mcs]

Frawley might help. Beams and Ryder wouldn't help us. Probably just add to the problem

We need another 185cm plus strength around stoppages to clear the ball, help out JPK.

Only ones with potential there are Dan Robinson and Marsh. Having Mitchell fit and running would be a bonus

I think Saturday really exposed our issue at the coal face in terms of clearances, and how desperately we need Mitchell to have a full pre-season and hit the new year firing. We just don't have that ROK, Bolton, Kirk style player at the moment. I think we were really shown up for being unbalanced at the clearances, and I do agree we could use another big bodied midfielder like JPK around the stoppages - to a point, that is where we missed Mummy the most this season, with his excellent ability for a ruckman to get hands on the ball as well in close.

[ugg]

On TWR, Mal's manager said GC has offered 3 years, most other teams 2 years and the Swans only 1 year. Sounds like GC is in the front running at this stage, but the uncertainty over McKenna's future is working against them.

[Conor_Dillon]

Sydney only 1 year? That's a bit of a slap in the face for one of our most valuable players...no wonder he is looking elsewhere.

[churry]

Mal has been onn1 year deals for a while now. I reckon he will probably get a 2 year offer from the swans. On trade radio it didn't sound too promising from his manager, the term "difficult" summed it up.

[Plugger46]

I don't think we lack much at all. Maybe an extra tall/big-bodied midfielder.

We're an excellent footy side that played an absolute howler on the biggest day of the year. The opposition were also terrific. We haven't turned into a basket case in 48 hours.

[Matt80]

Sydney only 1 year? That's a bit of a slap in the face for one of our most valuable players...no wonder he is looking elsewhere.

Why is Malceski's manager letting this information go public? It's not an online auction. Is the manager trying to coerce the Swans into a position? Odd!

[ugg]

I don't think we lack much at all. Maybe an extra tall/big-bodied midfielder.

We're an excellent footy side that played an absolute howler on the biggest day of the year. The opposition were also terrific. We haven't turned into a basket case in 48 hours.

I agree with all that but you can't escape the fact the last 2 times we lost in a final was because of our inability to stand up to (admittedly incredibly intense) pressure from the opposition. That is our glaring weakness at the moment and no doubt the top sides will be honing on it next year.

[Conor_Dillon]

All the parties that have interest in Malceski would know what the Swans and other clubs have offered...no harm in the public knowing as well.

[magic.merkin]

I don't think we lack much at all. Maybe an extra tall/big-bodied midfielder.

We're an excellent footy side that played an absolute howler on the biggest day of the year. The opposition were also terrific. We haven't turned into a basket case in 48 hours.

+1, but i'd say KPD over mid

- - - Updated - - -

I agree with all that but you can't escape the fact the last 2 times we lost in a final was because of our inability to stand up to (admittedly incredibly intense) pressure from the opposition. That is our glaring weakness at the moment and no doubt the top sides will be honing on it next year.

And in 2012 we withstood it with mostly the same list. recreating that pressure will be hard for opposition clubs and the only way we will learn from it is to keep experiencing it.

[Matt80]

All the parties that have interest in Malceski would know what the Swans and other clubs have offered...no harm in the public knowing as well.

It's prudent to only offer a one year deal to Malceski at this time of his career. ROK had two years and they probably wished that he had retired at the end of 2013.

There is talk about needing a powerful big bodied midfielder. Petracca is already 92kgs of power. Imagine his frame in 18 months. Going for Petracca is bold, but he is a great prospect.

[Conor_Dillon]

I don't think anyone doubts that Petracca will be a star...but will he make us better than Parker or Hannebery can in 2015 and 2016? Probably not. There's no guarantees our window will still be open when he really starts to shine, Buddy and Tip will be nearly 30 and Ted will most likely be retired with Grundy on the verge. Pyke will probably be finished too...our midfield would be in the top 2 or 3 in the comp but without gun KP players then it won't win us a premiership.