List changes and trade bait

[Mel_C]

A bit out of left field, but I think George Burbury (delisted by the Cats) is definitely worth a punt. Local Tassie boy, so i've kept an eye on him. Injuries have hurt him, but has performed well for The Cats when given an opportunity, is still very young, could play that quick, tackling small forward role and be really dangerous. Could pick him up cheap, worth a crack I reckon.

My brother is a Geelong supporter and he didn't rate him at all. He said his skills aren't very good.

[liz]

Given we don't have unlimited list spaces, and need to use some to nuture young key defenders and ruckmen who won't be expected to contribute much at senior level during season 2015 (or at least, anything they do contribute that soon should be seen as a bonus), I don't see the point in 'wasting' a space on yet another midfielder. We already have Mitchell, Hewett, Jones and maybe Heeney who will be hoping to work their way into the team that finished off the year, not to mention the slightly different types in BJ and Towers who are similarly competing for those last few spots in the side.

[Matt80]

How would the team look if you substituted Josh Dunkley for Petracca and we still had Hannebery on our list? Would we be a stronger or weaker side in your opinion?

BTW, you've left out George Hewett, who is nearly certain to be a very good midfielder. I suppose Xav Richards and Allir won't be playing and AJ will retire due to his knee injury. What happened to Biggs? Does Perris have a chance to make our team?

I missed George Hewitt. I will place him in the Towers forward pocket. B. Jack goes out and Towers goes to sub. Josh Dunkley is next in line and it would only be his first year. I think Mills will just be in front.

It's hard to forecast for Alex Johnson as much as I would like too. I think X Richards or Allir will have to be 3rd talls before they are expected to be key backs. I've projected that Grundy and Reid will still be the top two defensive tall backs in 2016.

Mitchell comes into the team really for Bird. Most Red and White followers would have Mitchell ahead of Bird by 2016. Hanners would be a loss, but Heeney, Hewitt, Petracca and Mills need to be developed to build the next Swans midfield dynasty.
Lloyd and Cunningham should be at McGlynn's level by 2016.

The great thing about Petracca is that he can play forward and Heeney can play back due to his great skills. Great flexibility.

[storeymjs]

We'd also need a third tall defender as well...was our main weakness this year.

Have never really replaced Mattner since his retirement

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My brother is a Geelong supporter and he didn't rate him at all. He said his skills aren't very good.

I too have heard that his skills aren't great but is a in and under type

[Dan]

We'd also need a third tall defender as well...was our main weakness this year.

What's wrong with Laidler as a third tall? I know he doesn't provide the same run and carry but he is a pretty solid defender. I am a fan and think he was pretty stiff to be dropped.

[The Big Cat]

I had this dream that AJ's infection cleared up quickly, he had a new LARS and was ready to go round 1. Now that would be a recruit! (on a realistic note however, my doctor daughter says that infections in a joint are notoriously difficult to get rid of and any prognosis is just a guess!)

[Conor_Dillon]

I'm not sure about that. Our defence was the best in the league by a long way, and it is very hard to construe the set up that took us so far as a weakness at all, let alone our 'main weakness'. It is a potential weakness as Reg and Ted move into the autumn years, but I think that out main weakness was in the ruck, and even then it was a well-managed weakness.
And we must not be so harsh on Jetta. He had an outstanding season, week in week out, most usefully when positioned behind the ball. He was terrible on GF day, but the game was lost in the bounces, not outside. For mine, the worst performers on the day were the captains, who rolled over, or at the very least, failed to stand up, in the face of intense physical pressure.

I think our defence was made to look better than it was due to our game style and midfield dominance. Our oppositions score per inside 50 ranked us amongst the middle tier of teams.

It's not a huge weakness...but compared to our midfield (grand final aside) and forward line, it needs more attention. Hopefully they'll move Reid back next year to address it...he's also a very good field kick so his skills coming out of the backline will also be a bonus.

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What's wrong with Laidler as a third tall? I know he doesn't provide the same run and carry but he is a pretty solid defender. I am a fan and think he was pretty stiff to be dropped.

I love Laidler as a player but he's probably not tall enough to be a decent third tall, he's only 1.89 which would be workable if he had that really good closing speed to influence contests with Ted and Reg but he just doesn't. Ideally he'll only every be really good depth.

[RogueSwan]

Have never really replaced Mattner since his retirement

I see Rampe as a sort of replacement. It does seem to have a bit of a tenacious attitude and a booming left foot. Just give him another year.

[Conor_Dillon]

I had this dream that AJ's infection cleared up quickly, he had a new LARS and was ready to go round 1. Now that would be a recruit! (on a realistic note however, my doctor daughter says that infections in a joint are notoriously difficult to get rid of and any prognosis is just a guess!)

I get the feeling hearing and reading interviews with AJ that there's not a player in the country that has more determination to play than him...his confidence also doesn't seem to have wavered so hopefully he can get a bit of luck and start playing some footy by mid-late next year. The main upside is that he's still so young!

[troyjones2525]

Hmmm just saw that Petracca pulled out of his heat of the 3km time trial with 1 lap to go.... Pretty sure Hanners would have the heart to continue! :P

[Ludwig]

Nat Edwards ? @NatEdwards_AFL
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With one lap to go in the 3km time trial, Christian Petracca has pulled out. Looks to be limping a bit

Career appears over. Now planning to go to Melbourne Uni and get an accounting degree.

[troyjones2525]

Hiscox just broke the combine 3km time trial record with a 9:17 mins. Looks like our type of player!

[liz]

Hiscox just broke the combine 3km time trial record with a 9:17 mins. Looks like our type of player!

At least there is no way that Eddie and the mafia can accuse the Swans of instructing their academy players to tank at the Combine. With the Swans having nominated him as an academy selection, Jack is guaranteed he'll be on a spot on some club's senior list next season, so it's not like he has anything to prove...

[Matt80]

Hmmm just saw that Petracca pulled out of his heat of the 3km time trial with 1 lap to go.... Pretty sure Hanners would have the heart to continue! :P

Looks like a niggle from twitter feed.

[707]

So how does our list currently stand? We had the minimum 38 senior players in 2014.

Gone are ROK, LRT, Walsh, Dick, Lockyer, Membrey, Mal, = 31.

Upgrades for Lloyd and X Richards = 33 so still need to find 5 senior players.

We'll use at least three picks at the ND = 36. Still need two more senior players so assume we must be looking to trade in a couple?