Sydney Swans best 22, 2015 AFL Premiership Season

[Melbournehammer]

What I am picking up on with many comments is that everyone seems to be talking about options that WILL NOT HELP THE SWANS WIN A FLAG NEXT YEAR. Yes, Naismith, yes Heeney, yes X Richards - but will 'game time' result in a premiership in 2015? No it won't. I don't understand the thinking when the premiership window is open now (and just barely). Everyone is talking about options that won't come to fruition until Buddy is into his 30s and Tippett has retired. Geez. That's why the VFL decision was @@@@@@ and it will probably have the effect they desired.

Heeney and Jones may help win a flag next year but as far as KPD we are @@@@@@.

But what is the point of your post ? We can't trade in someone and we can't draft an hitherto undiscovered kpd unless they come from Ireland or rugby.

The reality is - does our list have the capacity to finish top four. That is the only aim - top four and you're in with being the best team in September. Not the team with the best list best forward best midfield etc.

Our best 25 can match it with pretty much everyone except the Hawks. Provided we win 16 games out of 22 we are quite capable of beating most anyone on our day, and with tweaks to coaching, players and game plan we might actually be capable of beating hawthorn

[jono2707]

Regardless of the existence of the trading ban or not, the fact that we got Buddy last year (and to a lesser extent Tippett the year before) was always going to mean that our list would tail off into inexperienced, but talented, youngsters. It was inevitable that we had to trade away some depth players like Everitt, Armstrong, Biggs and others as well as let Mal go to a better offer. It's been a calculated risk that almost paid off this year. I'm confident that the absolute quality at the top of our list will pull up some of the youngsters that we have developing at the other end of the list.

Yes the trade ban is ridiculous, but I don't think it will necessitate much of a change to our direction for 2015. Come back to me in a year for an assessment of the impact on 2016 (if the ban is still in place)...

[Bloodthirsty]

But what is the point of your post ? We can't trade in someone and we can't draft an hitherto undiscovered kpd unless they come from Ireland or rugby.

The reality is - does our list have the capacity to finish top four. That is the only aim - top four and you're in with being the best team in September. Not the team with the best list best forward best midfield etc.

Our best 25 can match it with pretty much everyone except the Hawks. Provided we win 16 games out of 22 we are quite capable of beating most anyone on our day, and with tweaks to coaching, players and game plan we might actually be capable of beating hawthorn

I agree with what you are saying. And the point of my post is that the Swans need to do things like play Derickx for most games instead of the very young rucks (except for a few easy games). With the exception of Ryder, ruckmen are pretty limited skill-wise anyway, so if Derickx comes on with arms and legs flailing and kocks out McEvoy and Hale, then that is what we need. Sometimes Pyke approaches like he is about the enquire about the Dow Jones or something.

[Matt80]

My senior team:

B Reid Richards Smith
H.B Rohan Grundy Rampe
C Jetta K.Jack Hannas
H.F McVeigh Franklin Cunning
F Mglynn Tippett Goodes
Foll Pyke Parker Kennedy
Inter Mitchell Lloyd Heeney
Sub Jones

[troyjones2525]

I agree with what you are saying. And the point of my post is that the Swans need to do things like play Derickx for most games instead of the very young rucks (except for a few easy games). With the exception of Ryder, ruckmen are pretty limited skill-wise anyway, so if Derickx comes on with arms and legs flailing and kocks out McEvoy and Hale, then that is what we need. Sometimes Pyke approaches like he is about the enquire about the Dow Jones or something.

Having watched a couple of NEAFL games on YouTube this year including the grand final I still believe that hoping that Nankervis moves ahead of Derickx is the way to go! If you want to see Derickx play solely to add some grunt to our side then I still think that Nankervis showed he has that side to his game also this year, with the added bonus that he can take a mark and kick a goal or two! As an earlier post said, if we are in the situation that we are relying on Tom D as our number 1 ruck option then we are totally stuffed!

[Auntie.Gerald]

My senior team:

B Reid Richards Smith
H.B Rohan Grundy Rampe
C Jetta K.Jack Hannas
H.F McVeigh Franklin Cunning
F Mglynn Tippett Goodes
Foll Pyke Parker Kennedy
Inter Mitchell Lloyd Heeney
Sub Jones

That is an exciting team but could that mixture of youth mix it with the HAWKS fully fit in a GF ?

Maybe ?

[Matt80]

That is an exciting team but could that mixture of youth mix it with the HAWKS fully fit in a GF ?

Maybe ?

You would hope that everyone plays better than the GF, but the following guys would need to improve their seasons in 2015:

Rohan
Reid
Jetta
Tippett
Goodes
Mitchell

We would also need the younger brigade of Cunningham and Lloyd to continue their forward momentum.

An immediate impact from Heeney and Jones would also be desired.

[Flying South]

I agree with what you are saying. And the point of my post is that the Swans need to do things like play Derickx for most games instead of the very young rucks (except for a few easy games). With the exception of Ryder, ruckmen are pretty limited skill-wise anyway, so if Derickx comes on with arms and legs flailing and kocks out McEvoy and Hale, then that is what we need. Sometimes Pyke approaches like he is about the enquire about the Dow Jones or something.

I was reading the Michael Gleeson piece in The Age about ruckman and the following stood out to me
"One club's ruck coach said it was difficult to assess the value of ruckmen because people tried to distil their game to statistics that were inadequate and misleading, because the intangibles of a good ruck were unquantifiable.

"What value do you put on a big bloke having presence? What value do you put on a bloke who knocks midfielders over, blocks and puts the wind up them? None of those are stats."

Yes Mike held his own against Hawthorn stats wise. But they are just stats. Could the intangibles that I think Tom brings be more important to team success. Especially against Hawthorn. Tom was our ruckman in rnd9 when we beat them. Mike was our ruckman in the other two games and we lost both. Just saying.

[mcs]

I was reading the Michael Gleeson piece in The Age about ruckman and the following stood out to me
"One club's ruck coach said it was difficult to assess the value of ruckmen because people tried to distil their game to statistics that were inadequate and misleading, because the intangibles of a good ruck were unquantifiable.

"What value do you put on a big bloke having presence? What value do you put on a bloke who knocks midfielders over, blocks and puts the wind up them? None of those are stats."

Yes Mike held his own against Hawthorn stats wise. But they are just stats. Could the intangibles that I think Tom brings be more important to team success. Especially against Hawthorn. Tom was our ruckman in rnd9 when we beat them. Mike was our ruckman in the other two games and we lost both. Just saying.

Your arguing in one part of it that post that ruckman are relatively unimportant in their main role but then suggesting derricx is the reason we beat the dawks in rd 9.

I agree that the role of the ruckman is often over rated and physical presence is important- but I cant agree that derricx should be no 1 in front of pyke at all...... but that isnt too say derricx couldnt end up finding a spot in the 22 - but he has to improve a lot around the ground too. A ruckman can have all the presence in the world, but its not much use if he can't give his team some first use of the ball. Go through the stats of Dericx games from this year and youll see that he is an ok ruckman at best.

I hope Naismith continues to progress, as I think we undervalue the potential for two rucks to work well, especially when you throw in tippett to ruck a bit in the forward line.

[S.S. Bleeder]

My senior team:

B Reid Richards Smith
H.B Rohan Grundy Rampe
C Jetta K.Jack Hannas
H.F McVeigh Franklin Cunning
F Mglynn Tippett Goodes
Foll Pyke Parker Kennedy
Inter Mitchell Lloyd Heeney
Sub Jones

The best team I've seen so far. McGlynn needs to be our small fwd. Rohan needs to play at half back as we need the run from there, esp now that Malcho has gone. Reid to go to the 2nd/3rd tall.

I have a feeling that Heeney won't play too many games this year. We usually hold our players back in the Magoos longer than other teams. Maybe Hewitt might come in? I haven't seen him play but the vibe is that he's capable.

[Dosser]

The best team I've seen so far. McGlynn needs to be our small fwd. Rohan needs to play at half back as we need the run from there, esp now that Malcho has gone. Reid to go to the 2nd/3rd tall.

I have a feeling that Heeney won't play too many games this year. We usually hold our players back in the Magoos longer than other teams. Maybe Hewitt might come in? I haven't seen him play but the vibe is that he's capable.

Don't forget of course, that Heeney has been playing in the magoos already. Unlike a normal first round pick who comes to the club 'cold', Heeney already knows our training, culture, positional play, teammates, and most important of all, what is required to play. All that remains for him is to show that he deserves a place and he will be in (Mitchell's 2014 scenario notwithstanding). I actually think that Heeney may just hit the ground running as most of the other draft picks will have to get used to the above before they can get a game.

[Flying South]

Your arguing in one part of it that post that ruckman are relatively unimportant in their main role but then suggesting derricx is the reason we beat the dawks in rd 9.

I agree that the role of the ruckman is often over rated and physical presence is important- but I cant agree that derricx should be no 1 in front of pyke at all...... but that isnt too say derricx couldnt end up finding a spot in the 22 - but he has to improve a lot around the ground too. A ruckman can have all the presence in the world, but its not much use if he can't give his team some first use of the ball. Go through the stats of Dericx games from this year and youll see that he is an ok ruckman at best.

I hope Naismith continues to progress, as I think we undervalue the potential for two rucks to work well, especially when you throw in tippett to ruck a bit in the forward line.

I guess it points out that we have two ruckman that bring two different parts of the role to the table. Two different players that have their pro's and con's. In my view, I prefer the Derickx part. But I don't feel passionately about it either way. If they picked either, I acknowledge it is a weakness. If only we could combine them. Ironically we would end up with some one like Mumford. I don't believe we can play both as some have suggested. I don't see what we gain there.

I too hope Naismith can continue to develop as I think he could be a similar player to Mumford. That is why I am disappointed Naismith has not been upgraded yet. I would like to see him get some handpicked senior games into him. It is hard to do this as a rookie.

Another important player is Nankervis. If he can develop as I think he can as forward/ruck, it will give us options when Tippett's contract is up at the end of 2016. If Naismith hasn't developed as hoped, we could chop a 30 year old Tippett's and use the coin to chase a star ruckman.

"Just my opinion".

[mcs]

I guess it points out that we have two ruckman that bring two different parts of the role to the table. Two different players that have their pro's and con's. In my view, I prefer the Derickx part. But I don't feel passionately about it either way. If they picked either, I acknowledge it is a weakness. If only we could combine them. Ironically we would end up with some one like Mumford. I don't believe we can play both as some have suggested. I don't see what we gain there.

I too hope Naismith can continue to develop as I think he could be a similar player to Mumford. That is why I am disappointed Naismith has not been upgraded yet. I would like to see him get some handpicked senior games into him. It is hard to do this as a rookie.

Another important player is Nankervis. If he can develop as I think he can as forward/ruck, it will give us options when Tippett's contract is up at the end of 2016. If Naismith hasn't developed as hoped, we could chop a 30 year old Tippett's and use the coin to chase a star ruckman.

"Just my opinion".

I'm guessing that AJ will stay on the main list but go on the long term injury list - thus potentially allowing Naismith to be upgraded.

[barry]

I think shaw will struggle to be in the yeam by the later half of next year. Rohan can do his run, and laidler adds a true defenders hard nut

[Scottee]

Considering their youth and/or build I'm expecting Nanka, Naismith, Hewett, Jones and Aliir to come back with significant extra kilos next year. Xav might even put on a bit even though he well be nearly 22 at the start of next season. Robo is also a chance to put on a bit.

Hewett (not 19 until December) must be an option as an HBF especially if he also puts on a couple of cms as well (currently listed as 185cm/77kg, expect him to be listed at about 187/85kg next year, he really stacked on the muscle during the year, also a perfect size for a HBF or ruck rover).

Aliir listed as 91 KG as a 19yo.You would expect that he would put on at least another 5 or so KG. Big enough to take on the big guys.

Naismith, given that he only stopped growing this year can be expected to pile on a few Kgs this year too. Expect about 108Kgs.

Nanka - 101 KG as a 19yo. If he puts on a few kilos he will be an absolute brute.

Jones listed as 181/75Kg. His brother at Melbourne is listed as 87Kg. Expect over 80Kg from Zac if his bro is anything to go by, should be ready for the seniors by then.

The character and physical presence of the list should be quite different next year simply because of the growth of the youth.