Sydney Swans best 22, 2015 AFL Premiership Season

[Auntie.Gerald]

Ok so now we have our full squad

Here is my guess at the two squads for 2015


Snrs

FB: Smith, Reg, Rampe
HB: McVeigh, Richards, Rohan
C: Jetta, Kennedy, Hannebery
HF: Jack, Franklin, Bird
FF: McGlynn, TIP, Goodes
R: Pyke, Mitchell, Parker
Int: Reid Lloyd Cunningham S: Jones

In my opinion we need MINIMUM ......Rohan and Macca and maybe Jones firing off the HBF rotation to be any chance of making our backline a weapon like the Hawks........


Ressies

FB: Laidler, X, Melican
HB: Newman, Aliir, Shaw
C: B.Jack, Hewett, Hiscox
HF: Foote, Davis, Perris
FF: Rose, Nanny, Towers
R: Derickx, Heeney, Robinson
Int: McLaren, Marsh, Naismith S: AJ

Id like to see Marsh continue as a midfielder like his first half of 2014

[dimelb]

I like your selections AG, but I think the club will probably go with Shaw in the seniors, possibly at the expense of Jones. I prefer your choices.

I also think we will see Heeney in the seniors sooner rather than later.

Your comment about the Hawks backline points out where we need to give special attention. We finished the season as the best defensive unit, but although I don't know the details offhand, I suspect the Hawks rated as the best attacking defence.

[sharp9]

Interestingly over the past 5 or so years we have now developed one of the most "keen" lists in the entire AFL.

What I mean by that is that out of 44 listed players no fewer than 17 of them wanted to go to the Swans as their team of choice!

This contrasts with the usual 3 or 4 at any one time over the past 20 years (Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Craig Bolton, LRT, Ben Mathews, Sean Dempster, Doyle, Ed Barlow, Tadgh Kennelly....that's about it really....I don't include NSW rookies who were never going to be of interest to other clubs and never looked like making it)

13 from NSW

Jarrad Mcveigh
Kieran Jack
Craig Bird
Dane Rampe
Harry Cunningham
Brandon Jack
Daniel Robinson
Isaac Heeney
Jack Hiscox
Abe Davis
Lloyd Perris
Sam Naismith
Jordan Foote

1 father - son
Tom Mitchell

1 brother - brother
Xavier Richards

1 International Rookie
Mike Pyke

1 Sudanese Swans supporter
Aliir Aliir

Already that is more than a third....and next year there will be at least one more academy player and one more father son - so there should be 19 out of 44 which must be way higher than the AFL average. Probably even the SA and WA teams don't have that many.

[stevoswan]

I'm expecting Mitchell to be a regular pick next season, but with Heeney expected to also be given a chance earlier rather than later, that coupled with Horses penchant for team stability/minimal changes, I'm hoping Mitchell doesn't end up battling Heeney for his spot. If Heeney gets the edge, Tom will be off at seasons end to be sure(or at least when he's a free agent). Hoping there's room for both. Talent alone says YES! But who goes? Lloyd, Cunners or Bird? They all deserve to stay in at this point. Nice to have so much talent available......fighting for spots should see efforts rise.

[wolftone57]

Interestingly over the past 5 or so years we have now developed one of the most "keen" lists in the entire AFL.

What I mean by that is that out of 44 listed players no fewer than 17 of them wanted to go to the Swans as their team of choice!

This contrasts with the usual 3 or 4 at any one time over the past 20 years (Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Craig Bolton, LRT, Ben Mathews, Sean Dempster, Doyle, Ed Barlow, Tadgh Kennelly....that's about it really....I don't include NSW rookies who were never going to be of interest to other clubs and never looked like making it)

13 from NSW

Jarrad Mcveigh
Kieran Jack
Craig Bird
Dane Rampe
Harry Cunningham
Brandon Jack
Daniel Robinson
Isaac Heeney
Jack Hiscox
Abe Davis
Lloyd Perris
Sam Naismith
Jordan Foote

1 father - son
Tom Mitchell

1 brother - brother
Xavier Richards

1 International Rookie
Mike Pyke

1 Sudanese Swans supporter
Aliir Aliir

Already that is more than a third....and next year there will be at least one more academy player and one more father son - so there should be 19 out of 44 which must be way higher than the AFL average. Probably even the SA and WA teams don't have that many.

I think both Tippett and Buddy chose the Swans rather than the other way round. In fact the rigmarole trying to fit Buddy into the salary cap was astounding. His management contacted the Swans not the other way round. Kurt was so excited he managed to get here as he has long been a fan of the Swans. Hannas was also extremely excited to be here. He loves the Swans and his actions since getting here suggest he loves and plays for the jumper & club.

[wolftone57]

I'm expecting Mitchell to be a regular pick next season, but with Heeney expected to also be given a chance earlier rather than later, that coupled with Horses penchant for team stability/minimal changes, I'm hoping Mitchell doesn't end up battling Heeney for his spot. If Heeney gets the edge, Tom will be off at seasons end to be sure(or at least when he's a free agent). Hoping there's room for both. Talent alone says YES! But who goes? Lloyd, Cunners or Bird? They all deserve to stay in at this point. Nice to have so much talent available......fighting for spots should see efforts rise.

I don't see them as clashing as they are slightly different types of players. Heeney plays tall and as an extractor is a bull, like Fyfe/Mundy whereas Tommy is an in and under subtle extractor. In other words you don't know the ball has gone until after it has with Mitchell, much like Sam Mitchell. I also think there is room for them both at different stages of the year. There could be more rotation of mids this year to ensure players don't get over burdened. Some experts have suggested Heeney will play forward for his first season with short stints in the mids. Mitchell will definitely start. Up until he was injured he was an automatic selection early last year.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Alex Johnson on his debut, R3 2011 - YouTube

AJ debut

[S.S. Bleeder]

I read on BF the other day that his infection has apparently cleared up, and that's why the LARS surgery is all go now. Still, Jan 1st is still a while away, so maybe they're making sure the infection is gone properly over time, before proceeding. Hope word that the infection is gone is true, I was very worried about it, they can hang around for years in worst case scenarios. Hopefully now it's onward to the glory he deserves!

I'm sorry to say that it is extremely unlikely that he will be having an op in January. The last one was rejected only a couple of months ago. I've spoken to a sports medicine friend of mine. The infection he has is undetectable (hence the previous issues) and there is no way of knowing for certain if he is clear or not. They will take their time with AJ as this will be his last chance I would suspect. It really pains me to say that as I'm a huge fan of his. It will probably be another 12 months before he has his op. That will give him the best chance of being clear of the infection.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Your club's best 22 for round one, 2015 - AFL.com.au

Sydney Swans
B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Sam Reid
HB: Gary Rohan, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
C: Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Harry Cunningham
HF: Tom Mitchell, Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery
F: Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Ben McGlynn
R: Mike Pyke, Luke Parker, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Jetta, Craig Bird
Sub: Jake Lloyd

New players: None
Unavailable: Alex Johnson (knee)

Comment: Expect minor tweaks to the Swans' best line-up after their crushing Grand Final defeat. Sam Reid could vacate a crowded forward line and look to add to size in defence, while Gary Rohan shapes as a full-time replacement off half-back for departed All Australian Nick Malceski. Tom Mitchell has made an eye-catching start to pre-season and the time may be right to thrust the clearance specialist into senior football consistently, easing in off half-forward. Disappointing Grand Final performances shouldn't force Lewis Jetta and Jake Lloyd out of the team, but there will be pressure ahead of round one from prized draftee Isaac Heeney and Brandon Jack, who is yet to carve out his role at the Swans. Zak Jones has enjoyed a strong start to pre-season and is eyeing a role in the backline. - Nathan Schmook

[wolftone57]

I'm sorry to say that it is extremely unlikely that he will be having an op in January. The last one was rejected only a couple of months ago. I've spoken to a sports medicine friend of mine. The infection he has is undetectable (hence the previous issues) and there is no way of knowing for certain if he is clear or not. They will take their time with AJ as this will be his last chance I would suspect. It really pains me to say that as I'm a huge fan of his. It will probably be another 12 months before he has his op. That will give him the best chance of being clear of the infection.

Sorry but the rejection was ages ago, nearly a whole season ago.

Swan Alex Johnson faces third knee reconstruction - AFL.com.au

The infection has made things difficult but the club reported the infection is under control.

Sydney's Alex Johnson faces fourth reconstruction

The operation is supposed to go ahead in January. His LARS removal way July, not a couple of months ago. Hopefully the infection will have cleared.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Here's my submission on what the ideal team for next year should be;

FB. Reid, Grundy, Smith
HB. Rampe, T. Richards, McVeigh
C. Hannebery, Mitchell, Jetta
HF. K. Jack, Franklin, Cunningham
FF. Goodes, Tippett, McGlynn
R. Pyke, Kennedy, Parker
Int. Jones, Bird, Rohan
Sub. Heeney
Emerg. Towers, Lloyd, Nankervis

Hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

I suspect that Shaw will play in the side for most of the year as Longmire doesn't like to make big changes, however I don't believe he deserves a spot.

[wolftone57]

Tip is looking like a monster in the training footage. Same Buddy, who seems to be over the thumb & shoulder problems that have plagued his career. The young blokes are pushing training according to Rhyce, not the other way round, most curious. I would have thought the older blokes would have been driving training? but if the younger blokes are really keen that satisfies me greatly, it shows a desire for success.

I am loathe to predict who will fit into the team the first game of the year due to unforeseen training injuries and preseason games etc. Someone might come along in the preseason and completely change the pecking order due to form, like Rampe last year. But if I was to look at the list as it is, Jonno withstanding, I think this is the likely line up. I say this due to the coaching staff not being willing to take risks of any sort and being a bit staid. There are also times in a season when a player needs to be dropped due to poor form. Last year Hannas, Birdie, Kizza (due to injury), Macca, Sammy, Tip, Reg, Teddy, Harry & Rhyce all had form slumps. Every one except Birdie was allowed to regain form in the seniors. I don't believe in that as it either cost us early games or nearly cost us games; See Port, Suns, Richmond (2 it did the last). I believe an out of form player, no matter who he is, should regain form in the Twos.

So this is what I think the selection committee will pick if all stays the same as last year (form, no bolters etc);

Backline; Smith Richards Rohan

Half Backline; Shaw Grundy Rampe

Centre; Jetta Parker Hannaberry

Half Forward ; Cunningham Franklin McVeigh

Forward; McGlinn Tippett Goodes

Followers; Pyke Kennedy Mitchell

Reserves: Jack, Bird, Reid, Sub; Lloyd.


The Reserves best team only few top ups;

Backs; McLachlan Richards Jones

Half Backs; Newman Aliir Laidler

Centre; Robinson Hewett Foote

Half Forward; Jack Davis Hiscox

Forward; Towers Nankervis Rose

Followers; Derrickx Heeney Perris

Bench; Naismith, Davis, Marsh, Mellican

Emergencies not on list; Mills, Hey, Hadden & Dickson.

[Ludwig]

The Reserves best team only few top ups;

Backs; McLachlan Richards Jones

Half Backs; Newman Aliir Laidler

Centre; Robinson Hewett Foote

Half Forward; Jack Davis Hiscox

Forward; Towers Nankervis Rose

Followers; Derrickx Heeney Perris

Bench; Naismith, Davis, Marsh, Mellican

Emergencies not on list; Mills, Hey, Hadden & Dickson.

I hope you're right; it would be great having McLaghlan in our defence, especially if we can get him on our side by Monday.

[Auntie.Gerald]

McLaghlan ??

[Ludwig]

I've been traded where...?

gillon surprised.jpg Can I top up my salary with some COLA? Heh? Ya say I took that away from them? Why would I that? It costs a bloody fortune to live in Sydney?

Ya say I'm rich already and don't need the COLA? Lucky for me.

I better pack my bags.