Round 1 V Essendon

[ernie koala]

I'd prefer Rohan in the forward line actually.

I Think Rohan is far better as a fwd.

I agree.

I liked the idea of him as a damaging half back flanker. But he seems a natural forward to me.

He's just too skittish and excitable to be a reliable defender.

He looks far more comfortable, and dangerous, as a forward.

[Ludwig]

Towers has made steady progress over the past 2 years and has now reached as a decent AFL level. He's on a good trajectory and is playing well enough for someone with just a handful of games experience. He has all the physical attributes to become very capable HFF. I would like to see if getting more senior game time will keep him on this trajectory where he can fulfill his potential.

If we look beyond a Goodes retirement, I think our forward line can handle a quartet of Buddy, Tippett, Towers and Rohan. In fact, both Towers and Rohan still have enormous upside to their games. I'm not a football coach and I don't know what it takes to get the best out of these two, but as a fan, I feel they bring the kind of game style I like to see.

[Flying South]

I agree.

I liked the idea of him as a damaging half back flanker. But he seems a natural forward to me.

He's just too skittish and excitable to be a reliable defender.

He looks far more comfortable, and dangerous, as a forward.

Couldn't agree more. Rohan is actually a very good mark and straight kick. We all know he is quick and explosive. Towers is in the same boat. I would even like to see them isolated in the goal square on occasions and use that speed and explosiveness leading out into space. There wouldn't be many defenders that could go with them. I think the Half back experiment hasn't worked for Rohan and time to give Rampe a shot. And I still think Jetts is better suited to a wing position delivering the ball inside 50

[Melbourne_Blood]

Rohan has only ever taken one game completely by the scruff and that was as a defender ( PF V Roos, what a performance !) . I think his run is needed more out of defence and through the middle, if he can add some consistency he'll be a very damaging back flanker for us this year.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Couldn't agree more. Rohan is actually a very good mark and straight kick. We all know he is quick and explosive. Towers is in the same boat. I would even like to see them isolated in the goal square on occasions and use that speed and explosiveness leading out into space. There wouldn't be many defenders that could go with them. I think the Half back experiment hasn't worked for Rohan and time to give Rampe a shot. And I still think Jetts is better suited to a wing position delivering the ball inside 50

Agreed. Just imagine in two years time when our key backs have developed and these guys can be released into their natural positions, esp Rohan.

[Conor_Dillon]

I think the coaches know best...if they believe that Rohan is better suited to the backline then I'm happy to trust their judgement.

[ScottH]

Rohan has only ever taken one game completely by the scruff and that was as a defender ( PF V Roos, what a performance !) . I think his run is needed more out of defence and through the middle, if he can add some consistency he'll be a very damaging back flanker for us this year.

He will be needed to take up the slack from the whole Melcho has left!!
And his run will be more damaging that Shaws.

[Nico]

That's pretty harsh. He was one of our most consistent performers last year, earned a well deserved Rising Star nomination and has loads more potential given he's only 21. His exceptional roving ability plugs a vital gap in our forward line given all the tall timber we have planted down there. IMHO he has excellent composure and toughness, not to mention his endurance.

I'll also add that he was given a number of crucial tagging roles in the latter half of 2014 and performed excellently. Hardly consistent with someone who is "soft".

A tagger follows players around tackling and trying to deny them disposal ability. I am talking about his ability to win his own hard ball. He doesn't have that ability. How he got a Rising Star nomination before Lloyd is beyond me. He has good composure when he gets the easy loose ball and is well clear of opponents. I suspect he was made a tagger because he wasn't a success up forward (usually the reason). I won't be convinced about him until he shows genuine toughness. He reminds me of the typical half forward flanker in unsuccessful sides of the 70's.

[undy]

A tagger follows players around tackling and trying to deny them disposal ability. I am talking about his ability to win his own hard ball. He doesn't have that ability. How he got a Rising Star nomination before Lloyd is beyond me. He has good composure when he gets the easy loose ball and is well clear of opponents. I suspect he was made a tagger because he wasn't a success up forward (usually the reason). I won't be convinced about him until he shows genuine toughness. He reminds me of the typical half forward flanker in unsuccessful sides of the 70's.

Interesting. I always think that Lloyd is fairly soft and virtually disappears in hard games (twice last year v the Hawks). I'd definitely rate Lloyd as less aggressive than Cunningham, but obviously neither are in the league of say Benny McG. Jarred Moore is testament to the fact that you need pace, not just aggression.

[Ludwig]

Our 2 captains spent much of their early careers as taggers. I can't remember how much they won of their own ball, but I don't think the name McHack was meant to be complimentary. And Jack would regularly get embarrassed by GAJ, although that is no surprise. I think that when Cunningham is given a job to stop Hill or Boomer from impacting the game, how much counterplay he gets is not so important at this stage of his development.

[jono2707]

I think Harry is a smart cookie. E had good pace and physically he seems to be building himself up to where he should be. He may not have the natural talent that would have seen him taken high in a draft, but his application seems to be getting him places.

I think his 2014 was pleasantly surprising and he did a number of good shutdowns. Plus he kicked some handy goals. He's doing ok for a youngun and playing his role very smartly....

[Matt80]

I think Harry is a smart cookie. E had good pace and physically he seems to be building himself up to where he should be. He may not have the natural talent that would have seen him taken high in a draft, but his application seems to be getting him places.

I think his 2014 was pleasantly surprising and he did a number of good shutdowns. Plus he kicked some handy goals. He's doing ok for a youngun and playing his role very smartly....

Another benefit to former rookies like Cunningham and Lloyd is the lower wage base and benefits to the salary cap. Rookies start from a lower wage base than senior list players and their wage increases are always measured against their previous salaries which start lower.

I would imagine that the salary increase of a Heath Grundy would be slower than a key defence prospect taken in the first round who has played well. Nick Smith's early salary increases would have been slower than a first round small defender.

Rookies who come good allow more flexibility and room in the salary cap. They are gold to your clubs player payments budget.

The Swans have Smith, Rampe, Grundy, K.Jack, Lloyd and Cunningham off the rookie list.

We also have players at the lower end of the depth chart like Brandon Jack, X Richards and Daniel Robinson who have been promoted from the rookie list.

It's good budget management policy.

[ugg]

Ben Mcglynn (hamstring ) ruled out of Saturdays match v Dons by John Longmire . Tippett and Mcveigh ok Heeney likely to debut @superfooty

— Neil Cordy (@neilcordy) March 30, 2015

[liz]

?The only one we?ve ruled out at this stage is Ben McGlynn, everyone else is a chance to play,? Longmire said

So AJ's a chance?

[magic.merkin]

So AJ's a chance?

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