2016 Team

[Ludwig]

We are being rated (by bookies) at around a 10-1 shot for the flag next year. I think that's a fair assessment. It's really not as bad as it seems. It's difficult to win a premiership under any conditions and Hawthorn have easily disposed of the past 3 challengers in the GF. WCE have improved their list with the Jetta acquisition and will get their 2 best key defenders back from injury.

I can understand how those outside the club see lots of holes in our list, but I think it's more that we have a number of players with little experience that we will depend upon to step up if we are to make a serious challenge for the title. An objective observer would say that's not likely to happen. Usually clubs with lots of players with under 50 games experience don't win premierships.

Our coaching staff should approach next year as the beginning of a 3 year period to challenge for another premiership. We will have to give substantial game time to several players with little or not experience, in some cases, just to see how they perform, in others to give them badly needed experience in preparation for 2017 and beyond.

• Jones, Mills and Hewett should all be very good players and should get a more than just a handful of games next year. Jones is probably ready for a regular starting position. He could be used as a defensive (run with) midfielder to help his development. He has the tools to do that well. Both of our captains did lots of time in that role in their early years.
• I think we need someone like Rohan to provide rebound out of defense. We might try Nic Newman and see how that goes, which means that Towers, Heeney and Cunningham will need to have big years providing small forward options to compliment our formidable tall forward line.
• I would like to see us fast track Abe Davis and try to get him a dozen games next year, most likely as a forward. This could give us a bit more flexibility with Reid in that he could move to defense if needed.
• We need to find 2 good players out of Xav Richards, Aliir, Melican and a reconstructed AJ, with the latter 2 likely to remain questionable even after next season.
• It would be nice to get a healthy year from Naismith and see progress with Nankervis. Naismith looks to have the traits of a high quality mobile ruckman who can also win more than his share of the ruck contests. Nanka will take a few years to develop.

If we remain in the top 4 and see most of our inexperienced players make good progress, then I would call it a successful year. It will be a bit reminiscent of 2011, which I found quite enjoyable because can you see something good was happening. A lot has to go right, particularly with players like Rohan and Towers for us to have a real crack at a premiership next year. The 10-1 odds seem about right that all these pieces will come together well, but it's not out of the question.

[Conor_Dillon]

Agree with most of that Ludwig, but I'd like to see Heeney start to play more midfield minutes (if the coaching staff think he's physically ready). It will give us an extra dimension with his marking ability around the ground and it will also allow guys like Joey and Parks to spend more time inside 50.

Also, I'd prefer to see Rohan playing more off a wing and even some midfield time if his endurance allows it. His explosiveness off the mark and tackling ability will also give us a bit more x-factor in the middle.

Hawthorn have shown the benefits of having 8-10 guys capable of attending centre bounces, whereas we are reluctant to go outside of our core 5-6.

[Levii3]

Zac Jones can provide similar run and carry as Shaw maybe not consistently but with more games he would be good in the HB line. Gary Rohan would be perfect for a role similar to Gunston but he doesn't have a tank.

I love Teddy but i hope what happen to ROK happens to Ted and he plays Resserves the second half of the season which would mean X would have taken his spot in the team which is what you want young players taking the spot of older ones and not just hanging around and waiting for them to retire (Ted should have retired)

We were never considered favourites in 2005 or 2012 it won't really effect us

Mills will spend more time in the Midfield than Heeney next year Heeney is just too good forward can kick 30 goals next year

[Conor_Dillon]

Mills will spend more time in the Midfield than Heeney next year Heeney is just too good forward can kick 30 goals next year

I think Mills will be a genuine star of the competition but I doubt he will be leap-frogging any of our current mids straight away. He will most likely come in and play a similar role to Heeney this year, or potentially even off half-back.

Thankfully his debut won't be in that horrid green vest!

[Markus26]

Has anyone heard a word on Bird? Are we fishing for possible suitors or is he staying? I just can't see him playing another game for the seniors.

[Ludwig]

Agree with most of that Ludwig, but I'd like to see Heeney start to play more midfield minutes (if the coaching staff think he's physically ready). It will give us an extra dimension with his marking ability around the ground and it will also allow guys like Joey and Parks to spend more time inside 50.

Also, I'd prefer to see Rohan playing more off a wing and even some midfield time if his endurance allows it. His explosiveness off the mark and tackling ability will also give us a bit more x-factor in the middle.

Hawthorn have shown the benefits of having 8-10 guys capable of attending centre bounces, whereas we are reluctant to go outside of our core 5-6.

We probably will see more of Heeney in the midfield next year, but most likely as an outside player, mainly because we have other options that are better suited as inside players. We need to get Hewett playing next year. He can play on the outside, but is more suited as an inside midfielder. I think Mills can develop as a backline general although eventually will be destined for the midfield as well. It will be an advantage being able to rotate lots of players through the midfield. It's just a matter of how well our coaches can get the rotations working effectively with so many young players.

I left out Perris in my previous post, who is another clever player. Hopefully he can recover from this series of knee injuries and go on to be valuable player for us.

We've got a lot of talent on our list that outsiders don't see due to lack of senior level exposure. If we catch a break on the injury front, I can see good things happening next year.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

There is were we are as at today. A massive 12 uncontracted players.

7 Senior player and 5 Rookies uncontracted at the end of this year. I just can't find out about Keiran Jack's contract terms

Sam Naismith has been upgraded and Aliir Aliir had an extension of 1 year.

There has to be plenty of movements to extend/delist AJ/BJ/MARSH/HEWETT/ROBINSON/NANKERVIS and Keiran Jack.

Rookies NEWMAN/PERRIS/FOOTE/McLAREN/MELICAN on the chopping block.


Swans Contracted players ast at 21102015.jpg

We are waiting for the end of trade period before culling but with who?

[lorakf]

Is there a rookie contract rule similar to the full list players that states if the club selects a player under the age of 23, that has not been previously listed at an AFL club, he must be offered a two year deal? If that was the case then Newman, McLaren and Foote would still have another year. Or are all Rookies on one year deals?

[Auntie.Gerald]

i thought Rookies were a 2 year deal ?

[liz]

Generally local rookies are put on one year deals. Internationals must be given two (at least). There can be exceptions. For example, the Swans gave Perris a two year rookie contract to help persuade him to sign with the Swans rather than try his luck in the draft.

[Ludwig]

Generally local rookies are put on one year deals. Internationals must be given two (at least). There can be exceptions. For example, the Swans gave Perris a two year rookie contract to help persuade him to sign with the Swans rather than try his luck in the draft.

Do you know if taking O'Riordan automatically expands out list to 45 players, meaning we still have to go with 38 + 6 and the Internationals are in addition to that; or can they be included with the six regular rookies if we wish?

[Auntie.Gerald]

If Adam Treloar is on $750k pa as reported joining the Pies

What would Parker be on going forward with his new contract ?

[WauchopeAnalyst]

Do you know if taking O'Riordan automatically expands out list to 45 players, meaning we still have to go with 38 + 6 and the Internationals are in addition to that; or can they be included with the six regular rookies if we wish?

I thought that international rookies, or B category rookies, don't count. But i am just trying to remember. The rules change all the time.

[WauchopeAnalyst]

If Adam Treloar is on $750k pa as reported joining the Pies

What would Parker be on going forward with his new contract ?

Parker might hear telephone numbers on his contract and start thinking. Everyone (most) has a price.

[Mug Punter]

Parker might hear telephone numbers on his contract and start thinking. Everyone (most) has a price.

There's no reason why we cannot give Luke a very competitive contract with the new TV deal and the flow on effect , I would hope it is a priority as soon as he gets back for pre-season. Sign him up to a five year deal that takes him through to being an unrestricted free agent