2017 pre-season training thread

[56-14]

Thanks - Graemed, mug, 707, & others.

re: B.Jack.
It appears this season is his last chance. Seems a good kid, though I don't think he's AFL standard. (Would like to be wrong!)

[Auntie.Gerald]

"Run with"

[Velour&Ruffles]

Nice rule changes formally announced today.

Not paying head high frees if the tackle is deemed to have been good but the tackled player contributed to the high contact by shrugging or knee buckling, not sure we have many of those free kick milkers but a few other teams have a number of them.

Hewett is our only player who does this. Geelong and the Dogs must be worried sick about this rule change (and the Hawks won't be too happy - query whether Puopolo will survive).

[Bloods05]

I think teams are heading back towards including a "lock-down" player in their team although, the term "tagger" seems out of fashion.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/afl-midfielders-beware-clubs-using-taggers-again/news-story/0d4398e1f83be54fb2909de76b6d1028

Maybe Cap'n Kirk can have a whisper in BJ's ear....

Give Rupert even more money? Nah.

[dimelb]

James Buckley's view:

Sydney Swans moulding huge forward line for 2017

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[707]

James Buckley's view:

Sydney Swans moulding huge forward line for 2017

- - - Updated - - -

When fit Naismith is likely to do the bulk of the centre square ruck work meaning Tippett can play more as a FF and do the fwd ruck work. Reid plays as a CHF giving us two tall targets meaning Buddy can buddy well roam where ever he pleases creating havoc and kicking goals. We just need to find the correct support acts for these guys and like last season it could be a new guy/s stepping up.

I think we forget how good Tippett was early last season and Reid is basically a new recruit so these are additions to our GF team remembering that Tippo was half fit, cracked jaw etc. Getting excited for this season!

[Mountain Man]

With that forward line, and the smarts of Keiran Jack and the enthusiasm of Papley, it will be pretty strong combination. Then add some strong midfield types such as Heeney, Parker, Hewitt and Kennedy - hopefully injury free and effective.

[56-14]

I have some doubts with "the smarts of K.Jack" within our new & improved forward line.

To me, Heeney seems to be the key - maybe some on-ball rotations with Parker, & occasionally Kennedy - looks really promising.
(Hope Reid remains injury free - will make a difference.)

[RogueSwan]

Give Rupert even more money? Nah.

???? Are you talking about Herald Sun subscription? I don't have one, I just got to the article through a Google search.

[Mountain Man]

It was earlier reported that K Jack seemed to be training with the forwards. I think he will add considerably to a forward line that (particularly Tippett, and Reid) is quite capable of marking and kicking goals, but not particularly agile once a spoil has been effected. Papley is a classic small, but still inexperienced. Jack can complement that.

Of course Heeney (and Parker and Kennedy and Hewitt etc) can take marks, crumb and kick goals, but I suspect their role will be more midfield and rotation only to the forwards.

[graemed]

From the training I observed K Jack was definitely being used more forward than mid.
Heeney was almost exclusively being used in the midfield as was Hewitt. Their combination with Tippett was quite impressive.
Lloyd and Hannbery were playing on the outside whilst Foote and Robinson had similar roles but were less effective.
Florent and Fox were playing the outside and inside roles respectively from the newcomers.

[RogueSwan]

James Buckley's view:

Sydney Swans moulding huge forward line for 2017

- - - Updated - - -

Interesting to note this article has Naismith higher up the pecking order than Sinclair. I seem to recall that at the start of last season Sinclair was playing some good football and was actually starting to gel with the team and style of play when injury struck. I guess if is now third ruck we will see him soon enough as Tippo does seem a little injury prone.

[56-14]

I'm surprised that anyone would have Sinclair ahead of Naismith.

[aguy]

Sinclair wasn't terrible. He just wasn't as good as we were hoping for. He also had a bit of a slump mid season before his injury. He would still play a very important role for us this year but I agree with all players fully fit then Naismith and Tippett are our best ruck combo.

Trouble is that we have a Number of talls coming back from injury. Tippett should be right to go. Naismith and buddy are Both recovering from shoulder surgery. Sinclair is also recovering from knee surgery if I remember correctly. It is possible buddy will need a bit extra time, remember abletts ill fated early return.

So we could end up needing to play Sinclair to partner Reid in the forward line. Or as second ruckman if naismith doesn't quite get up for round one. If Sinclairs knee is still a problem then we may need to play young Cameron. All a bit up in the air until the alphabet cup (JLT) starts.

[YvonneH]

I remember when we first signed Buddy there was the opinion (from outside and inside the club) that our forward line was going to be one of the best going around. Sadly there were very few games when all 3 played together. The only one to consistently get on the park was Buddy. Hopefully it comes together more often this season.