Changes for Round 2 v Western Bulldogs

[Scottee]

Very short defence. Rampe's not that tall but he's experienced and he's learned to play tall. I find it odd that neither Aliir nor Melican is in the team. Melican's omission can't be because they don't want to play too many debutants, given three have been selected. I'm sure Newman has earned his debut but would have preferred Melican this week. We have to hope nothing happens to Reg during the game. Or maybe Horse is planning to play Buddy at CHB.

Totally agree Liz. I find it bizarre and am not quite sure the team will line up as selected.

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[ugg]

3 debutants, one with 1 game under his belt, another with 2 games and a further five under fifty games.

[Joel Ridge]

These selections indicate that Brandon Jack and Michael Talia are on a run away train towards being delisted at the end of 2017.

They need key defenders and Talia is not in the frame. They need small quick forwards and Brandon Jack is not close to being picked.

[gossipcom]

Very short defence. Rampe's not that tall but he's experienced and he's learned to play tall. I find it odd that neither Aliir nor Melican is in the team. Melican's omission can't be because they don't want to play too many debutants, given three have been selected. I'm sure Newman has earned his debut but would have preferred Melican this week. We have to hope nothing happens to Reg during the game. Or maybe Horse is planning to play Buddy at CHB.

Or Reid? Since he was down back a few times last week too.


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[S.S. Bleeder]

It's been taken down, no doubt after a stern phone call from the AFL to the Swans media department to protect their oh-so-precious team announcement embargo at 6.25pm, even though they routinely are late with the announcements.

O-oh. I see a trade ban coming up.

[wolftone57]

I'm a bit surprised re Aliir. I am not surprised that Longmire went for youth but thought Edwards would get a birth. Not surprised re Towers he was Vanilla last week and that's being nice.

Can't see us winning. Someone said on another forum we have the same amount of players out as they do with comparable games. But if you look at the players who are out for Dogs they are in the main second stringers, no pun intended

[Steve]

I'm sure they think it's the right strategy, but given we have a weakened side already, we can't afford to leave out a player like Allir only on the basis he hasn't shown strong enough form yet in the reserves.

And why on earth would you re-sign Towers if your level of confidence in him is only worth 1 game, behind guys like Hayward and Fox who barely made any contribution in the JLT games.

It is really worrying that we can't put a decent team out on the field until about Rd 5 each year - you look at the Bulldogs, even the Hawthorn teams of recent years, and they backed up GF's with strong teams early the following year.

[mcs]

I'm sure they think it's the right strategy, but given we have a weakened side already, we can't afford to leave out a player like Allir only on the basis he hasn't shown strong enough form yet in the reserves.

And why on earth would you re-sign Towers if your level of confidence in him is only worth 1 game, behind guys like Hayward and Fox who barely made any contribution in the JLT games.

It is really worrying that we can't put a decent team out on the field until about Rd 5 each year - you look at the Bulldogs, even the Hawthorn teams of recent years, and they backed up GF's with strong teams early the following year.

Im also surprised that they didn't pick AA - but maybe he has needed a bit of a rocket to get him going this year, and this is the way to deliver it.

My expectations for tomorrow night were relatively low, given our missing guys. But I am really looking forward to seeing what the guys coming in can deliver - and we have done very well in recent years in delivering the goods when not expected to. We will be fairly strong outsiders with the bookies - something that hasn't happened much in recent years.

[Mug Punter]

Really excited about tomorrow night, backs to the wall stuff and I expect our leaders to rise to the occasion.

[Steve]

Really excited about tomorrow night, backs to the wall stuff and I expect our leaders to rise to the occasion.

I think the latter is virtually a given, but I'd hate to see us go down by less than 10 points and regret not giving those senior players a bit more support when it's available.

Realistically whoever plays these first few games as our players 18-22 are just making up the numbers until senior players return, and it's nice to give a couple of debutants a go in those circumstances, but it's still a big call to pick an inferior team to what is available to you.

[dejavoodoo44]

Im also surprised that they didn't pick AA - but maybe he has needed a bit of a rocket to get him going this year, and this is the way to deliver it.

My expectations for tomorrow night were relatively low, given our missing guys. But I am really looking forward to seeing what the guys coming in can deliver - and we have done very well in recent years in delivering the goods when not expected to. We will be fairly strong outsiders with the bookies - something that hasn't happened much in recent years.

Yes, it will be interesting to see what the debutants can do. The one I'm quietly confident in is Hayward. While he didn't get a lot of game time in the JLT, he impressed me with his second and third efforts. Also, his highlight reel from junior football is pretty spectacular. At the very least, I think we'll see him throw himself into a few contests, with little regard for the odds stacked against him.

[707]

Towers has played his last senior game for us given that he has been dropped for debutants that hardly got a touch in the JLT.

Aliir is a mystery, hope there's nothing sinister behind the scenes.

[wolftone57]

I'm incredibly worried about our small defence. I can't understand why Longmire insists on playing a very undersized defence. Not when we have plenty of tall options and Aliir is playing reserves. What are you doing Longmire? Do you want to lose.

[Billericay]

One thought about tomorrow night. I imagine they've spent a big chunk of the off season figuring out how to counter the Bulldogs style of play. So I'm hoping they've selected the players they have to execute a very carefully worked out Dog-beating game plan. Maybe that's wildly optimistic?

[rojo]

Towers has played his last senior game for us given that he has been dropped for debutants that hardly got a touch in the JLT.

Aliir is a mystery, hope there's nothing sinister behind the scenes.

I saw in one of the newspapers that he went back to Kenya to participate in what appeared to be a very big and grand wedding, of a brother. It must have been in the off-season. Pure speculation, but maybe he came back somewhat out of condition for the start of the pre-season and is being taught a hard lesson. He certainly looks to be in fine condition now though. Another wild speculation is that he may have got a bit carried away with all the razzamatazz and accolades that followed his great showing towards the end of last season and has not worked hard enough while sidelined with the toe injury and subsequently at training. We may never know!!