Changes for Round 4 - West Coast

[Meg]

Can Steve Taubert do it?

It seems (from Richmond's chortling) he taught Nankervis pretty well - so yes, I think he could do it!

[bloodspirit]

I have been away with the kids and not seen any football in the past week, so I can't offer any comments informed by watching last game.

What I will say is, first, I favour minimal change and that we give the new blood a chance. I'm glad we are getting experience into the new blood ahead of Towers and Harry C who haven't earned their places. Most of the new blood won't survive the return of our injured players anyway but they will be richer for the experience and get some kind of an idea where they stand and what they have to do to reach the next level.

Second, remember, performance is not only the players' responsibility. If Dawson or whoever has a bad game then it's not always right to just say "he's crap! next!" It may be smarter and better to think "what else can we do to help X get to the level and be the player we need him to be?" Often this will not just be to drop them and give them more 'time to develop' in the NEAFL. We've recruited our players because we believe in them. And then we selected them to play AFL for the same reason (even if the cupboard is a little bare at the moment). We, as a club, have to take responsibility for our selections and we must develop our players to where we want them to be. It's not like we've just taken a punt on them. We do extensive research and recruit them because we think they can get to the level. Of course we know that a lot of the time it won't happen but the onus is on us as well as the players.

I'm curious is AA getting back to form? He was selected before he was ready because we had no choice and then had a mixed game against the Bulldogs. Is he picking up? And how is Hewett going? I was hoping and expecting he would start this year more brightly (despite fading a bit late last year) and he's possibly not quite lived up to my hopes. He's been serviceable and worthy of his place but I'd love to see a bit more even though he is that kind of a player (a bit like Lloyd despite their different roles).

Speaking of Lloyd, from the stats it looks like he just keeps going from strength to strength. An amazing 7th in our B&F last year, he would be at least that high on the list so far this year, possibly even top 3. Yet, I'm sure he is not paid commensurately: JPK, Buddy, Tippo, Hanners, Parker, Heeney, Mills, Reid and probably Macca and Kizza for starters would be on bigger contracts. Then there's senior players like Reg and Smooch who may be getting paid more too. Still, I expect he'll be rewarded in his next contract.

[Meg]

I read that article with a smirk on my face. Rather than refute the notion that there is a "rule of the week", the umpiring fraternity instead decided to make it official (and to tell clubs what that rule is).

And now, having made the rule of the week official, the umpiring fraternity is blaming the coaches (if they have any disagreements with umpiring decisions) for not reading the umpiring notes.

[Meg]

'AFL.com.au understands this week's coaches' notes for umpires include re-emphasising holding the ball interpretations, a look at the deliberate out of bounds rule and a focus on support free kicks, which are free kicks awarded by the non-controlling umpire.'

Most clubs not accessing umpire training intel - AFL.com.au

Ps: I assume this week's emphasis on 'support free kicks' is a pat on the back for the umpire behind the play who made the play-on call when Zac stepped off his mark last week.

[Steve]

And now, having made the rule of the week official, the umpiring fraternity is blaming the coaches (if they have any disagreements with umpiring decisions) for not reading the umpiring notes.

Worse than that, they're blaming certain coaches for not specifically requesting the notes each week, as they don't send them out unless you ask for them.

It's hard to tell if they're playing games or just stupid - JUST SEND THEM OUT TO ALL CLUBS EACH WEEK.

[Nico]

Ps: I assume this week's emphasis on 'support free kicks' is a pat on the back for the umpire behind the play who made the play-on call when Zac stepped off his mark last week.

That is one call the officiating umpire should make. But Peter (AFL hack) Schwab is the umpires boss so what else can we expect.

[Billericay]

Worse than that, they're blaming certain coaches for not specifically requesting the notes each week, as they don't send them out unless you ask for them.

It's hard to tell if they're playing games or just stupid - JUST SEND THEM OUT TO ALL CLUBS EACH WEEK.

+1

[Nico]

Heard Nick Smith say on the radio that Kurt and Naismith were still in Sydney doing some stuff, but said he was still a chance to play.

[Sandrevan]

Heard Nick Smith say on the radio that Kurt and Naismith were still in Sydney doing some stuff, but said he was still a chance to play.

So, who was on the plane?

Sinclair and Cameron?

[Billericay]

So, who was on the plane?

Sinclair and Cameron?

No Cameron, so it will be Sinclair plus whoever they fly over today. Presumably if both Tippo and Naismith pass fitness tests, Sinclair won't play.

[Billericay]

Patrick Keane: "The Sydney Swans have reinstated Tom Papley to the senior list from the long-term injury list." Could they be rolling the dice at selection tonight?

And for all you Edwards fans out there

Patrick Keane?: "Sydney Swans have now upgraded Robbie Fox from the rookie list as the replacement for Gary Rohan,returning Shaun Edwards to the rookie list."

And they've upgraded Melican!

Lots of changes tonight at selection

[Auntie.Gerald]

Wow Melican upgraded 3mins ago

Does that mean less time for Lloyd, mills and jones in the backline IF Melican gets in the 22 ?

Melican elevated to senior list - sydneyswans.com.au

[liz]

Playing Papley with no match practice would be daft, particularly as Hayward has done reasonably well in a similar role. Yet the NEAFL side has a bye this weekend...

Melican as an emergency maybe? With AA in good form last week, the need for another tall defender doesn't seem urgent, especially as WC's forward line isn't overly tall. (JJK is obviously a gun but you'd expect Grundy or Aliir to play on him and Darling is in doubt for the game.) It's the Le Cras s and Hills and Cripps of this world who provide very dangerous support to Kennedy and Darling.

[Billericay]

I wonder if Melican is insurance against there only being one ruckman and someone else having to help out in the ruck / up forward i.e. he'll only play if neither Tippo or Naismith get up?

[Ludwig]

I've been calling for Melican to join the defence for a while now. We add height without losing pace. Aliir and Melican are both quick and can be attacking players, so it lessens the need to keep Lloyd, Mills and Jones in defence, freeing them to join in the midfield attack, something we've been lacking so far this year. Newman and Marsh are also quick, without being line breakers and both can be attacking players who can kick long. Things are changing for the Swans and I like the changes. I don't know if we can pull off a win this week or next, but we are heading in the right direction and should quickly start moving back into contention once this injury spell ends.

I hope he's in the side and not just an emergency. The Eagles aren't particularly tall, but they don't have truly small forwards either, as someone like Melican can cover LeCras, Hill or Cripps, who are all mid sized forwards and can be covered by the speedy Melican if he finds himself in the matchup. We also would add some height with Vardy going forward.

Don't care about the ruck situation. We can leave them all out and go for guys who can mark the ball and kick it straight. Just have to keep an eye on Shuey breaking from the centre bounces.