Changes for Round 5 - GWS

[Scottee]

A couple of observations re the West Coast game.

TOG for Papley was 55%, Florent 64% and KJ 66%. That means that we were essentially down a player?s worth of bench time not shared around the other players. No wonder we fell in a hole in the last quarter.
It is also interesting that these were amongst our smallest players, and that Fox and Hayward got significantly more game time.

So was the problem; fitness, form or were they just not big enough to match up on other players?

Same old thing, playing underdone, out of form or unfit players instead of in-form fit players of lesser status. Horse and the other selectors need to have a hard look at their selection policies for the Giants.

[ernie koala]

Same old thing, playing underdone, out of form or unfit players instead of in-form fit players of lesser status. Horse and the other selectors need to have a hard look at their selection policies for the Giants.

I agree with this.

Poor selections certainly contributed to our GF loss...IMO.

Fit players with at least a game or 2 under their belts...That would seem a good starting point at the selection table.

[Billericay]

I think the Swans don't have enough players fit and playing at the required level, so are playing those they wouldn't under normal circumstances. Lots of least worst options running around - like Jack

[liz]

Fit players with at least a game or 2 under their belts...That would seem a good starting point at the selection table.

That would be fine if we had all these fit players running around in the reserves capable of contributing better at senior level than those who were picked. I've watched the last two NEAFL games live (ie at the ground) and the only ones who looked ready to contribute were Dawson in the first game, who got picked and dropped after a game, and Cunningham in the second game, who was selected and performed moderately well against West Coast. You could make a case for Laidler, but we defence isn't an area where we have lots of unfit players running around. Fisher looks likely in the future but I don't think he's ready yet, and in any case, as he's on the rookie list there are restrictions.

[rb4x]

I think replacing Naismith with Papley was not one of Horse's finest decisions. Papley played only a cameo and we were short a tall. Melican would have been a far better option for WC. We have a major issue with defenders match ups against GWS who will have Patton, Cameron and Lobb in their forwards. We need three tall defenders. Grundy, Aliir and A. N. Other. I assume Grundy and Aliir will take Patton and Cameron. Laidler is a little short and slow for Lobb. Options are Melican, Talia and Maibaum. Two are debutants and the other seems to be in the naughty corner still. I would favour Melican but that has other consequences as Fox would go back on the rookie list if Rohan returns as expected. A tough selection decision not made easier by having had a NEAFL bye over Easter. Another issue is do Rohan and Heeney need a game in the NEAFL. In an ideal world yes but we are not in an ideal situation at present. I expect Tippet back in ruck but again a fitness call would need to be made on Naismith versus Sinclair. The Swans website remains woefully out of date and uninformative re players injury status.

[crackedactor]

A couple of observations re the West Coast game.

TOG for Papley was 55%, Florent 64% and KJ 66%. That means that we were essentially down a player?s worth of bench time not shared around the other players. No wonder we fell in a hole in the last quarter.
It is also interesting that these were amongst our smallest players, and that Fox and Hayward got significantly more game time.

So was the problem; fitness, form or were they just not big enough to match up on other players?

Same old thing, playing underdone, out of form or unfit players instead of in-form fit players of lesser status. Horse and the other selectors need to have a hard look at their selection policies for the Giants.

Very Good observation. I am getting the impression our injury list is worse then we are led to believe. Papley wasn't ready last week and Jack looks like he is struggling with his Hip complaint.

[Billericay]

The team for WCE was small due to only having one ruckman and replacing Naismith with Papley. The worst performing players last week were Papley, Foote, Florent, Fox but Papley isn't going anywhere. It's actually hard to figure out who to drop to fit the new players in

If Naismith comes in he replaces Sinclair like for like.
Tippett IN / Who goes OUT? I'd vote for Kieran Jack, but that's unlikely, more likely Foote
Heeney IN / Fox OUT
Rohan IN / Florent OUT
The only way to get Melican IN to the side would be to (a) drop a smaller defender - Marsh or (b) move someone like Jones up the ground and then the same problem occurs, who to drop from the midfield so
Melican IN / Jack OUT

That's assuming all those players get back, which they won't

[dimelb]

The team for WCE was small due to only having one ruckman and replacing Naismith with Papley. The worst performing players last week were Papley, Foote, Florent, Fox but Papley isn't going anywhere. It's actually hard to figure out who to drop to fit the new players in

Reg and Smithy didn't exactly cover themselves in glory.

Papley was there because he needed the run, and may not have played if there had been a NEAFL bye. Florent was probably overstretched but the more time we can put into him at top level the better, and give him a rest at some point (as well as the break) because we'll need him if we make it into the eight.

[Billericay]

Reg and Smithy didn't exactly cover themselves in glory.

Agree that they both played poorly, but I can't imagine there's any way either won't play this week

[RogueSwan]

...
If Naismith comes in he replaces Sinclair like for like.

Isn't Naismith still injured?

...
Rohan IN / Florent OUT...

Pretty much a zero sum game that change.
For mine Tippo in out of form senior (take your pick) out but it will probably be a kid.

[ugg]

@PatrickStackFOX

Swans Mcveigh, Tippett, Heeney, Rohan all training well at SCG. Franklin did next to nothing. Ditto Naismith, he's in a knee brace.

[Billericay]

@PatrickStackFOX

Swans Mcveigh, Tippett, Heeney, Rohan all training well at SCG. Franklin did next to nothing. Ditto Naismith, he's in a knee brace.

An injury update would be helpful Swans. Tippett for Franklin then :-(

[Monty]

Assuming Naismith is not available changes for GWS will be minimal.

IN: Tippett and McVeigh
OUT: Jack and Fox

Rohan, Heeney and Kizza to run round in the curtain raiser.

[MattW]

An injury update would be helpful Swans. Tippett for Franklin then :-(

If Longmire doesn't do a presser from training, would expect a Tom Harley interview to be posted later today. Franklin has a bad cork; would be unlucky to force him out this week. Still early days, could just be managing it.

[707]

Don't want to see Reid 2nd ruck against Mummy so Sinclair probably stays in plus we add Tippett.

Other likely ins must be Rohan who was close to getting a gig last week and whose pace will be needed against GWS running backs. McVeigh could also be a possibility just to give cohesion to the back half.

Interesting selections coming up.