Round 9: Sydney Swans Reserves v Gold Coast Suns Reserves @ Newcastle

[Doctor]

From all I've read, Aliir hasn't really been knocking the door down in the reserves, so I'm quite baffled as to why certain posters on this forum feel that he's going to single-handedly drag us into the finals. I have no doubt that he'll be a very good player for us in time, but the fact that he's getting shifted around means that noone, including him, knows where his best position is. He needs time to develop and is not currently in best XXII form.

Talia does look like he's getting close, but I wouldn't say that he deserved inclusion over who we already had in out top side. Jetta got his chance because the Eagles were embarassed by Essendon. We belted St Kilda, so I'd say we were right to keep our team as close to unchanged as we could.

[Bloody Hell]

Tippett's best position is main ruck. He had a very good season there with us. Naismith's best position is main ruck.

Is Tippett better than Naismith at the moment? I think so.

Sinclair is depth.

I'd like to see Tippet rucking 85% of the game and see what Cameron can do.

[barry]

Another damning indictment on our selection criteria, is that the best ruckman (judged today) on our list in 2016 is now playing with Richmond... through lack of opportunities at Sydney. The best centreman in the comp (judged today) on our list in 2016 is now playing with Hawthorn.. through a history of lack of opportunities.

To be honest, I wasnt brought on Nankervis, until I saw him this week against Essendon, and reality dawned on me like a sledgehammer to the temple.

[Boddo]

Since our ruckmen are not very good, maybe we should play all 4 in a game. That should fix the problem.

Except for being the last holdouts in playing 2 ruckmen, I don't think we have a big problem. Hence, I don't think Aliir is a solution, but rather an inclusion that will make the team stronger. It's not good to base one's current evaluation of Aliir on his junior days. Some of my old posts were extremely critical of his draft selection, because he was a hopeless defender, but he's developed into a skillful and athletic player.

I think we have enough talent on our list to be a very competitive team this year and a big improver next season. I'm not too worried about our tall forwards, because with Buddy in the side we really don't need other key forwards, but can have a mixture of other players, like Rohan, Dawson, Hayward and Papley. Cameron may also provide a taller option if needed. Key forwards, particularly those who are not very athletic, are not making the impact they used to. Big key forwards just encourage bombing the ball into the forward line, something everyone seems to be against.

We play 2 ruckman with the idea that both should contribute in the forward line. I'd say that's why Longmire plays both.

In regards to Aliir I asked ugg how he went as forward in the reserves game n his description is pretty much what he was as a junior so I don't think in regards to his all round game that much has changed. So his junior days are relevant to this discussion.

You cannot expect Franklin to hold down the forward line by himself. You need atleast another key marking forward. It showed on Friday with no Reid & Rohan down back how very predictable we are with only him.

Before Friday I had the view that the season was still alive but it doesn't look like that now so I agree I'd drop Sinclair for Cameron. His ruck work needs improving but he'll definitely provide a target up forward. He basically played that role in WA last year. Atleast he'll actually hold his mark. Those dropped marks from Sinclair were killers on Friday.

Big key forwards only encourage bombing if you have that sit in front of the goal square stay at home forward. Perfect example is Tippet. When he played forward previously n had multiple leads we looked very good but he gets caught a lot just waiting in front of goals for the long bomb.

Also Dawson is being groomed to be a big bodied mid, the only forward work we'll get from him is the occasional short stint there just like Parker plus he may not even be there next year. He's not re-signed yet and Adelaide are desperate for some midfield depth so I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he lands back home. I hope not though.

[Boddo]

Another damning indictment on our selection criteria, is that the best ruckman (judged today) on our list in 2016 is now playing with Richmond... through lack of opportunities at Sydney. The best centreman in the comp (judged today) on our list in 2016 is now playing with Hawthorn.. through a history of lack of opportunities.

To be honest, I wasnt brought on Nankervis, until I saw him this week against Essendon, and reality dawned on me like a sledgehammer to the temple.

This I agree with 100%. The Sinclair contract is an absolute killer. Take that away n most likely you keep Mitchell n Nankervis stays due to more money n more opportunity to play ruck in the seniors. Our ruckman are not just hurting us playing wise but TPP wise it's smashing us. At the time I didn't want Sinclair as I'd seen a lot of him n he's not a ruckman he's just a tall mobile forward who can't mark.

[barry]

Sinclair is miles ahead of cameron, and I believe our best combination is Sinclair/Tippett. Not saying sinclair is any good, and certainly needs to spend a few weeks of intensive finger crunches to get some ball gripping skills into his game.

The question perhaps better to ask, is should we only play one ruckman, and get Reid as 2nd ruck. Reid is doing sweet fa anyway, so might as well ruck. In that case Tippet/Reid could be the best combo. Leaves us very exposed if Tippet goes down during a game.

But when you look at our team, there is no obvious hole to file. Forwards, backs, midfield, ruck are all underperforming. Its a team that has lost the hunger. A team, I speculate, divided.

[barry]

This I agree with 100%. The Sinclair contract is an absolute killer. Take that away n most likely you keep Mitchell n Nankervis stays due to more money n more opportunity to play ruck in the seniors. Our ruckman are not just hurting us playing wise but TPP wise it's smashing us. At the time I didn't want Sinclair as I'd seen a lot of him n he's not a ruckman he's just a tall mobile forward who can't mark.

Sinclair's contract isnt very big, I cant see him being the reason we are pushing it on TPP.

I actually think Sinclair will come good as he gets older. If we had a crystal ball, we should have shipped Tippet off to Richmond. That would have been brave. I think shipping Nainsmith off to Richmond might have been the best decision.

[Boddo]

Sinclair's contract isnt very big, I cant see him being the reason we are pushing it on TPP.

I actually think Sinclair will come good as he gets older. If we had a crystal ball, we should have shipped Tippet off to Richmond. That would have been brave. I think shipping Nainsmith off to Richmond might have been the best decision.

Was reported numerous times that it's around 400k. We were only aloud to bring in someone on the same as Jetta due to being in the "trade ban" at the time. The 400k figure was used extensively over here in WA at the time. I don't think he'll get better as he's older as he's 28 this year n hasn't shown a great deal of improvement so far. Agree off loading Tippet was the best case scenario. To take his contract off us though I'd say we'd be sending a draft pick the other way for it to happen or we would have been paying part of the contract.

[Boddo]

Sinclair is miles ahead of cameron, and I believe our best combination is Sinclair/Tippett. Not saying sinclair is any good, and certainly needs to spend a few weeks of intensive finger crunches to get some ball gripping skills into his game.

The question perhaps better to ask, is should we only play one ruckman, and get Reid as 2nd ruck. Reid is doing sweet fa anyway, so might as well ruck. In that case Tippet/Reid could be the best combo. Leaves us very exposed if Tippet goes down during a game.

But when you look at our team, there is no obvious hole to file. Forwards, backs, midfield, ruck are all underperforming. Its a team that has lost the hunger. A team, I speculate, divided.

Atm he is but Cameron has way way more upside than Sinclair imo. That's the thing if you use a Tippet/Reid combo it robs us of Reid like has been shown earlier in the year plus Tippet is so injury prone you'd almost expect him to do a hammy running through the banner lol The hunger part I agree with. I think they just thought it would click n they'd be performing. Thinking to far ahead. I'd say the most underperforming position is the ruck division followed by the midfield. Our midfield is expected to assist the backs in defensive pressure n with that not happening they have had to take a greater load n it's just that bit to much for them. Rampe going down was a killer.

[barry]

Atm he is but Cameron has way way more upside than Sinclair imo. That's the thing if you use a Tippet/Reid combo it robs us of Reid like has been shown earlier in the year plus Tippet is so injury prone you'd almost expect him to do a hammy running through the banner lol The hunger part I agree with. I think they just thought it would click n they'd be performing. Thinking to far ahead. I'd say the most underperforming position is the ruck division followed by the midfield. Our midfield is expected to assist the backs in defensive pressure n with that not happening they have had to take a greater load n it's just that bit to much for them. Rampe going down was a killer.

I would say the midfield is taking time to adjust without Mitchell. Mitchell is a unique individual, probably the most specialised inside midfielder in the game. I think Hawthorn and Sydney have struggled to adjust to him missing/arriving. Subconsciously, the swans built a game plan around Mitchel in 2015/16.

Talia should have come in earlier when Rampe was missing.

[Boddo]

I would say the midfield is taking time to adjust without Mitchell. Mitchell is a unique individual, probably the most specialised inside midfielder in the game. I think Hawthorn and Sydney have struggled to adjust to him missing/arriving. Subconsciously, the swans built a game plan around Mitchel in 2015/16.

Talia should have come in earlier when Rampe was missing.

I agree atm is a big loss. I think long term the right decision was made. Talia's form at the time didn't warrant selection. If he had the form like he has now when Rampe went down he would be in but he didn't so Marsh took that spot.

[barry]

I agree atm is a big loss. I think long term the right decision was made. Talia's form at the time didn't warrant selection. If he had the form like he has now when Rampe went down he would be in but he didn't so Marsh took that spot.

Actually he did. And he should have been selected 2 weeks ago on recent form.

[Boddo]

Actually he did. And he should have been selected 2 weeks ago on recent form.

Imo at the time his form didn't warrant selection. But in hindsight I would have given him a go as I don't think Marsh will make it. To short for a key defensive spot, doesn't have the ground game to run off half back and has no pace. I agree 2 weeks ago Talia form was good but who were they going to drop, I've asked that question multiple times. Like I've said before from here on he has to be tried though, Grundy will not be there for the next premiership tilt so all avenues need to be looked at.

[barry]

Grundy is an automatic selection for at least this year and next. Rampe the same. The rest should be picked on merit.

[ugg]

Not surprisingly the Swans dominated the possession numbers.