Round 16 Changes

[Ludwig]

Towers played well enough on Friday to hold his spot. It was probably his best game in several weeks, but he will have to keep it up as the pressure builds from players like Robinson, Edwards, Dawson and Hayward and Cunningham return from injury. It was reported that Nick Smith had a bleed in his calf, but should be okay to play.

It was hard to get a read on the Mills situation, but at the time of the incident, Mills was certainly dazed, but didn't seem to lose consciousness and was able to run off the ground and down to the change room for the concussion test. The small amount of info on his present condition seems to indicate that he's tracking well, but it's hard for us to make a judgment on what will be a medical call.

In: Aliir
Out: Florent

If Mills is ruled out, there are many that could take his place, but the odds would be on Robinson in a close call.

[Markwebbos]

Harley tends not to mention injuries affecting first 22 and then Horse reveals them at selection (e.g. Hayward's foot last week), presumably not to give too much away to the opposition. So there could still be players who might not play: Smith and Jones in particular.

I could actually see no changes this week (barring injury). Give O-Flo more time to get up to speed.

Do GCS play 2 rucks?

[Ludwig]

Do GCS play 2 rucks?

Now that Sinclair has been dropped, that's it for the 2 ruckmen.

Actually, Freo played 2 ruckmen when they brought Sandilands back last week, but they must have anticipated that he wasn't quite right and sure enough he did his hammy again in the 1st qtr and is out for the rest of the season. Their other ruckman is 18 yo Sean Darcy, a big boy who has done well in the 2 games he's played.

Brisbane have also been playing 2 ruckmen since Archie Smith has come into the squad, but he's the only legitimate backup for Stefan Martin and they're not in finals contention, so are in a position to experiment.

GC play ex Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts as their main ruckman, does around 85% or the ruck work, and he's having a fine year. Peter Wright, who is over 2 mtrs tall is their 2nd key forward after Lynch and takes the role when Witts is resting. They prefer having Wright play forward to take some of the heat off Lynch. Witts is a capable mark, but not much of a goal kicking threat.

It would be good to put a tag on Jarrod Harbrow, who has been their driving force out of defence.

[Hotpotato]

So Swans need to pay a healthy dose of respect to notch another 4 points Sat Arvo ?

[YvonneH]

So Swans need to pay a healthy dose of respect to notch another 4 points Sat Arvo ?

Sure do, not only for this coming week but for the remainder of the season.

[Markwebbos]

Now that Sinclair has been dropped, that's it for the 2 ruckmen.

Actually, Freo played 2 ruckmen when they brought Sandilands back last week, but they must have anticipated that he wasn't quite right and sure enough he did his hammy again in the 1st qtr and is out for the rest of the season. Their other ruckman is 18 yo Sean Darcy, a big boy who has done well in the 2 games he's played.

Brisbane have also been playing 2 ruckmen since Archie Smith has come into the squad, but he's the only legitimate backup for Stefan Martin and they're not in finals contention, so are in a position to experiment.

GC play ex Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts as their main ruckman, does around 85% or the ruck work, and he's having a fine year. Peter Wright, who is over 2 mtrs tall is their 2nd key forward after Lynch and takes the role when Witts is resting. They prefer having Wright play forward to take some of the heat off Lynch. Witts is a capable mark, but not much of a goal kicking threat.

It would be good to put a tag on Jarrod Harbrow, who has been their driving force out of defence.

I'd be happy to continue the one ruck "experiment". Small sample size at the moment.

[mattybloods]

I'd be happy to continue the one ruck "experiment". Small sample size at the moment.

Me too, but I think we might go taller against the Suns. Who usually goes to Lynch? I think it might be a job for Melican or Rampe as he's a very mobile tall forward with Grundy going to Wright. I'm really looking forward to Naismith v Witts. Witts has had a great year since coming over from the Pies, at 209cm he'll be a great challenge for Naismith coming off a fantastic game against Gawn.

If we bring in a tall it'll be either Sinclair or Aliir. Based on previous selections it might be Sinclair but would like to see Aliir work his way back in

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As an aside I wonder if Tom Nicholls will be looking for a new home after being surpassed by Witts. I always liked the way Nicholls goes about it, not the biggest ruckmen but covers the ground well. Don't really need a ruckman now but I think he'd do really well in another club

[mcs]

I'd be happy to continue the one ruck "experiment". Small sample size at the moment.

I wouldn't be unhappy to stay with one ruck for now - but the good bit is Sinclair is in some very decent form at the moment, and well and truly ready to go should he be needed back in Seniors. He really did play well for the NEAFL team on the weekend - worked very hard in the ruck and around the ground, and his hands were pretty good for once. A hard working player that, while not A grade quality, will always give his all.

[Ludwig]

I'd be happy to continue the one ruck "experiment". Small sample size at the moment.

It would be very brave and bold to return to the 2 ruck experiment after it has been abandoned almost universally at AFL level. But even bloodletting with leeches is making a bit of a comeback, so who knows?

I doubt if it would have made a difference to the outcome of the Melbourne game, but suppose we chose to play Sinclair instead of McVeigh. When Mills went down, it was easy to slot Macca into his position, something which couldn't be done if Sinclair were playing.

[Club 80]

I would play Allir.

I would have Grundy on Lynch and Melican on two meter Peter.

I would then use Allir and Rampe as the 3rd man up to give some airial support.

Reid will be down there in the last 5 minutes of each quarter.

I would then get Allir to run with two meter Peter in the ruck.

Naismith to be the sole specialist ruck.

I would leave Mills out regardless of his condition. It's good for a 2nd year player to have a break.

[barry]

If the rumours are true that we are selling Tippet, then you are right Ludwig, and the swans have abandoned the 2 ruck policy.

With the extra load on the one ruckman (up to 80% game time), we could enter a period of ruckman management where Nainsmith plays 3-4 games in a row, then has a rest and then Sinclair covers him for a game.

[Club 80]

Me too, but I think we might go taller against the Suns. Who usually goes to Lynch? I think it might be a job for Melican or Rampe as he's a very mobile tall forward with Grundy going to Wright. I'm really looking forward to Naismith v Witts. Witts has had a great year since coming over from the Pies, at 209cm he'll be a great challenge for Naismith coming off a fantastic game against Gawn.

If we bring in a tall it'll be either Sinclair or Aliir. Based on previous selections it might be Sinclair but would like to see Aliir work his way back in

- - - Updated - - -

As an aside I wonder if Tom Nicholls will be looking for a new home after being surpassed by Witts. I always liked the way Nicholls goes about it, not the biggest ruckmen but covers the ground well. Don't really need a ruckman now but I think he'd do really well in another club

It's a shame that the timing has never worked out for Witts to come to the Swans. He is from the North Shore and attended Knox Grammer School. As you can see with Rampe who attended Newington, players from private schools are less likely to fail the "no dickhead policy" and present well to sponsors and stakeholders.

[swansrob]

As you can see with Rampe who attended Newington, players from private schools are less likely to fail the "no dickhead policy" and present well to sponsors and stakeholders.

Like smashing darts and getting into awkward relationships (to put it kindly) with reality TV stars? I love Rampe, but I don't think we need to hold private schoolboys up on any more of a pedestal

[royboy42]

It's a shame that the timing has never worked out for Witts to come to the Swans. He is from the North Shore and attended Knox Grammer School. As you can see with Rampe who attended Newington, players from private schools are less likely to fail the "no dickhead policy" and present well to sponsors and stakeholders.

Good God! The old North Shore line bull***.

[barry]

Good God! The old North Shore line bull***.

Yes, im my limited experience, private school graduates usually fail the no dickhead policy more than others.

They have a lot of trouble adjusting to the real world after the molly-coddling they get in high school. I bet if you had a stat on university drop outs, private school kids would be pretty high. Ive seen many implode with the normal responsibilities of life and self motivation.