Changes for Rnd 19 V Hawthorn

[liz]

The problem with the NEAFL this year is a number of the AFL teams have had dreadful injury runs, leaving their reserves well and truly depleted. We had a rough start to the year injury wise, but have been chugging along pretty well recently. Hence many of the games that usually are much closer have not been, as the AFL reserves teams involved have been very weak.

I think last year was worse. Both the Lions and Suns had bad injury runs last year and struggled at NEAFL level, while the Giants were strong. This year the Lions and Suns haven't been too badly hit and have fared quite well in the NEAFL but the Giants have been decimated.

Despite that, a very weakened Giants team put up a far better showing against the Swans than the Suns did a week before. That Suns performance (they lost by over 100 points) was an absolutely woeful effort given that both teams had about the same number of listed players available, and the Suns had far more high end draft picks.

A lot of credit has to go to the Swans coaching staff - both the specific NEAFL guys and the overall coaching panel. All our guys - even rookies who are unlikely to progress much further - play consistently disciplined football every single week. And the academy boys slot in well too, even though most rotate in on an almost weekly basis.

[Ludwig]

I'm surprised no one has suggested that we drop Naismith instead of the conversation being limited to a choice between Reid and Sinclair. Naismith has been passable, but nothing special in the ruck. In 12 games he's only taken 23 marks and hasn't kicked a goal, so hasn't contributed much around the ground either.

I would bring Tippett in for Naismith and leave Sinclair at FF. It would give a chance for Naismith to freshen up with a week off. We can decide which 2 should play the following week out of Tippett, Naismith, Sinclair and Reid based on their relative performances and training form. I don't think we will be going back to a 2 ruckmen system after finally making the structural change to 1 ruckman. But we can have 2 ruck/forwards divide the workload in the ruck and forward.

Robinson hasn't been all that impressive in his 3 weeks back from injury and NEAFL. Dawson's form is just too good to overlook. I would make the swap this week. With a bye week for the reserves, there's no reason to wait. We've seen enough.

Summary
In: Tippett, Dawson
Out: Naismith, Robinson

[Blood Fever]

I'm surprised no one has suggested that we drop Naismith instead of the conversation being limited to a choice between Reid and Sinclair. Naismith has been passable, but nothing special in the ruck. In 12 games he's only taken 23 marks and hasn't kicked a goal, so hasn't contributed much around the ground either.

I would bring Tippett in for Naismith and leave Sinclair at FF. It would give a chance for Naismith to freshen up with a week off. We can decide which 2 should play the following week out of Tippett, Naismith, Sinclair and Reid based on their relative performances and training form. I don't think we will be going back to a 2 ruckmen system after finally making the structural change to 1 ruckman. But we can have 2 ruck/forwards divide the workload in the ruck and forward.

Robinson hasn't been all that impressive in his 3 weeks back from injury and NEAFL. Dawson's form is just too good to overlook. I would make the swap this week. With a bye week for the reserves, there's no reason to wait. We've seen enough.

Summary
In: Tippett, Dawson
Out: Naismith, Robinson

Naismith is our best ruckman. He wins a lot of taps and a number go to our advantage. More importantly, he is very mobile and adept at following up at ground level and also pressuring the opposition. He has a big tank and will only get better. More goals would be nice but he is not up forward all that often. Very effective and very promising in the early stages of his career.

[Billericay]

I'm surprised no one has suggested that we drop Naismith instead of the conversation being limited to a choice between Reid and Sinclair. Naismith has been passable, but nothing special in the ruck. In 12 games he's only taken 23 marks and hasn't kicked a goal, so hasn't contributed much around the ground either.

I would bring Tippett in for Naismith and leave Sinclair at FF. It would give a chance for Naismith to freshen up with a week off. We can decide which 2 should play the following week out of Tippett, Naismith, Sinclair and Reid based on their relative performances and training form. I don't think we will be going back to a 2 ruckmen system after finally making the structural change to 1 ruckman. But we can have 2 ruck/forwards divide the workload in the ruck and forward.

Robinson hasn't been all that impressive in his 3 weeks back from injury and NEAFL. Dawson's form is just too good to overlook. I would make the swap this week. With a bye week for the reserves, there's no reason to wait. We've seen enough.

Summary
In: Tippett, Dawson
Out: Naismith, Robinson

I'm never quite sure what you've been smoking Ludwig, you always have such interesting suggestions to make.

In the HeraldSun today they said "Longmire said Kurt Tippett is a chance to return to the AFL this week but not at the expense of Callum Sinclair." This can only mean either (1) playing an extra tall or (2) a change in the ruck: Tippo for Naismith [leaving aside (3) Tippo won't be playing AFL this week].

Naismith didn't go that well against Longer on the weekend so you might be right, although really I'm not convinced Tippett is the answer.

The other option is he'll play an extra tall, although Longmire's not the kind of coach to change a losing formula, so can't see him changing a winning one. I'd say that this version of the Swans should beat the Hawks on the inside at contested ball, and probably be quicker on the outside, so maybe he thinks he can afford to go taller? Do the Hawks have any genuine tall defenders at the moment?

Dawson is being groomed to take the second rotation in the mids. He will replace Joey in the rotations, this will give Joey more rest and he will not be blowing and therefore even more effective. In other words Kizza's spot as it stands.

I also think this might be spot on, in which case we shouldn't hold our breath on Dawson. Hayward is the other one banging down the door who could be more in line for Robinson's spot, so:

In: Hayward
Out: Robinson

[Blood Fever]

I'm never quite sure what you've been smoking Ludwig, you always have such interesting suggestions to make.

In the HeraldSun today they said "Longmire said Kurt Tippett is a chance to return to the AFL this week but not at the expense of Callum Sinclair." This can only mean either (1) playing an extra tall or (2) a change in the ruck: Tippo for Naismith [leaving aside (3) Tippo won't be playing AFL this week].

Naismith didn't go that well against Longer on the weekend so you might be right, although really I'm not convinced Tippett is the answer.

The other option is he'll play an extra tall, although Longmire's not the kind of coach to change a losing formula, so can't see him changing a winning one. I'd say that this version of the Swans should beat the Hawks on the inside at contested ball, and probably be quicker on the outside, so maybe he thinks he can afford to go taller? Do the Hawks have any genuine tall defenders at the moment



I also think this might be spot on, in which case we shouldn't hold our breath on Dawson. Hayward is the other one banging down the door who could be more in line for Robinson's spot, so:

In: Hayward
Out: Robinson

I would be surprised if Robinson went out. Very good at shutting down important opposition players. His physical strength is underrated. Hayward is a young gun but at 18 may not get back in for crunch games unless injuries help him out.

[aardvark]

No change.

[707]

I would be surprised if Robinson went out. Very good at shutting down important opposition players. His physical strength is underrated. Hayward is a young gun but at 18 may not get back in for crunch games unless injuries help him out.

Robbo had his colours lowered at the weekend, doesn't have a Gold Pass, Out: Robbo, In: Dawson

[The Big Cat]

Reid may be a tall but he is lightning quick and agile. Could easily replace Robbo.

[graemed]

I would be surprised if Robinson went out. Very good at shutting down important opposition players. His physical strength is underrated. Hayward is a young gun but at 18 may not get back in for crunch games unless injuries help him out.

Robinson is the Swans first choice lock down player and has been very effective in this role. Hayward is on a different level. In the NEAFL game last week against NT he was in class of his own. His marking, positioning and pace were elite. Clearly BOG.
Tippett was effective but Hayward was dominant.

[Kirk31]

I think unless the club is more than just confident with Reid's fitness he won't play especially after how well Sinclair played. Tippett to come back in is an interesting one. I'm concerned we could be too tall up forward with Tippo and Sinclair. Plus when Reid plays he normally drops to the back lines as a loose player late in the quarters and I don't think the 3 ruckman can do this. My tip is this week unless Reid is fit there will be no changes. If Reid is fit, Robbo to me would drop out.

Reid races the clock - sydneyswans.com.au

[SCGonasunnyday]

I'm confused and happy to leave all this to better minds. All in all these are good problems to have if we have 4 - 6 quality players unable to break into the team.

[RogueSwan]

I think it will bean unchanged team. And since the last Dawks game the whole team has lifted in defence. I don't think we will see the same latitude given to the Dawks and their short kicks.

slightly off topic, I think we can play Reid with two of either Naismith, Sinclair and Tippett. Reid has shown in the past to be an on ball option. He has good hands and is a big body and could be developed into a Goodes-like roaming midfielder who can go where needed. Just a thought ...

[ugg]

Newman might be looking over his shoulder this week, especially if they decide to bring back Reid and assuming Sinclair is undroppable this week. He's been pushed further up the ground since McVeigh's return a month ago and hasn't been as effective in the past few games as a wing/forward.

[707]

I mentioned in the Finals thread about the number of best 22 Hawthorn have missing and it's quite an impressive list

Birchall
Rioli
Puopolo
Stratton
Frawley
O'Meara
Ceglar* is he first choice ruck?
Gibson* likely retirement

We have our best 22 playing this game so no excuses, must beat them and in my mind must beat them well given the number of young/second choice players fronting for them this week.

[707]

Newman might be looking over his shoulder this week, especially if they decide to bring back Reid and assuming Sinclair is undroppable this week. He's been pushed further up the ground since McVeigh's return a month ago and hasn't been as effective in the past few games as a wing/forward.

But has he been more effective than Robinson? Newman has more weapons/ceiling than Robbo