Changes for R23 v Blues

[liz]

Better those changes this week than for the first week of the finals. There really is no point in risking players for what is almost a dead rubber. (I realise it's not completely dead, but the team could win, and win handsomely, and still find itself in 6th. And even if we lose, we'll still finish 6th.)

It at least gives Cunningham a chance to put his name forward for senior selection. He wouldn't be preferred over Papley (and definitely not Hanners) if/when they're available again, but it gives him a chance to stake a claim playing in the same team as the likes of Towers and Newman, who he could possibly edge out on merit once the others return.

[liz]

Sam can play in the NEAFL finals next weekend......and so can Kurt, maybe, if the coaches want more game time in him.

Per the explanation Ugg provided earlier this week, Naismith will be able to play in the NEAFL next weekend but Tippo won't (as he's been selected for this r23 game).

[Nico]

The emergencies worry me. If they are the best backups come finals then our much vaunted depth is a problem. Clearly there are other issues with Allir than just form. If he is not better than the 3 emergencies ......? As for Dawson, who was miles ahead of any of our other 2's players in the B&F, I am equally perplexed. I am astounded at my own astonishment.

[Thunder Shaker]

In: Harry Cunningham, Nic Newman
Out: Dan Hannebery (Hip), Tom Papley (Knee)
Emergencies: Jordan Foote, Jeremy Laidler, Daniel Robinson

What does Dawson have to do to get a game?

[stevoswan]

In: Harry Cunningham, Nic Newman
Out: Dan Hannebery (Hip), Tom Papley (Knee)
Emergencies: Jordan Foote, Jeremy Laidler, Daniel Robinson

What does Dawson have to do to get a game?

This weekend would have been a perfect opportunity but I guess the coaches are thinking next year for him and feel it's more important to give Harry a chance to get back to his early season form, which was good, for the sake of finals depth. Let's face it, Dawson was never going to play finals anyway.....

[0918330512]

It sort of makes it easier to get our finals team set. When Hanners and Papley come back in 2 weeks it will be easier to drop Towers and Hayward. Then we will only be an Aliir for Sinclair swap away from our best side.

You are going to be very disappointed in a fortnight

[Markwebbos]

Very surprised Naismith didn't get a game, if only for the match practice ... or is he the only one that can play next week?

[Ludwig]

You are going to be very disappointed in a fortnight

I don't expect that we will have our best side on the ground for the finals due to our ostensible commitment to playing 2 ruckmen. But it's good to see that we are getting so close. We have Newman, Cunningham, Towers and Hayward in the side, so we can see who puts in the best performances. They must all know the pressure is on them for the last 2 spots and they'll all want to put on good show. Let's see what happens.

[Scottee]

Foote definitely has an incriminating video.

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[stevoswan]

The emergencies worry me. If they are the best backups come finals then our much vaunted depth is a problem. Clearly there are other issues with Allir than just form. If he is not better than the 3 emergencies ......? As for Dawson, who was miles ahead of any of our other 2's players in the B&F, I am equally perplexed. I am astounded at my own astonishment.

I think we can safely say Allir won't be seen in the seniors again this year, barring multiple defender injuries, so I'm getting the feeling it's going to come down to his off season efforts, in body and mind, as to whether he gets back in the coaches good books......I have heard nothing except for rumours on RWO but one does, as you've hinted at Nico, get the feeling there's more to all this than just form, as his form has been pretty good.....not discounting the fact that Melican has been virtually un-droppable. I hope this saga has a positive ending for all.

[MattW]

So Naismith goes into the finals with no match practice!?

Indicative that Naismith won't play at least the first final.

[longmile]

Foote definitely has an incriminating video.

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My mate is friends with Foote and a few of the Swans boys, apparently he trains very well and is very professional/coaches favourite, but as we all know obviously chokes on game day, but would seem to explain his puzzling continual selection over far better candidates

[Ludwig]

I think we can safely say Allir won't be seen in the seniors again this year, barring multiple defender injuries, so I'm getting the feeling it's going to come down to his off season efforts, in body and mind, as to whether he gets back in the coaches good books......I have heard nothing except for rumours on RWO but one does, as you've hinted at Nico, get the feeling there's more to all this than just form, as his form has been pretty good.....not discounting the fact that Melican has been virtually un-droppable. I hope this saga has a positive ending for all.

I don't think it is anything more than meets the eye. Aliir has been selected as an emergency several times in the 2nd half of the year, but didn't make the final cut. I don't agree with our defensive structure, but it's not a big disagreement. We have had the best defence in the AFL, so one can understand if Longmire doesn't want to make any changes, the conservative person that he is. I've only suggested that Aliir was more suitable for some of the matchups we've been facing than is Mills. But Mills is a better player than Aliir. It's only because of the size and strength difference and can understand going with the better but smaller player. I think Mills will move to the midfield next year and Aliir will take his spot in back six.

[stevoswan]

I don't think it is anything more than meets the eye. Aliir has been selected as an emergency several times in the 2nd half of the year, but didn't make the final cut. I don't agree with our defensive structure, but it's not a big disagreement. We have had the best defence in the AFL, so one can understand if Longmire doesn't want to make any changes, the conservative person that he is. I've only suggested that Aliir was more suitable for some of the matchups we've been facing than is Mills. But Mills is a better player than Aliir. It's only because of the size and strength difference and can understand going with the better but smaller player. I think Mills will move to the midfield next year and Aliir will take his spot in back six.

I hope this happens too.......I saw Allir 'live' at Simmons Stadium last season and was extremely impressed with his ability and composure. Too much talent to be left behind.....

[Hotpotato]

If Hanners has had a crook hip for the past three weeks, why wasn't he replaced with a fit player from the twos ?