Changes Round 16 - vs Geelong

[barry]

Hanners was never that great at disposal, but he has certainly never been this bad. He should be in the prime of his career, so must be struggling with an injury.
Surely, its worth resting him, even if only to get back to his best by 2019, 2020.

We dont want him to have to retire at 28.

[Blood Fever]

I don't think it's presumptuous. I think it reflects where the coaches see the two relative to each other. Aliir's been OK for the last couple of weeks but I don't think he's made is a better rebounding team. He has the potential to do so but I don't think he is yet. He still seems very conservative with his disposals - more so than Melican when he was settled in the team at the back end of last season and very early this season (including the pre-season campaign). However, I think Aliir's form has been good enough to warrant making Melican play another couple of games, at least, in the NEAFL team to make sure he's properly match fit. And if Aliir can maintain, or even improve on what he's delivered for the last couple of weeks, he'll make Melican really earn his recall, when it comes. He should get a good opportunity this week to play on a taller opponent. Grundy will get Hawkins, Rampe will probably be given the job of matching up on Dangerfield when he goes forward, and the Cats are likely to have at least one more tall in their forward line most of the time. Maybe he (Aliir) will be given the chance of playing on Dangerfield at times. Rampe struggled in the final last year because Danger is pretty good at elevating himself. Aliir's height and better leap might make him a better match-up physically, at least.

When I said "long term" I was referring mostly to the rest of this season - ie beyond this week and next. I acknowledge it wasn't a great choice of word. But I reckon Grundy has another year left in him if he wants it. If the coaches are reluctant, it's up to Melican and Aliir (and Maibaum) to convince them they're ready to take over from the start of next season.

Melican has been a standout player for us in the games he has played. Doesn't mean Allir can't be in the team depending on match ups but Melican is better on big players than Allir is.

[mcs]

Hanners was never that great at disposal, but he has certainly never been this bad. He should be in the prime of his career, so must be struggling with an injury.
Surely, its worth resting him, even if only to get back to his best by 2019, 2020.

We dont want him to have to retire at 28.

We don't often agree wholeheartedly on issues Barry, but I feel you are spot on here.

If it is more OP as some have suggested (And the symptoms on the field would suggest may be the case), we should wear the short term pain and get him right, or else we may end up stuffing Hanners completely. Better to not have him playing for 6 months, 12 months or even 18 months if it takes that long and get an extra useful 3 or 4 years at the backend of his career, then to try and push him through whatever is afflicting him on the hope of short term gain.

Perhaps he will come good in coming weeks - but I wouldn't hang my hat on it!

[Billericay]

If it is more OP as some have suggested (And the symptoms on the field would suggest may be the case), we should wear the short term pain and get him right, or else we may end up stuffing Hanners completely. Better to not have him playing for 6 months, 12 months or even 18 months if it takes that long and get an extra useful 3 or 4 years at the backend of his career, then to try and push him through whatever is afflicting him on the hope of short term gain.

Perhaps he will come good in coming weeks - but I wouldn't hang my hat on it!

I was going to make a similar suggestion. Might be worth Hanners taking the rest of the year off to see if he can rediscover his form for 2019. There was an article this week where Tom Bellchambers said the year he had off had extended his career. He's good for nothing right now except possibly a tagging role.

He has gone from 90th worst to 121st worst (and absolute worst) kick as a midfielder. Other stats are damning too.

[707]

Winning papers over the cracks but the loss to Richmond made the cracks visible for all, we are carrying too many players in the senior side.

Last Thursday night was damning, only 12 scoring shots for a whole game, that's an average of three per quarter, one scoring shot every 10 minutes! just lucky we kicked 11 goals straight.

There will need to be some big decisions made in the next week and we all know the players these decisions need to be made about. We are not winning a flag with the current 22 so why not invest in the very talented youngsters and if we fail with them, at least it's been a learning curve for them.

I've got no idea what we'll read in 26 hours but heavy negative media exposure of Hanners and also KJ means it needs to be talked about this week as a minimum but hopefully translated into selections although Heeney and Papley missing probably means putting it off for another week. If Newman was dropped for poor disposal how does Hanners get selected week in, week out with his lack of pace and dreadful disposal? Pick the better player who will contribute the most, please. Seniors is not the place to just get km under the belt, that's what NEAFL is for!

[Ludwig]

I don't think it's presumptuous. I think it reflects where the coaches see the two relative to each other. Aliir's been OK for the last couple of weeks but I don't think he's made is a better rebounding team. He has the potential to do so but I don't think he is yet. He still seems very conservative with his disposals - more so than Melican when he was settled in the team at the back end of last season and very early this season (including the pre-season campaign). However, I think Aliir's form has been good enough to warrant making Melican play another couple of games, at least, in the NEAFL team to make sure he's properly match fit. And if Aliir can maintain, or even improve on what he's delivered for the last couple of weeks, he'll make Melican really earn his recall, when it comes. He should get a good opportunity this week to play on a taller opponent.

I would change this coaches' view of the 2 players to the past tense. This was their assessment at the time of Melican's injury, but now it's Melican trying to get into form after a long layoff and Aliir who is in the senior side. We are talking about players with 20 and 19 senior games, respectively, so both should have a lot of upside potential. Once they both get a year or so of playing together they should make a formidable defensive duo, with Melican doing the Grundy role and Aliir the intercept marker that seems so vital in today's game.

There's been an ongoing commentary about how good the Swans are at absorbing pressure and even saying that the Swans actually want the ball coming into their defensive 50 so they can use their slingshot offence. This is rubbish and a media created myth, which is why I included Nick Smith's remarks in a previous post. The Swans don't want the ball being played all game in their defensive zone. It turns out that way because the we have structured our defence to suit our strengths and compensate for our lack of speed. We are always looking to get behind the ball which weakens our ability to press forward.

This will seem paradoxical, but I think Reg is our best defender, but we would have a better chance of winning the premiership this year playing Melican and Aliir and leaving Reg out of the side. Add to this Rohan playing at halfback, and we've got a weaker defensive unit, but one that's capable to zoning off and rebounding. I don't think we can hope to go through to the GF unless we can play more than our share of the game in our forward half, so some risks have to be taken.

We don't really have a premiership quality side this year, but luckily there's only Richmond that seems to be out in front and we are as good a chance as any of the contenders to challenge the Tigers. As we know, if we can get to the GF, anything can happen (as long as the Victorian team wins the game).

[S.S. Bleeder]

In: Papley, Towers
Out: Rose, Rohan

I can't recall a time in recent history when so many senior players didn't deserve their place in the team whilst so many reserves players deserved a chance;
Lucky - Rohan, Jack, Aliir, Hanners(but has credits in the bank).
Unlucky - Cameron, Maibaum, O'Riordon, Dawson (albeit due to injury), Newman and Towers (dare I admit it).

I'm not a fan of Rose and I don't see him being with us next year but I think he deserves another week. You could see he tried his guts out last week.

Jack is finished and has been on a rapid decline for the last couple of seasons. I think he is actually contracted until the end of next season which is astounding.

[S.S. Bleeder]

This from Mark Robinson on Hanners (in the Dislikes funnily enough): Category: | Herald Sun

After Round 4, we said of Hannebery: ?Jack Dyer used to say, ?It?s no good being where the ball ain?t?, and Hannebery isn?t finding anywhere near the amount of ball he used to.?? Not much has changed in 10 weeks. You could argue Hannebery is in a two-season form slump. The animalistic attitude at contests and gut-busting running have dissipated and his possessions are run of the mill. In 2016, he had 802 disposals from 26 games. In 2017 it was 569 from 23. This year he averages 19 disposals a game (rated below average); seven contested possessions (poor); 199m gained (poor); two clearances (poor); zero goals (poor); three score involvements (poor); and 31 pressure points (poor). His drop has been astonishing and you have to wonder if the knee injury he suffered in the 2016 Grand Final against the Bulldogs is part of the reason.

He hasn't been the same since Easton Wood nursed his knee in the 2016 GF. I put last years form down to that. Not sure what his problem is this year however.

[Markwebbos]

It’s really sad how far and how fast Hanners and Jack have fallen.

But that doesn’t mean they deserve a place in the best 22

[S.S. Bleeder]

Hanners was never that great at disposal, but he has certainly never been this bad. He should be in the prime of his career, so must be struggling with an injury.
Surely, its worth resting him, even if only to get back to his best by 2019, 2020.

We dont want him to have to retire at 28.

Depends on what his injury is (assuming he has one). Not all injuries need rest.

[ernie koala]

With no Heeney, Reid, Melican or Papley this week....

OUT : Heeney, Rohan

IN : Towers, O'Riordan

I never thought I'd want Towers over Rohan in the team...the time has come...

I'd love to see the Irishman given a game...

He's been playing well in the 2's and will potentially (if he plays well) bring that extra level of excitement that can help lift both team and supporters.

[Markwebbos]

Whether it needs rest or not Hanners needs to get himself right before he deserves a place in the team.

[MattW]

I don't think it's presumptuous. I think it reflects where the coaches see the two relative to each other. Aliir's been OK for the last couple of weeks but I don't think he's made is a better rebounding team. He has the potential to do so but I don't think he is yet. He still seems very conservative with his disposals - more so than Melican when he was settled in the team at the back end of last season and very early this season (including the pre-season campaign). However, I think Aliir's form has been good enough to warrant making Melican play another couple of games, at least, in the NEAFL team to make sure he's properly match fit. And if Aliir can maintain, or even improve on what he's delivered for the last couple of weeks, he'll make Melican really earn his recall, when it comes. He should get a good opportunity this week to play on a taller opponent. Grundy will get Hawkins, Rampe will probably be given the job of matching up on Dangerfield when he goes forward, and the Cats are likely to have at least one more tall in their forward line most of the time. Maybe he (Aliir) will be given the chance of playing on Dangerfield at times. Rampe struggled in the final last year because Danger is pretty good at elevating himself. Aliir's height and better leap might make him a better match-up physically, at least.

When I said "long term" I was referring mostly to the rest of this season - ie beyond this week and next. I acknowledge it wasn't a great choice of word. But I reckon Grundy has another year left in him if he wants it. If the coaches are reluctant, it's up to Melican and Aliir (and Maibaum) to convince them they're ready to take over from the start of next season.

I agree with your post - Longmire has said Melican had Aliir's spot a few times. I hope Aliir is a little more adventurous with his play on Thursday.

Rampe gave more details about the Dangerfield plan in his press conference, after your post. That is Rampe will take him initially, with Smith as back-up. He said Aliir put his hand up, but seemed to dismiss that possibility. I tend to think Aliir would struggle to contain Dangerfield's agility and leap.

[MattW]

I'm going to bang on about this again, but I think Hannebery will benefit from games. To build match fitness, confidence, touch now he is injury free. Contributing to wins will help. I don't think playing him in reserves will help. I think small steps are being made.

I think there is a distinction to be made between him and Jack, who seems more physically unable and the situation feels terminal.

[Hotpotato]

Isn’t it the actual pace of the game that passes some older players by, especially if they are a bit banged up and hampered by parts of their body that are now hurting all the time.