Changes Round 16 - vs Geelong

[RogueSwan]

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. ...

I would rather have someone in the back half who is a very good kick rather than someone who can run quickly but can't hit target consistently. Reg and Meilcan have both shown they are great one on one and can move the ball reliably by foot. Having said that I still think we can have Reg, Ramps, Melican and AA in our back half.
Alliir just needs to watch some footage of LRT to realise the effort/involvement required for AFL footy and he will be a star

[stevoswan]

From this article:

Three burning questions for every club - AFL.com.au

.....comes this:

"Will John Longmire need to make some massive selection calls come finals time?

Veterans Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack have struggled for form and fitness over the past two seasons, and with so much young talent coming through, their positions in the best 22 might come under scrutiny in the next two months. With the exception of Callum Mills (foot) and Sam Naismith (knee), Longmire has a full list to choose from, and he's shown in the past – with Ryan O'Keefe in 2014 – that he'll always go for the best team available over reputations." - Adam Curley

Relevant question. I agree with the first sentence but I don't agree with that last bit. Hasn't happened this season yet.

[Markwebbos]

Swans are rallying around Hanners. I’d be amazed if he gets dropped!

Swans 'walk taller' with Hannebery: Rampe - AFL.com.au

DAN HANNEBERY'S value to Sydney extends beyond the stat sheet, with fellow vice-captain Dane Rampe saying teammates at the club all walk taller in the midfielder's presence.

Former Swans coach Paul Roos ... noted Hannebery had built his game on work-rate and there had been a "dramatic" drop off on that front.

Hannebery was among Sydney's best against West Coast in round 13, tallying a season-high 24 disposals and curbing the influence of Andrew Gaff, but has otherwise struggled in recent weeks.

"Obviously Dan's been struggling a little bit compared to his normal elite standards," Rampe told reporters ahead of the side's clash with Geelong at the SCG on Thursday night.

"While he hasn't been at his best numbers-wise, he's continuing to push hard and really keep everyone accountable out there and lead by example.

"That's what we expect of him and he's getting a free run with his body now, so hopefully his best form shouldn't be too far around the corner.

"Walking down the race with Dan Hannebery, I know a lot of the younger blokes – and the senior players as well – walk a lot taller and feel a lot stronger running out next to him."

[mcs]

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.

I dont think its pace of the game that has passed Hanners by - because he has never been a player that has been reliant on being 'quick', but rather he has always relied on being a gut runner, with huge endurance and willingness to get to every contest.

What has been really noticeable this year is that he has, in some games in particular, barely been walking between contests, and looking exhausted for large parts of games. An outcome that a reoccurence of OP could potentially eb contributing to - as it has that debilitating impact on the body and its endurance.

I have little doubt he won't be dropped, but we definitely need to see some real improvement soon in his performance and use of the ball. With him and Jack struggling so very much, its leaving a lot to do to not many players in our midfield group.

[stevoswan]

Swans are rallying around Hanners. I’d be amazed if he gets dropped!

Swans 'walk taller' with Hannebery: Rampe - AFL.com.au

Saw that.....bit disappointed with the club's 'tunnel vision' on this one.

[Ludwig]

I can't see why Hannebery can't get back to his best. He's still only 27 and he hasn't suffered a career ending injury. He's just in a deep slump, probably due to a lack of pre-season preparation.

My question is why he's carrying his problems to the senior side instead of getting his body right working with the rehab professionals and through the NEAFL. Once he's shown that he's back in form, then he can can straight back in the senior side. He's embarrassing himself and hurting the team by playing senior football in his current condition.

[Markwebbos]

The other question: is he keeping anyone out of the side that could play a similar role?

[stevoswan]

The other question: is he keeping anyone out of the side that could play a similar role?

How's Dawson's tank? I realise he's only been back in the two's a couple of weeks though.....

[RogueSwan]

The other question: is he keeping anyone out of the side that could play a similar role?

What is his role currently?

[neilfws]

Not confident about this game, with Heeney and Papley likely outs. Felt we missed Papley last week. Of course had we won I'd be lauding our depth

I forget what the "yellow vest theory" is, but in this weeks training photos it's JPK and Sam Reid.

[Flying South]

I can't see why Hannebery can't get back to his best. He's still only 27 and he hasn't suffered a career ending injury. He's just in a deep slump, probably due to a lack of pre-season preparation.

My question is why he's carrying his problems to the senior side instead of getting his body right working with the rehab professionals and through the NEAFL. Once he's shown that he's back in form, then he can can straight back in the senior side. He's embarrassing himself and hurting the team by playing senior football in his current condition.

Embarrassing himself and hurting the team? Please stop. IMO even a half fit Hannebery will bring more to the team than anyone else in the Neafl team. Foote and Robinson have all been tried in the past and their numbers don't stack up to what Hannebery is currently producing. Besides it is not just about numbers. Hannebery is an elite player who is three time all Australian, two time top 5 brownlow medal vote getter, Afl coaches award winner. He is a premiership player and vice captain of the club. He has given his all for our club and should be given the respect all that deserves. He has many credits in the bank. To those that think that he could easily be replaced by a neafl player are dreaming. Any neafl player with an ounce of Hannebery's talent would have already been playing regular senior football. Don't forget Hannebery was playing senior football as a school boy.

Hannebery is not the only player down on last years numbers. Both Dangerfield and Martin are down about 25% on last years stats as well. In fact a number of elite players are experiencing a decline in stats. Whilst clearly Hannebery is not 100%, I suspect that there is more to this overall decline in numbers by the games best players . The 'state of the game' or over officiating, I'm not sure. Whatever it is, perhaps some players are more affected than others. Hannebery is a champion and he will respond like all champions do.

[MattW]

Embarrassing himself and hurting the team? Please stop. IMO even a half fit Hannebery will bring more to the team than anyone else in the Neafl team. Foote and Robinson have all been tried in the past and their numbers don't stack up to what Hannebery is currently producing. Besides it is not just about numbers. Hannebery is an elite player who is three time all Australian, two time top 5 brownlow medal vote getter, Afl coaches award winner. He is a premiership player and vice captain of the club. He has given his all for our club and should be given the respect all that deserves. He has many credits in the bank. To those that think that he could easily be replaced by a neafl player are dreaming. Any neafl player with an ounce of Hannebery's talent would have already been playing regular senior football. Don't forget Hannebery was playing senior football as a school boy.

Hannebery is not the only player down on last years numbers. Both Dangerfield and Martin are down about 25% on last years stats as well. In fact a number of elite players are experiencing a decline in stats. Whilst clearly Hannebery is not 100%, I suspect that there is more to this overall decline in numbers by the games best players . The 'state of the game' or over officiating, I'm not sure. Whatever it is, perhaps some players are more affected than others. Hannebery is a champion and he will respond like all champions do.

Absolutely.

[Ludwig]

Embarrassing himself and hurting the team? Please stop. IMO even a half fit Hannebery will bring more to the team than anyone else in the Neafl team. Foote and Robinson have all been tried in the past and their numbers don't stack up to what Hannebery is currently producing. Besides it is not just about numbers. Hannebery is an elite player who is three time all Australian, two time top 5 brownlow medal vote getter, Afl coaches award winner. He is a premiership player and vice captain of the club. He has given his all for our club and should be given the respect all that deserves. He has many credits in the bank. To those that think that he could easily be replaced by a neafl player are dreaming. Any neafl player with an ounce of Hannebery's talent would have already been playing regular senior football. Don't forget Hannebery was playing senior football as a school boy.

Hannebery is not the only player down on last years numbers. Both Dangerfield and Martin are down about 25% on last years stats as well. In fact a number of elite players are experiencing a decline in stats. Whilst clearly Hannebery is not 100%, I suspect that there is more to this overall decline in numbers by the games best players . The 'state of the game' or over officiating, I'm not sure. Whatever it is, perhaps some players are more affected than others. Hannebery is a champion and he will respond like all champions do.

There's no arguing that Hanners has been one of the very best midfielders in the AFL for a half dozen years and I said in my previous post that I expect, like you do, to get back to his best in due course. But that doesn't change the fact that he's been awful this year. You can see it just watching the game. Everyone sees it. Just read the comments from RWO members on the match threads. It's been written up and commented upon by numerous journos. There's no comparison between what Hanners is doing this year and off-their-Brownlow best of Dangerfield and Martin.

Lauding his past doesn't change the current situation. Like everyone else, I'm waiting every week to see Hanners jump back to his usual self. Maybe it will happen this week. Who knows?

Based on his recent games there are several NEAFL players IMO that could make a better contribution than Hanners on recent form, including Fox, Newman, Towers and perhaps Robinson and Dawson as well. O'Riordan has also been playing good consistent football.

[Markwebbos]

What is his role currently?

That’s a very reasonable question. As a mostly outside midfielder that gets to as many contests as possible including playing a defensive role on another outside player e.g. Gaff

[jono2707]

I think currently we'd get more value out of blooding O'Riordan or getting some games into Dawson than having Hanners on the field.

Of course I hope his issues are only temporary and that normal service will soon be resumed.