#AFL Rd 21 Swans v Melbourne, MCG, Sun 12 Aug 3:20pm @SydneySwans #AFLDeesSwans

[caj23]

I think our defence has held up well enough since Mills broke his foot. I agree his intercept marking is very good but we have other players who can contribute this. Getting Aliir back into the team (and playing very well) has certainly been a positive in this regard.

Our biggest weakness this year has been in the midfield. We've previously been pretty good at winning a decent amount of contested ball and our midfield has been well-regarded as a two-way running, high tackling bunch. We've dropped off in both areas.

This might partly correct itself next year IFF Parker and Kennedy get decent pre-seasons into their bodies (I think both were restricted in the amount they could do last pre-season), and Hannebery can get himself fit and complete a pre-season. The likes of Florent and the young small forwards (who will inevitably float into the midfield at times, even if they aren't truly mids) might get slightly bigger and stronger and be able to stick more of their tackles. Hewett might emerge from his tagging experiences as a more potent clearance winner (and to be fair, he's contributed both defensively and offensively this year). Heeney may become more consistent (though I'm not convinced his best footy will be as a true onballer).

But injecting someone like Mills into the midfield group might be another factor that makes a difference. He has played a little bit in the midfield but mostly when the team's been well down and Longmire has thrown the magnets around a bit. At U18 level (and at NEAFL level before he was drafted) he looked like a natural midfield ball winner who could also navigate well through traffic. I had him pegged as a fair more natural stoppage ball winner than Heeney, who I think is most dangerous as the first or second receiver.

I think we have plenty who can adequately provide Mills' defensive attributes (even if they don't read the ball quite as well as him, or don't have hands quite as reliable as his). I'd like to see whether he can translate his natural ball winning ability as a junior to the senior ranks. I think he'll be more valuable to the team in the long term than playing one of the easiest positions on the ground.

100% agree, Mills is wasted and stagnating in the backline when our midfield needs strengthening

[CureTheSane]

How long has a microscope been targeted on our midfield?
Not much earlier than Mills' injury.
Up till then it was not excelling. but holding up fairly well.
Perhaps Mills would be in the mid now if he was not injured, perhaps not.

[Ludwig]

If we could only get Melican and Aliir playing in the team together, then it would be a no brainer that Mills would be in our midfield. He reminds me of Pendlebury.

I would prefer to move Dawson to defence if would allow Mills to play midfield. He's bigger, tracks the flight of the ball we and is a good contested mark. He's a bit undersized, but looks to have the tools to play as a key defender. like Dale Morris and Rampe, although I would still prefer him in the midfield.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Mark of the year!

Sent from my SM-T805Y using Tapatalk

It should be mark of the year but that may not eventuate. Mark of the year is now decided by supporters voting these days. In other words, a popularity contest like the Logies. Daniher won it last year despite Howe making a much better and more spectacular mark. All Swans supporters need to vote for Heeney. Here is a link; http://markoftheyear.afl/vote/round/21. Spread the word.

[Blood Fever]

It should be mark of the year but that may not eventuate. Mark of the year is now decided by supporters voting these days. In other words, a popularity contest like the Logies. Daniher won it last year despite Howe making a much better and more spectacular mark. All Swans supporters need to vote for Heeney. Here is a link; Mark Of The Year - Round 21. Spread the word.

Ridiculous, shallow system lacking integrity - bit like the AFL itself.

[Hotpotato]

Could someone fix the link, it’s not clicking .

[MattW]

I think our defence has held up well enough since Mills broke his foot. I agree his intercept marking is very good but we have other players who can contribute this. Getting Aliir back into the team (and playing very well) has certainly been a positive in this regard.

Our biggest weakness this year has been in the midfield. We've previously been pretty good at winning a decent amount of contested ball and our midfield has been well-regarded as a two-way running, high tackling bunch. We've dropped off in both areas.

This might partly correct itself next year IFF Parker and Kennedy get decent pre-seasons into their bodies (I think both were restricted in the amount they could do last pre-season), and Hannebery can get himself fit and complete a pre-season. The likes of Florent and the young small forwards (who will inevitably float into the midfield at times, even if they aren't truly mids) might get slightly bigger and stronger and be able to stick more of their tackles. Hewett might emerge from his tagging experiences as a more potent clearance winner (and to be fair, he's contributed both defensively and offensively this year). Heeney may become more consistent (though I'm not convinced his best footy will be as a true onballer).

But injecting someone like Mills into the midfield group might be another factor that makes a difference. He has played a little bit in the midfield but mostly when the team's been well down and Longmire has thrown the magnets around a bit. At U18 level (and at NEAFL level before he was drafted) he looked like a natural midfield ball winner who could also navigate well through traffic. I had him pegged as a fair more natural stoppage ball winner than Heeney, who I think is most dangerous as the first or second receiver.

I think we have plenty who can adequately provide Mills' defensive attributes (even if they don't read the ball quite as well as him, or don't have hands quite as reliable as his). I'd like to see whether he can translate his natural ball winning ability as a junior to the senior ranks. I think he'll be more valuable to the team in the long term than playing one of the easiest positions on the ground.

I agree that Aliir in the side reduces the need to play Mills back given Aliir's intercept marking prowess, which was a key part of Mills' role.

However, I'm uncertain whether Mills will dominate as an inside mid. There is something that makes me doubt it a little. It may just be that we don't see him around the clearances that much, so it's hard to imagine. He's also not that quick. Perhaps it's the feeling that if they thought he'd dominate there they'd have played him there already.

Anyway, your post is logical, and I hope they play him there and I'm very keen to see how he goes.

[Ludwig]

I agree that Aliir in the side reduces the need to play Mills back given Aliir's intercept marking prowess, which was a key part of Mills' role.

This article by Andrew Wu says that Aliir is the leading intercept mark in the AFL since round 13 when he rejoined the senior team:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/aliir-flying-high-in-new-look-swans-defence-20180815-p4zxna.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_afl

[MattW]

This article by Andrew Wu says that Aliir is the leading intercept mark in the AFL since round 13 when he rejoined the senior team:
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/...=rss_sport_afl

Thanks for that. Andrew working his beat well again, gathering Shaw's insights to complement his research.

[Hotpotato]

Not so secret weapon now .

[ugg]

[YvonneH]

It should be mark of the year but that may not eventuate. Mark of the year is now decided by supporters voting these days. In other words, a popularity contest like the Logies. Daniher won it last year despite Howe making a much better and more spectacular mark. All Swans supporters need to vote for Heeney. Here is a link; Mark Of The Year - Round 21. Spread the word.

I could be wrong but with the debacle of last year (when Daniher won despite Howe clearly being the better mark) I think there was a change instigated. Can't remember exactly what it was, but something along the lines that the AFL had the final say.

[MattW]

I could be wrong but with the debacle of last year (when Daniher won despite Howe clearly being the better mark) I think there was a change instigated. Can't remember exactly what it was, but something along the lines that the AFL had the final say.

Yep, here: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/...25-p4znnv.html.

I found that piece looking for a video of Curnow's mark after Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall described it as better than Heeney's. They're kidding, right?

[Hotpotato]

Thanks for this Ugg, wish it was technically easier to post pics.

One frame earlier Isaac has his forward fist clenched to punch. So in a minute fraction of a second he changes his mind to attempt a mark and succeeds.

That’s why it has to be MOTY.

How he didn’t hurt himself on landing I’ll never know.

[Meg]

How he didn’t hurt himself on landing I’ll never know.

That amazes me too. Heeney must be made of rubber - he more or less bounced off the ground when he landed!