Swans' Pre-season 2019

[Ludwig]

I'm pleased to see Mills doing well in the midfield, where he's always belonged. We should be a much improved team if Thurlow can hold down that spot that Mills was playing last season. Thurlow is a pretty good player with the height and pace that goes well as a third tallish defender.

I'm also concur with Liz' earlier comment: I'd love to see Dawson and COR play so well during the pre-season games that they can't be left out of the round 1 side. These 2 fourth year players are ready to roll and both should be regulars in the side, unless we mess things up by playing some over the hill vets in their stead.

The solution to our midfield problems were closer at hand that some thought. The bolstering of our back and forward lines have made several players available to reposition to the midfield. The addition of Clarke and a healthy Dawson also help.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Is anyone able to clarify if McCartin was switched to defence during the game? It'd be interesting to see if they are considering turning him into a swing man. This could be an ndication that the club is confident that Blakey will be getting a lot of games this season.

[stevoswan]

Is anyone able to clarify if McCartin was switched to defence during the game? It'd be interesting to see if they are considering turning him into a swing man. This could be an ndication that the club is confident that Blakey will be getting a lot of games this season.

This is from the article mentioned earlier.

'Young key position prospect Tom McCartin continued his strong pre-season and booted two goals in the first half opposed to Jack Maibaum, before he was moved into defence to play on Reid and did a solid job after half-time.'

Sounds like he did ok.....

[dimelb]

This is from the article mentioned earlier.

'Young key position prospect Tom McCartin continued his strong pre-season and booted two goals in the first half opposed to Jack Maibaum, before he was moved into defence to play on Reid and did a solid job after half-time.'

Sounds like he did ok.....

Given Sam Reid's c.v. I can well imagine that they would like to see Tom McC take on a swing role!

[Auntie.Gerald]

Or even Jordan Dawson May end u playing several roles

I’ve windered why he isn’t a possible intercept defender at 190cm tall, great mark, super long arms which makes him player taller andamassive kick

But his development has been a lot in the midfield and maybe an apprentice Joey kennedy in the making ?

A left footed exit from the centre bounce to buddies fav spot would be just superb

[aardvark]

A bit of an omen, last time Rafa and Novak played in the Oz open final we were premiers!

[Mountain Man]

Can anyone report on match simulation exercises with centre bounces and the 6 players restricted to the respective arcs?

In the upcoming season, I imagine a dominant ruckman will gain in importance - making a 2 person ruck division more probable.

I can also envisage that big midfielders will continue their impact with maybe more time and less congestion in their ball winning exploits.

But I suspect that the transition to the arc will continue to be somewhat rushed and without opportunity to pick out a target; so, the likelihood of a clean mark will be reduced and the likelihood of a subsequent ball up much increased. Congestion in the centre circle will merely be transferred.

How do others see it, and how do the Swans list rank in this new scenario?

[dejavoodoo44]

Can anyone report on match simulation exercises with centre bounces and the 6 players restricted to the respective arcs?

In the upcoming season, I imagine a dominant ruckman will gain in importance - making a 2 person ruck division more probable.

I can also envisage that big midfielders will continue their impact with maybe more time and less congestion in their ball winning exploits.

But I suspect that the transition to the arc will continue to be somewhat rushed and without opportunity to pick out a target; so, the likelihood of a clean mark will be reduced and the likelihood of a subsequent ball up much increased. Congestion in the centre circle will merely be transferred.

How do others see it, and how do the Swans list rank in this new scenario?

I haven't really given it much thought, but I suspect that the new rule won't make much difference. In regards to clearances, at the bounce, there will still be the same number of players in the square: so probably business as usual. Though one tactic, that we sometimes used last year, may be affected. This was when Papley or Hayward started as an extra half back and then sprinted towards the bounce, in order to receive a clearing handball. This often resulted in an effective kick into the forward line. Not really sure what is achieved by stopping that? Though I suppose that having a defender, like Jones or Mills, do much the same thing, could probably achieve similar results.

Though I think that the main reason why the AFL formulated the rule, was to have a bit more scoring, by not allowing teams to flood their back half, when momentum is against them. Which may work to some degree, but could largely be negated by laying a tackle at the bounce and then flooding back before the secondary ball up.

[baskin]

I'm no expert but I think the 6-6-6 rule will have the biggest impact near the end of a tight game.

Over the years we have had Sam Reid, then Gary Rohan and more lately Isaac Heeney go back as the extra man in defense when we have managed to pinch the lead late in a game. You'll see a number of players pointing and waving to get into the back line before the ball goes back into the middle for the bounce.

This can't happen anymore, so teams will have to work on winning their own ball out of the centre or as dejavoodoo44 mentioned lay a tackle to allow the players to run to the backline. Some very good ruck work will be needed and a lot of very fit running players.

In the reverse scenario, if you can win the ball and have good long accurate kicks into the forward line you will only have one-on-one match ups to kick to.

[wolftone57]

Can anyone report on match simulation exercises with centre bounces and the 6 players restricted to the respective arcs?

In the upcoming season, I imagine a dominant ruckman will gain in importance - making a 2 person ruck division more probable.

I can also envisage that big midfielders will continue their impact with maybe more time and less congestion in their ball winning exploits.

But I suspect that the transition to the arc will continue to be somewhat rushed and without opportunity to pick out a target; so, the likelihood of a clean mark will be reduced and the likelihood of a subsequent ball up much increased. Congestion in the centre circle will merely be transferred.

How do others see it, and how do the Swans list rank in this new scenario?

I think the rule is another example of poorly thought out changes. Since McLachlan has taken over there have been many knee jerk reaction changes. I think those in at AFL House listen too much to the media. The adjudicating of the taking the ball out of the ruck should never have been changed in the first place and has now been changed back. The nominating ruckman has gone I think and that was another of those knee jerk reaction rules but third up is still banned. This rule is going to make little or no difference to the congestion problem. Whistling the ball up immediately there is a chance of congestion would be better.

The other thing is start penalising players for holding and blocking around stoppages or in the contest. So often gun players are being scragged and nothing is done unless your name is Ablett, Dangerfield, Selwood, Pendelbury, Sloane, Martin. The fact is as soon as the centre bounce has been completed the extras will be employed. This rule is a waste of time. Sure we had an extra player off the back of the square and this rule is only going to stop that so in fact it was probably brought in to combat our tactics. It would not surprise me. This rule will have little or no impact.

The ruck rule will have plenty of impact. If a big ruckman an take the ball out of the ruck without getting penalised for holding the ball his strength will give him time to set up play. I think Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair will be good at this. If you play an undersized ruckman you do it at your own peril because high quality rucks like Grundy, Natanui, Gawn and co will destroy you.

[Blood Fever]

I think the rule is another example of poorly thought out changes. Since McLachlan has taken over there have been many knee jerk reaction changes. I think those in at AFL House listen too much to the media. The adjudicating of the taking the ball out of the ruck should never have been changed in the first place and has now been changed back. The nominating ruckman has gone I think and that was another of those knee jerk reaction rules but third up is still banned. This rule is going to make little or no difference to the congestion problem. Whistling the ball up immediately there is a chance of congestion would be better.

The other thing is start penalising players for holding and blocking around stoppages or in the contest. So often gun players are being scragged and nothing is done unless your name is Ablett, Dangerfield, Selwood, Pendelbury, Sloane, Martin. The fact is as soon as the centre bounce has been completed the extras will be employed. This rule is a waste of time. Sure we had an extra player off the back of the square and this rule is only going to stop that so in fact it was probably brought in to combat our tactics. It would not surprise me. This rule will have little or no impact.

The ruck rule will have plenty of impact. If a big ruckman an take the ball out of the ruck without getting penalised for holding the ball his strength will give him time to set up play. I think Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair will be good at this. If you play an undersized ruckman you do it at your own peril because high quality rucks like Grundy, Natanui, Gawn and co will destroy you.

Agree with you re McLachlan and knee jerk reactions after pressure from Vic media and Vic clubs and president(s). You're probably right about Naismith being ok about taking the ball out of the air. Have doubts about Sinclair in this area. Grundy and a few other bigger blokes monstered him last year. Will be interested to see our ruckmen in action this year.

[Markwebbos]

On a separate tack

Draftee watch: How are your club's new faces tracking? - AFL.com.au

Father/son arrival Nick Blakey has eased into his first pre-season beautifully, with the young forward looking nothing like a new draftee, especially in competitive situations. Blakey's cool head in modified match simulation drills and his disposal by foot has been impressive. Friday's scratch match saw the stocks of Zac Foot and Justin McInerney continue to rise, with both players exciting on opposite wings. Foot's leg speed is his major weapon and he showed it on several occasions. McInerney has quickly endeared himself to the Swans coaches with his competitiveness, as shown by a fierce tackle in match simulation he laid on Callum Mills before the Christmas break, that left Mills visibly frustrated with his younger teammate when he was caught holding the ball. - Adam Curley

The standout
He didn't come with the same hype as Blakey but McInerney gets the nod and will be a cult favourite with Sydney fans.

On track for round one
Nick Blakey

[Meg]

On a separate tack

Draftee watch: How are your club's new faces tracking? - AFL.com.au

Father/son arrival Nick Blakey has eased into his first pre-season beautifully. - Adam Curley

The standout
He didn't come with the same hype as Blakey but McInerney gets the nod and will be a cult favourite with Sydney fans.

On track for round one
Nick Blakey

Second standout: Nick Blakey being described as a Swans’ father/son. [emoji3][emoji3] Eat your heart out Nth Melbourne (and Brisbane Lions) fans.

[dejavoodoo44]

Second standout: Nick Blakey being described as a Swans’ father/son. [emoji3][emoji3] Eat your heart out Nth Melbourne (and Brisbane Lions) fans.

Yes, it seems to be a fairly common mistake. Or is it just Adam Curley making the same mistake, over and over again?

[dejavoodoo44]

Seems like Carlton's new recruit, Alex Fasolo, has broken his arm, while wrestling at an Australia Day party.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
Ow! Ow! Ow!