Swans' Pre-season 2019

[Auntie.Gerald]

My gut feeling is that Blakey would be behind buddy, Reid and mcCartin for a Key forward role if everyone fit and ready to Rock

I don’t say that lightly because Blakey is on the rise and not easy to assess until we see him playing in the pre season Competition

So “if” Blakey could press a strong claim for the top22 like Heeney, Mills, Florent, Hayward, McCartin etc in their first year at the club where could he pop up position wise realistically ?

Wing or HFF are fairly uncomplicated roles but wing in particular iS bloody tough if youre not a seriously good runner or (snr footy fit) which I’m not sure blakey would be ready for in comparison to other players ready to go like Florent, Cunningham, Jones etc

Thoughts ?

[dejavoodoo44]

My gut feeling is that Blakey would be behind buddy, Reid and mcCartin for a Key forward role if everyone fit and ready to Rock

I don’t say that lightly because Blakey is on the rise and not easy to assess until we see him playing in the pre season Competition

So “if” Blakey could press a strong claim for the top22 like Heeney, Mills, Florent, Hayward, McCartin etc in their first year at the club where could he pop up position wise realistically ?

Wing or HFF are fairly uncomplicated roles but wing in particular iS bloody tough if youre not a seriously good runner or (snr footy fit) which I’m not sure blakey would be ready for in comparison to other players ready to go like Florent, Cunningham, Jones etc

Thoughts ?

Yes, assuming that Buddy comes up for round one and that Reid doesn't injure himself in the meantime, I would prefer to see Blakey in the NEAFL. I see McCartin as a future star, who had an excellent debut season. So I don't think Blakey should take his place. Unless Blakey shows some particularly outstanding form, in the Whatever Cup.
In regards to Blakey's position, I would assume that the selectors would see him as a very useful interchange player: someone who could both relieve outside mids and who could also venture forward, especially if there's a chance to stretch the opposing defence with height.

[AnsweredPrayers]

I agree. I expect Blakey will start round one on the interchange bench. They will be keen to get as many games as they can into him. He's keen to be a midfielder so I assume he has a pretty good tank. I expect him to be on the wing or a lead up third tall forward. Shouldn't come to too much harm in those positions.

[Blood Fever]

I agree. I expect Blakey will start round one on the interchange bench. They will be keen to get as many games as they can into him. He's keen to be a midfielder so I assume he has a pretty good tank. I expect him to be on the wing or a lead up third tall forward. Shouldn't come to too much harm in those positions.

Our list is exceptionally promising as long as we can hold on to most of our young guns. As fans, reckon we need to be more patient in next couple of years after being spoilt for success at the pointy end of the ladder for many years.

[Mr Magoo]

Do you think Blakey will have the tank . He didnt play much last year.

[S.S. Bleeder]

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

It also menyions that Ely Smith has been fantastic for the Lions :-(

[Mel_C]

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!

And Ollie Wines for Port Adelaide injured his shoulder water skiing!

I hope our players are wrapped in bubble wrap!

[Meg]

And Ollie Wines for Port Adelaide injured his shoulder water skiing!

I hope our players are wrapped in bubble wrap!

I see from Instagram that Buddy spent part of the long w/e on a quad bike in sand dunes somewhere along the coast (with various mates including Tom Derickx). That made me a little nervous ......

[Auntie.Gerald]

Do you think Blakey will have the tank . He didnt play much last year.

I think that is a great question and it is relative to his match up

Issac Smith vs Blakey ?

[dejavoodoo44]

I see from Instagram that Buddy spent part of the long w/e on a quad bike in sand dunes somewhere along the coast (with various mates including Tom Derickx). That made me a little nervous ......

Well, since it seems like he's nowhere near Moore Park, then it's probably okay?

[Ludwig]

I see from Instagram that Buddy spent part of the long w/e on a quad bike in sand dunes somewhere along the coast (with various mates including Tom Derickx). That made me a little nervous ......

Anything involving Tom Derickx can bring on an anxiety attack. At least Tom is wearing a helmet. We can't afford to have him injured before the season starts.

[dejavoodoo44]

Anything involving Tom Derickx can bring on an anxiety attack. At least Tom is wearing a helmet. We can't afford to have him injured before the season starts.

I dunno, maybe it's time for a role change? From travelling emergency, to travelling to emergency.

[stevoswan]

Do you think Blakey will have the tank . He didnt play much last year.

Natural athlete.....he'll be fine.

- - - Updated - - -

Anything involving Tom Derickx can bring on an anxiety attack. At least Tom is wearing a helmet. We can't afford to have him injured before the season starts.

Yes, we may need Tom as a ruck back up!

[Nico]

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?

For years now our Achilles heel has been clean centre clearances. This rule means we must rid ourselves of this glaring weakness. Genuine tap ruckmen to their rovers are few and far between. We have to have the mids to make a beeline for the footy and stuff this blocking tactics on opposition mids. Hence Papley and Mills to the midfield makes sense. Quick footed and quick in the mind. Parker and Kennedy are the around the ground mids. If we get this right Buddy could kick a ton.

[Nico]

Anything involving Tom Derickx can bring on an anxiety attack. At least Tom is wearing a helmet. We can't afford to have him injured before the season starts.

It's time you gave up this love affair with Tom.