Swans' Pre-season 2019

[Auntie.Gerald]

Who will exit on the left for us in 2019 from the centre clearance ?

A left footed kicker to buddies fav spot to kick goals is essential

The hawks showed that for years with bud and roughie having left footed midfield kickers hodge, Lewis and SMitchell he kicked equally on both feet

[Auntie.Gerald]

Just wondering Re our backline

If Rampe, Grundy, AA and melican are on the paddock and playing very well in key role positions does that free up Rampe to play a role that varies between key defender and playing loose ?

Rampe is the only player out of the 4 “tall” defenders that can play on smalls and talls

[magic.merkin]

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

...

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.

I expect clubs will be training to give away quick deliberate professional free kicks in this late game scenario. Allowing the play to stop and get numbers back. Which will lead to another knee jerk rule change by the AFL morons

[Cosmic Wizard]

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.

I actually see McCartin as a midfielder, not a forward: at 192cm he is too small to be tall in the forward line.

Once he gets his fitness and endurance up, he should go into the middle. He has good footy smarts and hands.

Blakey will get games because they need to get games into him.

He will be very hard for defenders to stop; tall, quick, great hands, very much in the Roughhead mould.

[dimelb]

Plugger was 191cm. Mind you, he was also 118kg.

Tony Lockett - Wikipedia

[Mr Magoo]

As is De Gooey

[S.S. Bleeder]

I actually see McCartin as a midfielder, not a forward: at 192cm he is too small to be tall in the forward line.

Once he gets his fitness and endurance up, he should go into the middle. He has good footy smarts and hands.

Blakey will get games because they need to get games into him.

He will be very hard for defenders to stop; tall, quick, great hands, very much in the Roughhead mould.

I don't think height is an issue for McCartin given the amount of ball he got last year. He is a good mark, leads well and seems mobile. His current issue is his kicking and general experience. He still has a lot to learn.

Everyone is talking about Blakey playing round 1. I hope he does because he will be an exciting player but I can't get past his skinny frame and be concerned about him being pummelled by the bigger bodies.

[dejavoodoo44]

Plugger was 191cm. Mind you, he was also 118kg.

Tony Lockett - Wikipedia

Yes, AFL players are an interesting data base, when it comes to how much taller Australians have become. For instance, Roy Cazaly, star ruckman of the 10s and 20s: 1.80m. Bob Pratt, star full forward of the 30s: 1.80m.

[Auntie.Gerald]

It’s also the skill development that has been put into talls at such a high frequency from such a young age plus cherry picking from other sports notoriously year after year to increase talent pool

Plus kids in the 90s 2000s and beyond play so many sports increasing skill and dexterity compared to 60s 70s and earlier when 15yrs old told to get a job and help the family

Tall strong youth were picked for labour intensive jobs over skinny short all day long

I remember uncles and friends talking about this round bbqs how they selected brickies, carpenters etc when choosing a 15yr old back in the days when it was seriously physical work

[Mel_C]

Does anyone know how Naismith is going? I haven't seen him in any of the training photos this year. He is going to be very important for us this year.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Does anyone know how Naismith is going? I haven't seen him in any of the training photos this year. He is going to be very important for us this year.

Last I heard he had a setback or delay with his knee but is scheduled to return to training soon.

I'm very concerned about how delicate his body seems to be. I fear that he will be one of those players that never got a clear run at the game and his ability will never be fulfilled. What's even sadder is that we are desperate for a tap ruckman.

[AnnieH]

38 degrees today in Sydney.
Officially a no shirt day, if you ask me.

[Markwebbos]

38 degrees today in Sydney.
Officially a no shirt day, if you ask me.

Go for it Annie. I’m not stopping you!

[Cosmic Wizard]

Plugger was 191cm. Mind you, he was also 118kg.

Tony Lockett - Wikipedia

Sorry but thats truly ancient history!

Cripps: Height: 195cm Weight: 93kg

Bontempelli: Height: 193cm Weight: 93kg

Fyfe: Height: 190cm Weight: 92kg

Collier-Dawkins: Height: 193cm Weight: 91kg

We are in the age of huge midfielders!

And they will only get bigger!

[Ludwig]

Sorry but thats truly ancient history!

We are in the age of huge midfielders!

And they will only get bigger!

Oh Yeah!