Changes for R6 v GWS

[707]

Good that Jack finally lost his Gold Pass, needs to earn his place now.(edit, just noticed he's out with a hip, don't want him to be an automatic in when he recovers) Still disappointed COR isn't in, need his run and senior development.

Got a very good bottle of McLaren Vale Shiraz on standby for the game, I'll drink half if we win/lose narrowly, but full bottle under threat if we are dreadful again!

[O'Reilly Boy]

Looking at the line up as published, I hope that the magnets get moved around a bit.

I'd rather see Dawson playing off a half-back flank and McCartin in the forward half than the other way around.

That would mean that the defensive rotations are
Aliir, Rampe, Melican, Thurlow, Dawson, Lloyd, Mills (although I am of the school that wants him on the ball, so perhaps Cunningham back instead. I'd also like to see Reid back there more permanently).

Forward rotations:
Franklin, McCartin, Papley, Hewitt, Blakey, Reid, Parker

Feels tall, and a long way from what appeared to be the planned structure of three talls and three fast(ish) smalls. But with Papley playing more midfield, Hayward injured, and Ronke out of touch, that model seems out of reach (although Rose might fit that bill). McCartin should be playing out of the goalsquare (if only to prepare for life after Franklin (and Reid)), and Franklin pushing up the wings.

I was thinking back to the Malceski days when wondering abut Dawson. We played very differently out of defence then: on a defensive turnover, Malceski used to run straight to a CHB position, receive, and then have options to switch, go down the line, or hand off to a line-breaking runner. His kick was good enough to pick a target beyond centre wing. These days we seem restricted to either hot potato handballs or kicks to contests down the line, and with the loss of McVeigh seem to be lacking a cool, calculating, inventive player across HB. Unfortunately, I've found myself swayed by the critiques of Lloyd who, for all the stats, doesn't generate much go-forward. Better on a wing. Dawson has one of the better kicks in the team, and I'd like to see him move into the Malceski kind of role.

[AnnieH]

99.99% chance of losing this week.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Looking at the line up as published, I hope that the magnets get moved around a bit.

I'd rather see Dawson playing off a half-back flank and McCartin in the forward half than the other way around.

That would mean that the defensive rotations are
Aliir, Rampe, Melican, Thurlow, Dawson, Lloyd, Mills (although I am of the school that wants him on the ball, so perhaps Cunningham back instead. I'd also like to see Reid back there more permanently).

Forward rotations:
Franklin, McCartin, Papley, Hewitt, Blakey, Reid, Parker

Feels tall, and a long way from what appeared to be the planned structure of three talls and three fast(ish) smalls. But with Papley playing more midfield, Hayward injured, and Ronke out of touch, that model seems out of reach (although Rose might fit that bill). McCartin should be playing out of the goalsquare (if only to prepare for life after Franklin (and Reid)), and Franklin pushing up the wings.

I was thinking back to the Malceski days when wondering abut Dawson. We played very differently out of defence then: on a defensive turnover, Malceski used to run straight to a CHB position, receive, and then have options to switch, go down the line, or hand off to a line-breaking runner. His kick was good enough to pick a target beyond centre wing. These days we seem restricted to either hot potato handballs or kicks to contests down the line, and with the loss of McVeigh seem to be lacking a cool, calculating, inventive player across HB. Unfortunately, I've found myself swayed by the critiques of Lloyd who, for all the stats, doesn't generate much go-forward. Better on a wing. Dawson has one of the better kicks in the team, and I'd like to see him move into the Malceski kind of role.

No point having a big left foot off the back flank when there’s nothing to kick to


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[Markwebbos]

Looking at the line up as published, I hope that the magnets get moved around a bit.

I'd rather see Dawson playing off a half-back flank and McCartin in the forward half than the other way around.

That would mean that the defensive rotations are
Aliir, Rampe, Melican, Thurlow, Dawson, Lloyd, Mills (although I am of the school that wants him on the ball, so perhaps Cunningham back instead. I'd also like to see Reid back there more permanently).

Forward rotations:
Franklin, McCartin, Papley, Hewitt, Blakey, Reid, Parker

Feels tall, and a long way from what appeared to be the planned structure of three talls and three fast(ish) smalls. But with Papley playing more midfield, Hayward injured, and Ronke out of touch, that model seems out of reach (although Rose might fit that bill). McCartin should be playing out of the goalsquare (if only to prepare for life after Franklin (and Reid)), and Franklin pushing up the wings.

I was thinking back to the Malceski days when wondering abut Dawson. We played very differently out of defence then: on a defensive turnover, Malceski used to run straight to a CHB position, receive, and then have options to switch, go down the line, or hand off to a line-breaking runner. His kick was good enough to pick a target beyond centre wing. These days we seem restricted to either hot potato handballs or kicks to contests down the line, and with the loss of McVeigh seem to be lacking a cool, calculating, inventive player across HB. Unfortunately, I've found myself swayed by the critiques of Lloyd who, for all the stats, doesn't generate much go-forward. Better on a wing. Dawson has one of the better kicks in the team, and I'd like to see him move into the Malceski kind of role.

Rampe could possibly be the new Malceski except he's also our best defender, so usually has the best forward to worry about. The (lack of) development of Melican, Maibaum etc is holding Rampe back. I also think Dawson could play that role... and began to when playing as the spare v Richmond.

Your reference to a "line-breaking runner" I'd go as far as to say I don't think a side can contend without at least one, preferably a couple. The injuries to Smith, Grundy, McVeigh do allow us to change things up in defence and play quicker players, although COR is languishing in the NEAFL, and Mills is yet to move to the midfield. COR does appear to be the Dawson of 2019.

#Lingwatch. I'm hoping they give him 3-4 more weeks in the NEAFL before they bring him into the side.

[AB Swannie]

There seems to be a lot of talk on here about our half back players. I agree that we have an opportunity to evolve here but at least we do seem to have options and depth. Our big issue is locking the ball in the forward half. With Ronke struggling, Papley up the ground, Hayward injured, and Rohan now a cat, we have no forward pressure. The ball just rebounds so easily from the back. For this game, I’m hoping Papley plays mostly forward with Rowbottom to tackle, tackle, and tackle.

[AnnieH]

If we could get it PAST halfback without turning it over....

[liz]

I am a little confused about the role of McCartin in the team.

When Melican was omitted after round 2, the defence didn't get any smaller - rather McCartin was brought in to replace Melican. Now Melican is back (because the Giants have a taller forward line than the Tigers, so we are told) but McCartin is still in the team. Presumably that means he plays forward, which leaves us with three tall forwards, as well as the returning Blakey (who is tall but maybe will line up more on a wing tomorrow).

[Scottee]

Same ol, same ol. I'm getting really sick of Horse's fixation on height....It only works if you are dominant around the ball and clearances....

Can't see us winning either of these facets of the game.

IMO we need to find some running counter attackers, and some pressure forwards to make the most of limited opportunities....Melican and Blakey don't fit the bill.

Dead right, we are tall and slow and lack agility. Highly vulnerable. Poor selections seem to have become a habit.

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[Blue Sun]

99.99% chance of losing this week.

I just hope we can keep it to a respectable losing margin, like 22 points against Richmond last week. No shame in losing to top sides if its competitive.

And thats when you know your team is on the slide, when you're content with 4 goal losses!

[Sandrevan]

Dead right, we are tall and slow and lack agility. Highly vulnerable. Poor selections seem to have become a habit.

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Could this be considered tanking??

Playing so many talls could be part of a game plan that revolves around keeping the ball in the air. This would indicate a move away from the congestion / stoppage based game plan the Swans have had for such a long time. However, if you want to make the most use of the talls then we need to see better marking and kicking (both field and goal) - which we're not.

[Markwebbos]

I am a little confused about the role of McCartin in the team.

When Melican was omitted after round 2, the defence didn't get any smaller - rather McCartin was brought in to replace Melican. Now Melican is back (because the Giants have a taller forward line than the Tigers, so we are told) but McCartin is still in the team. Presumably that means he plays forward, which leaves us with three tall forwards, as well as the returning Blakey (who is tall but maybe will line up more on a wing tomorrow).

Me too. I wonder if one of them (Melican, McCartin and Blakey) wont actually be playing.

[caj23]

Agree with the outs, not so much the ins

Really think we should've bought in a couple of runners - COR and Rose most deserving on form.

More talls against a fast GWS team on a dewy SCG is asking for trouble, the MC appear to be losing the plot

[Plugger46]

Agree with the outs, not so much the ins

Really think we should've bought in a couple of runners - COR and Rose most deserving on form.

More talls against a fast GWS team on a dewy SCG is asking for trouble, the MC appear to be losing the plot

Agree. All of Reid, Melican, McCartin and Blakey seems very odd.

[Scottee]

Last week our biggest deficiency was hardy a couple of lumbering talls. It won't be this week either. The motivation of the coaching panel is impossible to understand.

We are going to get spanked!