Changes for round 16 v Essendon

[Captain]

I'm excited by the inclusion of HC and no pure ruckman. Truth be told, we haven't had a legitimate ruckman for a while. AA and Reid won't be slaughered in this game against Essendon. Heck, you can get injured by trying to jump a chain outside the grounds or by tossing a ball between mate's. They can happen at any time without warning.

What I liked with AA in the ruck last week was his ability to break from the centre square and get inside 50s. I think he has the potential to score after a centre bounce due to his speed and agility (if he backs himself).

Removing Sinkers and injecting HC makes our team quicker. Hopefully, it's what is required this weekend. Good coaching, I say. Let's keep Horse and co. a little longer.

Absolutely agree with all of this.

Cunningham coming back in is a no brainer. He is quick, can do multiple jobs and was probably leading our B&F before he was injured. Has been doing plenty at training and going very well.

[barry]

No ruckman makes sense. After all, Essendon aren't playing one either.

If Essendon arent playing one, thats more reason to play one and dominate the hitouts.

Why did we recruit grassy knoll in the mid season draft ?
Waste of a pick if a guy who dominated at SANFL level, isnt picked against a team without a ruckman.

[Aprilbr]

Knoll is new to the Club and the system and is still learning his way in the seconds. It would be a huge ask for him to play seniors this early. It's a shame that Cameron went down at such a critical stage but that's football. It will be interesting to watch the centre square contests this week!

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[Agent 86]

No, but I thought it would let me buy a members reserve ticket at the MCG. Maybe that's not how the ticketek site works. Never mind. I'll just buy a general reserve one at the ground.

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No ruckman makes sense. After all, Essendon aren't playing one either.

All the more reason why we should be blooding new ruckman.

[Ralph Dawg]

I’m sorry to just pick on this one comment because there have been a few but I find these types comments quite disrespectful to the medical staff. It is impossible for us as supporters to have the intel. Forget the years of training, education, and experience but consider the amount of gps, strength testing, agility testing, player feedback data that they would have. We have none of that yet are willing to suggest that they are being negligent. The Swans are a process-driven team and I don’t see it any differently with this injury management.

Personally, I’m glad H has come back in. I reckon he will do a job on Saad with the possibility of stints on Merritt.

Agree 100% ABS. As I alluded to in some posts on Sinclair's injury, sports medicine is a complicated interplay between injury management and the fact that you are dealing with elite athletes who can push their bodies much harder than the average Joe. Having spoken with sports doctors about their work (Drs Hislopp and Saunders - Qld origin and Olympics teams, Dr Halpin - Roosters and Knights NRL), these are impressive doctors. They are highly trained and passionate about their work. You certainly don't get into sports medicine unless you have a passion - relatively speaking it pays terribly compared to other specialties and requires prolonged absences from home. They are the main reasons I didn't pursue that speciality and went down a different path (although if someone had guaranteed me the Swans job, would've given it a crack!).

[Bloods05]

If Essendon arent playing one, thats more reason to play one and dominate the hitouts.

Why did we recruit grassy knoll in the mid season draft ?
Waste of a pick if a guy who dominated at SANFL level, isnt picked against a team without a ruckman.

Isn't Zac Clarke playing?

[Blood Relative]

I see Mc Inerny in the emergencies. Perhaps Mr. Longmire is keeping his options open for a late change??

[Beerman]

If Essendon arent playing one, thats more reason to play one and dominate the hitouts.

Why did we recruit grassy knoll in the mid season draft ?
Waste of a pick if a guy who dominated at SANFL level, isnt picked against a team without a ruckman.

My comment about Essendon was more in jest than serious.

I’m surprised by Knoll. The way everyone was talking about him when we picked him up it sounded like he was ready to go, which made a lot of sense. But listening to the coaches now it sounds like he’s a long way off. It’s hard to know how good he is or why we picked him up, given the mixed messages.

[Beerman]

Isn't Zac Clarke playing?

Yes. I was having a sly jab at him.

[Markwebbos]

Isn't Zac Clarke playing?

I’m with you Beerman

It would be reasonable to declare Zac Clarke is not an AFL standard ruckman. Nor is Knoll I suspect. He might have been insurance for Darcy Cameron leaving next year.

I still hope Cameron is fit for next weeks game.

[rb4x]

The team as named has Blakey and McCartin as our two key position forwards. Have we or any team had two younger players named as their key position forwards?

[Blood Fever]

The team as named has Blakey and McCartin as our two key position forwards. Have we or any team had two younger players named as their key position forwards?

Good point. Probably not.

[caj23]

I’m sorry to just pick on this one comment because there have been a few but I find these types comments quite disrespectful to the medical staff. It is impossible for us as supporters to have the intel. Forget the years of training, education, and experience but consider the amount of gps, strength testing, agility testing, player feedback data that they would have. We have none of that yet are willing to suggest that they are being negligent. The Swans are a process-driven team and I don’t see it any differently with this injury management.

Personally, I’m glad H has come back in. I reckon he will do a job on Saad with the possibility of stints on Merritt.

No dramas AB

My comment is not in relation to Harry's talent, he's best 22 when fit for mine. I just find it difficult to comprehend that he can come back in at full match fitness for a game at the MCG after such an extended break. If he's been training so strongly for the past fortnight then why couldn't he have played NEAFL last weekend? It doesn't really make sense

In respect of Sinclair, unless he completely blew it out the first time, there was a risk of further damage by sending him back on after the initial dislocation.

I'm not questioning the qualifications of our med staff, as Ralph Dawg indicated its a complicated area where most of these types of decisions aren't black and white. However, we do have a history of fielding players (either within a game or at selection) who aren't 100% fit, and its bit us on the bum more than once

[chammond]

The team as named has Blakey and McCartin as our two key position forwards. Have we or any team had two younger players named as their key position forwards?

That’s surely more significant than any ruck selection. Both our key forwards are 19yo with barely 50 games between them. Unless Papley kicks 10 goals, I can’t see how we can put together a winning score? If Longmire can conjure a win here, we should just pay him the millions and sign him up for life!

[MattW]

My comment about Essendon was more in jest than serious.

I’m surprised by Knoll. The way everyone was talking about him when we picked him up it sounded like he was ready to go, which made a lot of sense. But listening to the coaches now it sounds like he’s a long way off. It’s hard to know how good he is or why we picked him up, given the mixed messages.

Yes. Knoll was listed as an emergency in his first week at the club, but wasn't the primary ruck in his second game. It may be that we overestimated his talents.