Covid 19 and footy - season (suspended) now resumed

[Meg]

Covid 19 and footy - season suspended

Anyone know what the 20 odd players not selected to play will be doing? Is it likely we'll arrange scratch matches against GWS or have the AFL outlawed that?

Still to be announced. It was speculated that consideration might be given to a national seconds competition with amalgamated teams. So a Swans/GWS combined team. Would be interesting ....

The logistics are complicated by the WA and SA clubs though as would mean all their players would have to relocate to Gold Coast and I am not sure if that is intended. And then presumably a sub-set of each (and in each of NSW, Vic and Qld) train together??

[liz]

Still to be announced. It was speculated that consideration might be given to a national seconds competition with amalgamated teams. So a Swans/GWS combined team. Would be interesting ....

I read that to be a suggestion for the future, rather than one for 2020. Apparently part of a cost-cutting exercise, though have no idea how that is supposed to work.

From my perspective, I think it would be a bad thing for the Swans. Even before Covid19, I don't think we were in the financial position to field a competitive side in a national reserves competition. For all the complaining about the uneven quality of the NEAFL competition, there is scant evidence that it has stymied the development of our younger players, and it adds a dimension to the Academy programme, giving younger players (some still 16yo) to experience a taste of senior football. That's less important for the cream of the crop, who have access to the AFL elite pathways, but for the vast majority who will go on to play in local competitions once they graduate, and who are the future regional coaches and team mates, I reckon it adds something to their experience and development.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I agree. the Swans NEAFL team needs to be viewed not merely as a means to developing Swans draftees, but as an important tool, like the academy, like Auskick in developing the game in Sydney.

The suggestion that money should be saved by having the clubs focus on high performance rather than development is folly and flies in the face of the AFL clubs own experience since the closing of their own U19 and reserves competitions. Has any entity ever benefited from having bean-counters take control?

[SeanM]

I am guessing in the short term it might be reserve practice matches against other AFL sides. The issue is they won't want players in the squad having contact with other Neafl or academy players who are outside the bubble.

It is easier for the ten Victorian and four Qld clubs because they have more variety in opponents. But even if the reserves play GWS reserves every week with the occasional match against an interstate side. It is better than nothing and gives them a chance to impress and some match conditioning. But I assume it would be reduced numbers like 16 vs 16 depending on availability. Or might have to use some of the younger assistant coaches who are in the bubble like Johnson to supplement numbers.

[707]

Just read in the Adelaide Advertiser that Crows and Port are planning to play each other for those players not selected in the seniors so I assume from that that the AFL has ok'd it.

As SeanM said in his post, the reserves players are in the same quarantine bubble.

[Meg]

Covid 19 and footy - season suspended

Just read in the Adelaide Advertiser that Crows and Port are planning to play each other for those players not selected in the seniors so I assume from that that the AFL has ok'd it.

As SeanM said in his post, the reserves players are in the same quarantine bubble.

If they do this they are unlikely to have enough players to fill the second teams. So as SeanM also said, they would have to supplement with coaches/staff who are also within the quarantine bubble and/or play with reduced team numbers/modified rules.

Re using coaches/staff as supplementary players, there will be a (greatly?) reduced number from whom to choose and their fitness levels will be mixed (so high injury potential). Plus I would have thought most would be required to be focused on the first team.

It was because of the difficulty of fielding complete second teams from within clubs that I thought consideration was being given to playing combined club second teams in a national competition. As Liz has commented however, I was probably confusing that with a proposal for the future, not this current season.

[SeanM]

Not sure how it will end up working. I am guessing they will have to follow similar match day procedures to their senior team with pre-game testing and minimum access to the rooms.

They will probably get bored of playing GWS every week. And the intensity will probably be that of an intra club. But it would keep things logistically simple in not having to fly a reserve team interstate. And I assume there would be a lot of flexibility with rules based on how many fit players each team had.

Maybe later on in the season there would be more opportunities to fly the reserves interstate for matches to play different opposition. Such as flying into Melbourne at the same time as the senior team. But in the first month there is probably going to be so much planning and focus on the senior team following the new rules. So they might keep things simple with the reserves.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Swans site has just put out its first training gallery, in quite a while. The lead photo was Buddy looking athletic.
It's possible that Lewy Taylor is not a great self-motivated trainer. There's a photo with him, Hayward and Fox. Hayward and Fox look to be in excellent shape: Taylor, less so.

[Mountain Man]

It's not only the players who are "Buddy focused".

6 from 11 photos on the gallery feature the great man!

[barry]

I thought this thread would be very active today with the announcement that footy is back June 11.

Training starts next Monday and full contact training May 25. Doesn't leave much time until matches start. I think players will be rusty for a couple of games...like the pre season.

I received my member's beanie yesterday so I'm ready ????.

I'll believe June 11 when I see it. With NSW and Victoria relaxing restrictions, I cant see how that wont cause a spike in infections (I mean, what has really changed from a month ago?) , and then another lockdown. Since Vic teams wont go into hubs, the future rounds are all dependent on victorian infections rates.

[Captain]

Saw that Maxfield and Kennelly are the coaches/officials who are still stood down.

Obviously I’m not on the inner but would have thought Maxfield adds more value than Peris.

[Blood Fever]

Saw that Maxfield and Kennelly are the coaches/officials who are still stood down.

Obviously I’m not on the inner but would have thought Maxfield adds more value than Peris.

Think Maxfield lives in Melbourne and his role is part time

[Nico]

Think Maxfield lives in Melbourne and his role is part time

Maybe he stood down voluntarily.

[bloodspirit]

Think Maxfield lives in Melbourne and his role is part time

Maxie employed as opposition analyst, which would make sense if he's based in Melbourne. I've seen him at training in Sydney but he was certainly never a regular face around the place. I'm sure we'll continue to hold him close and value him in our inner sanctum. Hopefully there are no bad feelings.

[barry]

With queensland declaring its borders closed to NSW and Victoria, how does that not impact the Gold Coast Hub with Brisbane, GC, Freo, WC, Adel and Perth all located there.
Are they going to play amongst themselves for 5 or so rounds, expecting the borders to open after that ?, or do they have a travel excemption ?

It also seems that us and GWS are teams without a hub at the moment, and very vunerable to any NSW imposed travel restrictions. Should we have moved up there too, or to the victorian hub. ?