Round 1 vs Adelaide Cows

[bloodspirit]

Fascinating selection. No Franklin, no Reid, no Sinclair AND McCartin named in defence! I guess McCartin can always be swung forward if we desire. No Hewett! (I assume this must be due to the situation with his infant child. But then why is he named as an emergency? Is he the non-travelling emergency? Why would they send him to Adelaide if he's not going to play?) Papley, Taylor, Gray AND Ronke! This must be because Hewett isn't playing and they will combine to cover his spot in the midfield. No Stephens, which I find slightly surprising. I would have picked him ahead of Ronke based on the little I have seen of Ronke in recent times. No Gould. I think this is a team selected with victory in mind, favouring experience over potential. Nobody could have picked this 22.

I'm delighted for McInerney and didn't see that coming. Will watch his performance keenly. Great to see young and exciting talent getting a run. I'm also really pleased for COR. Bit of a worry for Bell that he isn't getting a look in despite the outs.

I don't agree the selection reflects a lack of depth in our list. We've got Franklin, Reid and Hewett to return plus Stephens and Gould (and maybe even Ling and Warner) with hopes of debuts this year. Stoddart is also decent depth although his non-selection is a little less alarming than Bell's because it is explained by the relatively settled back 6/7. Rather the selection shows that we are a young and relatively inexperienced squad, reduced a little by injury. So the players on the fringes are mostly young talents rather than steady journeymen (like, say, Fox or even Clarke).

The whole footy going ahead thing is pretty surprising but very welcome. I couldn't generate any enthusiasm for last night's match but I'm sure it will be better with the Swans playing.

Match rescheduled......now starting at 5:05pm.

Thanks for the update, stevo.

[dimelb]

Quite a few can consider themselves lucky to be in the 22 for this match, with Ronke, McInerney, O'Riordan and Hayward heading the list. But then the same could be said if it were Gould, Stephens, Clarke, Sinclair or Fox. This is the reality of having such ordinary depth. We have a good best 16/17, but it's a very steep drop off after that. Everything crossed some of those players prove me wrong. I won't be holding my breath. Crows by 33.

I wouldn't put O'Riordan among the lucky ones. I think he is one of our best field kicks and seems to be improving steadily.

[707]

I wouldn't put O'Riordan among the lucky ones. I think he is one of our best field kicks and seems to be improving steadily.

I've been impressed with what I've seen of COR, has had a number of injuries at inopportune times for continuity in his game, is best 22 for me.

[TheBloods]

I wouldn't put O'Riordan among the lucky ones. I think he is one of our best field kicks and seems to be improving steadily.

He is best 22 for me too, but he didn't do much in the Marsh series. A pleasing effort against the Giants followed by a very ordinary game against the Roos. Yet still probably good enough for a place in the team. When you see young talent like Stephenson and Ed Richards can't get games for their clubs, meanwhile we have guys who are OK, didn't do much in the Marsh series getting games easily, it shows how poor our depth is.

[bloodspirit]

In my view COR is safely best 22 for tomorrow but the situation is less clear if we had an entirely healthy list with everyone available. And even if he is right now a better player than, say, Dylan Stephens, Stephens has enough talent that we need to prioritise getting games into him so he can help us contend in future. Anyway, I am really pleased for Colin and hope he has a blinder and get a string of games at senior level that will help to build his confidence and to further improve him.

I'm glad we aren't giving more games to Clarke. Much prefer to see McInerney get a run because he can be part of our future whereas I think Clarke is a short term role player who may not be on our list next year.

[Ludwig]

The team selection was another small window into the Swans' game plan going forward. It's about pace and trying to become more of a forward lock in team rather than just a good defensive rebound team. We don't want a lot of stoppages and midfield play, because we are not a good contested footy team atm.

We have a large group of quick agile players waiting in the wings, so if injury or form knock a few out of the current side, we have similar players to replace them without having to change our style of play.

PS: I haven't seen anything about what the 'reserves' players will be doing now that the NEAFL is not going ahead. Does anyone know? Do we schedule reserves matches with GWS, for example, just to keep the players' game form on track?

[ugg]

Adam Curley mentioned Zac Williams who was not selected in the Giants’s senior team was going to play a NEAFL scratch match. Didn’t mention the opponent but there’s a good chance it will be the Swans you would think.

[bloodspirit]

The team selection was another small window into the Swans' game plan going forward. It's about pace and trying to become more of a forward lock in team rather than just a good defensive rebound team. We don't want a lot of stoppages and midfield play, because we are not a good contested footy team atm.

We have a large group of quick agile players waiting in the wings, so if injury or form knock a few out of the current side, we have similar players to replace them without having to change our style of play.

PS: I haven't seen anything about what the 'reserves' players will be doing now that the NEAFL is not going ahead. Does anyone know? Do we schedule reserves matches with GWS, for example, just to keep the players' game form on track?

Very interesting comment, Ludwig. You may be right.

I think it's likely that we will be playing scratch matches and, unlike with the Melbourne teams, GWS are pretty much the only opposition in town. Dimma was talking about organising scratch matches against other teams to give the rest of the 22 some match practice in his post-match presser last night. So I assume other clubs will be doing the same thing.

[Mel_C]

Anyone know if we are flying on a charter plane?

I read in the Age that Harley said we have the plane to ourselves and our players can be seated spread out. At Sydney airport we will be isolated in a separate area and when we get to Adelaide we will be shuttled from the tarmac to the hotel. We have the entire floor of the hotel to ourselves.

[KTigers]

I read in the Age that Harley said we have the plane to ourselves and our players can be seated spread out. At Sydney airport we will be isolated in a separate area and when we get to Adelaide we will be shuttled from the tarmac to the hotel. We have the entire floor of the hotel to ourselves.

I usually travel this way actually, and can highly recommend it. Ending up in Adelaide can be a bit of downer though.

[Markwebbos]

I usually travel this way actually, and can highly recommend it. Ending up in Adelaide can be a bit of downer though.

nice

[Meg]

I read in the Age that Harley said we have the plane to ourselves and our players can be seated spread out. At Sydney airport we will be isolated in a separate area and when we get to Adelaide we will be shuttled from the tarmac to the hotel. We have the entire floor of the hotel to ourselves.

“I read in the Age that Harley said we have the plane to ourselves and our players can be seated spread out.”

What’s the point of that? They won’t be spread out on Adelaide Oval. This is becoming farcical.

[Legs Akimbo]

“I read in the Age that Harley said we have the plane to ourselves and our players can be seated spread out.”

What’s the point of that? They won’t be spread out on Adelaide Oval. This is becoming farcical.

Unfortunately it's not farcical. One player gets it and the season is done for. In reality, it is likely a matter of time anyway. I've just come back from the US and we are in the same situation as them. Exponential growth for the next 6 to 7 days because we missed the window of taking it seriously. I'm going to enjoy this game while I can, win lose our draw.

[MattW]

“I read in the Age that Harley said we have the plane to ourselves and our players can be seated spread out.”

What’s the point of that? They won’t be spread out on Adelaide Oval. This is becoming farcical.

They will be outside, though. The chance of picking it up from another, generally speaking, is greater indoors. Also, I can't see too much to lose by minimising risk where possible.

[Markwebbos]

They just need to make a couple of rule changes e.g. defender must be no closer than 1.5 metres from his opponent including in a marking contest. If one player touches another it’s a free kick to the touchee. Only one ruckman allowed to contest a bounce etc