Round 12: Swans v Giants in Perth

[Blood Fever]

Mills has already moved out to the midfield where he is more needed. I like Cunningham in defence, but I think we will prefer to use Ling, Stoddart or Mcinerney as our speedy halfback and move Cunningham to the midfield. Harry can also play on ball. Mills and Harry are both very good in defence, but the tendency is to introduce young midfield types to either halfback or half forward and move out the veterans to the midfield to make room.

Massive downgrade from Mills to any of the 3 novices you mention. Mills, who didn't play a minute of midfield last night, should rightly stay back, where he is elite. Not as simple as some might think to be a great defender.

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[Syd76]

Mills has already moved out to the midfield where he is more needed. I like Cunningham in defence, but I think we will prefer to use Ling, Stoddart or Mcinerney as our speedy halfback and move Cunningham to the midfield. Harry can also play on ball. Mills and Harry are both very good in defence, but the tendency is to introduce young midfield types to either halfback or half forward and move out the veterans to the midfield to make room.

Stoddart? You have got to be joking.. he had his opportunity to impress. I hope the kid makes it, but I am rather doubtful. Ling on the other hand is another story....

[Markwebbos]

Walsh isn't a teenager; picks 2-6 are not mids and neither is Butters.

I think we are in furious agreement. Top 5, possibly top 3 mid from that draft, right now. And maybe top 15 player. After Walsh and Smith, he's probably next mid. There are some exceptional players not playing in midfield who I'd rate more highly: Kings x 2, Rankine, Rozee, Lukosius, Blakey*, Butters, Quaynor, but he's going alright for a 19 year old second rounder.

*more on potential than performance right now

[Markwebbos]

I owe an apology to one James Rowbottom. I do not regret stating we don't know whether he will be elite or not. But I do regret stating that he won't be with such certainty. His numbers to this point in the season are quite impressive.

He ranks in the top five of his age bracket in the following categories: 1st for contested possessions, 1st for tackles, 1st for clearances, 1st for centre clearances, 1st for stoppage clearances, 1st for ground ball gets, 1st for pressure acts, 1st for defensive half pressure acts, 2nd for player rating points, 3rd for total disposals, 3rd for inside 50s, 3rd for rebound 50s, 3rd for metres gained, 3rd for goal assists, 5th for effective disposals, 5th for intercept possessions, 5th for score launches.

In almost every category he was in company with the likes of Bailey Smith, Sam Walsh, Jack Lukosius, Connor Rozee and Zak Butters, all first round selections in the so-called "super draft."

I never doubted that he was the complete midfielder, but maybe I have been so focused on wanting to see the complete game from him that I was ignorant to a lot of the good things that he was doing. He looked our best midfielder against the Magpies a week ago, and the derby yesterday, early on he looked the silkiest player on the ground, which is remarkable when you consider some of the talent that was around him on the field .. Luke Parker, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto. His impact waned as the game wore on, but by then he'd shown enough to officially convince me.

So, consider me convinced.

TheBloods, on behalf of Sir James, I accept your apology.

I think we should stop arguing about how good he is or isn't and just enjoy watching him play. Those are extraordinarily impressive numbers. He had 4 clearances in the first Q last night.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Rowbottom reminds me a bit of Daryn Creswell.

Hard as a cat's head, fierce at the contest, smart running patterns, terrific hands, works both ways, a relentless tackler, an ability to drift forward, underrated kicking (that one to Foot before he handed the goal off to Dawson was a beauty), and reads the play well.

Creswell has him covered for forward craft, for now at least, and while Rowbottom isn't truly quick, he's got a bit more toe and certainly bursts into and out of contests.

[TheBloods]

Rowbottom reminds me a bit of Daryn Creswell.

Hard as a cat's head, fierce at the contest, smart running patterns, terrific hands, works both ways, a relentless tackler, an ability to drift forward, underrated kicking (that one to Foot before he handed the goal off to Dawson was a beauty), and reads the play well.

Creswell has him covered for forward craft, for now at least, and while Rowbottom isn't truly quick, he's got a bit more toe and certainly bursts into and out of contests.

I don't recall who kicked it to Foot before he handed it off to Dawson, but it wasn't Rowbottom.

However Rowbottom did deliver it beautifully to Dawson for his second goal.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I don't recall who kicked it to Foot before he handed it off to Dawson, but it wasn't Rowbottom.

However Rowbottom did deliver it beautifully to Dawson for his second goal.

Sorry, you're correct - that's the one I was thinking of. The whole play was fantastic, from his clearance in the backline contest, his run, his fend on Haynes, and the kick to Dawson.

(Ironically, it was Dawson who kicked it to Foot, then nicked it back off him.)

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Rowbottom reminds me a bit of Daryn Creswell.

Hard as a cat's head, fierce at the contest, smart running patterns, terrific hands, works both ways, a relentless tackler, an ability to drift forward, underrated kicking (that one to Foot before he handed the goal off to Dawson was a beauty), and reads the play well.

Creswell has him covered for forward craft, for now at least, and while Rowbottom isn't truly quick, he's got a bit more toe and certainly bursts into and out of contests.

And not just the number on his back

[Ludwig]

Massive downgrade from Mills to any of the 3 novices you mention. Mills, who didn't play a minute of midfield last night, should rightly stay back, where he is elite. Not as simple as some might think to be a great defender.

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I'll have to watch the replay, but I think Mills was tagging Coniglio. Hew did drop behind the play a lot and played as a sweeper when we went forward. In any case, it has nothing to do with a downgrade, but rather making room for emerging players. There's no point in drafting players if they never get an opportunity to get into the side. Aliir, Melican, Rampe, Lloyd, Fox and COR make a solid back six that doesn't need Mills, who can bring his talents to the midfield. If there's anything missing in the back 6 it's a running halfback type like Malceski, Shaw or Jetta. Ling, Stoddart and McInerney are a better fit for that role.

Stoddart? You have got to be joking.. he had his opportunity to impress. I hope the kid makes it, but I am rather doubtful. Ling on the other hand is another story....

Yes. I'm quite serious about Stoddart. He's a solid performer with pace and a penetrating kick, and not afraid of the physical stuff. He was a very good NEAFL performer, showing traits that usually transfer well to the AFL. If he's given a run of 6 or 7 games, I'm sure he'll fit in fine. As mentioned earlier, he's got a back problem atm, which is unfortunate, as he was in the side and looking okay. 16 possession in his last game.

[Blood Fever]

I'll have to watch the replay, but I think Mills was tagging Coniglio. Hew did drop behind the play a lot and played as a sweeper when we went forward. In any case, it has nothing to do with a downgrade, but rather making room for emerging players. There's no point in drafting players if they never get an opportunity to get into the side. Aliir, Melican, Rampe, Lloyd, Fox and COR make a solid back six that doesn't need Mills, who can bring his talents to the midfield. If there's anything missing in the back 6 it's a running halfback type like Malceski, Shaw or Jetta. Ling, Stoddart and McInerney are a better fit for that role.

Yes. I'm quite serious about Stoddart. He's a solid performer with pace and a penetrating kick, and not afraid of the physical stuff. He was a very good NEAFL performer, showing traits that usually transfer well to the AFL. If he's given a run of 6 or 7 games, I'm sure he'll fit in fine. As mentioned earlier, he's got a back problem atm, which is unfortunate, as he was in the side and looking okay. 16 possession in his last game.

Taking Mills out of the back 6 a big mistake IMO. Agree a Malceski or Shaw type would be good. Hopeful of McInerney. Lloyd seems cemented in this role but people seem to forget that he was a good outside midfielder- somethings he could be again I reckon.

[MattW]

Decent interview with Jake Lloyd from Dwyane Russell here: “Paps is staying”: Sydney’s message regarding Carlton target

[ugg]

Coaches votes

10 - Parker
4 - Rampe
4 - Rowbottom
3 - Kelly
3 - Dawson
2 - Melican
2 - Blakey
1 - Lloyd
1 - Sinclair

So besides Parker the coaches couldn't agree on anything.

[Markwebbos]

Coaches votes

10 - Parker
4 - Rampe
4 - Rowbottom
3 - Kelly
3 - Dawson
2 - Melican
2 - Blakey
1 - Lloyd
1 - Sinclair

So besides Parker the coaches couldn't agree on anything.

They agreed our players were better

- - - Updated - - -

Decent interview with Jake Lloyd from Dwyane Russell here: “Paps is staying”: Sydney’s message regarding Carlton target

Misleading headline though:

“He’s fully invested in the footy club and he’s leading by example out there so hopefully he stays in Sydney.”

[MattW]

Coaches votes

10 - Parker
4 - Rampe
4 - Rowbottom
3 - Kelly
3 - Dawson
2 - Melican
2 - Blakey
1 - Lloyd
1 - Sinclair

So besides Parker the coaches couldn't agree on anything.

Surprised John didn't give either Dane or James votes. Reckon John gave Dane the 4 given how effusive he was re Dane's performance in the post match presser.

[Ludwig]

Taking Mills out of the back 6 a big mistake IMO.

From what I could tell after reviewing the 1st half, Mills played at most of the stoppages, but was the first midfielder to drop back in defence, so played sort of a +1 in defence, which is not a bad role for him. But was more of a helper covering GWS midfielders going forward than a main cog in the defence. If Aliir returns without dropping any defenders, I think we will see Mills more in a pure midfield role.