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I wonder who'll be playing the quarterback / intercept marking role? Super Dane could, but he might still be needed for a more defensive role, so too might McCartin. AA's gone, Gould's untried, I'm still hoping Hayward with thrive up forward. I'd like to see Dawson getting 20 possessions a game off half back.
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So not saying this will be our round 1 team, but it's where I see this team at some point in 2021, and what I would consider our best on paper (assuming no injuries of course):
B Fox McCartin Rampe
HB Lloyd Reid Mills
C Florent Rowbottom Blakey
HF Heeney Franklin Hayward
F Papley McDonald Campbell
Foll Hickey Parker Kennedy
Interchange McInerney, Cunningham, Dawson, Sinclair
I am not yet sold on Stephens. He is very good, but still behind Florent and Blakey as a winger, and nowhere near strong enough yet to challenge Rowie or Parker/Kennedy in the centre. I have him as injury insurance for any of those, and he may have to wait till a retirement or two to cement his sport. McInerney has more upside with speed and marking in my mind at the moment.
I'd like to see McCartin be developed as the FB. Melican is a decent injury back up, but I want Rampe freed cup from playing on the opposition "gorilla". It means he can marshal the defence, zone back as 'keeper and still use his run off the flanks.
We really need to settle on Reid's role too. He can be a great swing man if plans go awry, but otherwise I think he is best at CHB with his marking, and can still fall back to FB if the matchups aren't working. Also Reid can take McDonald's role if he isn't ready this year, although we need to get Logan in as FF as soon as we can to develop him. And Reid is still good enough to replace Buddy at CHF if needed.
Lastly, I think Campbell would be the perfect opposite foil for Papley. Quick, and a great left foot, I think he will play almost every game. He can rotate through the midfield as Papley does, for some extra pace and penetration, and naturally its where he will probably end up eventually.
The good thing is there are lots of backups now that are being squeezed out despite being talented enough to play: Hewitt, Stephens, Gulden, Wicks, Bell, Melican, Taylor, Gray. We finally have a backup for pretty much every spot in the side, and the new VFL comp should keep them more ready to step up if needed. Its a much better place than a few years ago, where half the players were being used out of position and another bunch who weren't up to AFL standard anyway.Comment
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Are those only your thoughts Barra, or shared by the club?Comment
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I am not surprised for round 1, but I do think Longmire will push to include them ASAP regardless. If nothing else, the marketability of having your two highest draft picks in almost two decades playing at the same time is pretty important too.
Logical to ease him in there, like with Mills. But you would think he would be better than Taylor or Gray in the forward flanks after a few games under his belt. And I guess that only leaves Wicks, although it will be interesting to see how he develops this year.Comment
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Campbell learning defence will no doubt be a big step up first season
Campbell as a pressure forward might be interesting for parts of 2021"be tough, only when it gets tough"
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Not much has been said about Logan or B.C. this preseason. I'd say this is deliberate to not raise expectations and put too much pressure on them to be our saviours.
For Erroll to have got the odd plug suggests he is coming along well. He is a true competitor and someone who will thrive in the AFL environment. Wouldn't be surprised if he is the first to debut out of the 3. Suspect he is in a contest with Wicks and Ronke for a small forward spot.
Speaking of Wicks, he is looking in excellent shape and looks to have bulked up in the off season. Could be a big contributer for us this year.Comment
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I am still contemplating my Best 22 and hope the season is not the Covid 19 disruption of last year. But there are confirmed changes for 2021 which, IMHO have major impacts on the selections.
1. The rotations have reduced to 75. This means that the selected players will have to be prepared to perform at a high level for longer (hopefully the end of a pet hate of a goal scorer immediately leaving the field). Say the plan per quarter is 15,20, 20, 25, and this could reduce further in case of a injury.
I think the rotation reduction will be significant. It will make it much harder to introduce young players for reduced game time, and to ease injured players back to fitness. On the positive, "runners" like Stephens and Fox may prove more valuable; as will Longmire's "flexibility" mantra for development of players such as Haywood down back, Reid and McCartin at either end, and, players such as Dawson.
2. The East Coast competition is planned as 22 games of much higher standard. The Swans will have a squad comprising non-selected-22, and a range of further senior bodies. it will reduced opportunities for Academy members. But, it should enable the coaches to work towards a Swans style game plan, with say a standard Ruck set up and play more people in their development roles.
Again, I think this will have an impact. The younger players will have a step up, and a better sense of what the game plan is prior to their promotion. It might mean we see Franklin work back to fitness.
So, in my Best 22 I am discounting Naismith and Franklin for the early rounds; likely having only 1 new arrival; attracted to the best fitness players, and to those with maximum flexibility. Still hard to chose the team, but hope this helps me select against these criteria.
Thoughts?Comment
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Relieved to hear Mills has been training with the mids. Kennedy and Parker desperately need help and if we think mids like RB and Blakey will provide that help then we're kidding ourselves. Mills is that strong physical presence we're lacking. Cannot wait to see how he goes.Comment
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