Best 22 2021

[longmile]

FF: Franklin, Gulden, Wicks
HF:Sinclair, Papley, Rowbottom
C: Florent, Parker, Heeney
HB: Rampe, Lloyd, Cunningham
FB: McCartin, Fox, Dawson
R: Naismith, Kennedy, Hewett

I: Mills, Blakey, McInerney, Campbell


No Melican, Hayward or Reid

[Nico]

This is undoubtedly true, but it's who we decided to prune which is of interest. We traded one of our best players heading into the top of his form. If you really want a player to stay, teams find a way (usually). The question is why was Mitchell deemed to be the expendable one?

Because he left for money just like his old man.

[The Runner]

What I wish for..

B Ling Rampe Campbell
HB Dawson McCartin Hewett
C Blakey Mills Florent
HF Wicks Heeney Gulden
F Papley Reid McDonald
Foll Hickey Parker Rowbottom
Int Warner Lloyd Kennedy Hayward
Emer: Cunningham, Sinclair, Clarke
Not ready: Buddy, Stephens McInerney

What I expect:
B Melican Rampe Cunningham
HB Lloyd McCartin Hewett
C Blakey Mills Florent
HF Wicks Heeney Gulden
F Papley Reid McDonald
Foll Hickey Parker Rowbottom
Int Warner Dawson Kennedy Hayward

[Ludwig]

What I expect:
B Melican Rampe Cunningham
HB Lloyd McCartin Hewett
C Blakey Mills Florent
HF Wicks Heeney Gulden
F Papley Reid McDonald
Foll Hickey Parker Rowbottom
Int Warner Dawson Kennedy Hayward

This is what I think as well, except that I suspect we will find a place for Campbell. I would drop Hayward, but it's so hard to see it happening with Longmire as head coach.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

This is undoubtedly true, but it's who we decided to prune which is of interest. We traded one of our best players heading into the top of his form. If you really want a player to stay, teams find a way (usually). The question is why was Mitchell deemed to be the expendable one?

I'd like to think it was because he was the less desirable option too, but I fear that Mitchell being out of contract was the important factor.

Sometimes contracts DO matter. If it wasn't for his contract, I doubt Sam Grey would be playing in the AFL this year.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I'd like to see McDonald play round 1, but we also need to have the right team around him.

Him and Reid as our sole tall forwards, particularly when Reid goes into the ruck, will leave him as a sitting duck against a side as good as Brisbane, and other good defences.

So till Bud comes back, it probably is him and Reid, but you need some hard bodies and good marks around him, like Parker and Heeney for at least 50 percent of their game time. Mid sized, but strong grabs and mature bodies.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

What is he in, year 5. Strewth how long do we wait for raw talent to materialise. His average game stats are horrible. He goes where the ball 'aint.

Well it kind of matches the "Hayward is the coaches pet" motif that emerges on occasion, which simply screams primary school.
Also presupposes a level of unprofessional behaviour to Horse which is ludicrous.

[Auntie.Gerald]

rd1
Cunningham Rampe Melican
Lloyd McCartin Dawson
Flo Parker Blakey
Hayward Heeney Rowbottom
Papley Reid Wicks
Hickey Mills Kennedy
Warner Gulden Hewett Sinkers?

Emer: Stephens McInerney McDonald

Bud
Fox
Ling
Oroirdan

[Ludwig]

I'd like to think it was because he was the less desirable option too, but I fear that Mitchell being out of contract was the important factor.

Sometimes contracts DO matter. If it wasn't for his contract, I doubt Sam Grey would be playing in the AFL this year.

One day I'll have to give the Unofficial Story behind the Official Story of the Tom Mitchell trade. I'm holding back, not wanting to cause a RWO boilover.

Some stuff is still classified and some stuff was fished out from the depths of the dark web. There are stories out there that Ludwig created the dark web, but you can't believe everything you hear.

[stevoswan]

I'm not sure the Swans exactly dodged a bullet in this regard.
Tom may have a Brownlow, AFLPA MVP and be a 2 time All Australian, but does that pale into insignificance when stacked up against the "gets lots of possessions but never get's tagged" metric.
Indeed, if this particular metric was given such pre-eminence at the Swans: I'm sure Jake Lloyd would have immediately been discarded as another high possession winner that doesn't get tagged.

While the tone above may be a little heavy, but I recall your preference for subjectivity and think you may be taking your love of team / loyalty to the club a tad far on this occasion.

You could be right.

[Captain]

This is what I think as well, except that I suspect we will find a place for Campbell. I would drop Hayward, but it's so hard to see it happening with Longmire as head coach.

I reckon it might be between Hewett and Campbell. I would go Campbell.

[MattW]

I reckon it might be between Hewett and Campbell. I would go Campbell.

Yes.

[The Runner]

I reckon it might be between Hewett and Campbell. I would go Campbell.

I overlooked Campbell, hrs straight in. Not sure who for though. I suspect they'll value hewetts experience in the backline, can't see him missing

[Bangalore Swans]

After Round 1:

B Cunningham Rampe Dawson
HB Lloyd McCartin Campbell
C McInerney Rowbottom Blakey
HF Heeney Reid Guldon
F Papley Franklin McDonald

Foll

Hickey
Parker
Mills

Inter

Kennedy
Hewitt
Stephens
Florent

Sub - Heywood

Very Flexible Team

- Reid can ruck or help our down back
- Blockbuster bench with outside run and midfield depth
- Mills can swap back if needed
- Heeney can spend midfield time if needed.
- The outside run off Blakey, McInerney, Florent, Stephen’s, Guldon and Campbell will be hard to stop.
- Look for Blakey to be Koutoufides version 2. Extreme athletic ability and able to impact both ends of the ground.

[mcs]

After Round 1:

B Cunningham Rampe Dawson
HB Lloyd McCartin Campbell
C McInerney Rowbottom Blakey
HF Heeney Reid Guldon
F Papley Franklin McDonald

Foll

Hickey
Parker
Mills

Inter

Kennedy
Hewitt
Stephens
Florent

Sub - Heywood

Very Flexible Team

- Reid can ruck or help our down back
- Blockbuster bench with outside run and midfield depth
- Mills can swap back if needed
- Heeney can spend midfield time if needed.
- The outside run off Blakey, McInerney, Florent, Stephen’s, Guldon and Campbell will be hard to stop.
- Look for Blakey to be Koutoufides version 2. Extreme athletic ability and able to impact both ends of the ground.

Before the #1 member of his fan club arrives haha, Warner at this moment in time clearly appears to be part of the the best 22 for what he has shown so far this season in both pre-season and Rd 1.

There is definitely going to be some stiff competition in the midfield - but I reckon there is probably a need for one more player with an 'inside bias' (what I mean there is more a 'in the guts' midfielder then providing outside run). But how nice is to be having difficulty fitting all the moving parts in however, with some very good players waiting in the wings for their opportunities as well.