Expectations for 2021 season

[NeonBible]

Whatever he is or isnt doing, hes obviously doing something right!! The official AFL player ratings has him the 3rd best player of his age (and McInerney 4th!) ahead of quality players like Jack Lukosius, Ben King, Bailey Smith, Connor Rozee and Isaac Quaynor!

https://twitter.com/aflplayerrating/status/1398962045358264320?s=21

[Ludwig]

The fans and media love Rowbottom because he's one of the very best 3rd year midfielders going around. His pressure and tackling were key factors in our victory against Carlton, as they have been all season. It's not easy to get some young players to go all out on the defensive aspects of their game, but Rowbottom does. He was one of the bargains of the 2018 draft and a very astute move by KB to trade up to get him. I've never heard so much nonsense as some of the criticism he receives on here.

[Roadrunner]

His a popular player the media is doing its job writing about the players the fans love. I dont begrudge them and i dont begrudge him , good on him if hes getting attention but you have to back it up on the field on game day. I'd hate for all these puff pieces about him all being for nothing when hes a depth player or tradebait in a few years

There’s no doubt he tries hard and rarely makes silly decisions. You maybe right in that he may not be as talented as others but I see him contributing each week. Let’s see how he is by the end of the year to see if he is in our best 22.
At the moment, he is- with Campbell an Gulden being rested, who do you suggest we bring in?

Surely you must admit that he contributes enough to justify his place at this stage. You’re a pretty good observer of the game so please focus elsewhere TB!

[TheBloods]

There’s no doubt he tries hard and rarely makes silly decisions. You maybe right in that he may not be as talented as others but I see him contributing each week. Let’s see how he is by the end of the year to see if he is in our best 22.
At the moment, he is- with Campbell an Gulden being rested, who do you suggest we bring in?

Surely you must admit that he contributes enough to justify his place at this stage. You’re a pretty good observer of the game so please focus elsewhere TB!

He is best 22 anyone who can stick tackles like he can needs to be in the 22 but hes a shocking midfielder and as the midfield is a pretty key area i reckon i think we are wasting time and a spot on him in there. Swap him with Hewett. I dont think he is the answer either but he will do for now until we draft/trade for a better younger mid. If RB was in defence or maybe even fwd 50 where he could tackle and pressure you would hear nothing but compliments from me as he'd go on to have a fine career !

[MattW]

The fans and media love Rowbottom because he's one of the very best 3rd year midfielders going around. His pressure and tackling were key factors in our victory against Carlton, as they have been all season. It's not easy to get some young players to go all out on the defensive aspects of their game, but Rowbottom does. He was one of the bargains of the 2018 draft and a very astute move by KB to trade up to get him. I've never heard so much nonsense as some of the criticism he receives on here.

Indeed.

[dejavoodoo44]

Whatever he is or isnt doing, hes obviously doing something right!! The official AFL player ratings has him the 3rd best player of his age (and McInerney 4th!) ahead of quality players like Jack Lukosius, Ben King, Bailey Smith, Connor Rozee and Isaac Quaynor!

https://twitter.com/aflplayerrating/...358264320?s=21

And I noticed that in the 19yo cohort, Gulden is currently ranked number one. And for 20yo, Warner is number two. Another thing that caught my eye, was that Keays is ranked so highly. It must be satisfying for him, after spending extended periods in the NEAFL and then being delisted by Brisbane. And satisfying for the Adelaide recruiters.

[Go Swannies]

Following the lead of a certain indefatigable bleeder on here, I'm considering posting endlessly about how Buddy is a list clogger for us and we should more clearly see his aged deficiencies. He can rarely take a mark on a single grab, unlike the more talented Heeney and Reed. And even when he gets the ball he can't kick goals from far outside 50 any more. And in one case when he could have given us a match winning shot on goal he put it out on the full. Just not good enough for an AFL footballer. He's obviously being picked because he's a media favourite. Does anyone want to read my endless blather? Will everyone start their replies to my comments with "with respect"?

[stevoswan]

Did you see him play ? Were you there ? Because he was atrocious. I have low expectations of him and he failed to even meet them . 14 possessions none of them standouts for a 3rd year onballer is nowhere near good enough and his footy smarts or lackof should be indefensible

Lets say im wrong about him though and he does become a star, hes miles off that at this point , as of rd 11 2021 hes a very very average player who does some nice things from time to time. So its just @@@@@@@ stupid to publish a headline saying hes taking over the midfield mantle ! He hasnt taken over anything yet , not even Chad has ! Our co captains saved his bacon today and spared him being exposed by how not up to the level he currently is ! Thank christ hes not actually taking over the mantle or our midfield would be at an all time low

I saw the entire game and agree it was not RB's best performance but it wasn't Chad's either. You're correct that Chad hasn't taken over anything yet and after yesterday, he's further away from it. Pretty average game yesterday from Chad with a few signs of selfishness....which you might call 'confidence'. Only one more possession than RB, 1 less clearance and seven less tackles. As I said in the 'Changes for round 12' thread, he is not immune from criticism.....well, not in the minds of the unbiased anyway.

You are wrong about RB and history will prove it. We'll be comparing RB with Ryan O'Keefe in a few years.....and we might be comparing Chad with Paul Kelly.....but he's 'miles off that' at this point.

[Bangalore Swans]

He is best 22 anyone who can stick tackles like he can needs to be in the 22 but hes a shocking midfielder and as the midfield is a pretty key area i reckon i think we are wasting time and a spot on him in there. Swap him with Hewett. I dont think he is the answer either but he will do for now until we draft/trade for a better younger mid. If RB was in defence or maybe even fwd 50 where he could tackle and pressure you would hear nothing but compliments from me as he'd go on to have a fine career !

There was a passage of play that is classic Rowbottom. The Swans broke away and kicked to half forward. Rowbottom marked, waited for support and kicked a short pass to Mill’s. Mills then kicks the ball over Buddy’s head to Kennedy in the forward pocket.

Rowbottom played the simple play and let the other better users go to work.

I think as a player Rowbottom knows his strengths and plays to them.

I saw a few instances where Chad could have used the simple option and stuffed it up yesterday. I think Chad needs to be held accountable for that.

[TheBloods]

I saw the entire game and agree it was not RB's best performance but it wasn't Chad's either. You're correct that Chad hasn't taken over anything yet and after yesterday, he's further away from it. Pretty average game yesterday from Chad with a few signs of selfishness....which you might call 'confidence'. Only one more possession than RB, 1 less clearance and seven less tackles. As I said in the 'Changes for round 12' thread, he is not immune from criticism.....well, not in the minds of the unbiased anyway.

You are wrong about RB and history will prove it. We'll be comparing RB with Ryan O'Keefe in a few years.....and we might be comparing Chad with Paul Kelly.....but he's 'miles off that' at this point.

There was a passage of play that is classic Rowbottom. The Swans broke away and kicked to half forward. Rowbottom marked, waited for support and kicked a short pass to Mill’s. Mills then kicks the ball over Buddy’s head to Kennedy in the forward pocket.

Rowbottom played the simple play and let the other better users go to work.

I think as a player Rowbottom knows his strengths and plays to them.

I saw a few instances where Chad could have used the simple option and stuffed it up yesterday. I think Chad needs to be held accountable for that.

You both recognise that RB is a player of limited ability not destined for superstardom. Kudos to you for finally acknowledging that as i was torn to shreds for predicting that 6 months ago ! If he becomes an ROK that would be an outstanding result , i personally see more Craig Bird/George Hewett myself which is still not bad. if his MO is gonna be doing the basics well and leaving it to the more talented players like Chad or Florent then hes gotta get so much of the ball to feed it to them. that is why i am concerned that he doesnt show the skills needed to win the ball . I worry he will be exposed even more once Kennedy and Parker are gone because we will have a guy in there who just cant get his hands on the ball and we will have invested 3 or 4 years in getting him to that point only to realise hes not good enough for it

If im wrong im wrong , hope i am

[i'm-uninformed2]

Whatever he is or isnt doing, hes obviously doing something right!! The official AFL player ratings has him the 3rd best player of his age (and McInerney 4th!) ahead of quality players like Jack Lukosius, Ben King, Bailey Smith, Connor Rozee and Isaac Quaynor!

https://twitter.com/aflplayerrating/...358264320?s=21

Not wanting to revisit the other stupid debate that goes on due to someone, who still needs to explain when he found out about young James and her.

But Chad above Kosy Pickett or Noah Anderson?! Or Rowbottom and McInerney above Lukosios?! Or Jeremy Finlayson among the top five of anything. Like, the player ratings are pretty damn weird

[NeonBible]

Not wanting to revisit the other stupid debate that goes on due to someone, who still needs to explain when he found out about young James and her.

But Chad above Kosy Pickett or Noah Anderson?! Or Rowbottom and McInerney above Lukosios?! Or Jeremy Finlayson among the top five of anything. Like, the player ratings are pretty damn weird

Hi im uninformed (I see what you did there! )

If im not mistaken the player ratings take into account every aspect of a players game:

- Possession stuff (where they win possessions ie defensive half, forward half, how many are contested possessions)
- Disposal stuff (where they get the ball to, their disposal efficiency, what is achieved with their disposals (scoring launches, score involvements, goal assists, inside 50s, rebound 50s, metres gained)
- Defensive stuff (tackles, pressure acts, 1%ers)

Im not sure how reliable they are but if you look at the other age groups and the names that feature in the top 5s you can see they do reflect the very best players in the competition in each age bracket! So i think they are a pretty comprehensive reflection!! At the end of the day if Chad and RB werent doing good things when they had or were near the ball they wouldnt get rating points!

[i'm-uninformed2]

I get all that. And I’m not saying they are invaluable.

I’m also not doing it to knock any of our young guys. For example, young Jimmy. Right now, he’s been tasked with an inside role, often tagging, but above all, tackling, scragging, pressuring and generally disrupting the opposition at the source.

A role, I suspect, that’ll become even more valuable against the best sides. Imagine him annoying Liberatore all day, or grinding a Wines down.

He’s doing it superbly, and it’s allowing other players more freedom (hint, hint).

I just struggle with player ratings that have Jeremy Finlayson in the top five of anything when he’s the ultimate flat track bully who makes Gary Rohan look like a big game specialist.

[NeonBible]

I get all that. And I’m not saying they are invaluable.

I’m also not doing it to knock any of our young guys. For example, young Jimmy. Right now, he’s been tasked with an inside role, often tagging, but above all, tackling, scragging, pressuring and generally disrupting the opposition at the source.

A role, I suspect, that’ll become even more valuable against the best sides. Imagine him annoying Liberatore all day, or grinding a Wines down.

He’s doing it superbly, and it’s allowing other players more freedom (hint, hint).

I just struggle with player ratings that have Jeremy Finlayson in the top five of anything when he’s the ultimate flat track bully who makes Gary Rohan look like a big game specialist.

You make an interesting point!! Having looked at Finlayson's player ratings, he has had scores of 7.4, 6.6 and 10, which are pretty average for a 25 yr old. But hes also had scores of 21.4, 14.2 and 18.4 which are huge scores. These might be in the flat track games you speak of heh... So they may be vulnerable to inflation from individual big games!!

[The Runner]

Rowbottom will learn a lot playing his current defensively minded role.
It's not a fair assessment to look at his disposal count or even his efficiency with it. He managed to keep Ed Curnow to 17 touches and 2 score involvements yesterday - he averaged over 26 and 6 per game this year. To then also get 14 of his own with 4 SIs suggests he won the battle comfortably.

His disposals numbers will increase quickly when he gets freed up to go after the footy more. That probably won't be this year.

Does anyone else feel Dylan Stephens has a really important fortnight ahead of him? I wasn't impressed by him yesterday - his disposals looks so shaky, and he didn't appear to move with a lot of confidence or conviction. If he wants a regular spot this season, he really needs to step up in the next 2 matches.