2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Markwebbos]

While it's nice that Errol is number one, I think most people would quite rightly reckon that it's too early to judge that draft. Around about 10 seems appropriate for Rowbottom. Blakey not making the top ten is mildly controversial. If it's judged on the whole period of time, then it's fair enough. However, now that he seems to have found his position, he should become one of the genuine stars of the competition. The way he hits the ball at pace, cuts through the opposition lines and generally finds targets; means that he should make plenty of game winning contributions in the future.

I agree with all of that

[aardvark]

Bec Goddard interview with Suzie Rhydderch our clubs Clinical Psychologist. Amongst other things she mentions interviewing the potential draftees for this year. Worth a listen if you've nothing better to do.Sports psychology: How the Swans' unique approach gave them an edge

[sharp9]

Could someone post the juice of that article? Us poor people
Can’t read it. Doesn’t make sense to me as Gulden was a different draft year to Blakey’s and Rowbottom. Or am I dreaming?

[lwjoyner]

could matt ling be woth a rookie spot. seems dedicated and says he is primed

[The Runner]

I'd love to see him rookie listed

[i'm-uninformed2]

While it's nice that Errol is number one, I think most people would quite rightly reckon that it's too early to judge that draft. Around about 10 seems appropriate for Rowbottom. Blakey not making the top ten is mildly controversial. If it's judged on the whole period of time, then it's fair enough. However, now that he seems to have found his position, he should become one of the genuine stars of the competition. The way he hits the ball at pace, cuts through the opposition lines and generally finds targets; means that he should make plenty of game winning contributions in the future.

The flaw in the 2018 list is not Blakey, though I reckon he’ll be excellent long term, but not having McInerney in there based on his past 18 months. You’d really only say the top five of Walsh, The Kings, Bailey Smith, and Rozee have him covered so far. Maybe Butters too.

JMac has been simply outstanding.

[TheBloods]

The flaw in the 2018 list is not Blakey, though I reckon he’ll be excellent long term, but not having McInerney in there based on his past 18 months. You’d really only say the top five of Walsh, The Kings, Bailey Smith, and Rozee have him covered so far. Maybe Butters too.

JMac has been simply outstanding.

Yep Jmac the bigger omission than Blakey , but i guess he doesnt know anyone in the footy media

[neilfws]

could matt ling be woth a rookie spot. seems dedicated and says he is primed

More on him (and a few others) in this article.

Injury-free Matt Ling keeps fingers crossed with AFL list spots at premium

[Ralph Dawg]

More on him (and a few others) in this article.

Injury-free Matt Ling keeps fingers crossed with AFL list spots at premium

If our people still rate his talent and drive, can't see why we wouldn't rookie list him. Still young and knows our system. There would be less work to put into him to get him up to AFL level. Interestingly, the article mentions he's training to a Swans program so if no one takes him, I wouldn't be surprised if we do.

[dejavoodoo44]

The flaw in the 2018 list is not Blakey, though I reckon he’ll be excellent long term, but not having McInerney in there based on his past 18 months. You’d really only say the top five of Walsh, The Kings, Bailey Smith, and Rozee have him covered so far. Maybe Butters too.

JMac has been simply outstanding.

Since you mentioned McInerney, I thought that I'd go back and have a look at the phantom drafts from 2018, to see what the knock on him was, that enabled us to pick him up at 44. Which in hindsight, seems a real steal.

The three phantom drafts, that only went to pick 25 or 30, didn't mention him. Which didn't really surprise me. However, what did surprise me, was that there were two that projected to picks in the seventies, and neither of those mentioned him either. So, it seems that he's a genuine Kinnear special.

[111431]

Since you mentioned McInerney, I thought that I'd go back and have a look at the phantom drafts from 2018, to see what the knock on him was, that enabled us to pick him up at 44. Which in hindsight, seems a real steal.

The three phantom drafts, that only went to pick 25 or 30, didn't mention him. Which didn't really surprise me. However, what did surprise me, was that there were two that projected to picks in the seventies, and neither of those mentioned him either. So, it seems that he's a genuine Kinnear special.

JMac wasn't rated as he had not really been in the development pathways. He wasn't playing in his school side's first XVIII and it wasn't until one of the Nthn Knights coaches spotted him playing in the local comp and asked the school coach why he wasn't playing in the firsts. They played him and he did well and he finished off his u18 year with the Nthn Knights where he did ok. I think the Swans saw him play in a rep game between AGS v APS schools where he was apparently BOG. He wasn't on the radar because of his non traditional pathway

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think Jmac was also a late convert to regular footy due to much more time involved in athletics

[i'm-uninformed2]

JMac wasn't rated as he had not really been in the development pathways. He wasn't playing in his school side's first XVIII and it wasn't until one of the Nthn Knights coaches spotted him playing in the local comp and asked the school coach why he wasn't playing in the firsts. They played him and he did well and he finished off his u18 year with the Nthn Knights where he did ok. I think the Swans saw him play in a rep game between AGS v APS schools where he was apparently BOG. He wasn't on the radar because of his non traditional pathway

This is basically it, as I understand it - and kudos to KB and co for spotting the potential.

What has happened since is also enormous credit to our development methods, as well as the player himself. His first two or three games with us, he looked a little headless chook - which is ok, that can happen to a young guy. But what was done in the period between him being dropped after the first few rounds of 2020, and when he came back in for the second half of the season was remarkable. He hasn't missed a beat since.

He's clearly a hard worker and driven, but it also speaks volumes for our coaching and development system (and contrasts nicely with a few other clubs like Carlton). Let's hope they pull the same trick with Stephens.

[111431]

This is basically it, as I understand it - and kudos to KB and co for spotting the potential.

What has happened since is also enormous credit to our development methods, as well as the player himself. His first two or three games with us, he looked a little headless chook - which is ok, that can happen to a young guy. But what was done in the period between him being dropped after the first few rounds of 2020, and when he came back in for the second half of the season was remarkable. He hasn't missed a beat since.

He's clearly a hard worker and driven, but it also speaks volumes for our coaching and development system (and contrasts nicely with a few other clubs like Carlton). Let's hope they pull the same trick with Stephens.

He comes from a very well grounded family

[liz]

I have moved a raft of posts that have nought to do with the specifics of the Swans' drafting, trading and list management to the General off-season footy chat thread. You can find this (and those posts) here:
General footy chat General off-season footy chat - Page 7