Round 1: Brisbane v Swans @ the Gabba

[AnsweredPrayers]

Hayward just doesn't give enough. He reminds me of Leo Barry when he started out. Obviously, physically talented, and super keen, but lacking something. Leo made it in the end and maybe Hayward will as well. A wet game away from home, I'd leave McDonald out this week. Warner, and Gulden are a lock for me.

[TheBloods]

No chance of Mclean playing rd 1. If he hasnt played in the two preseason games doubt he plays round 1

[longmile]

I'd have Gulden in before Campbell.

Think Reid may be injured and Melican and Hayward just aren't up to it atm.

Based off the best 22 posted by AFL and discussed above, I'd have Melican, Hayward and Reid out for Gulden, Sinclair and McInerney

But wouldn't be suprised if Reid was fine and we don't play McDonald. Used to be a fan of Hayward but I've grown tired of his preferential treatment. I think he'll be a good player but he needs a solid stint in the 2s to build confidence and hunger.

Don't want to bang on about it but would like to see Lewis Taylor get another shot soon but based off the pre-season games he's probably a long way off it

[Ludwig]

Melican was talking on Sinclair's pod cast recently and said that Hayden McLean had been a stand out at training. I think he will be in the team. It would surprise me if we play three first gamers in round 1.

Ling, Melican, Rampe
Lloyd, Mc Cartin, Dawson
Florent, Mills, Blakey
Heeney, McLean, Hayward
Papley, Reid, Wicks
Hickey, Kennedy, Parker
Hewitt, Rowbottom, Warner, Gulden

I could go with selecting our 22 from any of 30 players. I can see a lot of combinations that look good on paper.

Your back six is one I've mused over. I would like to see Ling given a chance to secure a spot in the side. But it's hard to see Cunningham being dropped.

I prefer Wicks over Hayward, and as I've mentioned in another post, I would retrain Hayward to play another position. We have better players to play close to goal (Papley and Gulden) and I think Dawson will find s spot up forward or in the midfield once Fox, COR or Gould are ready to come into the side.

Matt Rendell said on Dwayne's World today that he thought McDonald was already better than Reid. I would play him until Franklin comes back, which might only be this game anyway.

[The Runner]

McDonald has got some serious write ups off the back of 2 quarters of footy against a rookie defender. The kid looked great, and will be, but we need a bit of reality here. He will probably frustrate us and yoyo in and out of the team over the next 3 years.
There aren't many forwards since Buddy that have come in early, had an impact and held their spot in the 22.

[MattW]

I'm thinking about, without necessarily yet leaning towards, Sinclair in instead of McDonald at this point. Sinclair is a better key forward than he is a ruck, and I would like to see a forward line with a bit more experience and presence for the first game of the season. Or, perhaps more controversially, Sinclair in for Reid, although then we lose the option of rotating Reid through the back half. And I'm interested in Gulden in for Hayward. It looks like he offers a fair bit more in the middle of the ground, and with Parker, Heeney and likely Kennedy spending more time forward I'm seeing less of a role for Hayward.

Sinclair over McDonald just seems to me to be being conservative for the sake of it. What's the point of 'experience' when it isn't going to result in a better performance. Sinclair won't get up the ground as much and is poor when the ball hits the deck. We know McDonald is going to offer more, so play him.

As for the other comments, yes Hayward underperformed last week, but I can't see us taking marking targets out when they're in meagre supply.

[Mark26]

Sinclair over McDonald just seems to me to be being conservative for the sake of it. What's the point of 'experience' when it isn't going to result in a better performance. Sinclair won't get up the ground as much and is poor when the ball hits the deck. We know McDonald is going to offer more, so play him.

As for the other comments, yes Hayward underperformed last week, but I can't see us taking marking targets out when they're in meagre supply.

I agree with this. The only reason McDonald shouldn't play over Sinclair and Reid if it comes to it, is if we're managing him. I hope he's in for Round 1.

[aardvark]

I agree with this. The only reason McDonald shouldn't play over Sinclair and Reid if it comes to it, is if we're managing him. I hope he's in for Round 1.

Agree, even if he gets towelled up by Harris Andrews. He's got to start learning somewhere and there's no time like the present.

[The Runner]

Agree, even if he gets towelled up by Harris Andrews. He's got to start learning somewhere and there's no time like the present.

Tell Jack Watts that

[707]

Tell Jack Watts that

Good point, I watched the Brisbane game and they were massive in the second half. Debut McDonald against the Cows at the SCG in R2, much easier intro to the AFL

[SwanSand]

We need a defensive forward too on Daniel Rich. Having that would cut some of their ball movement. I reckon they will try and do atleast 3 tags or run with roles. Daniel Rich, lachie Neale, and Hugh Mclugagge. Daniel rich and Neale are probably easy to tag but Hugh is difficult.
We control these 3 we will be close to their total. They have classy midfielders but these are the three that get it moving through some traffic.

[aardvark]

Tell Jack Watts that

McDonald is already better than Watts ever was.

[Faunac8]

Looking forward to this game it’s been awhile since I’ve been to the football in Brisbane and it brings to mind when in 2014 I watched a young fella called Aliir Aliir make his debut for the Swans.
I could see some potential then and part of me still thinks letting him go may have been a decision that we may potentially regret. Having said that I am looking forward to seeing a number of our new faces start their journey in the red and white in this match and I feel this is the most exciting group of debutants ( assuming they are all selected ) that we have seen or will see for many years.
The AFL attempts at equalisation has some merit but it hasn’t helped us over the last couple of decades.
However we at least are spared the tankathon practices of the NBA where “ supporters “ bag their teams for winning games ????????????

[Mark26]

Tell Jack Watts that

Wasn't he playing against mature bodies in the WAFL? I think he's ready to play.

We went for him early because he was the best forward in the draft year. Let him play - let's see what he can do.

When he came on in the second half against GWS, we looked like a different team going forward. He straightened us up. Gave us a leading target who actually marked a contested ball in our forward half and took it upon himself to kick for goal. We've been crying out for a tall forward who can do that (while Buds is injured).

If we are serious about trying to win every game, then we should play him in favour of Reid and Sinclair. The only consideration should be managing his body.

[wolftone57]

Tell Jack Watts that

Jack Watts is a very different case. His experienced teammates did not support or protect him at all. The coach mishandled the whole situation

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