Pre-match Discussion: Round 4 V Bombers @SCG

[NeonBible]

This board is like xmas at the kindergarten. Everyone wants to play with all the new toys at the same time! No player deserves to be dropped/rested after Saturday. If we're going to drop anyone Lloyd would be my first choice. Every time he went to kick in I was disappointed it wasn't Dawson or Campbell. He seems to have missed the memo about playing quicker this season.

LOL!! Good analogy, aardvark! I, too think Lloyd could be a bit more proactive with ball in hand, but he is a leader now. He is the level head of the back six. Its in safe hands with him.

We have too many new toys to even fit in the team!! But are Buddy and RB really new toys ??

[SwanSand]

Yes, Sam Reid. He's like that old couch on the back verandah. Was pretty decent when you first bought it, but broken springs would
appear from time to time and be annoying. Thought about trading it in on a new model many times, but it always seemed like too
much trouble and the circular depression on the arms would always hold a drink without spilling. It's hard to know what to do.

Very True. When the better version will appear, he will find his way out just like Callum Sinclair.

Now that we are past round 3 and other teams take us seriously given we have beaten Richmond at their own game on their own turf and the media is giving our tactics a lot of airtime, I am sure the tactics of the competition against us will change. This will bring heat on our youngsters and some physicality. Whether they will be able to withstand it, only time will tell. But intermittently resting the young brigade is of importance just to keep them physically fit. We are in with a real chance now, and with this possibility it is also important to have nearly 26 - 28 players ready to play their role when their time comes. How that gets managed is going to be fascinating to watch. We need our best 22 in crunch games. Just like Franklin is being eased into the team we may need to give some more midfielders and defenders a look in over the next few weeks till the break. The start of the VFL will also help with this.

Given this I think one midfielder is likely to miss out this week - just for management.

Even though the risk is that teams will try and shut down our flair with the ball in hand, I think we will be up to the task as our predominant skill is elite kicking (besides great pressure all around the ground) which is always very difficult to shut down with the current Stand on the Mark rule. Ben Dixon was of the opinion that the 30 - 45 m zone from the Mark will be flooded with defenders as we go along this year. This will force teams to kick long but the go around that is going to be quick play the ball and some long kickers with great vision. And we seem to be doing this part very well - Some short kicks and some long kicks.

BTW it was great vision of our defence and lane system on the latest episode of On the Couch

[liz]

This board is like xmas at the kindergarten. Everyone wants to play with all the new toys at the same time! No player deserves to be dropped/rested after Saturday. If we're going to drop anyone Lloyd would be my first choice. Every time he went to kick in I was disappointed it wasn't Dawson or Campbell. He seems to have missed the memo about playing quicker this season.

I was irritated with Lloyd after the Adelaide game, probably mostly for calling for the ball from Wicks and then screwing up the next kick. I did wonder how quickly he'd change mindset from a possession accumulator in the backline to part of a forward thrusting team. But I thought he was a solid component of the team against Richmond. He did his fair share of mopping up in the backline, and of running to provide a close target up to the wing and half-forward.

Yes, Sam Reid. He's like that old couch on the back verandah. Was pretty decent when you first bought it, but broken springs would
appear from time to time and be annoying. Thought about trading it in on a new model many times, but it always seemed like too
much trouble and the circular depression on the arms would always hold a drink without spilling. It's hard to know what to do.

As with Lloyd, I thought Reid was a valuable contributor against Richmond. He was in the right place at the right time to regularly compete one-on-one for the ball, particularly around the top of the 50m arc. I don't remember him being outmarked once, and he was effective in keeping the ball moving forward. As a relief ruckman he also contributed decently.

It is hard to leave anyone out of that team. McLean is the obvious one for Buddy so long as everyone has recovered fine from Saturday's game. Unlucky, yes. Just as he was unlucky to miss the Adelaide game. But he knows he'll get some more opportunities later in the season.

Picking another will likely come down to Blakey or McInerney. Neither was poor, neither especially needs to go out of the team, though McInerney looked a little short on his normal footspeed a few times as he was chasing a Richmond player down the wing. I suspect having very little pre-season means he's not in completely top nick. Hopefully he'll be able to get to peak fitness as the season progresses, for his blistering speed is one of his best assets.

[TheBloods]

Hoping just one change - Bud in Mclean out. Have given up on Blakey ever being dropped for Stephens

[SwanSand]

Hoping just one change - Bud in Mclean out. Have given up on Blakey ever being dropped for Stephens

Would not drop Blakey for this game. Nic Cox is 200 cm and plays on the wing. I think Blakey is needed to defend him.

[TheBloods]

Would not drop Blakey for this game. Nic Cox is 200 cm and plays on the wing. I think Blakey is needed to defend him.

Blakey defending

Thanks for my afternoon joke, needed that laugh

[Mountain Man]

Cox has had 3 games and below average performance. His best attribute is his speed - Blakey could be the perfect match up

[Ludwig]

I have 6 non-KPPs who didn't play Saturday who I feel could come into the side without a detrimental effect on our performance: Hayward, Ling, Stephens, Rowbottom, COR and Fox, once over his injury. Bell, Taylor and Clarke are a notch below, but good enough to play a role if needed. That's a lot of depth.

I don't worry about selection these days. It's hard to get it wrong.

If Rowbottom comes in, then I agree with most that JMac is likely to be dropped, although he played well enough to keep his spot under normal circumstances. Rowbottom offers a little bit more.

BTW, I think Blakely would be a good defender for players in his weight class.

[Bangalore Swans]

Does anyone feel that it may be tough for the three 1st year players to back up after 5 days and having played Richmond (the best team in football)?

It’s been long said that an AFL player needs at least three years in a professional environment to physically build up to consistent AFL level.

Gulden, McDonald and Campbell have only had around 5 months in an AFL professional environment. Will they start to tire, get weary and falter unless breaks are included in their programs.

[Maltopia]

I watched the replay and there were some players looking tired and cramping up in the fourth quarter.

Even the Ch 7 commentator mentioned Reid specifically at one point.

So I would suggest Reid gets managed, and one or more younger players too due to the temperature on Saturday, and any soreness which won’t be reported.

It isn’t just the best 22 each week, but also ensuring the next 5-6 are match ready and have experience come dare I say it, finals time.

Bell was listed as the R3 emergency and he could also get a game along with RB if they want to rest Wicks, Warner, Gulden or rotate McInernney.

But I agree, anyone omitted or managed this week will be very unlucky.

[barracuda]

Does anyone feel that it may be tough for the three 1st year players to back up after 5 days and having played Richmond (the best team in football)?

It’s been long said that an AFL player needs at least three years in a professional environment to physically build up to consistent AFL level.

Gulden, McDonald and Campbell have only had around 5 months in an AFL professional environment. Will they start to tire, get weary and falter unless breaks are included in their programs.

I think Campbell was the most tired. Wicks and Warner are a couple of pre-seasons in.

[barracuda]

I have 6 non-KPPs who didn't play Saturday who I feel could come into the side without a detrimental effect on our performance: Hayward, Ling, Stephens, Rowbottom, COR and Fox, once over his injury. Bell, Taylor and Clarke are a notch below, but good enough to play a role if needed. That's a lot of depth.

I don't worry about selection these days. It's hard to get it wrong.

If Rowbottom comes in, then I agree with most that JMac is likely to be dropped, although he played well enough to keep his spot under normal circumstances. Rowbottom offers a little bit more.

BTW, I think Blakely would be a good defender for players in his weight class.

It is a bit tough for the wingers with the swans current game style. There were a number of times McInerney was way out wide on his own but the kickers elected to go through the corridor. It looks like the wingers role is to drag the opposition winger out wide to open up the middle more. This means lots less touches.

[snajik]

This most tired / cramping up / rest the youngsters / short turnaround argument would also apply to the Bombers though wouldn't it, who had a slightly shorter turnaround and will be required to travel?

[barracuda]

This most tired / cramping up / rest the youngsters / short turnaround argument would also apply to the Bombers though wouldn't it, who had a slightly shorter turnaround and will be required to travel?

Good point. last year the sides that had a really short turn around and had to travel got pumped.

[SwanSand]

Essendon game looked a walk in the park compared to ours. Also they played under the roof at Marvel at a later time than us, so maybe they are tired but we were fried.