Changes for Round 5: Swans vs GWS

[mcs]

Do we read much into the fact Stephens hasn't signed a contract extension yet? Would he have concerns about being pick 5 and potentially playing reserves? Would the option of returning to SA on the promise by the Crows of more game time be figuring?

I don't think so - given the very clear outline about Stephens given in a reserves report I think it was recently by Laidler, I think they've been pretty clear with what the focus is on developing within his game - they weren't major things by any mean. He is probably keeping his options open no doubt, but we should be able to get something decent in return if he was to want to leave for further opportunities - but I fully expect he will likely get a chance sooner rather then later.

[Aprilbr]

I would be very disappointed if we lost Stephens after just two seasons at the Club. He is likely to develop into a top player over time. Losing a Number 5 pick before they realise their potential would be very annoying.

We haven't lost early draft picks southwards after they had a short period on our list since the 1990s when Gaspar, Rocca and Grant each walked out after a couple of seasons. I think we are a much stronger and more stable club now than then and our players seem very happy. We also have a history of success.

I would think that Gould is much more of a flight risk than Stephens given he has not been able to break into the firsts to date.

[Mark26]

Longmire was on SEN this morning. He was asked about Gould. Without being too negative, Longmire said he was still learning his craft and intimated that Gould was a slow developer. Longmire is not one to express either too much optimism or pessimism, but I felt that his comments were on the pessimistic side. It doesn't sound like Gould will be ready for AFL footy for a while. But we can hope that he has a breakthrough in the early rounds of the VFL comp. There was no indication of what aspect of his game is holding up his progress.

I didn't get the slightly pessimistic impression listening to Horse. I thought his tone was more pragmatic in the sense that he was saying every player develops differently, regardless if they're big-bodied or not.

Gould will play when he is ready. We just have to be patient. Like everyone else on here, I wish that day was sooner rather than later.

[The Big Cat]

Longmire was on SEN this morning. He was asked about Gould. Without being too negative, Longmire said he was still learning his craft and intimated that Gould was a slow developer. Longmire is not one to express either too much optimism or pessimism, but I felt that his comments were on the pessimistic side. It doesn't sound like Gould will be ready for AFL footy for a while. But we can hope that he has a breakthrough in the early rounds of the VFL comp. There was no indication of what aspect of his game is holding up his progress.

I disagree Ludders. I listened to the interview as well and I thought Longmire was quite positive about him. His last comment was "He's coming along well. There's no doubt we'll need him."

[Ludwig]

I didn't get the slightly pessimistic impression listening to Horse. I thought his tone was more pragmatic in the sense that he was saying every player develops differently, regardless if they're big-bodied or not.

Gould will play when he is ready. We just have to be patient. Like everyone else on here, I wish that day was sooner rather than later.

I disagree Ludders. I listened to the interview as well and I thought Longmire was quite positive about him. His last comment was "He's coming along well. There's no doubt we'll need him."

I'm glad you guys took a more positive vibe from Longmire's answer. I took the lack of something unequivocally positive as being somewhat negative. There's a lot of interpretation in this and Longmire doesn't give much away. I think Gould is an important part of the puzzle going forward, so I hope we see him get some senior games this year.

[longmile]

Still think Logan McDonald looked absolutely cooked last week. He was struggling to run out the game against Richmond as well. I'd be resting him this week.

I'm not a huge Melican fan but it looks like he'll be taking Rampe's spot this week. Hope he can prove me wrong.

Out: Heeney (inj), Rampe (inj), McDonald (managed), Bell (omitted)
In: Hayward, Melican, Rowbottom + Stephens as sub

[stevoswan]

It is bizaare isn't it? Even last year when we were so short on talls he still didn't get a chance. I'll be optimistic and say they only want him in when he's well and truly ready and when that time comes, watch out!

I hope you're right.

[AB Swannie]

Logan will be managed at some point but I doubt it will be this week after a 9 day break. He also allows Reid to play more of a swing role which is important with Rampe out.

[Thunder Shaker]

My expectation:

Out: Heeney (inj), Rampe (inj), McDonald (managed), Bell (omitted)
In: McLean, Melican, Rowbottom, Hayward or Stephens as sub

[Ludwig]

New gallery with 14 pics up on the Swans' website.

Rowbottom looks ready to go. No strapping.

Naismith has another new doo and looks ready to play but with his injury record, I won't be making any predictions.

[AB Swannie]

New gallery with 14 pics up on the Swans' website.

Rowbottom looks ready to go. No strapping.

Naismith has another new doo and looks ready to play but with his injury record, I won't be making any predictions.

I probably overanalyse these things but Hayward has featured more heavily this week in the gallery. I just have this sneaky feeling that all three of Hayward, Melican, and Rowbottom come in.

[Nico]

If Hayward plays we will be one down right from the start. He is not like for like regards Heeney out.

[The Runner]

People are way too harsh on Hayward

[AB Swannie]

People are way too harsh on Hayward

I agree. The medium forward role is bloody hard. I like him and think he always puts in effort. He’s not Heeney but few are.

[Markwebbos]

I probably overanalyse these things but Hayward has featured more heavily this week in the gallery. I just have this sneaky feeling that all three of Hayward, Melican, and Rowbottom come in.

I’m there on the grassy knoll (not Michael) with you. Plus all three ins make sense.

Hoping Hayward plays his role (on Haynes) this week.