Changes Round 6 V Gold Coast Suns

[Velour&Ruffles]

Lloyd or Cunningham going out is ludicrous

Yes, and particularly Cunningham. He is a vital part of our defensive setup, has been playing well this year and is in many ways harder to replace than Lloyd. But it is silly to talk about omitting either.

[aardvark]

And how long will Reid last playing in the ruck?

[Captain]

Lloyd or Cunningham going out is ludicrous

Yes it’s borderline trolling. Has been on about it all year for some strange reason.

[greeng]

Reid is not a ruckman. Never has been.

[Thunder Shaker]

We are fortunate that the opposition have ruck issues greater than ours. The Suns have almost no recognised ruck at the moment. The following week we have Geelong and their ruck is somewhat stretched as well.

Nine things we learned: 6. The Cats' ruck issue won't go away. They did poorly in the ruck against the Kangaroos. If we went to the Geelong game with our second ruck we should do okay.

So if Hickey got two weeks off we wouldn't be inconvenienced as much. If possible, get Hickey right for the Melbourne game in three weeks.

[giant]

We are fortunate that the opposition have ruck issues greater than ours. The Suns have almost no recognised ruck at the moment. The following week we have Geelong and their ruck is somewhat stretched as well.

Nine things we learned: 6. The Cats' ruck issue won't go away. They did poorly in the ruck against the Kangaroos. If we went to the Geelong game with our second ruck we should do okay.

So if Hickey got two weeks off we wouldn't be inconvenienced as much. If possible, get Hickey right for the Melbourne game in three weeks.

Rhys Stanley would have to be the worst ruck in the competition - and it's killing Geelong. Should have got themselves a Hickey before they bothered with a Smith or a Higgins.

Sinclair will be our ruck.

The difference between rounds 1-3 Logan where he marked and kicked everything (avge kicks = 8; marks = 5; total goals = 7) to round 4&5 Logan where he's barely been noticeable (avge kicks = 2; marks/goals =0) has been dramatic to say the least. It's like he woke up one morning and went "Holy crap, I'm playing AFL!" Time for a rest.

[neilfws]

The difference between rounds 1-3 Logan where he marked and kicked everything (avge kicks = 8; marks = 5; total goals = 7) to round 4&5 Logan where he's barely been noticeable (avge kicks = 2; marks/goals =0) has been dramatic to say the least. It's like he woke up one morning and went "Holy crap, I'm playing AFL!" Time for a rest.

His body language was interesting on Saturday. Often seemed frustrated with himself after contests, punching into his palm and muttering to himself. He strikes me as a serious young bloke who is trying hard to make an impression. Maybe trying a bit too hard and forgetting to enjoy the game. A rest might do him good.

[Bangalore Swans]

Outs

- Hickey
- McDonald
- Wicks

Ins

Sinclair
Rowbottom
Stephen’s

Sinclair and Reid can handle the ruck. Move Blakey up forward as 3rd tall. This allows a wing spot for Stephens. Play Parker and Florent up forward more and cover Wicks. Rowbottom to come into the midfield.

I think that once you get Heeney back then Hayward perminently takes the place of Wicks. Hayward made a lot of opportunities for himself in a tight defensive game and can complete in the air in heavy traffic. Seems to me that Wicks is really good when the Swans can get their free flowing game going. In tight heavily contested games like last night Hayward has far more dynamic ability to conjure up something than Wicks.

On Stephens, I say give him a decent opportunity. He looked a jet last night when he was running around the SCG by himself 15 minutes after everyone had left. I would like to see how that translates when there are 35 other players on the field.

Why was he running around by himself 15 minutes after most fans had left.

[barry]

We are still getting games into kids, so I would avoid getting sinkers back. He's yesterday's man..so McLean or Armartey for me.

[liz]

We are still getting games into kids, so I would avoid getting sinkers back. He's yesterday's man..so McLean or Armartey for me.

I won't be surprised if we see both in, based on Longmire's press conference after the game. He seemed resigned to the fact that McDonald might need a break, and he was also quick to name both Amartey and McLean when the journo mentioned Sinclair's name. They can each split the forward and ruck roles between them, with a little support from Reid, if need be. Longmire also observed that, while Reid did a pretty good job filling in for Hickey, it meant we didn't have him as a forward target.

[NeonBible]

Hoping i will be able to make the trip up for this one!! My sister and her kids live in Brisbane. Maybe a detour via the gold coast? ????

Im thinking we might rest a few kids for this one. Aside from North Melbourne i doubt we will get a more winnable game than this one and injuries seem to be coming hard!! A few kids looked off against GWS. Campbell , Chad, Jmac .. maybe even McDonald ? Or Wicks. Tbh I am just relieved we dont have to be discussing which of the two inclusions from last week we will have to drop - both Will and Lewis were excellent !!

Could Buddy be rested ? Jpk maybe ? Long season, these two will be key to our fortunes in the business end of the season and neither are young!! Hope Reid's head is OK. We have the depth we can afford to manage some players - we have a bounty of good talent waiting in the wings - Dylan, Sincs, Mclean, Brand, Bell, O'Riordan. Speaking of Irish - how about that Barry O'Connor!!!!!

[Cosmic Wizard]

Yes some of our younger players need a break.

This is a good week to rest them up, away game, and blood some more players.

Out: Logan, Hickey, Melican

In: Mclean, Stephens (full game), Amartey and/or BOC.

Was in the third quarter when Melican was streaming out of defense, tried to pass to another swan, missed by twenty meters and kicked it out of bounds?

That is just not AFL STANDARD!

[barry]

Your only resting one kid, CW.

[KTigers]

Melican was rusty. It's kind of common when players have been out of the team for awhile. From the comments on here recently you'd
think he and Hayward were the worst players to ever have pulled on a Swans guernsey. Seriously these guys are good players. I know
this because they are on our list and get paid pretty good money to play footy. Almost all players have dips in form, it's a tough game
to play week in, week out. And we as punters never know the full extent of any niggling injuries they may be carrying because we don't
work at the club. It really is that simple.

[707]

Gold Coast don't have a ruck issue they literally have NO rucks, think they are rucking a couple of guys around the 192/193 height. That means McLean and Amartey should be all the ruck power we need. Reid is needed as the second KPF, obviously rest McDonald, maybe even week off so no ressies either.

We need to match Gold Coast at ground level so that's where the thinking will go this week, Rowbottom in seems a no brainer and if the match committee were as disappointed in Melican as most posters seem to be, Brand a tall very good lock down defender might be preferred.

As an aside, I'm excited by the prospects of Barry O'Connor, we may roll the dice later in the season if he continues to develop