Changes for R8: Swans vs Melbourne

[Mel_C]

Bailey Fritsch has been offered a one match ban for striking. He has been playing really well for Melbourne so he will be a big loss for them.

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm looking forward to Hickey v Gawn

In the coaches votes, they're th

- - - Updated - - -

In the coaches votes, they're the only two ruckmen on the leader board. 24 and 34 votes respectively.

[MattW]

Dropping Cunningham is ridiculous.

Buddy Franklin, Dane Rampe to boost Sydney Swans ahead of clash with Melbourne Demons

In: Buddy, Rampe
Out: Sinclair, Melican

I would give COR another game but he needs to perform. If not, Campbell comes back in.

If Heeney isn't fit (which sure looks that way), then I would like to see McDonald replace him.

Agreed.

O'Riordan didn't show anything on Saturday which changed my mind on him. Campbell or Fox in for him makes for a stronger 22, so he's on borrowed time unless he shows more.

I understand Mountain Man's point below about protecting Hickey, but Sinclair really offers very little. The alternative is dropping McLean for Buddy (unless they decide to rest Heeney), which makes for a weaker team.

[bloodspirit]

Agreed.

O'Riordan didn't show anything on Saturday which changed my mind on him. Campbell or Fox in for him makes for a stronger 22, so he's on borrowed time unless he shows more.

I understand Mountain Man's point below about protecting Hickey, but Sinclair really offers very little. The alternative is dropping McLean for Buddy (unless they decide to rest Heeney), which makes for a weaker team.

I agree with Captain too, except I'm tempted to bring in Fox and push Mills back to the midfield and omit one of the front half players.

[Ludwig]

O'Riordan didn't show anything on Saturday which changed my mind on him. Campbell or Fox in for him makes for a stronger 22, so he's on borrowed time unless he shows more.

The person who does The Swans Blog assessments disagrees on O'Riordan, says:

Defensively did well, rarely beaten, one of the better games that O'Riordan's played, finished with 8 intercepts and won both of his defensive 50 contests.

Player ratings: Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, Round 7, 2021

[NeonBible]

WOW!! What a position to be in - 5-2 going into a top 4 clash against the undefeated Dees!! With Buddy AND Dane likely to return! Great news, our conditioning staff are really earning their paychecks this year!! What i am curious about is the selection squeeze. Buddy & Dane are obviously best 22, and i think Hewett and Fox are too. How to fit them all in? Who goes out?

My guesses:
O'Riordan for Fox. Colin was solid against the Cats and would consider himself unlucky but Fox was thriving last yr and offers more than the Irishman.

Melican for Rampe. I hate to say it but "TheBloods" will be right on this one, as poor Lewis goes down at the same time Dane comes back! He will find it a challenge to get back into the team behind Dane and Tommy Mac.

Sinclair for Buddy. Always loved Big Cal with his heart the size of Phar Laps. Lance is Lance. There will always be a place for Sincs in the future if the Hick ever goes down.

Rowbottom for Hewett...? Again TheBloods may be onto something. He has not shown quite as much as Mills, Ollie or Chad in the midfield .. an unlucky injury thats knocked him down a peg or two in the order. The coaches may settle on ousting Stephens instead but then he offers something a little different to George whereas RB is more of a like for like and so you wonder if it will be one or the other between George and RB. Maybe George's experience wins out ??

Great problems to have. We looked dead in the water a fortnight ago !! Hickey aka Lazarus' return has turned things around! And the cavalry is coming!!

I havent even included Blakey, Logan Mc, or Campbell!

[MattW]

The person who does The Swans Blog assessments disagrees on O'Riordan, says:

Defensively did well, rarely beaten, one of the better games that O'Riordan's played, finished with 8 intercepts and won both of his defensive 50 contests.

Player ratings: Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, Round 7, 2021

I'm not sure I rate those ratings that highly; seem a bit light on telling observations about the play.

E.g., on Kennedy:

"Not the biggest game stat wise, but there were moments of pure class, and when the a next level was required, Kennedy was there leading the way."

[Ludwig]

I'm not sure I rate those ratings that highly; seem a bit light on telling observations about the play.

I'm bemused by how quickly some are to drop Colin. I haven\t heard any real criticism of his game, and it is his first senior game since injured mid season 2020. So what does he have to do to keep his spot in the side? Are we setting a higher standard for Colin than for other players?

I honestly can't separate COR and Fox. I like them both and feel bad to leave either out of the side, but realise that we may not have enough spots to carry both in the seniors, although they did play a number of games together last y ar (but I can't remember anything about those games). I think both Colin and Fox played well last year when they were selected.

Keeping Colin in the side is not a reflection of anyone not selected. I feel that if we we bring in a player and the player does his job well, then we he should keep his spot.

[waswan]

You are dropping McKinerney after kicking that crucial (and tough!) goal??? Wow.

Its out of him Wicks or Gulden

Wicks still the best pressure Ins 50
Gulden was low numbers but less rush of blood and more composure on the weekend and he had 3 goals

Stephens has to play, I believe if he gets 3 games in a row he will be a permanent 22

I rate Fox over Harry and Hewitt is a better shutdown player than Harry.

Then there is Logan who I rate over Mclean but he deserves another week after last week.

The there is Blakey and Campbell, who have significant upside.

I wonder if Campbell just needs to be thrown to the lions in the middle, is a little like Warner last year, easing him into footy in a position thats a bit foreign. If nothing else he shouldnt be handballing off to Dawson or Lloyd when he has a the same chance by foot

[giant]

The person who does The Swans Blog assessments disagrees on O'Riordan, says:

Defensively did well, rarely beaten, one of the better games that O'Riordan's played, finished with 8 intercepts and won both of his defensive 50 contests.

Player ratings: Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, Round 7, 2021

I'm with the blogger - very surprised to read so much negative commentary on COR, thought both he and Melican were very solid.

[stevoswan]

I'm bemused by how quickly some are to drop Colin. I haven\t heard any real criticism of his game, and it is his first senior game since injured mid season 2020. So what does he have to do to keep his spot in the side? Are we setting a higher standard for Colin than for other players?

I honestly can't separate COR and Fox. I like them both and feel bad to leave either out of the side, but realise that we may not have enough spots to carry both in the seniors, although they did play a number of games together last y ar (but I can't remember anything about those games). I think both Colin and Fox played well last year when they were selected.

Keeping Colin in the side is not a reflection of anyone not selected. I feel that if we we bring in a player and the player does his job well, then we he should keep his spot.

I agree that COR should retain his spot and I think the selectors would be happy for Fox to keep building in the two's for another week or so. Even though he tore it up on the weekend, it was just his first game back.

[MattW]

I'm bemused by how quickly some are to drop Colin. I haven\t heard any real criticism of his game, and it is his first senior game since injured mid season 2020. So what does he have to do to keep his spot in the side? Are we setting a higher standard for Colin than for other players?

I honestly can't separate COR and Fox. I like them both and feel bad to leave either out of the side, but realise that we may not have enough spots to carry both in the seniors, although they did play a number of games together last y ar (but I can't remember anything about those games). I think both Colin and Fox played well last year when they were selected.

Keeping Colin in the side is not a reflection of anyone not selected. I feel that if we we bring in a player and the player does his job well, then we he should keep his spot.

Colin had a solid game, but I think Fox offers more. He has a better leap and plays taller, and seems more dangerous bouncing out of defence. I trust him a little more in defensive duels. I thought he played better last year than Colin has.

But I agree with the sentiment in your final paragraph. I am not advocating he get dropped this week. However, consistent with my view that Fox offers more to the team, I'd like to see a bit more from Colin (particularly rebounding punch) if he's keeping Fox out.

[longmile]

I think we can have Fox in as well as Cunningham and O'Riordan.

If we bring Rampe in for Melican and Fox in for Heeney who is clearly not fit/recovered, Fox would allow Mills to move back to the midfield and Dawson to play as a more free/rebounding defender. Our mids like Parker, Kennedy and Warner can then rotate through the forward line more to cover for Heeney.

[Captain]

I think we can have Fox in as well as Cunningham and O'Riordan.

If we bring Rampe in for Melican and Fox in for Heeney who is clearly not fit/recovered, Fox would allow Mills to move back to the midfield and Dawson to play as a more free/rebounding defender. Our mids like Parker, Kennedy and Warner can then rotate through the forward line more to cover for Heeney.

I don't mind this actually. We need a 3rd tall and Fox is the man, not Mills. He needs to play in the midfield.

Fox for Heeney.

[Bangalore Swans]

Are people comfortable with Franklin being subjected to a 1.5 hour flight to Melbourne and back?

Could it be best to give him some extra preparation time to be ready for the Swans V Collingwood SCG game next week? Remembering the Swans elected not to play him against Richmond.