Changes for Rnd 10 V Freo.

[SwanSand]

Fair enough. We both want to see Stephens into the team on a big deck.

Who are the Swans leaving out for Stephens?

Some may suggest Blakey, however Blakey has found a role giving some ruck relief. McLean looks like he is spending less time as a relief ruckman. Blakey can also play on a wing, on half forward or half back.

Some may suggest Hewitt. Hewitt is coming off a strong game and it looks like in young Brayshaw or Mundy that he has a match up.

Some might say Robbie Fox, however you need Fox as tall cover if Rampe has to go to Fyfe.

I don’t know who to leave out? All I know is that Stephens must play on the big wide deck.

We should let Hewett on Brayshaw and let Rowbottom pick up Cerra as a run with role. If we reduce their influence the game is ours. They are a much more threatening on their home deck and hence the need for reducing influence.
I reckon Caleb Serong won’t be big enough for any of our mids. Like Parker, Mills and Joey are too big for him so there is unlikely to be any tagging from them.

[The Runner]

I'd much prefer to see Hewett getting done HTB every now and then, than him just getting rid of it to avoid being tackled. Turnovers hurt more than anything else in today's game

[TheBloods]

Fair enough. We both want to see Stephens into the team on a big deck.

Who are the Swans leaving out for Stephens?

Some may suggest Blakey, however Blakey has found a role giving some ruck relief. McLean looks like he is spending less time as a relief ruckman. Blakey can also play on a wing, on half forward or half back.

Some may suggest Hewitt. Hewitt is coming off a strong game and it looks like in young Brayshaw or Mundy that he has a match up.

Some might say Robbie Fox, however you need Fox as tall cover if Rampe has to go to Fyfe.

I don’t know who to leave out? All I know is that Stephens must play on the big wide deck.

Wicks is important to our fwd pressure. Blakey doesnt offer much , not worth wasting a spot in the team for someone who will have 4 hit outs as he did against the pies.

Hewett should stay in to play on Mundy or Brayshaw. Rowbottom goes back to play on Mundy or Fyfe when they rotate fwd , then Stephens into the mids

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We should let Hewett on Brayshaw and let Rowbottom pick up Cerra as a run with role. If we reduce their influence the game is ours. They are a much more threatening on their home deck and hence the need for reducing influence.
I reckon Caleb Serong won’t be big enough for any of our mids. Like Parker, Mills and Joey are too big for him so there is unlikely to be any tagging from them.

We cant have 2 doing run with roles in the middle , too defensive . Choose one of Hewett or Rowbottom to tag Brayshaw/Mundy/Cerra/Fyfe and send the other to defence to play on them when their forward

[The Runner]

Rowbottom going on to defence is just silly. He's a very good midfielder, who is better in the forward half if anything.
Warner has had 2 clearances in 2 weeks.. should we send him down back to our already short backline?

[HeeneyIsAGun]

As it should be (we are still 6-3, and equal third on points after all!!), it's mighty hard to get a spot in this team at the moment.

Dylan is the unlucky one as a result. Both he and Bell would definitely be getting starting runs in a number of other teams down the ladder. And we have the conundrum of Reid and Naismith making returns soon, with Campbell, Gulden and McDonald ready to return at some point. And the likes of Amartey playing super footy with minimal chance to break into this team.

I don't think the team needs changing at the moment. Leave it be for now, and reassess after the bye (injuries permitting).

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Wicks had more tackles inside 50 than anyone ! He needs to use it better but if you are talking about those who are good with defensive pressure its silly to leave him out !

He is currently equal 5th in the league for tackles inside 50: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/...21&rt=LT&st=T5

[barracuda]

He does some silly things sometimes but yes he does good things too . He is surprising me more every week.

Examples?

[mcs]

As it should be (we are still 6-3, and equal third on points after all!!), it's mighty hard to get a spot in this team at the moment.

Dylan is the unlucky one as a result. Both he and Bell would definitely be getting starting runs in a number of other teams down the ladder. And we have the conundrum of Reid and Naismith making returns soon, with Campbell, Gulden and McDonald ready to return at some point. And the likes of Amartey playing super footy with minimal chance to break into this team.

I don't think the team needs changing at the moment. Leave it be for now, and reassess after the bye (injuries permitting).

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He is currently equal 5th in the league for tackles inside 50: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/...21&rt=LT&st=T5

I do like Bell, but I'm not sure he is quite AFL standard medium to longer term (but very happy to be proven wrong).

Nice to see some serious competition for spots however at the moment.

I wouldn't change anything from last week unless forced by injury, although would be happy to see Stephens come in, but as per this thread, not sure who for.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Will we ever see Buddy firing on all eight cylinders? I'm ot sure we will. He might end up just a role player in his final year/s. He looks to have lost a metre of pace. His, strength is not what it was. Years ago he just would have pushed Maynard out of the way andoutmarkwd him. There wasn't too much of that I know he has had an injury, I mean he has had soft tissue injuries for the last 3 seasons.

Seeing Maynard hoovering up possessions and even outmarking Buddy was a shock, as was the lack of kicking penetration showed by Buddy last week against Melbourne.
Statistically, this season Buddy is averaging 2.6 goals per game, which ain't bad. More concerning however is that in the aggregate the Swans are a 3 goal better side without Buddy than with him this year.

It's all a bit shocking. I still hope that Buddy can turn it around, and make a substantial contribution this season. If Horse says he needs to be run into form, so they will play him against Freo - then good luck to him.

[Aprilbr]

Despite TheBloods' great hopes, I sincerely doubt that Blakey will be playing Reserves this week or that Rowbottom will be playing in defence. It will be minimal changes to our team unless there is an injury that we are unaware of at present. Stephens' run would be very handy on the big ground in WA but I'm not sure who goes out for him given the excellent team performance against the Pies?

[NeonBible]

Despite TheBloods' great hopes, I sincerely doubt that Blakey will be playing Reserves this week or that Rowbottom will be playing in defence. It will be minimal changes to our team unless there is an injury that we are unaware of at present. Stephens' run would be very handy on the big ground in WA but I'm not sure who goes out for him given the excellent team performance against the Pies?

You are right Aprilbr. Blakey showed more promise in the ruck against the Pies than he has all year long. I have not been as underwhelmed by his form as others. He has had flashes of brilliance but has not been able to piece them together into great pieces of play. But thats OK. He is young & learning. More concerning would be if the flashes of brilliance weren't there at all!! In the ruck though it appeared to give him a bit more purpose! He was using his superb leap and following up the crumbing ball! This is an excellent way to keep the Lizard involved in the play!! I would like to see it given a few more weeks before we retreat him to the VFL!!

Per your question for whom Stephens would fill in for, the answer is: Nobody! A great team performance last week. No weaknesses and with a fit Buddy supposedly ready to fly over to Perth, we have a chance at an UNCHANGED side! A chance to settle this team for a few weeks!! Just what the doctor ordered!!

[NeonBible]

Rowbottom goes back to play on Mundy or Fyfe when they rotate fwd , then Stephens into the mids

We cant have 2 doing run with roles in the middle , too defensive . Choose one of Hewett or Rowbottom to tag Brayshaw/Mundy/Cerra/Fyfe and send the other to defence to play on them when their forward

TB, I have seen you make the suggestion that Rowbottom should be in defence a number of times now. I am with you that he is a great defensive player! He is leading the club for tackles with 7 a game (he is 3rd in the whole AFL!) and a few weeks back i shared his pressure act numbers, which were through the roof. Im afraid that is where i draw the line, as the numbers suggest everywhere else he is doing more than fine as a midfielder!

He's currently 4th at the club for SCORE INVOLVEMENTS behind Mills, Gulden and Papley!! I consider SIs to be one of most important stats in the game today as it is the difference between those who make their possessions count and those who dont! His average of nearly 6 a game shows his disposals are leading to good things = scoring opportunities!! If you dont believe me about score involvements take a look at the top 5 in that category for the current top 4 sides!!

MELB - Petracca, Oliver, Pickett, McDonald, Fritsch
WB - Macrae, Bont, Dunkley, Treloar, Naughton
GEEL - Hawkins, Duncan, Selwood, Guthrie, I. Smith
BRIS - Zorko, McCluggage, Lyons, Daniher, Bailey

That is a who's-who of the most dangerous forward half players in the league!! & you want to take one of our most promising YOUNG players in this area and put him in a back pocket??? You say you arent convinced of him because he doesnt win enough of the ball and doesnt win enough clearances with his possessions, but he is top 5 in both clearances AND contested possessions? In both areas ahead of Chad who you've made no secret of the fact you rate him so highly in this regard!! Puzzling, hm?

What about metres gained?? Another key stat. We did poorly in this area in 2020. We lost the territory battle so often. We were climbing uphill every match!! Rowbottom is top 5 for this stat (376m a match!!!)! Hes in good company with Dawson, Lloyd, Florent and Rampe, all players who gain high meterage with their rebounds from the back half! RB is a midfielder which makes those numbers even more impressive!

Maybe you will be convinced by tackles inside 50?? You said yourself it is a key part of our game and its even what made you come around to Sam Wicks! It might interest you to know Rowbottom is 4th in tackles inside 50? He's behind only forwards (Hayward, Wicks and Franklin!) and AHEAD of other forwards like Papley, Gulden, Reid and Heeney!!

Three stats that have been key to our rise up the ladder - more scoring, more territory and more forward pressure! Rowbottom is a key driver in ALL THREE areas!! Not only does he work hard off the ball but when its his turn to use it he is getting the ball to the right spots and being dangerous with it!! How can you want this player these numbers describe to be in the back line?? He is a forward half machine!! And still so young! Usually i am one of the few who are OK with your opinions of Rowbottom because i can accept them as just what they are, opinions!! But on this one you are WRONG! The numbers dont lie!

[SwanSand]

Rowbottom has also been good in the clearance work.
If you compare him to Oli Florent who is similar built wise, Rowbottom who is only 20 years of age compares not only well but probably gives us more value with what neon has mentioned.
Even comparing him to Bailey Smith from WB who was drafted in the same year, Rowbottom not only compares well, he probably adds more value due to his all round work.

[Mark26]

Rowbottom has also been good in the clearance work.
If you compare him to Oli Florent who is similar built wise, Rowbottom who is only 20 years of age compares not only well but probably gives us more value with what neon has mentioned.
Even comparing him to Bailey Smith from WB who was drafted in the same year, Rowbottom not only compares well, he probably adds more value due to his all round work.

The comparison to Bailey Smith is helpful.
Maybe if Rowbottom started to cultivate a dirty, street-rat mullet in the same vein and added some bum fluff above his lip, then TB would surely come around.

[bloodspirit]

Who cares whether TB comes around? He has his own - well articulated, entirely idiosyncratic - opinion about Rowbottom and he's welcome to it. I even welcome him expressing it except when he denigrates the player/person. He's also made me/us think and back up our own, different opinions. No harm there.

[graemed]

I read an article today - on the AFL site? SEN? can't remember - that confirmed Buddy would be travelling to Perth because he needs some continuity. It suggested that had he not missed a few weeks with his recent bone bruising, he might have been rested for this game.

Unless Reid is available (unlikely) I don't see any need for any changes. There were a handful of players in the reserves side who did enough to suggest they are ready if required, but none that screamed "pick me".

(With the possible exception of COR, who I thought was one of the very best of the reserves side, despite not getting a mention in the official bests lists. But then I thought he was a bit stiff to drop out for the Pies game. But the only one he might come in for is George. Is there a specific Pendlebury-type role that they think suits George? If not, what is his role in the team? I am not convinced by his general play as a defender, and I think Fox is now occupying the spot he started the season holding down. I rate him as a player, just don't think he adds a whole heap to our defence, and has been squeezed out of the slow-midfield-brigade by the switch of Mills. Can COR come in and provide a bit more run out of defence? He didn't really do this against the Dees, which may have cost him his spot. But he did plenty of it against the Pies reserves side on Saturday.)

I agree with all your comments about COR but would like to feel out how others feel about Harry's disposals. Whenever we are defending, his courage, anticipation and pace are outstanding but when he has the ball and needs to find this next best choice, I close my eyes and pray.