Changes for Round 11 v Carlton

[giant]

McLean had a terrible game on the weekend. But he played an important structural role - he really prevented Cox from having a large impact on the game as an intercepting defender. If you haven't watched Freo much, you might not appreciate how good he and Ryan have been for them.
Whilst I wish he could have at least broken even on many marking contests, he is important to the structure and stays.

Blakey played a similar role in negating Ryan. But, his time with the footy in hand was was terrible. Would happily swap for McDonald this week.

If Melican is right, he's in for Fox. Similarly McInerney for one of the young mids - likely Stephens unless another needs a break.

That's the most generous assessment of McLean's game I can imagine - he was embarrassingly torched.

[SwanSand]

Carlton is too tall on each side of the ground. There is no way we can control their forwards Pittonet, McKay, Koning with our cavalry without giving away free kicks especially if we get beaten in the middle.

First thing - fix contested balls.
Second - stop Saad and Williams in back half.
Third - stop Sam Walsh

Carlton play SCG well. If they get run from Zac or saad the ball will enter our defensive half too quickly.

Out - Fox, Stephens, Clarke
In - Melican, Mcinereney, Lewis Taylor (sub)

Maybe out - Blakey if Reid available.
Unless the weather is wet.

I would put Blakey in forward half. The experiment of him being in midfield is over.

[Markwebbos]

It all seems to hinge on the (second) ruck. That’s assuming Hickey is fit which he may not be.

Sinkers has already been deemed an unplayable failure on here (and Horse implied his selection was an error last time he played).

Blakey is not the answer as demonstrated on Saturday.

Sam Reid being fit would be very handy but unlikely…

Which leaves Amartey? Naismith? Daylight?

We don’t know why McLean isn’t being allowed to ruck. It would make him so much more valuable.

Putting that problem to one side I think:

Blakey out, McInerney in
McLean out, MacDonald in
Fox out, Melican/Brand/Gould in
I worry a great deal about Hewett (why didn’t they use him as a tagger on Saturday) there are better options e.g. COR

Stephens would have to be in danger of going straight back out and Blakey keeping his spot, purely as backup ruck.

Let’s see what Monday brings?

[Bangalore Swans]

The monumental moment has arrived and it’s been much anticipated.

Outs

- Blakey, Fox, Wicks

Ins

- J-Mac, Gould, McDonald

Gould to debut. Much anticipated and and will generate excitement amongst the Swans community.

Carlton are tall, so an opportunity presents for McDonald. He’s done some time in the reserves and his time is now. He was pretty valuable in weeks 1-3.

J-Mac walks into the team if fit. We missed his ability to cover the whole right side of the ground.

I’m giving another chance to McLean (must ruck a little), Haywood and Stephens.

Wicks is a favourite of Red and White, however he needs to recover his zing in the twos.

Unfortunately (because I like him), I’ve lost some faith in Blakey. I speculate as to what impact not having his Dad around is having on his football. He just seems to be trying too hard (maybe fuelled by Swans fans losing faith in him).

When he gets the ball he always rushes and tries to do too much. He’s looking for the perfect play all the time. The simple play is often there. He reminds me of an out of form Batman who anxiously goes at the ball too early instead of waiting for the ball to come him or an out of form womaniser who is trying way too hard to impress.

He needs some time with a psychologist to build his confidence and settle his nerves.

I think with Blakey, things can turn around quickly and he can be a very damaging player.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Carlton is too tall on each side of the ground. There is no way we can control their forwards Pittonet, McKay, Koning with our cavalry without giving away free kicks especially if we get beaten in the middle.

Fortunately only 2 of the 3 Carlton players mentioned will be stationed in the forward line at the one time. In the absence of Curnow and McGovern - they have stationed Silvagni or Cripps up forward.
So yes I think we will need to include Brand.

But Hickey's hurting, McLean isn't allowed in the ruck for some reason, Naismith has only played a single full game in the 2's, Brand is not a ruckman, and Blakey/Dawson are even less so.
Which means it's Sinkers or Amarty
I have no idea whether we can have Sinkers/Amarty, Buddy and McLean in the same forward line.

[Blood Fever]

OK BF, who do think will back up hobbled Hickey/underdone Naismith/Sinclair next weekend?

Blakey backs up Hickey if fit. Sinclair/Amartey if Hickey not fit. McLean can spend time in ruck if needed. JMac for Stephens or Wicks. McLean was poor but one bad game for a young player after a number of good ones is not unusual

[SwanSand]

McLean needs a second tall defender to have an impact. He got the best last week and struggled. Sam Reid in the team stationed closer to goal will help McLean but maybe he needs to come through 2s. If that is the case Amartey would not be a bad option. Haven’t seen him so cannot comment.

Sinclair is a big downgrade on Hickey and if we go Amartey / Sinclair we are definitely going to lose this one especially with their on ball brigade.

If our pressure is good they will make mistakes as they are woeful in their turnovers.

Brand for Fox seems like a good choice. Tall and should get the job done on their less mobile ruck forward. Maybe that is the best chance that Brand may have to cement his place. If he plays well we would have the best backline combo with talls well covered.

[rb4x]

McLean did go into the ruck against Darcy at one stage but failed to get a hitout. Not a real option. Blakey only an option as an emergency ruck, not a viable second ruck i the team. Naismith, Reid, Sinclair and maybe Amartey the only viable second ruck options and not really convinced about any. Hope Hickey is 100% or we will have trouble against Pittonet and De Koning.

[AnnieH]

I'd be dropping Blakey back to the academy.

[longmile]

I'd be dropping Blakey back to the academy.

I hate to sound like how The Bloods does about Rowbottom and keep going on about Blakey, but I find it hard to fathom how he has close to 50 games and is still yet to do anything consistent or really even partake in any gamechanging moments. I feel like there are brief flashes of brilliance ruined by either skills or decision making ineptitude. He really needs to stop being treated as start up 22 when he has yet to prove it. We have much better players, who - while not perfect - are battling manfully week in week out in ressies and should be given a shot over him

[Scottee]

McLean has 3 great strengths and 3 great weaknesses. He is an excellent mark, a great set shot and has an enormous tank. On the other hand he lacks speed and agility and has no ground game. He should never be played in the wet with a profile like that.

Amartey can take a mark, is a reasonable kick, has agility and a ground game but has the worst tank on the list. Perfect fit for an emergency but until he improves his tank he will be of limited value in a full game. He will be kicking 6 in ressies games if his tank does improve.

Sinclair, well we all know about him. Can play well as forward target when in form but is also a risk for being run off due to lack of speed, agility etc.

McDonald does not have any of the above weaknesses and his only weakness is his youth and inexperience. He is in form and played very well in a side that was thumped yesterday. He should be playing against Carlton imho if it is wet. McLean stays if dry.

[Captain]

Knee jerk reaction to drop McLean after one ordinary game.

It was an extremely poor game. He needed to bring the ball to the ground (if not mark it) but simply couldn't provide a contest.

[111431]

I hate to sound like how The Bloods does about Rowbottom and keep going on about Blakey, but I find it hard to fathom how he has close to 50 games and is still yet to do anything consistent or really even partake in any gamechanging moments. I feel like there are brief flashes of brilliance ruined by either skills or decision making ineptitude. He really needs to stop being treated as start up 22 when he has yet to prove it. We have much better players, who - while not perfect - are battling manfully week in week out in ressies and should be given a shot over him

I strongly disagree with your view we have players ready to call up in the 2's. Having watched a bit of yesterday's game, the only one i would consider would be Lewie Taylor. The rest looked very ordinary

[Blood Fever]

McLean has 3 great strengths and 3 great weaknesses. He is an excellent mark, a great set shot and has an enormous tank. On the other hand he lacks speed and agility and has no ground game. He should never be played in the wet with a profile like that.

Amartey can take a mark, is a reasonable kick, has agility and a ground game but has the worst tank on the list. Perfect fit for an emergency but until he improves his tank he will be of limited value in a full game. He will be kicking 6 in ressies games if his tank does improve.

Sinclair, well we all know about him. Can play well as forward target when in form but is also a risk for being run off due to lack of speed, agility etc.

McDonald does not have any of the above weaknesses and his only weakness is his youth and inexperience. He is in form and played very well in a side that was thumped yesterday. He should be playing against Carlton imho if it is wet. McLean stays if dry.

Fair call

[The Runner]

Disagree that Cox was prevented from having a large impact on the game - Cox's dominance over McLean was decisive. Cox had a game-high five contested marks and I don't think Hayden brought the ball to ground once. It was an absolute bath.

Generally speaking, options for the second tall are: Reid, McLean, McDonald, Sinclair, Amartey. With our number 1 rucks hobbled and back-up options otherwise few (they've tried Blakey, Fox and even Dawson), we really need that second tall to ruck at the moment.

They don't seem to want Hayden to ruck.

Given all of that, they might turn to Amartey. Otherwise, aside from selecting Sinclair (who's reached Dean Towers status re selection), I can't see who else will back up Hickey.

Yeah, that's my point. He lost his 1-1 battles, against a very good and underrated defender. But, him being there meant that Buddy got a lot of 1-1 contests himself. If McLean didn't demand a good opponent, Cox would have peeled off a lot more.
I'm not defending his poor match from a contests perspective. But his role in the forward line, and why I'd give him another chance this week. Jones and Weitering are very good in the air, and will need to be made accountable. Bringing in Amartey is not the right call this week.