Changes for Round 12 vs St Kilda

[Ludwig]

I suppose the big surprise is bringing both McDonald and Amartey into the forward line at the same time, although I find nothing wrong with both coming into the senior side. It's been a long time waiting for Amartey, who has only played a half game to date, but could be a very important part of our forward mix into the future. If Amartey can show that he's capable at AFL level, it's not hard to see a McDonald-Amartey combo becoming the mainstay of our forward line post Buddy.

The changes are timely considering opposition personnel.

[Aaron]

May be the coaches are very confident that we can beat the Saints easily and think forward about players development and the building of synergy and a list to eventually challenge for the flag. Give the younger kids a chance to show their potential while Buddy is back in form.

[Faunac8]

May be the coaches are very confident that we can beat the Saints easily and think forward about players development and the building of synergy and a list to eventually challenge for the flag. Give the younger kids a chance to show their potential while Buddy is in back in form.

I certainly hope that isn’t the case as there are no gimmes in this competition and confidence can sometimes be misplaced.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Instinctively feels like we’re one tall too many in the forward line (given Heeney and Hayward kind of play as marking rather than buzzing/crumbing/defensive forwards) but you can’t punt anyone from the group named. Even Hayward was very good last week.

Isn’t it nice though to see the competition for spots. Amarty really had to earn it. Brand is unlucky. The last two years, we would still be playing Stephens. Gulden and Campbell are sitting out there injured, ready to try to push back in after the bye. Blokes like Taylor and Gray, I’m not big wraps on, but they’re racking up 30+ every week and can’t even get a real look in. And so on. It’s a sign our rebuild is heading in the right direction at least.

[liz]

Instinctively feels like we’re one tall too many in the forward line (given Heeney and Hayward kind of play as marking rather than buzzing/crumbing/defensive forwards) but you can’t punt anyone from the group named. Even Hayward was very good last week.

That was my first reaction, but both Will and Isaac are capable of taking their turns further up the ground, Heeney at centre bounces if need be, and Hayward on a wing.

One of our weaknesses this season seems to be that we get outmarked too often in the midfield, especially since Reid got injured). That's despite having Heeney, Mills, and Parker who are all better than average overhead for their height and JPK who should be capable of marking overhead, given his height. So an additional mobile tall pushing further up the ground to provide a marking option might be a good thing - whether that's Amartey, McDonald, Buddy, or the mid-sized forwards.

[Ludwig]

If we want to keep our 3 tall forward structure we don't have many choices. With Reid out and both Sinclair and McLean not doing much, we might as well go with McDonald and Amartey. I see it as a positive move. It's hard to predict what we're going to get from the duo, but the Saints don't have the superstar defenders to shut them down if they put in the work on game day.

Our small forwards have been going well, especially in the last game. Except for the Freo game, Hayward has been a strong performer since returning to the senior side, and Wicks has been the perfect defensive forward, putting in consistent performances all year.

[i'm-uninformed2]

That was my first reaction, but both Will and Isaac are capable of taking their turns further up the ground, Heeney at centre bounces if need be, and Hayward on a wing.

One of our weaknesses this season seems to be that we get outmarked too often in the midfield, especially since Reid got injured). That's despite having Heeney, Mills, and Parker who are all better than average overhead for their height and JPK who should be capable of marking overhead, given his height. So an additional mobile tall pushing further up the ground to provide a marking option might be a good thing - whether that's Amartey, McDonald, Buddy, or the mid-sized forwards.

Don’t disagree with any of that. And you’d like Mills in particular show the marking prowess he did in defence.

I think my issue is ground level pressure. Wicks is terrific. Paps can do it. Ironically, this is another area where Reid is missed as he’s very good at one percenters defensively. I regard Hayward as more of a forward one-on-one tagger, than a Wicks-style scrambler.

It’ll be interesting watching our forward seven (as that’s how the 22 works) if everyone is fit.

I suspect Bud, Heeney, Papley, Reid, Wicks as the first five in that order, then it’s down to who’s in form of Logan, Gulden, or Hayward.

[dejavoodoo44]

If we want to keep our 3 tall forward structure we don't have many choices. With Reid out and both Sinclair and McLean not doing much, we might as well go with McDonald and Amartey. I see it as a positive move. It's hard to predict what we're going to get from the duo, but the Saints don't have the superstar defenders to shut them down if they put in the work on game day.

Our small forwards have been going well, especially in the last game. Except for the Freo game, Hayward has been a strong performer since returning to the senior side, and Wicks has been the perfect defensive forward, putting in consistent performances all year.

Although, there is a chance that Amartey might spend a bit of time in defence, as he played some good games there in the seconds. Though perhaps not so much, this year? Also, with him the side, I expect Hickey to get more of a chop out in the ruck: which may mean a bit more forward time for Hickey.

[Ludwig]

I have some good news to report after being given a bit of a fright.

I heard Kath Loughlan on AFL Tonight say that James Rowbottom said that the Swans were keen to make the SCG a FORTRESS. Yes, she actually used that dreaded word. I was so upset that I replayed the RB interview twice, but he never used that word.

The last time that word was used in relation to the SCG was by Jarrad McVeigh, which triggered the worst home ground losing run this century.

But James showed he's a very clever lad and never said such a thing, He's definitely headed for greatness, future captaincy and a coaching career down the road.

I wish I had an alternative to using a broadcaster that would employ Eddie McGuire and Dermie, but Fox is the only provider of all the AFL games in Thailand, so I have to put up with the bad and the ugly. They hardly ever report anything about the Swans and when they do, it's usually false or a negative story.

[TheBloods]

I have some good news to report after a being given a bit of a fright.

I heard Kath Loughlan on AFL Tonight say that James Rowbottom said that the Swans were keen to make the SCG a FORTRESS. Yes, she actually used that dreaded word. I was so upset that I replayed the RB interview twice, but he never used that word.

The last time that word was used in relation to the SCG was by Jarrad McVeigh, which triggered the worst home ground losing run this century.

But James showed he's a very clever lad and never said such a thing, He's definitely headed for greatness, future captaincy and a coaching career down the road.

I wish I had an alternative to using a broadcaster that would employ Eddie McGuire and Dermie, but Fox is the only provider of all the AFL games in Thailand, so I have to put up with the bad and the ugly. They hardly ever report anything about the Swans and when they do, it's usually false or a negative story.

Watched the full thing too he handled himself superbly

[Ludwig]

Although, there is a chance that Amartey might spend a bit of time in defence, as he played some good games there in the seconds. Though perhaps not so much, this year? Also, with him the side, I expect Hickey to get more of a chop out in the ruck: which may mean a bit more forward time for Hickey.

Amartey was tried in defence for a short time in 2019. He started poorly in the position, but then seemed to adjust. I don't believe he's played much at all in defence this year. We've had enough tall defenders this year, so he hasn't been needed. I think Amartey has the tools to be a good forward/ruck. For me, it's a question of whether he can bring the intensity required to play at the level. He's shown some promising signs, but now he has to bring it to the seniors. He should hang out with Papley, Wicks and Fox for attitude training.

[MattW]

Amartey replaces McLean as second ruck
Hickey for Sinkers
Fox for Brand
to me means Logan for Dylan ... they will clearly play different roles ... Was Stephens playing wing or half forward last week?

It's potentially a challenging forward line for the Saints with Buddy, Heeney, Papley, Logan, Amartey, Hayward and Wicks

Agree that they are the swaps.

I think they're all great.

- Hickey and Fox are improvements - best 22 players returning from injuries;
- Stephens didn't influence the game last week and I can't wait to see Logan have another crack, working with Buddy;
- McLean has been well down the last couple of weeks and looking forward to seeing what Amartey offers.

[Markwebbos]

Amartey was our 4th choice second ruck behind Reid, Sinkers and McLean. I think his promotion is a reflection on how open that position is for the taking, at least until (if) Reid comes back.

Great opportunity for him / indictment of the other two.

McLean also played a key role keeping his opponent away from the play. I wonder whether that will fall to Hayward now?

[Ludwig]

McLean also played a key role keeping his opponent away from the play. I wonder whether that will fall to Hayward now?

Dougal Howard is almost certain to play on Buddy. The Saints don't have any defenders worth negating, unless we want to put a tag on Brad Hill, which other teams have done successfully.

[AB Swannie]

I agree that it looks like Amartey for McLean as forward/ruck, Fox for Brand in defence, and Hickey for Sinclair as ruck. This leave McDonald as a replacement for Stephens.

According to the AFL stats for the game against Carlton, Stephens played mainly midfield on a wing with some time in the middle of the ground. Although he started a number of centre bounces in the forward line, he didn't stay there so it is definitely not a like for like replacement (captain obvious). Basically, Stephens was that poor that it shouldn't be too hard to replace his stats - 2 kicks, 1 tackle, 7 pressure acts, only 20 metres gained.

I suspect it means that Heeney, Hayward, Wicks, and Paps spend a bit more time up the ground.

On an interesting side note, while looking at these stats, I noticed that Franklin played 98% TOG which blew me away.