Changes for Rd 13 vs Hawthorn

[Ludwig]

I don't know if it was a factor, but Bell is coming off a 12 day break, while the other candidates for selection are coming off a 6 day break.

[NeonBible]

Jimmy Bell.... an interesting one.... has never quite taken his chances and i concur with the many on here who have questioned his ability! BUT lets think about his strengths and why he might've been selected over Taylor and Stephens. He is strong, he tries hard, he's a very tough pressure player! He might not have the dash and skill of the others, but maybe that's not what the MC are wanting from the 22nd man ?? Perhaps they are looking for someone who will tackle ferociously, bruise some Hawks bodies and possibly even do a run with role!!

There will be a method to the madness heh.. the match committee have been excellent this season so far! I trust them!! Time to shine, James!

Cheer cheer!

[barracuda]

The swans really believe forward pressure is critical to success. They have plenty of strikers in heeney, buddy, papley and Hayward. They need another lockdown forward which bell is. Taylor and Stephen’s are not that, sheather has only really had one breakout vfl game.
The one I worry about is wicks. Of all the young players he is the only one who has played every game this year. He looked very tired last week, and I don’t understand why they didn’t rest him.

[Bangalore Swans]

The swans really believe forward pressure is critical to success. They have plenty of strikers in heeney, buddy, papley and Hayward. They need another lockdown forward which bell is. Taylor and Stephen’s are not that, sheather has only really had one breakout vfl game.
The one I worry about is wicks. Of all the young players he is the only one who has played every game this year. He looked very tired last week, and I don’t understand why they didn’t rest him.

Agree with the forward pressure element, however Warner was playing primarily as a midfielder.

The closest like for like was Stephens.

I don’t understand what’s going on with Stephens? It reminds me of a period where Craig Bird was picked ahead of Tom Mitchell. I’m not seeing the logic.

[Roadrunner]

Agree with the forward pressure element, however Warner was playing primarily as a midfielder.

The closest like for like was Stephens.

I don’t understand what’s going on with Stephens? It reminds me of a period where Craig Bird was picked ahead of Tom Mitchell. I’m not seeing the logic.

Don’t be obsessed with Stephens- he needs more time in the Ressies to gain confidence, which is difficult in the firsts.
Bell may be the right selection for this game and it seems he has earned his chance by being a regular sub.

I would have rested Wicks as well as Warner and brought in Squizzy, only because Wicks is down on confidence as well.

Mental attitude is so important and it is easy for young players to lose a bit of confidence and then regress. I think this has happened to Blakey and I wouldn’t bring him back until he really shines in the ressies.

[Mountain Man]

I think Bell is still only 21 - plenty of time to be in our next flag winning time

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team

[Ludwig]

With only 1 change this week, we seem to be exaggerating the importance of who gets selected. The differential between choosing Bell or Taylor or Stephens is quite marginal and difficult to predict how much impact any of them might have.

[Roadrunner]

With only 1 change this week, we seem to be exaggerating the importance of who gets selected. The differential between choosing Bell or Taylor or Stephens is quite marginal and difficult to predict how much impact any of them might have.

Ding Dong is the most suited for this game, and hopefully he will make the most of it. I can’t see him getting too many other chances once Campbell, Gulden and then Blakey and Stephens are ready to return.

Best of luck Jimmy- we know you will give your best, hoping it will be good enough!

[liz]

With only 1 change this week, we seem to be exaggerating the importance of who gets selected. The differential between choosing Bell or Taylor or Stephens is quite marginal and difficult to predict how much impact any of them might have.

This.

[bloodspirit]

Why not pick someone who’ll be in our next premiership team?

Even though Squizzy is not old, that's more probable to be Bell than Taylor. Stephens and Blakey have been sent back to the ressies to work on some stuff before they get picked again and I'm glad they're not being picked before they've done that - even if they are a better chance of being in our next premiership side. And all that's quite aside from picking the strongest team to win tonight. I'd love to see Bell make it.

[bloodspirit]

I'm in favour of Taylor or Bell for Warner. Except that I am wary of making too many changes I'd think about bringing the other of Taylor and Bell in for Wicks. Wicks is also young and his form has been a bit down the last couple of weeks. He could potentially use a breather.

As for Fox and Brand, for me it really depends on the reason that Fox was down. I'm not dropping him just because he had a poor game unless it is something like an injury that analysis suggests he'll struggle again. He had a good game the week before against Carlton.

I'm happy to leave Blakey in the magoos for now. I'm leaning towards applying the same logic for Stephens but partly I think maybe we should give him another run now against the Hawks so he's better prepared if we want to call on him in coming weeks when we have a tough run: Port, West Coast, Bulldogs, Giants. By then he'll also be competing with the returning Gulden and Campbell although I would expect that they'll return via the reserves.

Agree with Roadrunner, Taylor has been a cut above in the VFL. He is miles above Bell in the pecking order.

Just can't see it in Bell, Taylor at this stage offers much more at AFL level and it will be needed this week.

I rate Taylor a bit. I though that he was genuinely showing something in the back half of last season. I'd be happy to see him get a guernsey for the weekend.

Jimmy Bell.... an interesting one.... has never quite taken his chances and i concur with the many on here who have questioned his ability! BUT lets think about his strengths and why he might've been selected over Taylor and Stephens. He is strong, he tries hard, he's a very tough pressure player! He might not have the dash and skill of the others, but maybe that's not what the MC are wanting from the 22nd man ?? Perhaps they are looking for someone who will tackle ferociously, bruise some Hawks bodies and possibly even do a run with role!!

There will be a method to the madness heh.. the match committee have been excellent this season so far! I trust them!! Time to shine, James!

Cheer cheer!

Nice work Belly! Now prove your doubters wrong!

[The Runner]

Agree with the forward pressure element, however Warner was playing primarily as a midfielder.

The closest like for like was Stephens.

I don’t understand what’s going on with Stephens? It reminds me of a period where Craig Bird was picked ahead of Tom Mitchell. I’m not seeing the logic.

By the time Tom Mitchell was drafted, Bird was a premiership player and a key part of our midfield.
Tom Mitchell didn't do enough defensively and didn't use the footy well, so he spent a good amount of time in the reserves getting high disposals.
Stephens is hardly banging the door down with his form in either reserves or seniors.

[Captain]

Stephens and Blakey are surely a long way ahead of Bell.

[caj23]

The premise that there's no difference to the teams chanced with Bell or Taylor as the 22nd player is ridiculous.

Even if you were to ignore the eye test (any average joe blow can see that Taylor is clearly the superior player), the numbers don't lie.
Bell averages 7.9 possessions per game (yes I know he has been activated sub), 0.4 goals, and 3.3 tackles
Taylor averages 17.2 possesions, 0.8 goals and 2 tackles

Could this make a difference tonight? You bet it could.

The old chestnut that Horse and the MC know more than we do will come out, but they're the same people who recently extended Naismith until the end of 2022 without him even getting on the park this year.

[AB Swannie]

Stephens had a total metres gained of 20 metres the last time he played senior football against Carlton. For an outside player, that is horrible and should mean a decent stint in the 2s. I too would've picked Taylor ahead of Bell but am not so incensed as others on here. I'm especially surprised about the reaction given that Taylor has been a whipping boy ever since we signed him.