Round 19 - Sydney Swans v Fremantle @Gold Coast

[TheBloods]

Does Errol Gulden remind anyone of a young Chad Wingard?

Seems like they are both similar players. Mainly wing / half forwards, quick, smart, great left foot kicks.

Does anyone agree with the comparison? Can anyone pull up a statistical analysis of Wingard v Gulden at the same age.

J-Mac seemed a little quieter today. I didn’t see the same intensity in his running as I remember from last week. Blakey seemed this week to be providing greater drive from half back compared to J-Mac. Could J-Mac be getting a bit weary or does he have an injury restricting him?

So happy to see Blakey do well. Most on Red and White and in the crowd had written him off. Now the same people are applauding his running, marking and wonderful left foot.

Well done Blakey. You found your spot.

Blakeys athleticism cant be denied . His application most of his first 50 games has been awful . Goes between trying to do too much and choosing not to do enough , he was his own worst enemy and deserve to be dropped. Has gone back to the vfl leanrt a new position and come back focused and confident , i have nothing but respect for those who can be humble enough to look themselves in the mirror and ask wtf they are doing with their footballing and how seriously they want to take their careers . It is not an easy thing and many cant come back from it , so there is mental fortitude with Blakey . Good on him. I am not prepared to say he will be on Jmac Chad or Guldens level but hes given himself a red hot chance

[Faunac8]

So happy to see Blakey do well. Most on Red and White and in the crowd had written him off. Now the same people are applauding his running, marking and wonderful left foot.

Well done Blakey. You found your spot.

Do you genuinely believe some of the comments you post or are you simply trolling for a response?
Most on here had written him off ? Your constant efforts to portray yourself as a selection seer is at best amusing and at worst embarrassing.
The general consensus as I read it was that Blakey was still young and finding his way that he had a lot of potential and that once the right position or role was identified that he would be a long term senior player who possesses great speed and offers quality ball delivery when in space .
Or was I not focussing enough on the smattering of negativity that seemed to come from a select few posters who possibly had unrealistic expectations of a 21 year old player ?

[Matty10]

On closer review of the Franklin elbow incident, I think there may be a case for him to get off. The way I see it, he was being pulled down and swung to the left, his knees buckle and he's going to ground, so he switches the ball from his left to his right hand, then swings his left are to brace his fall, but the elbow catches Ryan in the face. I don't see it as an intentional elbow to the face, but incidental to the play. I still think he will get a week as the MRO will grade the action as careless, as it was likely to make head high contact.

I don't think it's a big deal if he gets a week off. He probably should get a little rest before the finals. As long as Reid is in the side, we can carry one of our younger forwards in the team.

I agree. He may get a week, he may get a fine (does the AFL still have carryover points?), and will likely depend on how he is graded on his degree of intent. Careless, high contact and low impact was the grading for Shuey on Mills, which resulted in a $2000 penalty. We’ll have to wait and see what the MRO does. But, as you say, a week off for Buddy might not be the worst thing (particularly if they were planning to give him a week off soon anyway). Although it would be nice to have him for the Bombers game.

[barry]

On closer review of the Franklin elbow incident, I think there may be a case for him to get off. The way I see it, he was being pulled down and swung to the left, his knees buckle and he's going to ground, so he switches the ball from his left to his right hand, then swings his left are to brace his fall, but the elbow catches Ryan in the face. I don't see it as an intentional elbow to the face, but incidental to the play. I still think he will get a week as the MRO will grade the action as careless, as it was likely to make head high contact.

I don't think it's a big deal if he gets a week off. He probably should get a little rest before the finals. As long as Reid is in the side, we can carry one of our younger forwards in the team.

100%. He was falling backwards, and there are plenty of fines for elbows precedents this year.
Also, a rest wouldn't hurt him.

[joeykanga]

Not me - I didn't write Amartey, Blakey, or Robbie Fox off.

In fact, the only two players in the team that played today who I can't see futures for are Ronke and Bell. Bell has played 19 AFL games. He has shown effort and intensity in every one of them. However, I just don't think he has as much ability to influence a game as players who didn't play today - Mills, Cunningham, Warner, Campbell, McDonald, Amartey.

Go to the AFL stats website for James Bell. He is ranked below average for almost every metric. Please don't misconstrue this as a personal vendetta - I'd love for James to succeed. For me, the evidence doesn't support him being in our best 22. Good for you by supporting him and it seems like I'm unlikely to change your mind.

FWIW, I'd rather be talking about the players who I think will succeed than those who I think won't.

Why would you be on Bell’s back again after that gane ..it seems like a no brainer for many to just say oh let’s replace Bell with one of our more talented players
Like other posters on here who point out the fact that even though you think you have a better player in waiting it is about roles amd you can’t just throw in all your best magnets into the one team if it changes the team dynamic for the worse ..I think it was un-informed who pointed that out
Bell has a role that today he performed really well and I loved his game today …that’s all I can go off ..why is it that straight after his performance today it’s straight into let’s replace Bell ..it’s grating
We agree to disagree
Maybe watch his gane and see how much pressure he puts on and how many goals he contributed with either a kick , a pass or a tackle and watch the body language and energy of his teammates with him after those efforts
He’s not spectacular but can you replace him with Chad or Campbell in that role
Let’s just disagree but I’ll always spring to his defence if he performs like that

[Hotpotato]

On closer review of the Franklin elbow incident, I think there may be a case for him to get off. The way I see it, he was being pulled down and swung to the left, his knees buckle and he's going to ground, so he switches the ball from his left to his right hand, then swings his left are to brace his fall, but the elbow catches Ryan in the face. I don't see it as an intentional elbow to the face, but incidental to the play. I still think he will get a week as the MRO will grade the action as careless, as it was likely to make head high contact.

I don't think it's a big deal if he gets a week off. He probably should get a little rest before the finals. As long as Reid is in the side, we can carry one of our younger forwards in the team.

I reckon he’ll get off , it wasn’t like : there’s his head I’m going to hit it , he’s looking to take evasive action .

[MattW]

again fox commentators against swans. not one on fox is at least even handed when broadcasting us. Must also say channel people are much the same. Footscray get away their throws always and no comments from them.

Didn't notice anything. David King has been very appreciative of us recently and I thought was reasonable today.

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Bell was great. Many score involvements. Great reward for effort un the third quarter. They were gassed in the last. Next week is a danger game. The looked very tired and aore after the game.

Hmm. Missed a number of tackles. I still don't really trust him.

More effective than Ronke, though.

[MattW]

I’m yet to be convinced that Stephens is ready (either on or off the field) to be thrown in at this point in time. Chad should come in when fit. Squizzy? Not sure.

Ronke rarely sighted today & maybe Campbell should get another crack.

Bell and Wicks are vying for a spot - imho, Bell has an edge in effort & 1%ers - but Wicks the edge in attack. Neither certain starters in full strength team, but I dunno…

Buddy could benefit from a rest, so a week off will not be a disaster (unless the Vic press get involved and any suspension is longer than warranted) - unfortunately I always like to see him up against the bombers.

Disagree - Wicks' effort always superior to Bell's. I'd be surprised if Bell has had more pressure acts than Wicks in a game. Wicks is also best 22.

We were three short of our best 22 today: Mills, Cunningham and Warner for Ronke, Bell and Rowbottom.

[MattW]

I'm not so sure about Campbell 'getting another crack'.
I had the impresion he was injured and managed, not dropped.
Won't he just come back when fit?
Or have I missed something?

I think he'd slipped to the reserves when he was injured. Who do you move from defence for him?

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I thought he got dropped first.

Any news on Sam Reid? He went off in Q4 and didn’t return

You sure? Pretty sure I saw him get interchanged with about 5min left. 78% TOG.

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Reid should be okay. Not injured.

Warner didn't play VFL, so still a couple of weeks away, at least.

Campbell and Melican both played, so should be available.

Ryan Clarke led all players with 35 disposals.

Pierce Roseby had 29 possession playing on loan to Essendon. Looks in line for an academy selection this year. McCartin kicked 3 goals for Essendon.

26 disposals for Stephens, I notice - more kicks than handballs, which is a good sign.

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I hope you're right but I fear that much like a jury who are instructed "the jury will ignore that last testimony", the MRP will have the Vic-biased commentators 'thoughts' on the incident fresh in their minds and while they should rightly ignore it.....much like a jury, they may not.

Buddy deserves to get a week. I didn't hear the King/Brereton business everyone is banging on about, but he flung an elbow at a head, expecting to connect.

[joeykanga]

Disagree - Wicks' effort always superior to Bell's. I'd be surprised if Bell has had more pressure acts than Wicks in a game. Wicks is also best 22.

We were three short of our best 22 today: Mills, Cunningham and Warner for Ronke, Bell and Rowbottom.

Im not sure if you’re 100 per cent correct on that from today’s gane..didn’t notice Wicks as much as I noticed Bell today and am equally fond of what they both bring to the table.


I don’t think they’ll drop Bell based on that performance ..you can correct me if I’m wrong on Thursday

[Bangalore Swans]

Disagree - Wicks' effort always superior to Bell's. I'd be surprised if Bell has had more pressure acts than Wicks in a game. Wicks is also best 22.

We were three short of our best 22 today: Mills, Cunningham and Warner for Ronke, Bell and Rowbottom.

Agree with above.

What about Melican in for Robbie Fox? Melican has more height and strength while Fox is quicker.

I think a back six of:

Cunningham Melican Rampe
J-Mac McCartin Blakey

Lloyd as spare small defender off the bench.

Contains speed, height, half back drive good kicking and good lockdown capability.

[graemed]

I feel bad for Bud. Stupid to throw the elbow like that I know, but he is ragged, scragged and tagged at every contest, and very rarely gets frees. I understand his frustration.

I’m not sure but it looked like Ryan actually gave him a low blow before he lost it.

[caj23]

Disagree - Wicks' effort always superior to Bell's. I'd be surprised if Bell has had more pressure acts than Wicks in a game. Wicks is also best 22.

We were three short of our best 22 today: Mills, Cunningham and Warner for Ronke, Bell and Rowbottom.

This

[Ralph Dawg]

Agree with above.

What about Melican in for Robbie Fox? Melican has more height and strength while Fox is quicker.

I think a back six of:

Cunningham Melican Rampe
J-Mac McCartin Blakey

Lloyd as spare small defender off the bench.

Contains speed, height, half back drive good kicking and good lockdown capability.

Disagree.

Lloyd is our general down back. Club B&F winner, playing well. Just don't understand the disrespect for him on this forum.

Fox is playing above his size effectively, has not been beaten in weeks. As I said a few weeks ago, seems to play better as a key position defender rather than small / medium. Melican would want to be braining it in reserves to unseat Fox.

Defence in the modern game is very much about the unit not just about the one on ones. Cutting off supply and repeat 50s also are crucial. Hence why defenders can give away height and size yet still be effective. Looking purely at the measurements of the players is overly simplistic.

[MattW]

Disagree.

Lloyd is our general down back. Club B&F winner, playing well. Just don't understand the disrespect for him on this forum.

Fox is playing above his size effectively, has not been beaten in weeks. As I said a few weeks ago, seems to play better as a key position defender rather than small / medium. Melican would want to be braining it in reserves to unseat Fox.

Defence in the modern game is very much about the unit not just about the one on ones. Cutting off supply and repeat 50s also are crucial. Hence why defenders can give away height and size yet still be effective. Looking purely at the measurements of the players is overly simplistic.

Fox was outstanding yesterday. Clean, incisive runs, kicked well. He has a tremendous leap, so is very effective with spoils. Agree that he handily has Melican's spot.