Changes to R20 V Dons

[The Big Cat]

We play at the Gabba. Not a happy hunting ground for us.

We smashed the Lions there earlier in the year.

[Faunac8]

We smashed the Lions there earlier in the year.

I was there that night and was in awe of the way we played especially the speed and accuracy of our ball movement it was as good as any football we had played for quite a few years. I remember saying to my wife after the game that IF we could play like that for the rest of the year then anything could happen. I believe it still can.

[Ralph Dawg]

Our game this year is built on fast transition from turnover pressure. At times we have been soundly beaten in clearances yet still have stayed in the contest with pressure and making the most of our scoring opportunities. As a pressure player, especially in F50, Bell is superior to RB. I think he will stay.

Re. Buddy's replacement, I'd go with Amartey. As mentioned, he will take the ruck chop out, a job he was doing very well. Reid looked a bit off in the ruck on Saturday, in particular in the first quarter. Meek and Darcy were able to present it to Mundy on a platter and Freo managed a couple of goals from the centre clearance. It will also be better for Reid's body at this point not to ruck.

Ins: Amartey, Mills, Cunningham
Outs: Buddy, RB, Ronke

[Roadrunner]

Our game this year is built on fast transition from turnover pressure. At times we have been soundly beaten in clearances yet still have stayed in the contest with pressure and making the most of our scoring opportunities. As a pressure player, especially in F50, Bell is superior to RB. I think he will stay.

Re. Buddy's replacement, I'd go with Amartey. As mentioned, he will take the ruck chop out, a job he was doing very well. Reid looked a bit off in the ruck on Saturday, in particular in the first quarter. Meek and Darcy were able to present it to Mundy on a platter and Freo managed a couple of goals from the centre clearance. It will also be better for Reid's body at this point not to ruck.

Ins: Amartey, Mills, Cunningham
Outs: Buddy, RB, Ronke

Agreed Ralph. RB is more talented than Bell but Bell’s pressure is very useful and can lead to scores. He deserves his spot at the moment and RB is not yet back to full fitness so a rest will do him good.

Buddy is a bit stiff to be rubbed out but it will be interesting to see how we attack without him- it is important for the team’s evolvement to work on all avenues to goal meaning all the forwards need to contribute. Papps is playing well but his kicking can let him down- set shots are a bit hit and miss. Same applies to Sam Wicks and it would be nice if he could get a bit more of the ball. Definitely need Amartey for second ruck so Reid can stay in the forward line as our main tall. Shame we can’t fit Logan in the team at this stage!

[Faunac8]

I tend to agree with the general consensus of Amartey Mills and Cunningham coming in to the team. And as much as it pains me to say I think Rowbottom is probably going to have to make way at this stage. When you have a stat like 28-2 tackles in F50 and the coach highlights the forward pressure applied you would have to think Bell will be retained.
Amartey returns for the reasons outlined previously by other more knowledgeable posters however in my opinion giving Logan another opportunity would not be a move that could be viewed as risky.
I made a point of watching Ronke through the binoculars in the last quarter for a while and he was working hard and providing reasonable leads but it seemed like his teammates didn’t have the confidence to kick to him or maybe they just saw better options. He appeared a little lost and his body language appeared to be one of someone who realises they possibly aren’t part of future plans.
I hope he gets another opportunity somewhere where he can regain his confidence and continue his career. You need a certain amount of ability to kick 7 goals in a match and physically that ability doesn’t usually disappear until age catches up with you. Mentally however I imagine it can happen at any time.

[Ralph Dawg]

Any brisvegas rwo members going on Saturday night. I'm keen!

[NeonBible]

Looking at raw numbers won't help Bell in the Bell or Rowbottom debate, as Rowy had him beat in both tackles inside 50 (3 to Bell's 1) and also pressure acts and forward 50 ground balls. He was also important in putting the clamps on Brayshaw, Serong those guys in stoppages in our forward 50 which helped lock it in and one of his smothers led directly to a turnover in possession that resulted in a shot at goal for Swans!

However I prefer Bell in the side mainly because I see a role for him to play in the forward line that I don't see Rowbottom having in the midfield with Mills returning. Someone mentioned to me on Twitter that Bell and Franklin have a bit of a connection happening, no doubt the result of training and now playing together!! Yes he is a low possession player and there may be others who can offer more than Bell in other ways, but the synergy between our forwards is wonderful at the moment!! Don't mess with it!

[Nico]

I feel immensely sad for Ben Ronke. He has endured a long time with injury and got an opportunity again, but it is very hard to fit back into the pace of the game after such an absence and limited game time. James Bell has been given a good run at it with very low average stats in essentially a role that Ben was asked to do previously. It could be argued that Ben is more likely to bob up and kick goals than James. Unfortunately with our small forward set up as it is, it seems most unlikely he will get another call up this year.

[Ludwig]

In: Mills, Cunningham, McDonald
Out: Franklin, Ronke, Bell

Agree that the decision is between dropping RB or Bell. I'd prefer he didn't have to, but I think Franklin's absence pushes Heeney forward a bit more. This means I think RB will be retained to provide more midfield support.

This is my best guess as well, but would like to find a place for Melican to counter the tall combo of Hooker and Wright. Maybe RB goes out as well. Blakey looks a good match for a similar type player in Cox.

It we think about the possibility of playing Geelong in finals, we will need 2 legit tall defenders. We can't put Fox or Rampe on Cameron of Hawkins and hope to get away with it.

Our midfield of Kennedy, Parker, Mills and Hewett is a bit slow, but they're all playing well.

[RogueSwan]

...Our midfield of Kennedy, Parker, Mills and Hewett is a bit slow, but they're all playing well.

I don't think Hewett is actually slow. There was a chase on the wing on the weekend (I can't remember the exact details) and assumed it was one of the younger/quicker kids but I was surprised when I saw his back turn and it was #29.

[Bangalore Swans]

Swans challenging Franklin’s one week suspension at the tribunal.

[Ralph Dawg]

This is my best guess as well, but would like to find a place for Melican to counter the tall combo of Hooker and Wright. Maybe RB goes out as well. Blakey looks a good match for a similar type player in Cox.

It we think about the possibility of playing Geelong in finals, we will need 2 legit tall defenders. We can't put Fox or Rampe on Cameron of Hawkins and hope to get away with it.

Our midfield of Kennedy, Parker, Mills and Hewett is a bit slow, but they're all playing well.

I'd back Rampe and McCartain to take on Cameron and Hawkins. Fox can take on Rohan. Melican might have a few extra cm's and bulk, but is too injury probe and hasn't played enough games. We should stick with the guys who are now starting to gel together into a solid defensive unit.

[rickmat]

Ludwig, my main concern with Melican is that the Swans style of play may now have bypassed him. He does not have the pace or attack in his game to replace any of the current backs. But he does give the Swans depth of injuries occur. but needs playing time to gain confidence and fitness. I see Campbell also needs Gametime to gain his fitness and confidence to get back into 22.

[wolftone57]

In: Mills, Cunningham, McDonald
Out: Franklin, Ronke, Bell

Agree that the decision is between dropping RB or Bell. I'd prefer he didn't have to, but I think Franklin's absence pushes Heeney forward a bit more. This means I think RB will be retained to provide more midfield support.

Bell will not go out. He will do a defensive job on Hind

[rickmat]

We need to play McDonald in this game as a lead up forward with Reid in the square and back up ruck. Logan is such a key goal kicking forward and good mark. Will change our look for this game. Just think of Logan leading up for McInernany , Gulden and Blakey. Go Bloods