Best 22 Round 1 2022

[Ralph Dawg]

Ok, I am going to truly shock everyone here. I agree with TB - kind of.

First things first: his constant disparagement of Rowbottom is boring, denies what a stellar 2020 he had, denies he was playing under duress in 2021, and if he disagrees with that, he disagrees with the coaches who had him top 10 last year and said he was playing injured this year but still loved what he offers so much they kept playing him anyway.

But, on JPK, he's right to say, he's best 22, and it's the job of other players to push him out.

I find some of the critique being centred on his defensive work strange. He's never been fast and able to chase down players. But a bloke who can win the ball at the contest is pretty bloody important to a team's ability to defend. And if we're comparing him to others, we're picking some strange targets. Chad? Go watch those two goals he gave up in the final. Ollie? The reason he's barely allowed in the centre square any more is his opponents regularly left him trailing. Campbell? May well be terrific, but hasn't shown it yet.

One of the reasons I am so high on JMac is his willingness to work both ways. That he is slight means the odd tackle gets broken, but he ain't anything other than a two way player. Rowie showed in the final he is elite defensively and almost single-handedly dragged us back into that game in the third quarter.

Then there is game style. It's true we've evolved alot. You've got to get your mix right and we look better when we have a contrasting set of players in there like Heeney, Chad, JMac in glimpses, Papley in patches, Rowie. But you still need blokes that can smash in and win the ball. Mills does it. Parker does it. JPK does it. When others show they can do it when the ball is at its hottest and then use their superior skills offensively, they can have his spot.

I've got no doubt this is likely JPK's last season. I think it's highly likely he steps down as captain. But by christ when it comes to a big moment when we just have to win the ball, I'll still back Joey in any day of the week.

I agree 110%. JPK is still best 22. A game of footy is an evolving beast, requiring a team to have a range of attributes to keep up with the flow of a game over 4 quarters. There are still plenty of moments where we need Joey's ball winning abilities, leadership and poise. I'm really hoping we can send him out with a premiership in 2022.

[liz]

But, on JPK, he's right to say, he's best 22, and it's the job of other players to push him out.

I haven't sat and tried to do a "best 22" and I probably won't bother. But I do know that if I did, JPK would be firmly in it.

I have to take issue with whoever suggested Wicks is a better kick for goal than Papley. I like Wicks, and I think most of the criticism in here is undeserved. He's still young, inexperienced and developing. He already adds a lot to the side and should gradually add more over the next couple of seasons. If he doesn't, there is a chance he'll be overtaken by others (say a Sheather, maybe). But right now he's doing just fine.

However, his array of goal kicking talents - at the moment - doesn't come close to Papley's. Yes, Papley can sometimes be selfish. He'll sometimes have shots when he should be handing the ball off. And sometimes he misses straightforward set shots. But in between he conjures up some truly remarkable goals. Go and watch the reel on the Swans website of all his 2021 goals if you need convincing.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I haven't sat and tried to do a "best 22" and I probably won't bother. But I do know that if I did, JPK would be firmly in it.

I have to take issue with whoever suggested Wicks is a better kick for goal than Papley. I like Wicks, and I think most of the criticism in here is undeserved. He's still young, inexperienced and developing. He already adds a lot to the side and should gradually add more over the next couple of seasons. If he doesn't, there is a chance he'll be overtaken by others (say a Sheather, maybe). But right now he's doing just fine.

However, his array of goal kicking talents - at the moment - doesn't come close to Papley's. Yes, Papley can sometimes be selfish. He'll sometimes have shots when he should be handing the ball off. And sometimes he misses straightforward set shots. But in between he conjures up some truly remarkable goals. Go and watch the reel on the Swans website of all his 2021 goals if you need convincing.

Spot on. And none of this is to damn Wicks, who I reckon had a terrific year.

But you need blokes that can carve goals out of nowhere. We've got three - Buddy, Heeney and Papley. It's instinctive and it's brilliant - and bloody valuable.

[bloodspirit]

Great post IU2. I'm going to give up on trying to keep this thread on topic and join the conversation.

I'm in the JPK is still best 22 come round 1 camp. Otherwise why would we have re-signed him? Agree he is slow but think his leadership and experience is being undervalued. Right now he is still our club captain! (Although I expect him to step down (maybe be replaced by Mills) before the next season begins.)

No way is Wicks a better kick for goal than Papley. Was that based just on watching the package of Wicks goals in 2021? I was thinking "is Wicks maybe a better set shot?" - but then I remembered the ones Wicks missed (including against Richmond when he kicked 3), and I remembered Papley kicking something like 5 from 5 in the all-stars game (many of which were tough shots) - and I thought "nah, no way".

I was expecting us to de-list more players than we did this year. But we didn't. Because of that, I think we will have greater depth and be better placed to deal with injuries next year. I guess we can afford to keep Reid, Sinclair, Ronke etc because we have so much youth that have started delivering on their promise (as opposed to youth that we merely hope will develop into something). The value of the experienced players is that they teach the younger ones how to train and prepare and generally set and maintain high standards, especially at training and off the field. I think that's an important part of why we have been so successful developing players and avoiding bottoming out as a club for so long (2019 and 2020 excepted).

[Scottee]

Ok, I am going to truly shock everyone here. I agree with TB - kind of.

First things first: his constant disparagement of Rowbottom is boring, denies what a stellar 2020 he had, denies he was playing under duress in 2021, and if he disagrees with that, he disagrees with the coaches who had him top 10 last year and said he was playing injured this year but still loved what he offers so much they kept playing him anyway.

But, on JPK, he's right to say, he's best 22, and it's the job of other players to push him out.

I find some of the critique being centred on his defensive work strange. He's never been fast and able to chase down players. But a bloke who can win the ball at the contest is pretty bloody important to a team's ability to defend. And if we're comparing him to others, we're picking some strange targets. Chad? Go watch those two goals he gave up in the final. Ollie? The reason he's barely allowed in the centre square any more is his opponents regularly left him trailing. Campbell? May well be terrific, but hasn't shown it yet.

One of the reasons I am so high on JMac is his willingness to work both ways. That he is slight means the odd tackle gets broken, but he ain't anything other than a two way player. Rowie showed in the final he is elite defensively and almost single-handedly dragged us back into that game in the third quarter.

Then there is game style. It's true we've evolved alot. You've got to get your mix right and we look better when we have a contrasting set of players in there like Heeney, Chad, JMac in glimpses, Papley in patches, Rowie. But you still need blokes that can smash in and win the ball. Mills does it. Parker does it. JPK does it. When others show they can do it when the ball is at its hottest and then use their superior skills offensively, they can have his spot.

I've got no doubt this is likely JPK's last season. I think it's highly likely he steps down as captain. But by christ when it comes to a big moment when we just have to win the ball, I'll still back Joey in any day of the week.

Good analysis IU2

[sharp9]

Some good observations there but a couple of issues to raise. First, be careful to praise Rowbottom on here. It may be dangerous for your reputation. Second, I'm a fan of Wicks too, but his goal-kicking did decline later in the year culminating in a shocker in that area in our final against GWS. Hopefully, he can work on dealing better with nerves when kicking for goal in the future. I would prefer Papps taking the shot to him at this stage.

Ah well, to be fair I haven’t seen the second half of that game. I was feeling super nervous, watching on delay and went and checked the final score.
I guess what I was getting at was the tremendous ball connection he is capable of making….round the corner from 50 on a few occasions. Papley did get so much better as the season wore on, you’re right. My Christmas wish is that Papley and Heeney both never miss a single shot for goal that they really SHOULD kick…for the whole of 2022. Heeney is a genius bug he won’t be a superstar till he stops missing set shots from basically in front. In my opinion his left foot round the corner from the boundary near 50 was the best goal of the entire competition this year.

[Mountain Man]

Maybe not best 22 issue, but I have always been unsure of the mysteries of "ruck craft": taps to advantage, body contact, winning your of ball etc. The discussion on JPK has brought again to mind.

The desired outcome from the ruck contest is to have the ball going our way (and negate it going their way).

There has a been lots of discussion on the impact that Hickey made in 2021; and the value of "a different look" from the growing number of our potential players attending (and winning) ruck contests - particularly centre bounces.

Do all of those potential players need to equally read the ability of our ruck (and the skills of their ruck)? Does Ladhams create an advantage or just a further learning curve for those attending if his ruck craft differs from that of Hickey. What is the balance between winning the ball, and avoiding damage from an initial loss?

I think that Cox is both our ruck coach and our midfield coach so presumably he has the answers, but I would welcome the education from RWOers (and how that plays out for the best 22 team in 2022 - as a sop to staying on topic!)

[Ludwig]

I believe there's a difference between "best 22" and "starting 22", which would be the players that actually play in a round. The best 22 don't always get to play, as consideration for team balance and player development must play a part in who gets picked each week. Sometimes older players need to be sacrificed, from a playing time perspective, to ensure that quality younger players get enough game time to keep them at the club and improve their skills.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I believe there's a difference between "best 22" and "starting 22", which would be the players that actually play in a round. The best 22 don't always get to play, as consideration for team balance and player development must play a part in who gets picked each week. Sometimes older players need to be sacrificed, from a playing time perspective, to ensure that quality younger players get enough game time to keep them at the club and improve their skills.

Kind of agree, and don't dispute the best vs starting logic.

But I suspect the bit re player development, we've lent heavily that way the last few years at times, particularly during 2019 and 2020.

Where I reckon we got to in 2021 and we will be charging into 2022, is best starting 22. If a young bloke (as Gulden did this year) is good enough to wedge his way in, he'll be picked. If's not (as occurred to Stephens at times this year) he won't be. We'll be going hard at it whilst we have Buddy and are up there challenging.

Take, Logan, for example. He'll get picked as long as he shows he can compete and contribute. But he's still developing, and there'll be times to rest or drop him. If he has a 15 game season, that's cool with me.

As for JPK, there may be times to give him a week off. I suspect what we will more see with him is game time and starting centre square time managed, as occurred this year.

Either way, we now have the luxury of depth, which we haven't really had for a few years.

[NeonBible]

Hi all,

Thought while the topic of what our 22 will look like was relevant I would add my two cents.. I doubt we'll be seeing any of next week's draft picks in our rd 1 team.. Unless there is an Errol Gulden among them, though doubtful.. so i am ruling them out and operating under the pretence that everyone is fit!

& rather than name them as magnets on a field, I have grouped them into the categories and positions I think they are likely to fill..

Defenders: I would say there are five certainties here..
- Tom McCartin, our strong, athletic key defender. He will be more ready to handle the opposition's monster forwards with every year that he gets bigger and stronger and more experienced.
- Dane Rampe, possibly in his final year? Either way he is our leader and general down back, hopefully will take the 3rd tall every week rather than have to play above his size.
- Jake Lloyd, another leader, our accumulator and distributor from half back.
- Harry Cunningham, maybe the best small lockdown defender we have. Handy on the opposition smalls like McDonald-Tipungwuti and Liam Ryan.
- Nick Blakey, a revelation in defence. Floats across to take marks but most important is the penetration we get from his exciting dash and run! It's thrilling to watch..

The final spot in defence will most likely need to be another strong key defender, to work in tandem with Tommy Mac. I have taken the coward's option and left it open for two players.. Lewis Melican and Paddy McCartin.. but i cannot say one over the other as there are too many questions to this stage.. will Melican ever be fit? will Paddy justify our recruiting him??

So that is T. McCartin (1), Rampe (2), Lloyd (3), Cunningham (4), Blakey (5) and either Melican/P. McCartin (6)

Midfielders: I would say there are four certainties here..
- Luke Parker, our spiritual leader and best player.
- Callum Mills, a revelation in the midfield this year, has another level to go to..
- Josh Kennedy. A hot topic on here it seems but i doubt we would sign him and keep him as captain if we were planning on banishing him to the VFL..
- Oliver Florent, another controversial player for RWOers but despite what we might think, he is a favourite of Longmire's, top 10 finish in the best & fairest this year.. he won't be going anywhere.

That adds Parker (7), Mills (8), Kennedy (9) and Florent (10)

Ruckmen: It is safe to assume we will have two next year and it is certain who they will be already..
- Tom Hickey, yet another revelation for us.. made such a huge difference to our midfield
- Peter Ladhams, we've made the investment to get him to the Swans, we will definitely see what he can do as 2nd ruck/resting fwd before we give anyone else a go..

Hickey (11), Ladhams (12)

Forwards: I only have 3 certainties here:
- Lance Franklin.. bring on the 1000!!
- Tom Papley, his first All Australian blazer this year and i bet it won't be his last!
- Will Hayward, turned his form around big-time to have an equal-career high goals.. fantastic effort from Will as the medium fwd.

But i am tempted to include two others as near-certainties:
- Logan McDonald, who we didn't see much of this year but i loved everything i did see! I am confident the coaches will want to see as much of him as possible next year, but not certain of it.
- Sam Wicks, our best defensive pressure fwd, changed the dynamics of our forward line to his credit, but his accuracy and skills occasionally let him down.. it should be enough to see him in the side next year, but cant be certain of it.

That is Franklin (13), Papley (14), Hayward (15), McDonald (16) and Wicks (17)

Miscellaneous: These are the ones who I am certain will be in the team, though where they will play and what role they will serve isn't certain..
- Errol Gulden, a teenage marvel.. what else is there to say? Only question will be whether he spends more time forward or midfield, and if midfield, will that be off a wing or more inside? We know he will be great either way.
- Justin McInerney, love the way Juzzy plays.. he has looked fantastic on a wing and equally fantastic off half back.. hell, even on the inside a couple of times he looked good!! It depends whether we see a need for him in defence with Blakey & Lloyd doing rebounding.. we might want Juzzy further up the field to capitalise on his wonderful kicking inside 50??
- Isaac Heeney, a star. Like Gulden.. what else is there to say?? JL has teased a move to the midfield, but he did kick a career-high goals this year?? Could be a 50/50 split? We know he will be wonderful contributor wherever he plays.
- Chad Warner.. "The Chad" was going great guns until injury disrupted his year.. never got going after that and understandably looked out of sorts in the final. We would've seen enough to know what kind of a ripper talent we are dealing with here.. just a matter of how much midfield time he will get with so many others also wanting a look in.

Gulden (18), McInerney (19), Heeney (20) and Warner (21)

That leaves just one spot left, and there were quite a few to consider, particularly Stephens who i would love to see rewarded for his commitment to the Swans by re-signing and get some confidence back as a former top 5 pick.. but i have given the last spot to another top 5 pick..
- Braeden Campbell, he is the exact kind of explosive, line-breaking, target-hitting left-footer who could do some real damage in our team.. came back from injury with some real confidence and think he'll go to another level next year.

Campbell (22)

Phew, that was a work out!! Maybe i should've stuck to the standard magnet board formula Plenty of time for things to change, things to go wrong, things to pleasantly surprise us.. let the journey begin.. onwards to 2022!

CHEER CHEER

[Maltopia]

Hi all,

Thought while the topic of what our 22 will look like was relevant I would add my two cents.. I doubt we'll be seeing any of next week's draft picks in our rd 1 team.. Unless there is an Errol Gulden among them, though doubtful.. so i am ruling them out and operating under the pretence that everyone is fit!

& rather than name them as magnets on a field, I have grouped them into the categories and positions I think they are likely to fill..

Defenders: I would say there are five certainties here..
- Tom McCartin, our strong, athletic key defender. He will be more ready to handle the opposition's monster forwards with every year that he gets bigger and stronger and more experienced.
- Dane Rampe, possibly in his final year? Either way he is our leader and general down back, hopefully will take the 3rd tall every week rather than have to play above his size.
- Jake Lloyd, another leader, our accumulator and distributor from half back.
- Harry Cunningham, maybe the best small lockdown defender we have. Handy on the opposition smalls like McDonald-Tipungwuti and Liam Ryan.
- Nick Blakey, a revelation in defence. Floats across to take marks but most important is the penetration we get from his exciting dash and run! It's thrilling to watch..

The final spot in defence will most likely need to be another strong key defender, to work in tandem with Tommy Mac. I have taken the coward's option and left it open for two players.. Lewis Melican and Paddy McCartin.. but i cannot say one over the other as there are too many questions to this stage.. will Melican ever be fit? will Paddy justify our recruiting him??

So that is T. McCartin (1), Rampe (2), Lloyd (3), Cunningham (4), Blakey (5) and either Melican/P. McCartin (6)

Midfielders: I would say there are four certainties here..
- Luke Parker, our spiritual leader and best player.
- Callum Mills, a revelation in the midfield this year, has another level to go to..
- Josh Kennedy. A hot topic on here it seems but i doubt we would sign him and keep him as captain if we were planning on banishing him to the VFL..
- Oliver Florent, another controversial player for RWOers but despite what we might think, he is a favourite of Longmire's, top 10 finish in the best & fairest this year.. he won't be going anywhere.

That adds Parker (7), Mills (8), Kennedy (9) and Florent (10)

Ruckmen: It is safe to assume we will have two next year and it is certain who they will be already..
- Tom Hickey, yet another revelation for us.. made such a huge difference to our midfield
- Peter Ladhams, we've made the investment to get him to the Swans, we will definitely see what he can do as 2nd ruck/resting fwd before we give anyone else a go..

Hickey (11), Ladhams (12)

Forwards: I only have 3 certainties here:
- Lance Franklin.. bring on the 1000!!
- Tom Papley, his first All Australian blazer this year and i bet it won't be his last!
- Will Hayward, turned his form around big-time to have an equal-career high goals.. fantastic effort from Will as the medium fwd.

But i am tempted to include two others as near-certainties:
- Logan McDonald, who we didn't see much of this year but i loved everything i did see! I am confident the coaches will want to see as much of him as possible next year, but not certain of it.
- Sam Wicks, our best defensive pressure fwd, changed the dynamics of our forward line to his credit, but his accuracy and skills occasionally let him down.. it should be enough to see him in the side next year, but cant be certain of it.

That is Franklin (13), Papley (14), Hayward (15), McDonald (16) and Wicks (17)

Miscellaneous: These are the ones who I am certain will be in the team, though where they will play and what role they will serve isn't certain..
- Errol Gulden, a teenage marvel.. what else is there to say? Only question will be whether he spends more time forward or midfield, and if midfield, will that be off a wing or more inside? We know he will be great either way.
- Justin McInerney, love the way Juzzy plays.. he has looked fantastic on a wing and equally fantastic off half back.. hell, even on the inside a couple of times he looked good!! It depends whether we see a need for him in defence with Blakey & Lloyd doing rebounding.. we might want Juzzy further up the field to capitalise on his wonderful kicking inside 50??
- Isaac Heeney, a star. Like Gulden.. what else is there to say?? JL has teased a move to the midfield, but he did kick a career-high goals this year?? Could be a 50/50 split? We know he will be wonderful contributor wherever he plays.
- Chad Warner.. "The Chad" was going great guns until injury disrupted his year.. never got going after that and understandably looked out of sorts in the final. We would've seen enough to know what kind of a ripper talent we are dealing with here.. just a matter of how much midfield time he will get with so many others also wanting a look in.

Gulden (18), McInerney (19), Heeney (20) and Warner (21)

That leaves just one spot left, and there were quite a few to consider, particularly Stephens who i would love to see rewarded for his commitment to the Swans by re-signing and get some confidence back as a former top 5 pick.. but i have given the last spot to another top 5 pick..
- Braeden Campbell, he is the exact kind of explosive, line-breaking, target-hitting left-footer who could do some real damage in our team.. came back from injury with some real confidence and think he'll go to another level next year.

Campbell (22)

Phew, that was a work out!! Maybe i should've stuck to the standard magnet board formula Plenty of time for things to change, things to go wrong, things to pleasantly surprise us.. let the journey begin.. onwards to 2022!

CHEER CHEER

Careful, your total ignoring of Rowbottom will have some thinking you are an alter ego of TheBloods!!!

I would go with Fox for his altheticism over Melican, and he certainly got more games than Melican last year. Even O’Riordan got more games than Melican and looked solid.

[NeonBible]

Careful, your total ignoring of Rowbottom will have some thinking you are an alter ego of TheBloods!!!

I would go with Fox for his altheticism over Melican, and he certainly got more games than Melican last year. Even O’Riordan got more games than Melican and looked solid.

Heh.. wasn't quite ignoring Rowbottom, he is definitely one to consider and I think he is a good player. I'm a fan, though i don't see a place for him in our best team if all are fit. No shame in that, it's a quality side that i think is going places and that will mean some good players miss out!

And fair stance with Fox & Colin. They did seem better than Melican. I'm not sure what to make of him. He gets my hopes up a lot! I just worry we can't go another year playing 186/187cm players on the key forwards who seem to be getting taller and more athletic with every year!

[Ludwig]

Heh.. wasn't quite ignoring Rowbottom, he is definitely one to consider and I think he is a good player. I'm a fan, though i don't see a place for him in our best team if all are fit. No shame in that, it's a quality side that i think is going places and that will mean some good players miss out!

And fair stance with Fox & Colin. They did seem better than Melican. I'm not sure what to make of him. He gets my hopes up a lot! I just worry we can't go another year playing 186/187cm players on the key forwards who seem to be getting taller and more athletic with every year!

You should have said it was just an oversight on Rowbottom, because, barring injury, he's going to be a regulars in the side in 2022. He's the main reason we let Hewett go.

Fox and O'Riordan are both capable of playing as medium defenders, halfbacks and on the wing, if only we had a spot for them. With Paddy coming onto the list and Reid likely to train up with the key defenders, I don't think we will be playing an undersized defence this year, so Fox is not in competition with Melican for a spot in the side.

[Buzz13]

Pretty amazing when only 7 of best 22 are over age 25

Hi all,

Thought while the topic of what our 22 will look like was relevant I would add my two cents.. I doubt we'll be seeing any of next week's draft picks in our rd 1 team.. Unless there is an Errol Gulden among them, though doubtful.. so i am ruling them out and operating under the pretence that everyone is fit!

& rather than name them as magnets on a field, I have grouped them into the categories and positions I think they are likely to fill..

Defenders: I would say there are five certainties here..
- Tom McCartin, our strong, athletic key defender. He will be more ready to handle the opposition's monster forwards with every year that he gets bigger and stronger and more experienced.
- Dane Rampe, possibly in his final year? Either way he is our leader and general down back, hopefully will take the 3rd tall every week rather than have to play above his size.
- Jake Lloyd, another leader, our accumulator and distributor from half back.
- Harry Cunningham, maybe the best small lockdown defender we have. Handy on the opposition smalls like McDonald-Tipungwuti and Liam Ryan.
- Nick Blakey, a revelation in defence. Floats across to take marks but most important is the penetration we get from his exciting dash and run! It's thrilling to watch..

The final spot in defence will most likely need to be another strong key defender, to work in tandem with Tommy Mac. I have taken the coward's option and left it open for two players.. Lewis Melican and Paddy McCartin.. but i cannot say one over the other as there are too many questions to this stage.. will Melican ever be fit? will Paddy justify our recruiting him??

So that is T. McCartin (1), Rampe (2), Lloyd (3), Cunningham (4), Blakey (5) and either Melican/P. McCartin (6)

Midfielders: I would say there are four certainties here..
- Luke Parker, our spiritual leader and best player.
- Callum Mills, a revelation in the midfield this year, has another level to go to..
- Josh Kennedy. A hot topic on here it seems but i doubt we would sign him and keep him as captain if we were planning on banishing him to the VFL..
- Oliver Florent, another controversial player for RWOers but despite what we might think, he is a favourite of Longmire's, top 10 finish in the best & fairest this year.. he won't be going anywhere.

That adds Parker (7), Mills (8), Kennedy (9) and Florent (10)

Ruckmen: It is safe to assume we will have two next year and it is certain who they will be already..
- Tom Hickey, yet another revelation for us.. made such a huge difference to our midfield
- Peter Ladhams, we've made the investment to get him to the Swans, we will definitely see what he can do as 2nd ruck/resting fwd before we give anyone else a go..

Hickey (11), Ladhams (12)

Forwards: I only have 3 certainties here:
- Lance Franklin.. bring on the 1000!!
- Tom Papley, his first All Australian blazer this year and i bet it won't be his last!
- Will Hayward, turned his form around big-time to have an equal-career high goals.. fantastic effort from Will as the medium fwd.

But i am tempted to include two others as near-certainties:
- Logan McDonald, who we didn't see much of this year but i loved everything i did see! I am confident the coaches will want to see as much of him as possible next year, but not certain of it.
- Sam Wicks, our best defensive pressure fwd, changed the dynamics of our forward line to his credit, but his accuracy and skills occasionally let him down.. it should be enough to see him in the side next year, but cant be certain of it.

That is Franklin (13), Papley (14), Hayward (15), McDonald (16) and Wicks (17)

Miscellaneous: These are the ones who I am certain will be in the team, though where they will play and what role they will serve isn't certain..
- Errol Gulden, a teenage marvel.. what else is there to say? Only question will be whether he spends more time forward or midfield, and if midfield, will that be off a wing or more inside? We know he will be great either way.
- Justin McInerney, love the way Juzzy plays.. he has looked fantastic on a wing and equally fantastic off half back.. hell, even on the inside a couple of times he looked good!! It depends whether we see a need for him in defence with Blakey & Lloyd doing rebounding.. we might want Juzzy further up the field to capitalise on his wonderful kicking inside 50??
- Isaac Heeney, a star. Like Gulden.. what else is there to say?? JL has teased a move to the midfield, but he did kick a career-high goals this year?? Could be a 50/50 split? We know he will be wonderful contributor wherever he plays.
- Chad Warner.. "The Chad" was going great guns until injury disrupted his year.. never got going after that and understandably looked out of sorts in the final. We would've seen enough to know what kind of a ripper talent we are dealing with here.. just a matter of how much midfield time he will get with so many others also wanting a look in.

Gulden (18), McInerney (19), Heeney (20) and Warner (21)

That leaves just one spot left, and there were quite a few to consider, particularly Stephens who i would love to see rewarded for his commitment to the Swans by re-signing and get some confidence back as a former top 5 pick.. but i have given the last spot to another top 5 pick..
- Braeden Campbell, he is the exact kind of explosive, line-breaking, target-hitting left-footer who could do some real damage in our team.. came back from injury with some real confidence and think he'll go to another level next year.

Campbell (22)

Phew, that was a work out!! Maybe i should've stuck to the standard magnet board formula Plenty of time for things to change, things to go wrong, things to pleasantly surprise us.. let the journey begin.. onwards to 2022!

CHEER CHEER

[Maltopia]

Imagine if Dawson hadn’t left? NeonBible’s list would have Rowbottom and Campbell outside the team.

Then we have either Paddy or Melican, Stephens, Reid, Fox, O’Riordan, Bell, BOC, Sheather and Gould as well - plus Ronke who played two games last year. What a list!

We are assuming that Paddy is ready to go round one as well. He might be a cheap Reid upgrade or replacement that we figure is good for 10-13 games a year rather than first 22 given his comeback and he has been solid rather than tearing up the NEAFL.

During the year, we just have to hope for no major injury to any in our top 10-12 (like Mills and Blakey last year) as there are so many players who can slot in if one of the second tier get injured with little impact on us.

It will be easier to do this exercise once Franklin, JPK, Rampe and even Parker have all retired in the coming years!