Round 8 pre-match thread - v Suns 1:45 PM Saturday @ SCG

[Goal Sneak]

I'm a bit nervous about his round, for whatever reason we generally don't bring our best when playing GC.

The next 3 weeks are so important for our top 4 chances. If we beat GC and Essendon and St Kilda lose to Melbourne this week, we will be most likely playing Carlton for outright 4th in Round 10.

If we lose any of these next 3, I don't like our chances for top 4 (and we probably don't deserve it). Time to make a statement by blowing GC and Essendon off the park before putting Carlton firmly back their place!

[Hotpotato]

A full page about The Swans today in the SMH.
Wu and Conn about Goodes and Justin McInerney , Logan, Paddy and Hickey ..

[TheBloods]

I'm hoping for
Ins: Hickey McDonald McCartin Snr
Outs: Reid McLean Cunningham

Reid is perhaps unlucky. He clunked a couple of great marks up on the wings, but really, he also missed goals, was barely adequate when he chopped out Ladhams, and went missing when the heat was on.

Ladhams impressed me, confirming what I'd seen on television over the previous week: much more presence, alertness and energy. My first sighting of him at the North game was so disappointing, but now I see his value.

Things that I am reflecting on:
—Rowbottom v Kennedy. I'm seeing value in Kennedy, but only as a mid. Not a playmaker; no value off HB or on a wing. Rowbottom looks like he might benefit from a break. I thought he was pretty good in the first half last week, but dropped out of the game.

—Florent to HB is interesting. He has been playing a deep mid role, almost quarterbacking (remember Matt80?) all season, so the shift is less about playing behind the ball than taking on more accountability for a direct opponent.

—I am still an advocate for a game-sacrificing pressure forward (Wicks/Bell). Last week our two small forwards were relatively unsighted—Papley was desperately short of a run, and Ronke had minimal impact. Brisbane seemed to roll the ball out of their defensive 50 pretty easily. Perhaps we need to see how that combination fares again this week, but I'm not as willing as others to push Bell/Wicks out of the team.

Its Always something with RB .

Who are you pushing out to fit Bell or Wicks in ? I defended Bell but hes not good enough ,doesnt have the skill

[Goal Sneak]

Its Always something with RB .

I'm not sure where you're coming from with this? From what I read, O'Reilly Boy was essentially saying he'd be happy for James to be dropped.

[Nico]

I'm hoping for
Ins: Hickey McDonald McCartin Snr
Outs: Reid McLean Cunningham

Reid is perhaps unlucky. He clunked a couple of great marks up on the wings, but really, he also missed goals, was barely adequate when he chopped out Ladhams, and went missing when the heat was on.

Ladhams impressed me, confirming what I'd seen on television over the previous week: much more presence, alertness and energy. My first sighting of him at the North game was so disappointing, but now I see his value.

Things that I am reflecting on:
—Rowbottom v Kennedy. I'm seeing value in Kennedy, but only as a mid. Not a playmaker; no value off HB or on a wing. Rowbottom looks like he might benefit from a break. I thought he was pretty good in the first half last week, but dropped out of the game.

—Florent to HB is interesting. He has been playing a deep mid role, almost quarterbacking (remember Matt80?) all season, so the shift is less about playing behind the ball than taking on more accountability for a direct opponent.

—I am still an advocate for a game-sacrificing pressure forward (Wicks/Bell). Last week our two small forwards were relatively unsighted—Papley was desperately short of a run, and Ronke had minimal impact. Brisbane seemed to roll the ball out of their defensive 50 pretty easily. Perhaps we need to see how that combination fares again this week, but I'm not as willing as others to push Bell/Wicks out of the team.

Wicks only had 12 possessions in the reserves. Can't see how he gets back in the side with stats like that. Kicked one goal.

[Goal Sneak]

Wick only had 12 possessions in the reserves. Can't see how he gets back in the side with stats like that. Kicked one goal.

How was his attitude? I don't think a high number of possessions is required for Wicks to be promoted.

[AB Swannie]

Yes. Sheldrick and Roberts have both looked good from the start, and both look like winners. It's a shame about Sheldrick's injury. Hope has a solid 2nd half of the year. They were our 1st two picks in the draft, so there is some expectation that they will succeed in the AFL.

Sheather looked good in defence last week in the VFL and could also be a good one. Angus Anderson has looked okay as well and look forward to see how he develops and if we draft him this year.

I watched a bit of Gus in his Western Australian U'18 games and he was a Lachie Neale clone. He also was a late bloomer, only becoming a regular towards the end of that season after overcoming injuring in his previous year. I have high, high hopes for him.

[TheBloods]

I'm not sure where you're coming from with this? From what I read, O'Reilly Boy was essentially saying he'd be happy for James to be dropped.

Might benefit from a break ? He will have a rest and then come back , like hes just tired . If its not that its cause he is only young , or he is injured or he's playing a role , now hes tired. Excuses. Whats wrong with just saying he 's not good enough atm ? We can say it about one of our very best in Joey, why not RB ?

[TheBloods]

I reckon its only a matter of time before Sheather debuts

[COB]

I reckon its only a matter of time before Sheather debuts

Why? Seems like he works hard and is disciplined but not much else at this stage. I would still have Bell and Wicks ahead of him.

[TheBloods]

Why? Seems like he works hard and is disciplined but not much else at this stage. I would still have Bell and Wicks ahead of him.

He will be tried as a small defender

[Ludwig]

Wicks has given away a couple of dumb free kicks in the VFL in recent games, like that 50m penalty v WB. I haven't been impressed at all with his game lately.

I love Bell's enthusiasm, but he just can't get his decision making right, which leads to poor disposals. There are plenty ahead of him right now. I'm happy with Papley, Ronke and Hayward as our small forwards and don't see a reason to change.

Sheather looked good in his new role in defence, but is still a work in progress and certainly behind COR and Fox if we needed another small/medium defender.

There hasn't been much criticism of RB, but what there has been is reminiscent of the criticism of George Hewett at around the same stage of his career. Back then, many were calling for him to be dropped. Now they're crying that he was traded to Carlton. Just for statistical comparison, RB is doing better than Ollie Florent at the same age in just about every category, and is about even to slightly better than Hewett at the same age. Just something to think about.

[Bangalore Swans]

I reckon its only a matter of time before Sheather debuts

Sheather was one of your predictions for round 1 before injuries intervened. If you’ve backed Sheather now then he must be close.

I’m waiting for you to back Corey. If and when Corey gets your backing then we’ll know that he’s ready.

[TheBloods]

Sheather was one of your predictions for round 1 before injuries intervened. If you’ve backed Sheather now then he must be close.

I’m waiting for you to back Corey. If and when Corey gets your backing then we’ll know that he’s ready.

Christ

[barracuda]

How was his attitude? I don't think a high number of possessions is required for Wicks to be promoted.

Also laid 10 tackles. Played the first quarter forward, ball never went there. Moved to the mids in the second and stopped the mid field rot. Swans came back in the second. Third and fourth it looked like the cramping issue came back.

I think the issue is physical.

- - - Updated - - -

He will be tried as a small defender

Can I ask how you know this? Are you a friend or relative? You seem to be a big fan?