Rnd 20, vs GWS at the SCG, on Saturday 30 July, 2:10 PM

[jono2707]

Looks like some have forgotten how good Jmac is , how many games we might not win if it werent for his brilliance . All goes out the window as soon as he has a down patch of form , shame

Stop trying to pick fights over nothing - pretty sure we all remember how good he is - he's just been a bit down for a good part of this season. We're all hoping he hits the heights we know he can over the next couple of months.

[Faunac8]

Looks like some have forgotten how good Jmac is , how many games we might not win if it werent for his brilliance . All goes out the window as soon as he has a down patch of form , shame

I am pretty sure no one has forgotten how good he is but surely if a player is down on form, and I don’t suggest that he is playing that poorly , but the solution to that at any level is to be dropped to regain some form ?
It’s not an insult but more a remedy to an issue and for many players it can be a reality check that allows them to work on any shortcomings in their game that the coaching panel have identified.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Agreed on Blakey and McCartin, but I to think we have a Jordan-sized hole for an extra bail out marking target on the defensive side of the wing/towards half back. Will seemed to offer some of that on the weekend, not sure if it was by design or not.

This was my biggest fear at the start of the year more than anything else about his departure - and why I was pitching Heeney to play wing, which he'd done well before and still allowed him to surge back forward. But I've given up on that now, and accepted his midfield time is a pinch hitting effort, and his forward craft - not just marking, but ground ball gets and handball skills in particular are elite down there. The pick up and lightning handball to Warner for the goal against Fremantle was just dreamy.

[Nico]

Looks like some have forgotten how good Jmac is , how many games we might not win if it werent for his brilliance . All goes out the window as soon as he has a down patch of form , shame

It looks to me that they are playing him off the back flank which I don't think is his natural position. What we don't see is that explosive run off the wing. He did a great kick to Buddy on the lead. He did a couple of things that he didn't need to do such as handball back over his head when running inside 50. Healy said on TV he couldn't understand why he didn't keep running into goal. In the past he would've backed himself. He also stopped and propped when he didn't need to and got himself into trouble. His 2nd half was much better He had 15 kicks, 10 handpasses and 8 marks so not a bad days work. Probably needs to polish up his finishing a bit.

He looks like he has grown a bit.

Can't possibly see how he will lose his spot.

[Ludwig]

It looks to me that they are playing him off the back flank which I don't think is his natural position. What we don't see is that explosive run off the wing. He did a great kick to Buddy on the lead. He did a couple of things that he didn't need to do such as handball back over his head when running inside 50. Healy said on TV he couldn't understand why he didn't keep running into goal. In the past he would've backed himself. He also stopped and propped when he didn't need to and got himself into trouble. His 2nd half was much better He had 15 kicks, 10 handpasses and 8 marks so not a bad days work. Probably needs to polish up his finishing a bit.

He looks like he has grown a bit.

Can't possibly see how he will lose his spot.

I don't see why we feel a need to play JMac behind the ball. We already have 7 defenders even without Cunningham in the side.

JMac has been okay, but hasn't performed the spectacular in a way we were getting used to. I prefer JMac playing ahead of the ball. He's been good a I50 kick and is quite a good shot on goal. If he plays closer to goal, it should release Heeney and Papley to hunt the ball more up ground. They usually make something happen with ball in had in the midfield.

[Roadrunner]

I don't see why we feel a need to play JMac behind the ball. We already have 7 defenders even without Cunningham in the side.

JMac has been okay, but hasn't performed the spectacular in a way we were getting used to. I prefer JMac playing ahead of the ball. He's been good a I50 kick and is quite a good shot on goal. If he plays closer to goal, it should release Heeney and Papley to hunt the ball more up ground. They usually make something happen with ball in had in the midfield.

Absolutely. I thought JMac was playing on the wing, which is his best position imho. Yes, he may be a bit down on form but he has had a few niggles and young players find it more difficult to recover form. Without an injury, no- one should be dropped as there were no passengers. So Joey would be the sub- Clarke deserves to play as he gives his all and has done the job well. If Hickey needs a rest, could we manage with just Sammy and Amartey? If so, I’d bring in Logan ahead of Joey, though it seems Horse wants him back in!

[bloodspirit]

Hey, two things:

First, what do all make of Cunningham's ongoing non-selection? Has he lost his place in the best 22? - it would seem so. If so, what does that mean for his career?

Harry turns 29 at the end of the year and is out of contract. I can't imagine we'd straight out delist him but if he's not best 22 then he's going to be looking at a pay cut to a level that might not be tenable. I don't think they often do that to senior players, like him. How is this going to play out? Is he going to win back his spot in the best 22. Is he just a depth player from now on? I don't think we can hope to trade him because he's a free agent and anyway I'm not sure that many clubs would take him despite how good he is.

Second, if Ladhams is still convalescing and Hickey is injured too, is there any chance we would recall Sinclair? - or has he definitely played his last AFL game? I tend to think we would probably prefer makeshift options like Reid and Amartey but I wouldn't entirely rule out a recall for Sinclair if both Hickey and Ladhams are unavailable.

[AB Swannie]

JMac is playing wing. See heat map:

IMG_7BEBEECB24AD-1.jpg

[Aprilbr]

Hey, two things:

First, what do all make of Cunningham's ongoing non-selection? Has he lost his place in the best 22? - it would seem so. If so, what does that mean for his career?

Harry turns 29 at the end of the year and is out of contract. I can't imagine we'd straight out delist him but if he's not best 22 then he's going to be looking at a pay cut to a level that might not be tenable. I don't think they often do that to senior players, like him. How is this going to play out? Is he going to win back his spot in the best 22. Is he just a depth player from now on? I don't think we can hope to trade him because he's a free agent and anyway I'm not sure that many clubs would take him despite how good he is.

Second, if Ladhams is still convalescing and Hickey is injured too, is there any chance we would recall Sinclair? - or has he definitely played his last AFL game? I tend to think we would probably prefer makeshift options like Reid and Amartey but I wouldn't entirely rule out a recall for Sinclair if both Hickey and Ladhams are unavailable.

The latest injury report suggests Ladhams is one week away. So will they go for makeshift rucks for one game should Hickey miss? All will be revealed on Thursday evening!

Cunningham is certainly struggling to regain his spot but I would not write him off yet. He has a lot of credits in the bank and has not lost his pace.

[Aaron]

Wonder if Horse has appeared in the media yet this week? He usually has one meet the press at the beginning of the week (usually Mondays) to talk about the next game. There would be a little more promotion for derby games you wonder. Hope that it is the reason for the delay instead of something not good.

[Maltopia]

Hey, two things:

First, what do all make of Cunningham's ongoing non-selection? Has he lost his place in the best 22? - it would seem so. If so, what does that mean for his career?

Harry turns 29 at the end of the year and is out of contract. I can't imagine we'd straight out delist him but if he's not best 22 then he's going to be looking at a pay cut to a level that might not be tenable. I don't think they often do that to senior players, like him. How is this going to play out? Is he going to win back his spot in the best 22. Is he just a depth player from now on? I don't think we can hope to trade him because he's a free agent and anyway I'm not sure that many clubs would take him despite how good he is.
.

Two words (though from a long time ago): Ryan O'Keefe

Poor Cunningham could spend 85% of his time in the 2s next year, despite being a very serviceable player who has given us great service. The only way I see him getting back in the team now is injury, or if a midfielder lost form and they swing Florent back to the midfield.

[dejavoodoo44]

The latest injury report suggests Ladhams is one week away. So will they go for makeshift rucks for one game should Hickey miss? All will be revealed on Thursday evening!

Cunningham is certainly struggling to regain his spot but I would not write him off yet. He has a lot of credits in the bank and has not lost his pace.

Yes, I think Cunningham is largely just paying the price, of getting injured at the wrong time, in a team that has very few injuries. An injury or two, and he'll probably earn a promotion, as his small amount of VFL form has been very good.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

3 thoughts from me

No unforced changes unless it is for specific match up needs.

I appreciate Clarke's efforts, and understand the support he's receiving after his last 3 weeks doing a negating role on a dangerous half back.
But he really needs a target to retain his spot - I don't see him as a ball distibutor. So who should we set him against this week? Lachie Ash would be he ideal target, a runner, but he's not exactly running hot. Isaac Cumming on the other hand plays much taller than his height, a bit like Dawson - so perhaps aim at him? He could also be played against a outside midfielder, perhaps Coniglio, or Josh Kelly if he plays?

I think that is one of Wilbur's key roles - to be the link between defence and the forwards. He has played it pretty well this year. It's not spectacular but can relieve a lot of pressure. One on one he's a pretty reliable mark

Chad Cornes on Footy Classified suggested he should have a crack at the midfield. In hindsight I wonder whether the Swans have been preparing him for somehing like that? His game has considerably more hard edges now that when he began as a will-of-the-wisp opportunistic forward. I've not seen the suggestion by any RWOer, did we overlook it?

Second, if Ladhams is still convalescing and Hickey is injured too, is there any chance we would recall Sinclair? - or has he definitely played his last AFL game? I tend to think we would probably prefer makeshift options like Reid and Amartey but I wouldn't entirely rule out a recall for Sinclair if both Hickey and Ladhams are unavailable.

I don't believe it will happen, but it's definitely a possibility, Sinkers played a pretty good game in the 2's last weekend - much improved. And Hickey is just not right atm.

[Roadrunner]

3 thoughts from me


I appreciate Clarke's efforts, and understand the support he's receiving after his last 3 weeks doing a negating role on a dangerous half back.
But he really needs a target to retain his spot - I don't see him as a ball distibutor. So who should we set him against this week? Lachie Ash would be he ideal target, a runner, but he's not exactly running hot. Isaac Cumming on the other hand plays much taller than his height, a bit like Dawson - so perhaps aim at him? He could also be played against a outside midfielder, perhaps Coniglio, or Josh Kelly if he plays?


Chad Cornes on Footy Classified suggested he should have a crack at the midfield. In hindsight I wonder whether the Swans have been preparing him for somehing like that? His game has considerably more hard edges now that when he began as a will-of-the-wisp opportunistic forward. I've not seen the suggestion by any RWOer, did we overlook it?


I don't believe it will happen, but it's definitely a possibility, Sinkers played a pretty good game in the 2's last weekend - much improved. And Hickey is just not right atm.

It’s a tough one re both Harry and Sinkers. I would rest big Tom this week and bring Sinkers in for a farewell game at home, as I’m sure he will do ok against the old enemy. Call me sentimental but he deserves a send off after his stellar service when we were desperate. We will beat the Giants, no probs! Harry is far from finished and will regain his place soon enough.

[Markwebbos]

Giants rested several players last week. I think they’ve set themselves for this game with the hope of spoiling our run to finals.