Grand Final - Saturday 24 September, 2:30 PM at MCG

[Ludwig]

That’s exactly what I thought. Reid negates the Cats defensive ruckman. And McLean rucks around the ground except in forward half where Reid or Hickey go up. It maybe conservative decision but the one that needs to be made for team balance and roles.

That's not what I said.

I think Reid will play his regular role as a forward, but will not do any ruck work. McLean will take Reid's role in that regard

With an abductor injury, it's easier to go straight, but harder to move laterally and jump. So I think can get through the game if he plays a regular lead up role as a forward and run up and down the ground presenting as a tall target. This will limit the amount of lateral movement stress.

[Aprilbr]

Horse was saying on TV tonight that he thinks that Logan will get over the disappointment of missing out for the GF. This decision made me reflect on the 1996 GF build-up. Anthony Rocca was on our list then and missed out on playing in the GF and was an Emergency. He publicly said afterwards that he felt he should have played even though his lead-up form had been poor. It was an arrogant statement and he left the Club soon after that.

I think Logan is much better than that in terms of attitude and much more dedicated to the Swans cause. He will understand the reasons for the decision and take it on the chin unlike Rocca. I think the coaching staff have made a tough but considered decision reflecting Reid's situation.

[Markwebbos]

Cats will likely drop Stanley back as a spare. Hopefully we’ll man them up with a 7 man forward line and Reid will be part of that, not competing in the ruck.

[stevoswan]

I don't love this. I get it that Logan hasn't been great of late but we have been winning and we've always been a team that has liked to go the way of 'if it ain't broke then no need to fix it' regarding our selections when there aren't forced changes (injuries).

I don't believe for a second that Reid will play (as I'm sure Geelong don't either) so if we are playing these games and naming him then why not just name an unchanged side with McLean (who will obviously play) be the late in for Reid.

I hope this doesn't dent Logan's confidence, it must be frustrating and upsetting for him.

I'm sure they had a chat with him beforehand.

[The Big Cat]

Horse was saying on TV tonight.

where was that?

[cruiser]

Are some people posting here forgetting how poor Armartey’s form has been this year when he was selected to play in the seniors. Why would that change now? I think McLean is the best option. He’s a strong mark. If he can kick a couple of goals and back up effectively in the ruck he’ll have performed his role. As for Logan, he has been a passenger so far this finals series and doesn’t deserve to play. He’ll get his chance again another year but he’ll need to earn it.

[Auntie.Gerald]

After listening to Fagans glowing review of Biclavs and his massive impact vs the Bears last week........you would hazard the guess that no one can run with Biclavs especially when Stanley drops back and Biclavs roams as a Ruck / Centre

I suspect we needed to combat this danger via a tactical change when needed ie when Stanley drops back we need to keep that bloody ball down in our forward 50.........that way Biclavs is not near the ball and not killing our under pressure long kick out of our defence.

You could argue that if Reid is injured priot or duing the game we have to have McLean ready to contend with Stanley dropping back and fighting for that ball. MClean can do that role better than McDonald and tactically change how Biclavs is used by Geelong.

Anything to help us exit more effectively from our back arc......the pressure by Geelong to lovk it in and or send it back in will be intense.

[SCGonasunnyday]

Let’s be positive. There is another day to be excited and soak it in. After that, what happens, happens.

The coaches have an impossible task and there is no ‘sliding doors’ magic to answer the ‘what ifs’. 6 years ago selecting Sam Reid for the grand final could have been a master stroke or an embarrassing gamble - we’ll never know.

I’m less nervous than in the days heading into the prelim. We play the MCG well these days and beating Geelong is a habit (Call the Royal Commission because we are going to commit some elder abuse)

[Blood Fever]

Let’s be positive. There is another day to be excited and soak it in. After that, what happens, happens.

The coaches have an impossible task and there is no ‘sliding doors’ magic to answer the ‘what ifs’. 6 years ago selecting Sam Reid for the grand final could have been a master stroke or an embarrassing gamble - we’ll never know.

I’m less nervous than in the days heading into the prelim. We play the MCG well these days and beating Geelong is a habit (Call the Royal Commission because we are going to commit some elder abuse)

Good call SC. We go alright v Cats

[Matty10]

6 years ago selecting Sam Reid for the grand final could have been a master stroke or an embarrassing gamble - we’ll never know.

My mind goes back to our selection for last year’s elimination final where we played McLean over Reid. I saw that as a mistake, but who knows what calculations the selectors are going through. Do they think of the best, worst or most likely output for a particular player or is it more about structure and matchups? Probably all of the above - and they would know far more about the latter than me.

I just hope McLean can do his part in the ruck and in aerial marking contests around the ground, wherever they may be. I see Amartey as a better choice, but I don’t know all that they do. McLean is a good up and down mark, but he has also been too easily out-bodied against more savvy opponents in the past. I see Amartey as more of a fighter in those contests.

I am not saying I don’t trust the selectors, but that doesn’t really matter anyway as they are selecting the team, not me. I’ll just have to hope for the best - both for McLean and the team.

[bloodbrother]

Haven't posted for a longtime but have been on RWO for years now .My take , we have the cats for legspeed,marking ability and kicking .Last week was the perfect build up , like a horse before the Melbourne Cup .I believe our contested possession pressure will overawe them .Only thing i wish to see is fair umpiring both ways and us to kick straight when the chances come .Agree with the above comments about Logan being unfortunate but totally understand why they have done it, swans by 32 points.

[707]

Stevic and Meredith owe us!

[dejavoodoo44]

Haven't posted for a longtime but have been on RWO for years now .My take , we have the cats for legspeed,marking ability and kicking .Last week was the perfect build up , like a horse before the Melbourne Cup .I believe our contested possession pressure will overawe them .Only thing i wish to see is fair umpiring both ways and us to kick straight when the chances come .Agree with the above comments about Logan being unfortunate but totally understand why they have done it, swans by 32 points.

Yes, speed and according to the tracker data, endurance. That is, in most of our games we ran more kilometres than our opponents; especially the wins. While Geelong consistently covered less distance than their opposition.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Let’s be positive. There is another day to be excited and soak it in. After that, what happens, happens.

The coaches have an impossible task and there is no ‘sliding doors’ magic to answer the ‘what ifs’. 6 years ago selecting Sam Reid for the grand final could have been a master stroke or an embarrassing gamble - we’ll never know.

I’m less nervous than in the days heading into the prelim. We play the MCG well these days and beating Geelong is a habit (Call the Royal Commission because we are going to commit some elder abuse)

I tend to agree.
Although disappointed for McDonald, unless he can get a clear run at the ball he’s not physically capable of battling it out with the bigger-bodied Geelong defence at the moment. McLean offers a more even contest, and is more likely to be able to bring the ball to the ground. He can also ruck, which McDonald can’t.
I am also less nervous this week; whatever happens tomorrow, our season has been phenomenal.


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[Ruck'n'Roll]

McLean is an interesting in. He's not as good a ruck as Amarty, he's not as good below his knees, he's not as quick. But his luck limitations are less important against the Geelong "rucks" than most other teams. Some have suggested he's in for his marking ability, in that he's more consistent than Logan or Amarty.
On the other hand I'm remembering games against Brisbane, and another team, when he was given a tagging role on the oppositions best intercept maker and nullified then completely - and thinking Stewart may be the target.