2023 Preseason

[Mountain Man]

Interesting that Cox and McVeigh were the coach spokesmen (Longmire usually stands aside for these games) but I didn't see Don Pyke at all. Have I missed anything?

I give him credit for revitalising our game plan - and (dare I say it) our senior coach.

[stevoswan]

Pics from Carlton game Swans v Carlton

Great set of photo's.

[crackedactor 01]

Though its is only a practice game I thought we had many positives: 45 disposals for Errol is outstanding a star of the future/ 10 marks by Logan who has definitely put some muscle on those arms and chest/ B Campbell looked like he belonged out there, That goal had to be at least 70 meters/ Ladhams did well in the ruck and his work around the ground was good/ Only downs were the question if Buddy is in our best 22 ? and Rampe looked a little slow at times.

[chalbilto]

I am sure that I saw Don Pyke next to the players huddle.

[bloodspirit]

A lot of great pics, thanks ootf!! I like the Swans' bias. My favourite one has to be the one where Heeney's just snapped for goal on his right. Good one of Errol where you can almost see his cape too.

[bloodspirit]

Interesting interview with McVeigh after our practice match with Carlton: Pre-season full post-match: Swans (sydneyswans.com.au).

The bit that caught my ear was around 1:40 where Macca refers to the mids telling Ladhams what they want from him. The thing about this that strikes me is that it's the other players, not the coaches, that are telling Pete what they want from him. I'm sure the coaches do it too but I love that.

[707]

This last practice game got me thinking that we could be looking at the core of our CBA for the next 6-7 years in Mills, Warner, Rowbottom and now Gulden

[AB Swannie]

The CBA statistic is quite interesting. I wonder how often a player starts a CBA but then pushes forward or back and doesn't really play as a mid. I'm sure Paps did that last year. Vice versa, I reckon Mills started on the wing at times and then joined the inside mid role.

These stats from DFS Australia show that Rowbottom, for example, attended only 50% of CBAs in the games he played. Errol only 10%.

CBAs - DFS Australia

[dejavoodoo44]

While I'm not all that interested in fantasy football, I did have a look at the team that the AFL site's experts picked. After his form against Carlton, Errol was an obvious pick as a forward. Although he was the only Swan in their starting line-up. However, there was a couple of interesting names on the interchange bench: Roberts and McAndrew. I can see the logic of that.
The Traders reveal their Fantasy team: Who makes the cut? - The Traders reveal their Fantasy team: Who makes the cut?

[rickmat]

Francis seems to be out of the loop for the 23. Not sure what is going on with him. It will be tough for him to break into the best 23 even at this early time. Perhaps a run in the VFL will bring out why we recruited him

[Mountain Man]

Chris Scott demonstrated the value from "managing" game time of senior players. It worked!

Buddy and Rampe are our 'seniors', and that maybe the value of Francis over the year.

[stevoswan]

Chris Scott demonstrated the value from "managing" game time of senior players. It worked!

Buddy and Rampe are our 'seniors', and that maybe the value of Francis over the year.

Very good point. Buddy will definitely have to be managed this year and as you say Rampe. Also I think Parks, Hickey and even Paps and maybe Mills could benefit from the same approach. We want these guys cherry ripe for the finals*.

Young guns should be fine with another pre-season and season proper under their belts.

* .....unless Ladhams passes Hickey in the pecking order. His form v Carlton was very promising.

[707]

Near full page in today's Advertiser here in Adelaide about Dylan Stephens and other young guns at the Swans.

Significant effort made to beef up over summer, Stephens, Gulden and McDonald headed to Europe and sought out gyms as they travelled and were sent protein powder by the club.

Stephens has put on 3-4 kilos, sees himself as an inside mid eventually.

Sees a long term future at the club "I think we all do. We've got a young core group that are a really close, tight-knit group of mates and it's really awesome here.

Pleasing article :-)

[rickmat]

No news from RWOers who watch training. No news on injuries either from Swans!!! Do we know if VFL side is playing a trial game this week? Questions questions questions. It's like All's quiet on the western front with a week to go

[Maltopia]

Oh my, it is almost time for the first “team list” post, and friendly debates re who will be in our 22, featuring a lot of discussion from a couple who strongly believe Buddy should be the substitute (possibly too early in the season for that in my view).

Other discussions will be how many talks, whether Hickey is in the first game and if we will have a Roberts style early debut, and who plays for Clarke (Cunningham for me).

Can’t wait to get back to normal season programming!