Match thread: Swans v Hawks.

[BRS328]

Completely agree with this. McLean looks completely lost in the ruck at this level. He does not appear to have the pace or agility to keep up with the play.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

That is my assertion too. A week ago I actually went so far as to suggest

In the General
There's been much huff-n-puff about how little you get from plonking a 2nd ruckman in the forward line, but McLean (who is a liability in the ruck) managed 4 marks, 11 possies and a goal with 80% time on ground.
I am wondering whether a second actual could would actually contribute less?
If they wouldn't contribute less then why not give a Ladhams/Hickey clombination a go - They'd certainly contribute more in the ruck.

And yes I know it's a drum I have been beating on for a very long time, but I like the timbre of the taller timber.

[i'm-uninformed2]

To be fair to Hayden, he's being asked to play a role that is not his forte whilst others are out or coming back from being injured. He's a better forward than a ruck, because he neither has the height to be a pure ruck, nor the agility to compensate for the lack of height.

If either Amartey or Reid are at full fitness, they place the second ruck role. He's doing a holding job for now. I expect with Bud coming back next week, and Joel now having been managed back into the senior side, Hayden goes out.

Hayden's a solid depth player who can clunk a couple of marks, stand up packs, and kicks beautifully for goal when he gets his chance. I like having him on our list as you need players like him, and he's an honest competitor, but am realistic about what he does and doesn't bring.

[111431]

To be fair to Hayden, he's being asked to play a role that is not his forte whilst others are out or coming back from being injured. He's a better forward than a ruck, because he neither has the height to be a pure ruck, nor the agility to compensate for the lack of height.

If either Amartey or Reid are at full fitness, they place the second ruck role. He's doing a holding job for now. I expect with Bud coming back next week, and Joel now having been managed back into the senior side, Hayden goes out.

Hayden's a solid depth player who can clunk a couple of marks, stand up packs, and kicks beautifully for goal when he gets his chance. I like having him on our list as you need players like him, and he's an honest competitor, but am realistic about what he does and doesn't bring.

I fully agree. He rarely let's us down when coming into the side

[Foreign Legion]

As mentioned before in the thread by Swanny40519 the Crowd figure was very good! First game I know but Hawthorn not a big drawing team.

Well done Swans fans who went!

[Ludwig]

To be fair to Hayden, he's being asked to play a role that is not his forte whilst others are out or coming back from being injured. He's a better forward than a ruck, because he neither has the height to be a pure ruck, nor the agility to compensate for the lack of height.

If either Amartey or Reid are at full fitness, they place the second ruck role. He's doing a holding job for now. I expect with Bud coming back next week, and Joel now having been managed back into the senior side, Hayden goes out.

Hayden's a solid depth player who can clunk a couple of marks, stand up packs, and kicks beautifully for goal when he gets his chance. I like having him on our list as you need players like him, and he's an honest competitor, but am realistic about what he does and doesn't bring.

I agree that Hayden is a solid depth player. He's someone who we might just keep on the list acknowledging that he's not quite up to being in our best 23 unless we have injuries.

Playing Hayden in the ruck is a bit of wishful thinking, because he needs that string in his bow to have a chance to be a regular in the side.

I still think McDonald, Amartey and Reid, with Franklin as the sub is our best forward setup when everyone is fit to play.

I watched a good part of the VFL game. Francis played forward and Edwards played in defence. Francis may be a better option as a 3rd tall forward than as a defender, especially with Gould waiting in the wings and the McCartins rarely missing a game. Francis doesn't look super fit (maybe that's his natural body shape), but he makes good decisions and executes well.

Longer term, McDonald, Amartey and Francis might be a good KPF trio. obviating the need to recruit another KPF. We will see how this plays out over the season.

[Auntie.Gerald]

It's a long journey a season of footy, but we showed great intensity with alot of niggle, blocking and shirt grabbing off the ball by both teams which we handled well

Enjoying our counter attack and mix of players contributing to our attacking defensive.

Can't wait to see our team challenge a formidable lot like the Dee's this weekend.

[liz]

SEN Breakfast

Longmire was on SEN this morning, talking to Buckley and Cornes (but don't hold that against him).

Link above will either take you directly to the segment, or to a place where it's straightforward to click on the segment.

The interview doesn't really dwell on yesterday's game much - apart from an acknowledgement of McDonald's and Amarty's contributions. It meanders a bit into John's coaching philosophy, and yes, starts with the requisite question about how the club dealt with the GF defeat.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Coaches votes

Mills - 10
Joel - 6
Gulden 5
Logan - 5
Ollie - 2
Parker - 2

Hard to argue with - though I wouldn't have been disappointed to see Blakey get a vote

Coaches' votes, R2: Roo stays perfect, tough mids get 10s

[AB Swannie]

Interesting distribution of coaches votes

Mills 5,5
Amartey 3,3
Gulden 4,1
Logan 4,1
Florent 2,0
Parker 2,0

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Playing Hayden in the ruck is a bit of wishful thinking, because he needs that string in his bow to have a chance to be a regular in the side.

Nicely phrased, and I agree completely.
But I hope they retain him in this side this week, rather than asking an underdone Joel to ruck/forward.

[KSAS]

AFL 2023: Family of Swans fans refused entry to SCG Members’ Reserve, dress code, new dress regulation trial, Members’ Pavilion | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

[Mel_C]

At the end of the game I noticed that Hayward seemed distressed and was limping.Does anyone know what the issue was?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

As others have said it looked like cramp. One of the trainers was helping him stretch his leg. There were a couple of other players cramping in the conditions.

[wolftone57]

Completely agree with this. McLean looks completely lost in the ruck at this level. He does not appear to have the pace or agility to keep up with the play.

He was not making it to the contests in the forward line either. He was also fumbling all the time. Time to go back for a stint in the reserves. Often it was left to Hayward, Heeney, Amartey, McDonald to fly because Hayden did not make it to the contest. He seemed very sluggish. Maybe he is injured or was off his game?

[Roadrunner]

He was not making it to the contests in the forward line either. He was also fumbling all the time. Time to go back for a stint in the reserves. Often it was left to Hayward, Heeney, Amartey, McDonald to fly because Hayden did not make it to the contest. He seemed very sluggish. Maybe he is injured or was off his game?

Yes, he was well below his best. Easy selection next week barring injuries:
In: Buddy
Out: McLean