Round 8 v Pies at the MCG, 3.20pm Sunday 7 May (pre-game thread)

[waswan]

Gary Ablett Jnr started his career on a HFF and goal sneak. It’s okay to express an opinion, but at least get the facts right.

Forty years ago, the HBF was where a team hid its worst player until Barassi put duel Brownlow medalist wingman back there because he realised that’s where attacks often begin and you need class on those back flanks.

The point wasnt where Ablett played but where he could of played if he wasnt in the midfield.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I suspect Clarke will start on Daicos, simply because he did a good job last year. But I don't think it'll last long as Daicos roams far higher up the ground this year, and even spends time at half forward as a goal kicking threat.

And I'm less convinced of Clarke's capacity to reign in him in general play, as opposed to coming more strictly out of the back half. What I'm also certain of is I don't want Clarke's slow hands in the midfield mix. His inability to fire off the quick hand ball or kick is a real issue. I can count at least four occasions where that half second of hesitation, which is all it takes at that level, saw the Giants swamp him and cause the turnover.

[crackedactor 01]

I suspect Clarke will start on Daicos, simply because he did a good job last year. But I don't think it'll last long as Daicos roams far higher up the ground this year, and even spends time at half forward as a goal kicking threat.

And I'm less convinced of Clarke's capacity to reign in him in general play, as opposed to coming more strictly out of the back half. What I'm also certain of is I don't want Clarke's slow hands in the midfield mix. His inability to fire off the quick hand ball or kick is a real issue. I can count at least four occasions where that half second of hesitation, which is all it takes at that level, saw the Giants swamp him and cause the turnover.

The Swans where amazing in that PF last year against Collingwood. However it looking like a just a fuzzy shadow of that team we saw.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Pies have confirmed Cox will play, for what it's worth.

[waswan]

Id play Francis ahead of Harry, Fox better playing small or on a mid pushing fwd.

It would release Blakey more as well

[Roadrunner]

Pies have confirmed Cox will play, for what it's worth.

Hope he’s nowhere near match fit- we don’t have anyone of his height but if it’s wet, we may be ok!????

[troyjones2525]

So final teams are:

In: R. Fox, J. McInerney
Out: D. Stephens, A. Sheldrick, A. Francis (all omitted).

I don't understand the Francis omission... obviously Horse loves an undersized backline...

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[aardvark]

Looking forward to seeing Marc Sheather have another run.

[Ludwig]

So final teams are:

In: R. Fox, J. McInerney
Out: D. Stephens, A. Sheldrick, A. Francis (all omitted).

I don't understand the Francis omission... obviously Horse loves an undersized backline...

Francis is deemed too slow to play on Ash Johnson, I guess.

We are in such a sad state down back. We have Tom and Paddy McCartin + Dane Rampe to cover key forwards, and then zilch. Maybe the gurus at Swans HQ can pull off some miracles for next season, but every club will know we are desperate. If they play hard ball with us, they can put us out of contention for another 3 years.

Shame that Gould hasn't made it. I wonder why that wasn't apparent at the end of last season. What did they expect would happen this year?

[ugg]

Looking forward to seeing Marc Sheather have another run.

Thought he was a bit overwhelmed when he did come on but it’s probably hard for a new player to adjust to the speed of the game late in the fourth.

Perhaps they have a specific role for him in mind that they think he’ll do better than Sheldrick or Warner the younger.

Clarke seems set for Nick Daicos but Sheldrick could get a job on one of their other running defenders Noble or Quaynor

[Ludwig]

Clarke seems set for Nick Daicos but Sheldrick could get a job on one of their other running defenders Noble or Quaynor

Sheldrick dropped to emergencies

[MattW]

Sheldrick dropped to emergencies

Suspect 'Sheldrick' was a typo and 'Sheather' was intended.

[Ludwig]

Suspect 'Sheldrick' was a typo and 'Sheather' was intended.

You could be right. This is from the changes list:

SYDNEY

In: R.Fox, J.McInerney
Out: A.Francis (omitted), A.Sheldrick (administrative error), D.Stephens (omitted)

[gloveski]

Were playing one of the quickest and best finishing sides . We can’t find one spot for our best two endurance runners in Stephens or Corey Warner ? Surely one should have got a run ?


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[Maltopia]

How have we come to this?

From excitement and anticipation from mid last year (after early weak showing against North, and losses against the Suns and weakened Port) as a top four team and possible top two chance to…

Anxiety and lack of confidence in our team. Yes we could easily have two more wins (vs Port and GWS) and be higher up the ladder, but it just seems so shaky at the moment.

On the list management side…

We’ve known for years that Reid (who isn’t getting younger) and Melican have injury woes. Almartey to an extent too. Franklin ageing etc has been said to death already. The coaches clearly didn’t have confidence in Gould.

So why haven’t we recruited talls in the National draft, rookie draft, and trades other than a doubtable Francis? We need a Van Rooyen right now more than a Sheldrick. Same for the talls we passed up on to grab Ling or Florent.

Talls take longer to develop so we should be drafting them, as we certainly don’t seem to have much success trading them in on recent years (but lots trading out, Aliir, Nank, Cameron, Membrey).

On the injury and results side…

A third of our best 22 out recently and a lack of replacements is part dumb luck, but also part fitness and conditioning.

Saints are doing really well with their injury list though, and a sub six foot Higgins as their leading goal scorer. So why are we so exposed and vulnerable in comparison? That comes down to coaching and the mental side.

Anyway, Collingwood are a very good team at the moment, so we were going to be underdogs at the MCG anyway, but hope we are competitive and give the team and supporters hope for the rest of the season.