Team List Rnd 23, vs Adelaide, on Saturday 19 August, 7:40 PM (Sydney time)

[Maltopia]

Crucial game to keep our finals hopes alive.

Campbell back in and hopefully Rampe, for Stephens and Frances.

Melican might be ok to go as well, but not sure who we would drop for him if Rampe is also coming back.

I had a play with the predictor.

If we win only one of our two games, we can finish as low as 9th if:

a) GWS or Essendon win both their games (GWS has to beat Essendon and Carlton, Essendon has to beat GWS and Collingwood) and
b) Bulldogs or Geelong win both their games (Bulldogs play Eagles then Geelong. Geelong plays St Kilda and then Bulldogs).

We lock in a place in the finals if we beat Adelaide and the Bulldogs lose vs the Eagles, and Geelong lose to the Saints.

[Markwebbos]

Pretty nervous about this game. Getting Rampe and Campbell back would be a big help. I like your oud.

Hopefully Amartey is ok?

[barry]

Crucial game to keep our finals hopes alive.

Campbell back in and hopefully Rampe, for Stephens and Frances.

Melican might be ok to go as well, but not sure who we would drop for him if Rampe is also coming back.

I had a play with the predictor.

If we win only one of our two games, we can finish as low as 9th if:

a) GWS or Essendon win both their games (GWS has to beat Essendon and Carlton, Essendon has to beat GWS and Collingwood) and
b) Bulldogs or Geelong win both their games (Bulldogs play Geelong and Eagles, Geelong plays St Kilda and then Geelong)

We lock in a place in the finals if we beat Adelaide and the Bulldogs lose vs the Eagles, and Geelong lose to the Saints.

I think Giants will win both, (should beat ess at home, and blues will be guaranteed a finals spot by final round, so will.relax) so this game is season defining for us.

[neilfws]

Realistically, need to win the next two. And realistically, they are both difficult, especially Adelaide.

I've enjoyed the past few weeks regardless and I'll be happy if the Swans just give it their best shot, which I'm sure they will.

[neilfws]

Key Quotes: John Longmire, Round 23

Sounds like: McInerney - no, Rampe - a strong chance, Melican - a slight chance, Amartey - not serious but needs to get through Thursday, may be unlikely.

[0918330512]

Do the Swans arrive in Adelaide the day before the game usually?

Do they have an open training session at all? I know they sometimes do in Melbourne but they don’t seem to at other interstate venues?

[BRS328]

All clubs playing interstate arrive the day before the game regardless of who they are. Some choose to go earlier however it is the individual club decision. This goes back to a scare a few ago as the result of weather delays, and the AFL decided with good reason they could not afford to take risks with extensive media contracts.

[KTigers]

I can never rate Adelaide. We should win. But then I always think we'll win.

[Markwebbos]

They beat Port twice this year comprehensively, beat Lions, lost to Pies twice by a combined 3 points. I’ll think they’ll be a pretty serious test of our credentials.

[gloveski]

Selection will be interesting my thoughts

Rampe and Campbell in for Roberts and Stephens . Buller for Armartey if not fit .
Roberts/Stephens sub


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[Markwebbos]

Selection will be interesting my thoughts

Rampe and Campbell in for Roberts and Stephens . Buller for Armartey if not fit .
Roberts/Stephens sub


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I get Campbell for Stephens not so sure about Rampe for Roberts

[Roadrunner]

I get Campbell for Stephens not so sure about Rampe for Roberts

Who else could make way for Ramps? Not Frances, as he is needed down back, surely. The only other possibility is Wicks, as he had an ordinary game but Horse is likely to stick with him, and would probably unbalance the team.

[waswan]

I can see Clarke coming in for a job and Wicks going out.
Campbell, Ramps in
Roberts and Stephens out

Amartey going out not risked.
Francis stays and maybe swings

Sub would be from Roberts and Stephens

[liz]

Who else could make way for Ramps? Not Frances, as he is needed down back, surely. The only other possibility is Wicks, as he had an ordinary game but Horse is likely to stick with him, and would probably unbalance the team.

Francis came back into the team to replace the injured Rampe, so it's not silly to suggest that he's the one to make way if Rampe is available.

Walker is the obvious danger amongst their talls. Fogarty and Thilthorpe can be dangerous on their day but gather they've not been in prolific goal scoring form in recent weeks.

Apart from Walker, the most dangerous players in Adelaide's forward line are the medium sized McAdam, who is strong overhead, and the ground level threats of Rankine and Rachele (assuming he is reinstated into their starting 22).

With or without Francis, the only defender we have that you'd feel mildly confident playing on either Walker or Thilthorpe (due to his height) is McCartin. I imagine he will be assigned to Walker given he's the much more dangerous of the two. Fox is probably the most obvious first choice for McAdam. If we play both Rampe and Francis, who do you envisage they most likely line up on? Neither is remotely tall enough to challenge Thilthorpe in the air. If you're going to play both of them, which small (Cunningham, Lloyd, Florent) do you move elsewhere, or out of the side? What then happens when the ball hits the ground and Rankine/Rachele go to work? Are we better off with Francis trying to win and clear the ball at ground level or having the normal third smaller defender?

My guess is that they'll probably earmark Blakey for Thilthorpe, accepting that he may get beaten in the air if the ball is delivered perfectly, but backing him to run off. That probably leaves Fogarty for Rampe/Francis. Though either of those two could/might rotate with Fox on McAdam.

In summation, I'm not convinced we need the extra tall in Francis against Adelaide any more than it always seems we're one tall defender short against any other team.

[Roadrunner]

Francis came back into the team to replace the injured Rampe, so it's not silly to suggest that he's the one to make way if Rampe is available.

Walker is the obvious danger amongst their talls. Fogarty and Thilthorpe can be dangerous on their day but gather they've not been in prolific goal scoring form in recent weeks.

Apart from Walker, the most dangerous players in Adelaide's forward line are the medium sized McAdam, who is strong overhead, and the ground level threats of Rankine and Rachele (assuming he is reinstated into their starting 22).

With or without Francis, the only defender we have that you'd feel mildly confident playing on either Walker or Thilthorpe (due to his height) is McCartin. I imagine he will be assigned to Walker given he's the much more dangerous of the two. Fox is probably the most obvious first choice for McAdam. If we play both Rampe and Francis, who do you envisage they most likely line up on? Neither is remotely tall enough to challenge Thilthorpe in the air. If you're going to play both of them, which small (Cunningham, Lloyd, Florent) do you move elsewhere, or out of the side? What then happens when the ball hits the ground and Rankine/Rachele go to work? Are we better off with Francis trying to win and clear the ball at ground level or having the normal third smaller defender?

My guess is that they'll probably earmark Blakey for Thilthorpe, accepting that he may get beaten in the air if the ball is delivered perfectly, but backing him to run off. That probably leaves Fogarty for Rampe/Francis. Though either of those two could/might rotate with Fox on McAdam.

In summation, I'm not convinced we need the extra tall in Francis against Adelaide any more than it always seems we're one tall defender short against any other team.

Agree with your analysis Liz- Horse and Co certainly have to think long and hard. Maybe Francis could be the sub, just in case? Though I would prefer Stephens if he goes out. This will be a very tough game for us and a good gage as to where we’re really at. Go Bloods!