Rd 6 pre-match thread - Swans v Suns, SCG, Sunday 21 April

[Trever]

The scary thing about the GC is not the talent they've pulled onto their list recently, but apparently what is coming through their academy is huge in both volume and talent. The screeching is already starting from Victoria and will only get louder.

They forget these things will filter back into the talent pool available to the broader comp. Last year, GC was able to progressively split pick four to accumulate a lot of draft picks. That'll be harder to do when they're trying to split 12 or 14 or 16 or so on. Eventually, they'll be unable to cover all the high end talent and some will fall out the bottom to the benefit of other clubs.

What's the word: equalisation.

But we should be ready for the full on assault that's coming for the academies.

It’s clear that Damien Hardwick possesses the Lewis Hamilton gift of timing. The ability to leave a team on the way down and jump into a team on the way up with perfect timing. Richmond to the Gold Coast is like Hamilton going from McLaren to Mercedes to Ferrari.

I think Hardwick timing will put him above Longmire and Clarkson as the greatest coach of the last 20 years.

[dejavoodoo44]

Don't overlook the limit on first round bids that a club can match if it qualifies for the finals. 5th-8th and you can only match two. Top four and you can only match one.

(Of course, that only applies to academy players. There is no limit on FS bids that can be matched anywhere, plus the two don't intersect.)

Plus of course, if the northern academies produce more kids for the NSW and Qld clubs to draft, then there should be more Victorian kids available for Victorian clubs.

[neilfws]

Based on the injury report, Parker won't be playing VFL either:

"Luke was reviewed by his specialist over the break. He has recommenced team training but will remain non-contact in drills for at least another week."

Sounds like he's still some way off. In brighter news, Sheldrick is a test for round 6.

And Reid, well...

Injury Update: Reid sidelined and Parker, Rampe updates

[stevoswan]

I think we’ll win on Sunday, but it will be the last time we beat Gold Coast for the next 5 years. Their young talent is extraordinary and Hardwick is rejuvenated.

I must say, that's not showing much faith in your own team. Big claim indeed, with the Swans on the cusp of something great ourselves, maybe for a number of years.....we'll revisit this post in 5 years.

[dejavoodoo44]

Sounds like he's still some way off. In brighter news, Sheldrick is a test for round 6.

And Reid, well...

Injury Update: Reid sidelined and Parker, Rampe updates

Yes, last week I was going to mention that Reid wasn't on the injury list, so maybe he'd already recovered; but I thought better of it. It does sound minor, but somehow minor strains have ended his season in the past. Hopefully he'll be back soon.

And Buller seems to be filling the strange role of, not playing, but not on the injury list. We've had a few of those. I think Jared Crouch pioneered the role. Ronke certainly went missing for a while. I think Toby Pink, as well? Perhaps a few others, whose names I can't recall.

[707]

Swans are masters at making players disappear, not playing either grade but not injured, as you say djv, we've had phantom players for a very long time.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Sounds like he's still some way off. In brighter news, Sheldrick is a test for round 6.

And Reid, well...

Injury Update: Reid sidelined and Parker, Rampe updates

The words Reid and quad are never good in the one sentence. Season and career over, unfortunately.

[caj23]

It’s clear that Damien Hardwick possesses the Lewis Hamilton gift of timing. The ability to leave a team on the way down and jump into a team on the way up with perfect timing. Richmond to the Gold Coast is like Hamilton going from McLaren to Mercedes to Ferrari.

I think Hardwick timing will put him above Longmire and Clarkson as the greatest coach of the last 20 years.

That’s underselling Hardwick, he didn’t coast into a good list at Richmond, it took a long time for him to build to those premierships and the credit is his.

Also Chris Scott would be considered above Longmire as well

[Trever]

That’s underselling Hardwick, he didn’t coast into a good list at Richmond, it took a long time for him to build to those premierships and the credit is his.

Also Chris Scott would be considered above Longmire as well

I was in no way underselling Hardwick. He built Richmond into a powerhouse with a brilliant strategy and execution. I firmly believe that his timing of leaving Richmond when he did and going to the Gold Coast when he did was a genius move. The Gold Coast current young talent and pipe line of talent is extraordinary. No club has possessed so much brilliant young talent since GWS from 2015-2017. The difference for the Suns is that Hardwick will harness this young talent better than Leon Cameron could. The young talent for the Suns is also more local and homegrown than that of the Giants. There won’t be as much departing talent from the Gold Coast as GWS in its best years.

[Roadrunner]

That’s underselling Hardwick, he didn’t coast into a good list at Richmond, it took a long time for him to build to those premierships and the credit is his.

Also Chris Scott would be considered above Longmire as well

If I recall correctly, Hardwick was on the verge of being sacked when things turned around at Richmond. Only a great team wins flags in a row in this comp and it’s fair to say that their management was top notch then and instrumental in assembling the team. I don’t want to take any credit away from Hardwick as Richmond’s rein was phenomenal, but I didn’t like the way he jumped ship and then all of a sudden announced that he did want to coach after all. Yes, there’s lots of talent at GC and after being raped by Vic clubs for so many years, they finally are very competitive. So virtually any AFL coach would achieve with this group. But for now, let’s just beat them!

[crackedactor 01]

The words Reid and quad are never good in the one sentence. Season and career over, unfortunately.

Talented footballer whose body could not endure the rigors of playing AFL football. Always remember his games towards the end of 2022 which was a big reason we made the GF. Bye Sammy.

[RogueSwan]

I am very nervous about this game. If Grundy doesn't break even with Witts it could be a long afternoon for our Backs. Witts feeding the Suns mids on our shorter ground could be very dangerous. Is it worth considering bringing in Ladhams, and dropping Amartey, to try and "work over" Witts?

[KSAS]

If I recall correctly, Hardwick was on the verge of being sacked when things turned around at Richmond. Only a great team wins flags in a row in this comp and it’s fair to say that their management was top notch then and instrumental in assembling the team. I don’t want to take any credit away from Hardwick as Richmond’s rein was phenomenal, but I didn’t like the way he jumped ship and then all of a sudden announced that he did want to coach after all. Yes, there’s lots of talent at GC and after being raped by Vic clubs for so many years, they finally are very competitive. So virtually any AFL coach would achieve with this group. But for now, let’s just beat them!

I recall Natan Buckley was also on the verge of being sacked at the Pies in the same year. Both won extensions. One went onto a premiership dynasty the other losing 2018 GF by a whisker.

[Maltopia]

I am very nervous about this game. If Grundy doesn't break even with Witts it could be a long afternoon for our Backs. Witts feeding the Suns mids on our shorter ground could be very dangerous. Is it worth considering bringing in Ladhams, and dropping Amartey, to try and "work over" Witts?

No VFL games recently to justify Ladhams coming in given his reportedly poor attitude (giving away free kicks) and lack of impact in his last VFL game.

Do we need Francis as another taller defender? Or Wicks up front to replace Mitchell who played only 2 minutes last game?

[waswan]

No VFL games recently to justify Ladhams coming in given his reportedly poor attitude (giving away free kicks) and lack of impact in his last VFL game.

Do we need Francis as another taller defender? Or Wicks up front to replace Mitchell who played only 2 minutes last game?

He has played twice, got it 20 times twice, kick 4 goals in 1 game.

Played against Naismith in the 2nd game.

We are better off going in with 2 rucks and having them matchup on us rather than trying to take Witts 1 out.

Again, its about what it releases Mclean to do.

Id turn Amartey into a backman.