#AFL Round 15 Swans v Suns Sat 29-Jun at SCG #AFLSwansSuns @sydneyswans

[Markwebbos]

I really hope that Cameron is fit to play this week and they give him a run in the AFL. Sam Naismith might be less than a month away, so Darcy's window of opportunity may be small. ROB at Adelaide and Nankervis are examples of what can happen when you give an untried ruckman an extended run of games.

And if there is any doubt about Sinkers, surely they need to think long term and get him right for 2020, we aren't going to be a player this year whatever happens.

I suspect they'll try and use Aliir and Reid in the ruck again given Essendon's ruck situation mirrors ours. Part of me is hoping that we lose that game so we can put the idea of finals to bed and focus more firmly on the future.

[stevoswan]

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I suspect they'll try and use Aliir and Reid in the ruck again given Essendon's ruck situation mirrors ours. Part of me is hoping that we lose that game so we can put the idea of finals to bed and focus more firmly on the future.

What the? Hope we lose to Essendon.....please hand over your Swans scarf (and members card if applicable) sir! Sacrilege!

[Markwebbos]

What the? Hope we lose to Essendon.....please hand over your Swans scarf (and members card if applicable) sir! Sacrilege!

The part of me interested in developing the next generation of players thinks, were we to lose to Essendon, the club could focus 100% on 2020. If we win (and if we do with the Buddy-less, Sinkers-less insanely young side we'll likely play) then I would expect our focus to be much more on short terms results this year.

Potentially we could have Cunningham, Macca and Kizza (remember him) available for the Bombers plus we also have Clarke, Menzel, Thurlow, Fox and a few others pushing for selection.

[barry]

No better experience for young swans than a final or two.
We ain't Carlton or Melbourne.

[troyjones2525]

Yesterday showed why Horse should always show faith in NEAFL form and play players in the seniors where they are tearing it up in the NEAFL! Rowbottom looked much more comfortable playing in the middle yesterday than he has playing as a forward in his previous games in the seniors. He is a midfielder, not a forward.

If we keep showing faith in these kids they will develop a hell of a lot faster than playing them out of position!

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[liz]

The part of me interested in developing the next generation of players thinks, were we to lose to Essendon, the club could focus 100% on 2020. If we win (and if we do with the Buddy-less, Sinkers-less insanely young side we'll likely play) then I would expect our focus to be much more on short terms results this year.

Potentially we could have Cunningham, Macca and Kizza (remember him) available for the Bombers plus we also have Clarke, Menzel, Thurlow, Fox and a few others pushing for selection.

In terms of team selection, what would be different? Against the Gold Coast, the selectors chose Ronke over Menzel and Rowbottom over Clarke (though he's still young himself) or Jack. There's not much evidence that they aren't already backing in the youngsters.

[Markwebbos]

Liz, that's a valid point. The match committee this year appears to be much more prepared to pick players based on potential than experience. The non-selection of Kieren Jack in particular heartens me.

And if you look at the 22 who played, there wasn't really anyone holding a younger player out of the side.

But I still think the more likely we are to making finals, the more the temptation will be to pick the best side on the day rather than the side that's going to make us better in 2020.

I am thinking particularly in the ruck where I think they'll be tempted to play a makeshift ruck rather than giving Cameron a run of games (assuming he's going to return before Sinclair or Naismith). I was also thinking about the management of players like Sinclair, who they'd potentially get right for 2020 rather than trying to patch up for 2019.

[neilfws]

I was having flashbacks to last year at half-time, but the boys came good in the end.

Liking the growth in resilience this year: less panic and heads down when things are not working, they just keep working at it until it comes right.

Enjoyed Dawson's game (once he and the rest found a few skills). And Allir: he defends, he goes forward and kicks round the corner, he rucks, what can't he do! Crowd love it.

Ruck is a concern for next week, will be interesting to see what they choose to do.

Bit weird watching the Suns though; probably the only team that I couldn't name a player off the top of my head and essentially no supporters. It's like the team that isn't really there.

[Beerman]

No better experience for young swans than a final or two.
We ain't Carlton or Melbourne.

Hear, hear! Even winning games is good experience - one of the players even mentioned this after the West Coast game.

In the end I don't think winning or losing the Essendon game will change much for the coaching staff. They aren't nearly as fickle as the fans and will just try and win as many possible games as they can, balancing all the relevant factors.

[Beerman]

Having looked after plenty of shoulders in my second job (1st job is Swans supporter), the first step will be to determine extent of injury. If there is a small tear to the rotator cuff, Cal could play out the rest of the season after 2-4 weeks off to rehab it. If a large tear, he will require surgery to repair his rotator cuff +/- additional injury which in all likelihood would be season ending. The problem is if it falls in the grey zone and then becomes a balance between this season v long term, career shortening injury.

Thanks Ralph Dawg. It's always interesting to read expert opinions on any topic and on injuries in particular.

Incidentally, those suggesting that the swans medical staff made an unreasonable or irrational decision to allow Callum back onto the ground might like to post their diagnosis of Sinclair's shoulder injury? (I assume you have a medical degree specialising in sports medicine, right?)

[Bexl]

Yesterday showed why Horse should always show faith in NEAFL form and play players in the seniors where they are tearing it up in the NEAFL! Rowbottom looked much more comfortable playing in the middle yesterday than he has playing as a forward in his previous games in the seniors. He is a midfielder, not a forward.

If we keep showing faith in these kids they will develop a hell of a lot faster than playing them out of position!

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100%

[Ralph Dawg]

Thanks Ralph Dawg. It's always interesting to read expert opinions on any topic and on injuries in particular.

Incidentally, those suggesting that the swans medical staff made an unreasonable or irrational decision to allow Callum back onto the ground might like to post their diagnosis of Sinclair's shoulder injury? (I assume you have a medical degree specialising in sports medicine, right?)

I think in retrospect it looks a strange decision. Reflecting on it, the game was still in the balance, Witts was threatening to dominate the ruck and in true bloods spirit, we wanted to win the game. The initial assessment could have been that there was minimal structural damage and once relocated, it was worth a try (or it was completely rogered and not much more could happen - I hope this was not the case). The fact that it dislocated again easily may suggest the joint / cuff is very unstable and will require some time to properly heal.