VFL Games 2026

[UUaswan]

I'm a long-term believer in Logan McDonald, but right now, the demand for spots is growing, and I wouldn't mind seeing either Ladhams in particular but even Hayden given a run as a second ruck to give Grundy some relief in the coming weeks where we have a 'softer' (I know, that will bite me on the bum) draw and so we can take a peek at what that looks like. They're both doing everything that they can right now.

Missing the point though

3 fwds plus 2 rucks

Drop Logan for a relief ruck and its the same net benefit.
Freo is the standard, no team can go with 3 permanent tall fwds. Amiss is a spud and he is kicking bags

I'd be dropping Coote and Lloyd/Cunningham for
Ladhams and Heeney

Still plenty of small fwd options to crumb and mark

Even throw Melican back in for Lloyd/Cunningham freeing up our running backs even more

[MattW]

Anyway, that was a very enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine watching a dominant two quarters from the Swans against the previously ladder-leading Dogs with a bonus of the best hot chips in the VFL. Against the wind they scored 4.3 and the Swans scored 4.3; with the wind they scored 8.6 and we scored 18.5. Top marks to the coaches for adapting perfectly to the conditions.

I sat at the scoring end, so vision wasn't the best but here are my impressions from the ground:
As mentioned by Thunder Shaker, Ladhams was completely dominant (don't forget 19 clearances), the Bulldogs' undersized rucks were completely overwhelmed.
Hamling was very good, played full-forward with the wind and full-back when against the wind.
McLean was excellent, not only in front of goal where he was very accurate but taking contested marks down the line.
Clearly was relentless as usual. Most of his 37 disposals were 2 meter handballs to a player in a better position, but he ran and provided a contest all day.
Phillipou kicked 5.1, but mostly through clever positioning and efficient kicking rather than anything spectacular.
Dattoli kicked 2.1 but roamed further from goal than Phillipou and got more involved in general play.
Corey Warner had 28 disposals and kicked a 50m snap, worked hard but his disposals were a bit hot and cold.
Snell played loose in defence when against the wind, worked really hard and provided plenty of rebound.
Melican was solid and reliable, but was overshadowed by Hamling I felt.
Hanily was very busy and ran hard to provide an option across the ground.
Kyle was very quiet.
I kept a close eye on Chamberlain as he had been very quiet in previous weeks. He ran with Vandermeer for virtually the whole game and was not outshone by an experienced AFL player. He ran hard all day on the wing, but the Swans' gamestyle meant he didn't gather many possessions (17). He did display his athleticism with a prodigious leap and pace. Another season of improvement and we might have a serious player.

Phillipou's 5, via the AFL site.

VFL Showreel, R5: Jevan Phillipou highlights https://www.afl.com.au/video/1504119

[UUaswan]

Looks like Phillipou knows how to get into space

Throw him in for Lloyd

[BRS328]

Looks like Phillipou knows how to get into space

Throw him in for Lloyd

Good suggestion, but he is simply not ready yet. He virtually missed all of last year with injury, and unfortunately again in preseason. He needs time to build confidence and consistency. There is no doubt that he has talent.
The same applies to Kyle and the rest of the new academy players this year.
A good example is Edward’s, who at 22 now looks ready. This was not the case last year.

[UUaswan]

Good suggestion, but he is simply not ready yet. He virtually missed all of last year with injury, and unfortunately again in preseason. He needs time to build confidence and consistency. There is no doubt that he has talent.
The same applies to Kyle and the rest of the new academy players this year.
A good example is Edward’s, who at 22 now looks ready. This was not the case last year.

Maybe he isnt ready

Brissy just won a flag with 8 players under 22
Seems to work ok for them

[Dow]

Good suggestion, but he is simply not ready yet. He virtually missed all of last year with injury, and unfortunately again in preseason. He needs time to build confidence and consistency. There is no doubt that he has talent.
The same applies to Kyle and the rest of the new academy players this year.
A good example is Edward’s, who at 22 now looks ready. This was not the case last year.

lloyd is playing a role right now and i agree if you watch the reserves all th newbies will need time, as for Edwards would of given a shot earlier but not for his horrific injury.

[KSAS]

Any update on why Ned Bowman has missed the last 2 VFL games despiite not being on the injury list? Interesting if he'll be selected this week and if not, whether club will provide update as otherwise speculations will begin to percolate.

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes for the game:

10 Peter Ladhams (SYD)
8 Caiden Cleary (SYD)
5 Joel Hamling (SYD)
5 Hayden McLean (SYD)
1 Cooper Craig-Peters (FOOT)
1 Jevan Phillipou (SYD)

[dejavoodoo44]

The team for the match against the Casey Demons, which takes place at Tramway at 12.15pm tomorrow. Bowman is back.

B: Snell (41), J. Hamling (29), K. Gibbs (70)
HB: N. Bowman (23), H. Cunningham (7), H. Kyle (32)
C: N. Chamberlain (42), C. Cleary (33), L. Giacometti (51)
HF: J. Phillipou (18), T. Hanily (40), C. Peters (53)
F: T. Ryan (64), M. Mellis (50), H. McLean (2)
R: P. Ladhams (19), C. Warner (37), J. Dattoli (9)
INT: J. Longmire (56), J. Harrison (65), H. Cameron (69), N. Shipley (52), M. Geddes (61)
23rd Player: H. Cameron (69)
EMG: N. Andreacchio (67), J. Callegari (59), J. Tidemann (57)

IN: N. Bowman, H. Cameron, H. Cunningham
OUT: L. Melican (AFL), T. Forrest (unavailable), J. Callegari

[KSAS]

Good to see Bowman finally get a run and hope he regains his pre-season form before too long.

Dattoli playing midfield is a good sign his match fitness is improving.

[Thunder Shaker]

Given the suggestion on the Melbourne match thread that Grundy could be replaced by Ladhams, I expect some late changes to the VFL team.

Who are the current emergencies for the Melbourne match? I think it's Ladhams, McLean, Cunningham? If so, not all of them will be playing today. I expect Ladhams may come out of the VFL team.

[UUaswan]

I'd be very disappointed if Ladhams gets selected and doesn't hit the ground running against Gawn and Co after playing Seniors only 8 short months ago

[dejavoodoo44]

Looks like there's more streaming options than usual for this game: AFL site, Kayo and YouTube.

[Dow]

Looks like there's more streaming options than usual for this game: AFL site, Kayo and YouTube.

Yes I was surprised Kayo is a nice Chane up

[dejavoodoo44]

Yes I was surprised Kayo is a nice Chane up

Though it does like the YouTube link is only for Fox subscribers.