VFL Games 2026

[dejavoodoo44]

I liked the way Shipley's tackling really slowed the Demons momentum in that quarter. Hamling possibly our best over four quarters?

Strange game. Excellent first quarter, decent second, poor third and did well to tough it out in the last.

[bandwagon]

We limped to the line somewhat, not sure if Casey managed to disrupt our forward handball game or our energy dropped in the second half. Still, playing at a much higher level than last year.

3 votes - Cleary. Constant movement across all four quarters providing an outlet in multiple handball chains, and delivered constant pressure on Casey. A few errors, but wasn't alone there.
2 votes - Ladhams. Another dominant game, got involved all across the ground, must be close to elevation.
1 vote - Corey Warner. Very busy and two nice goals and a couple of assists. Thought about Hamling who was solid throughout.

[lwjoyner]

not sure why Dattoli is not given a run on the ball at times and snell did not help his chances by a couple of bad mistakes. Not sure why Hayden does not get a go in the ruck as I think he is our best choice in seniors as a back up to Brodie, amartey is not, and while Ladhams is a ruck man but as a back up to Brodie he will struggle for ruck game time and he is next to useles as a fwd. Sure if Brodie were to miss a game Ladhams would be the man. caiden looked great in the first half not as good in the secon, while Harry K will need to improve immensely to get a game, not showing the goods as our first pick in last years draft. Hamling did well but is he the future. Corey was excellent but again can he get a game in the seniors line up perhaps it is as an interchange swapping for Billie C. Harry C also played well but he like Corey will struggle .

[Jimitron5000]

We know Ladhams can ruck at VFL level. Is it time he spent more of the game in the forward line learning how to be a key forward? Might be a useful skill for him and the team

[UUaswan]

not sure why Dattoli is not given a run on the ball at times and snell did not help his chances by a couple of bad mistakes. Not sure why Hayden does not get a go in the ruck as I think he is our best choice in seniors as a back up to Brodie, amartey is not, and while Ladhams is a ruck man but as a back up to Brodie he will struggle for ruck game time and he is next to useles as a fwd. Sure if Brodie were to miss a game Ladhams would be the man. caiden looked great in the first half not as good in the secon, while Harry K will need to improve immensely to get a game, not showing the goods as our first pick in last years draft. Hamling did well but is he the future. Corey was excellent but again can he get a game in the seniors line up perhaps it is as an interchange swapping for Billie C. Harry C also played well but he like Corey will struggle .

Mason Cox is a spud but Freo use him as well as 3 fwds. When he does drift fwd he can take a mark because no team can defend 4 talls.

25 on gameday, a 2nd Ruck is a must, we can't keep talking about how knackered Grundy looks and how little Amartey and Logan provide in the Ruck.

Logan would be better if he could run CHB to FF without having to Ruck

[bandwagon]

not sure why Dattoli is not given a run on the ball at times and snell did not help his chances by a couple of bad mistakes. Not sure why Hayden does not get a go in the ruck as I think he is our best choice in seniors as a back up to Brodie, ... .

I did see Dattoli around a stoppages a few times, he didn't have much impact but it will be a useful education for him.
I would like to see McLean & Ladhams swap positions on occasion, both are a known quantity at VFL level in their primary roles but would be more useful in the seniors if they had more versatility.
Snell had one shocking howler but usually makes sound decisions and is generally reliable with his disposals. I would hope he gets a debut this year - maybe as understudy for a rested Rampe?

One player you didn't mention was Chamberlain. I'm quietly impressed. Doesn't get hugely involved (a issue for all Swans wingers with our corridor-focussed game plan), but is athletically gifted and seems competitive. I'll look forward to his development.

[dejavoodoo44]

The VFL scheduling seems quite deranged this season. On Saturday, our VFL side plays North at 1.35pm. Which is twenty minutes after our AFL kick off against North at 1.15pm. It's like it hasn't entered their heads, that there’s people who would want to watch both games live. And just to top it off, our academy side plays Eastern Ranges at 12.30pm. So, most of that game will also clash with the AFL.

[BRS328]

not sure why Dattoli is not given a run on the ball at times and snell did not help his chances by a couple of bad mistakes. Not sure why Hayden does not get a go in the ruck as I think he is our best choice in seniors as a back up to Brodie, amartey is not, and while Ladhams is a ruck man but as a back up to Brodie he will struggle for ruck game time and he is next to useles as a fwd. Sure if Brodie were to miss a game Ladhams would be the man. caiden looked great in the first half not as good in the secon, while Harry K will need to improve immensely to get a game, not showing the goods as our first pick in last years draft. Hamling did well but is he the future. Corey was excellent but again can he get a game in the seniors line up perhaps it is as an interchange swapping for Billie C. Harry C also played well but he like Corey will struggle .

My belief is that Datoli has the skills, but he needs to find consistency. He should be dominating games at VFL level and at the moment is flashing in and out of games.

[UUaswan]

My belief is that Datoli has the skills, but he needs to find consistency. He should be dominating games at VFL level and at the moment is flashing in and out of games.

I disagree,

He is 1st round pedigree, doesnt belong in the 2s
Most clubs dont wait for kids to dominate the 2s before they get a chance, it isnt a straight correlation.

He wont get a go in the mids, bring him in fwd and let Paps play up the ground more

[imuninformedtwo]

I disagree,

He is 1st round pedigree, doesnt belong in the 2s
Most clubs dont wait for kids to dominate the 2s before they get a chance, it isnt a straight correlation.

He wont get a go in the mids, bring him in fwd and let Paps play up the ground more

I think it’s a conditioning thing. I’m not having a go at him since he’s missed a lot of footy and training since getting to the club so it’ll take a decent block of continuous good health, but he’s running power isn’t there yet. Watch him on repeat efforts, particularly defensively, and it is still lacking a bit. I’d like him in the side by the back end of the season so am happy for him to stay in twos for a bit while he gets up to full speed.

[UUaswan]

I think it’s a conditioning thing. I’m not having a go at him since he’s missed a lot of footy and training since getting to the club so it’ll take a decent block of continuous good health, but he’s running power isn’t there yet. Watch him on repeat efforts, particularly defensively, and it is still lacking a bit. I’d like him in the side by the back end of the season so am happy for him to stay in twos for a bit while he gets up to full speed.

Maybe that is true, im just saying we dont need to wait for all the stars to align before he gets a block of games.

Sheldrick just played 50% game time no one is questioning his spot in the team. He must be lacking something

We have Cleary and Bice to show for the last 4 drafts. Injuries happen, usually when we are waiting for the stars to align.

[Nico]

Maybe that is true, im just saying we dont need to wait for all the stars to align before he gets a block of games.

Sheldrick just played 50% game time no one is questioning his spot in the team. He must be lacking something

We have Cleary and Bice to show for the last 4 drafts. Injuries happen, usually when we are waiting for the stars to align.

In Cox's presser he explained the issue of having an extra player but no extra rotations, and how it impacts game time for some players. When Sheldrick is on the ground he has impact. With a healthy list bar one, it's always going to be difficult for the extra mids. I've observed that Sheldrick's 2nd halves have been his best, probably because he's fresher.

[UUaswan]

In Cox's presser he explained the issue of having an extra player but no extra rotations, and how it impacts game time for some players. When Sheldrick is on the ground he has impact. With a healthy list bar one, it's always going to be difficult for the extra mids. I've observed that Sheldrick's 2nd halves have been his best, probably because he's fresher.

From what I see Cox is one of few that doesn't play a 2nd dedicated ruck and plays guys limited minutes that are underdone like he did with Papley

Maybe that affects his rotations

[dejavoodoo44]

Coaches votes for the game.

10 Caiden Cleary (SYD)
6 Peter Ladhams (SYD)
4 Joel Hamling (SYD)
3 Riley Bonner (CAS)
3 Tom McDonald (CAS)
2 Corey Warner (SYD)
1 Thomas Matthews (CAS)
1 Ethan Stanley (CAS)

[dejavoodoo44]

Team for tomorrow's game against North, which annoyingly takes place at much the same time as our AFL game.

B: P. Snell (41), J. Hamling (29), T. Forrest (72)
HB: M. Geddes (61), H. Kyle (32), L. Giacometti (51)
C: N. Chamberlain (42), C. Cleary (33), J. Harrison (65)
HF: J. Phillipou (18), C. Warner (37), J. Sutton (54)
F: T. Ryan (64), M. Mellis (50), H. Podmore-Taylor (62)
R: P. Ladhams (19), N. Shipley (52), J. Dattoli (9)
INT: J. Longmire (56), C. Peters (53), K. Gibbs (70), J. Callegari (59), T. Hanily (40)
23rd Player: T. Forrest (72)
EMG: J. Ellwood (58), N. Andreacchio (67), H. Cameron (69)

IN: J. Callegari, T. Forrest, H. Podmore-Taylor, J. Sutton
OUT: H. Cunningham, H. McLean (AFL), N. Bowman (injured), H. Cameron (omitted)
NEW: Jake Sutton, 24, 188cm, Essendon VFL/Sunbury/UNSW-ES Bulldogs

While we're above North on the ladder, they appear to have an advantage in the number of listed players.