Changes for Rnd 18 V St Kilda

[MattW]

I know it was just one game, but I rest my case

There wasn't really one made against you.

[mcs]

9 goals in two games in the NEAFL is hardly compelling. Do you remember the bags of NEAFL goals that big Jesse White used to kick? He would kick huge bags and nobody got excited. He used to spend some time in the ruck as well.

Now 9 goals in two games is great by the big Sinkers. Jesse would have been a handy inclusion for Reid.

I know it was just one game, but I rest my case

[Sandrevan]

It looks like the selection committee have made forced changes only. I suspect that after the first 6 games the idea of big ins and outs became unfashionable. Sure, Sinclair is not as versatile as Reid but he will provide some good structure in the forward line. We know he's not the best mark in the team but he will take the attention off Buddy. From what I've seen of him he works very hard and plays the team game. Good luck Callum - hope you kick a few goals.

[barry]

Sinkers has notably improved his pressure this year. If he can work on his marking, he will be a very handy footballer.

[mcs]

I hope you're right. I'm normally a pretty positive guy but I've never seen Sinclair show in any of his senior games as being a competent KPF. He might've had success in this role in NEAFL but it'll be a massive step up against the Saints.

I'm not convinced he is suddenly going to have a cracking game at seniors level, but we all know he will put a decent shift in, and always works hard to get the best out of his overall ability. His kicking for goal in the 2 games I've referred to has been quite impressive - in particular down here in Canberra he nailed a couple of very nice set shots from right on the 50 and on a fairly tight angle for both.

He will play his role for the team.

[mcs]

9 goals in two games in the NEAFL is hardly compelling. Do you remember the bags of NEAFL goals that big Jesse White used to kick? He would kick huge bags and nobody got excited. He used to spend some time in the ruck as well.

Now 9 goals in two games is great by the big Sinkers. Jesse would have been a handy inclusion for Reid.

Get your hand off it....

I never said either performance represented something 'great'.

What I said was that he is in good form, and he did vastly outplay Aliir in both games. I watched both games live, and it is obvious that if you want to choose between those two for a 'tall forward option', then on current form Sinclair is well in front of Aliir.

He was excellent in both matches in question, while Aliir dropped in and out of both games. In both those games he was also on primary ruck duty as well. We all know the fallacies of the NEAFL in terms of quality, but that doesn't mean Sinclair can't have had good games in either of those matches, or doesn't deserve a callup on that basis.

[0918330512]

9 goals in two games in the NEAFL is hardly compelling. Do you remember the bags of NEAFL goals that big Jesse White used to kick? He would kick huge bags and nobody got excited. He used to spend some time in the ruck as well.

Now 9 goals in two games is great by the big Sinkers. Jesse would have been a handy inclusion for Reid.

Ah Matt, still good for a laugh

[Club 80]

Sinclair has had 2 very good NEAFL games in a row, playing a lot of time as a forward target, kicking 9 goals across those 2 games. He is in good form

He has vastly outplayed Aliir in both those games.

Dawson would have also seen a significant change in our structure, with the loss of a key tall forward marking.

I'm comfortable with Sinclair coming in, he will play a role for the team. He is far from the best player going around, but he will do a job.

9 goals in two games in the NEAFL is hardly compelling. Do you remember the bags of NEAFL goals that big Jesse White used to kick? He would kick huge bags and nobody got excited. He used to spend some time in the ruck as well.

Now 9 goals in two games is great by the big Sinkers. Jesse would have been a handy inclusion for Reid.

[bodgie]

I think we need to keep some game time into Sinclair in case Naismith goes down with injury. One ruckman seems to work fine with Reid or Tippet on call but it's a tough gig and Tippet has shown he needs time to work into form.

[Jeynez]

If Sinclair can present well and bring the ball to the ground in marking contests for our smalls, he'll be doing his job. He was needed for our fwd structure to take pressure off of Buddy and Rohan

[Mug Punter]

I like Dawson and think he will burst onto the scene next year but, with the safety of his re-signing in the bag, I like that we are really making him earn his senior spot. He is paying his dues.

And there may well be something there we don't see. I didn't think the NEAFL match last week displayed a team effort and I thought the comments from Barracuda, that the senior NEAFL players were bullying the toppies for possessions, was worrying from a cultural point of view. From his post it sounds like it is something the coaching staff are aware of and I'd expect them to stamp this out asap, it's entirely possible that they want to pull a few of the NEAFL "stars" into line a bit and if (and it is a big if) Dawson is amongst those a bit big for his boots in the Ressies they may just want to hold him back a bit until he pulls his head in.

I reckon our best 22 is this week with two changes - Hayward for Robbo and Reid for Sinclair. Anything else will determined by injury or loss of form. I think that Dawson may have to wait until 2018 but I definitely rate the kid.

[MattW]

Sinclair has had 2 very good NEAFL games in a row, playing a lot of time as a forward target, kicking 9 goals across those 2 games. He is in good form

He has vastly outplayed Aliir in both those games.

Dawson would have also seen a significant change in our structure, with the loss of a key tall forward marking.

I'm comfortable with Sinclair coming in, he will play a role for the team. He is far from the best player going around, but he will do a job.

Yep. I expect Sinclair to play pretty limited minutes and mostly up forward. It will likely mean Rohan plays the swingman, which in my view is a bit of a shame.

[giant]

I rarely watch the ressies but was there for AJ's return and Sinclair was very good indeed. In Reid's absence and Tippo's injury, he's the obvious replacement.

[dimelb]

Sinclair has had 2 very good NEAFL games in a row, playing a lot of time as a forward target, kicking 9 goals across those 2 games. He is in good form

He has vastly outplayed Aliir in both those games.

Dawson would have also seen a significant change in our structure, with the loss of a key tall forward marking.

I'm comfortable with Sinclair coming in, he will play a role for the team. He is far from the best player going around, but he will do a job.

It has almost become a Swans Mission Statement!

And on the whole the policy of holding people back until they are really ready has worked pretty well for us. People have mentioned Newman, Mitchell, Aliir and of course Dawson. My favourite example in recent years is waiting for Mitch Morton to be elevated - it was a bit like waiting for Godot. The move with Callum the Large is the fruit of his diligence on the field, where he has shown he can mark (not in Sam's class, but few are), can kick a goal (where Sam had fallen away somewhat) and is prepared to throw his weight around, which may be useful if StK has picked a second ruck. We wish him well - he strikes me as a player who has absorbed a good dose of the Swans spirit, and fair play to him.

[Billericay]

Dawson, Dawson, Dawson. This forum is obsessed with him.
He's not ready, and he's not the answer.

Nor is Sinclair as a replacement for our best marking player / swingman. He's not mobile enough and can't mark. I think putting Sinkers back in the team and playing 2 rucks is a backward step. It shows how desperately short of KPFs we are - admittedly with Reid, Tippo and Cameron all injured.

Naismith is pretty huge, you wonder if he'll add marking to his game as he develops. He's still pretty young.

I'm trying to put a positive spin on Dawson not being an emergency - that they want to give him one more game in the NEAFL to get up to fitness before unleashing him in the AFL next week