Rnd 18 - vs Bulldogs at SCG, 7:20 PM, Thursday 13 July 2023

[Roadrunner]

Season done so rewarding good VFL performances. Have to finish with a top 4 draft pick or the season is wasted

Normally yes, but not Wicks as far as I’m concerned. However, I am prepared to see how he goes this week. He went well in the ressies last week but his form in the seniors this year has been forgettable, but in fairness he was injured for quite some time. My main gripe is that I don’t see him as part of our future so I wouldn’t be playing him. I know Horse and we as supporters want to win against the Fairypups, but let’s face it, they have a top 4 spot to play for against our pride.

Bottom line: I would have brought in HHK even if he hasn’t been banging the door down. Now is the time to give the kids a go- I’ll accept 15th spot this year with a view to improvement from 2024 onwards.

[ugg]

They’ve brought Darcy in because he’s kicked 7 goals in the past 2 VFL matches playing the forward-second ruck role that Lobb has been doing in the seniors. Even though Bevo has a real penchant for shifting the magnets around on the whiteboard I’d be surprised if Darcy plays back

Especially when they do have 3 tall defenders in Keath Gardner and O’Donnell. It may not be their first choices but they do have the height to fit the bill.

[waswan]

Not a fan of wicks, id see Dyl, Rankin etc before him

[liz]

Personally, I’m worried about Darcy coming in for Lobb. Lobb is bog average, and Darcy is a generational talent who will pop soon enough. Let’s hope it is not tomorrow night.

I'd prefer Lobb to play too. Agree with your assessment of him. But I expect Darcy will play back. Dogs are a bit light on for tall defenders at the moment and we have up to four of them for their defence to contend with (including the ruck/forward duo).

[Aaron]

found an error in the Team List on the Swans Site. Errol Gulden has been listed twice(Centre Wing and Follower) and Buddy is not listed! Wishful thinking?

[i'm-uninformed2]

With Gus out and Wicks in, I’d be inclined to put Heeney on ball for decent patches. You can’t leave all the grunt work to Parker, Mills and Rowie - you need a fourth big body rotating through the middle. It might at least tempt Horse to also leave Mills in his rightful place the whole game.

You can then use Paps, Gulden and even Campbell and McInerney for the occasional pinch hit in there but keep them playing mainly one out, or in Paps’ case, still having good time forward. Otherwise, someone like Errol has to be dragged in.

And the omission of Hickey is fair enough. He really has suffered from not having any preseason.

Personally, I’m worried about Darcy coming in for Lobb. Lobb is bog average, and Darcy is a generational talent who will pop soon enough. Let’s hope it is not tomorrow night.

[707]

Season done so rewarding good VFL performances. Have to finish with a top 4 draft pick or the season is wasted

[Mark26]

It’s Corey Amartey and Wicks for Sheldrick Lloyd and Hickey

In a way it makes sense as English is a very mobile ruck and Hickey wouldn’t have been able to keep up with him. Amartey (assuming he is first ruck and not McLean) can match him around the ground

I don't mind those changes. All three will compete. I thought Stephens might get the nod, but ...

[ugg]

It’s Corey Amartey and Wicks for Sheldrick Lloyd and Hickey

In a way it makes sense as English is a very mobile ruck and Hickey wouldn’t have been able to keep up with him. Amartey (assuming he is first ruck and not McLean) can match him around the ground

[KSAS]

Ch 7 news reporting Tom Hickey had been dropped & Amartey in. No official teams on website yet & not sure of full changes for Sheldrick and Lloyd.

[troyjones2525]

The problem I have with this, as well as the calls for adding a big bodied midfielder to our list, is that I can't see how to fit them into our side.

I think Sheldrick, Rowbottom and Parker are all best suited as inside mids attending the bulk of CBs. Warner is also important as a break away threat from the midfield. Mills is versatile, but is best suited to the midfield. Papley and Gulden as both grunt and pace. And Heeney does a good job on the inside. Roberts is also looking best suited as an inside mid.

Dylan needs to demonstrate that he can use the ball more effectively before playing a position where he gets more opportunities to win possession. He has yet to show that ability at any level, despite seemingly having the talent to do so. It's up to the coaches and Dylan to work that out.

In any case, it's a zero sum game. I Dylan goes into the midfield, the one of the current regulars has to go out. I can't see how Dylan passes any of the 8 players named above, at least not on current form.

I think your last point is something we need to look at as being a possibility. Maybe some of the guys in there are not the answer going forward and could be replaced or surpassed by others that we either recruit or already have on our list?

Clearly our clearances and contested possessions are an issue, particularly in the Centre Bounce's, and have been for quite a while, so maybe it's time to try a few other options for the remainder of this year considering its highly unlikely we will play finals?

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[caj23]

And will they acknowledge that Francis as sub last week unbalanced the side once Lloyd went off? Or will they still want insurance against a Dogs’ forward line with Naughton and Ugle-Hagan? If it’s the former, that’s a third spot for a smaller guy.

Wicks? Stephens? Clarke? Corey?

Our coaching staff aren’t exactly fast learners given that’s the second time Francis has been sub this season so who knows? But if the rationale is that they don’t trust the guys they select in the 22 to do their job, then it’s pretty ordinary

[Ludwig]

The Dogs will play a very tall 3rd tall in either Lobb or Darcy. And Tim English will also be a tough matchup, especially with Hickey's poor current form. More likely than not, we will go in undersized this week.

I wonder if Roberts has done enough to get in the side this week. Or if we think HHK has done enough to be the sub.

If we are to give Stephens a go in the midfield, this would be the week to do it. I would be happy with that, despite my negativity towards Stephens. The timing is just right for a do or die shot.

[liz]

So at least two spots available for smaller guys. I doubt Amartey will replace Lloyd or Sheldrick. If he comes in it will be at the expense of another tall forward.

And will they acknowledge that Francis as sub last week unbalanced the side once Lloyd went off? Or will they still want insurance against a Dogs’ forward line with Naughton and Ugle-Hagan? If it’s the former, that’s a third spot for a smaller guy.

Wicks? Stephens? Clarke? Corey?

[neilfws]

Injury updates. Warner, Sheldrick not available this week. Sounds like Amartey is. Ladhams getting closer.

Injury Update: Warner ruled out of Round 18 clash