I do like Bell, but I'm not sure he is quite AFL standard medium to longer term (but very happy to be proven wrong).Originally Posted by HeeneyIsAGun
Nice to see some serious competition for spots however at the moment.
I wouldn't change anything from last week unless forced by injury, although would be happy to see Stephens come in, but as per this thread, not sure who for.
"You get the feeling that like Monty Python's Black Knight, the Swans would regard amputation as merely a flesh wound."
Seeing Maynard hoovering up possessions and even outmarking Buddy was a shock, as was the lack of kicking penetration showed by Buddy last week against Melbourne.
Statistically, this season Buddy is averaging 2.6 goals per game, which ain't bad. More concerning however is that in the aggregate the Swans are a 3 goal better side without Buddy than with him this year.
It's all a bit shocking. I still hope that Buddy can turn it around, and make a substantial contribution this season. If Horse says he needs to be run into form, so they will play him against Freo - then good luck to him.
Last edited by Ruck'n'Roll; 19th May 2021 at 05:20 PM.
Loose translation from the Latin is - I am tall, so I hit out.
Despite TheBloods' great hopes, I sincerely doubt that Blakey will be playing Reserves this week or that Rowbottom will be playing in defence. It will be minimal changes to our team unless there is an injury that we are unaware of at present. Stephens' run would be very handy on the big ground in WA but I'm not sure who goes out for him given the excellent team performance against the Pies?
You are right Aprilbr. Blakey showed more promise in the ruck against the Pies than he has all year long. I have not been as underwhelmed by his form as others. He has had flashes of brilliance but has not been able to piece them together into great pieces of play. But thats OK. He is young & learning. More concerning would be if the flashes of brilliance weren't there at all!! In the ruck though it appeared to give him a bit more purpose! He was using his superb leap and following up the crumbing ball! This is an excellent way to keep the Lizard involved in the play!! I would like to see it given a few more weeks before we retreat him to the VFL!!
Per your question for whom Stephens would fill in for, the answer is: Nobody! A great team performance last week. No weaknesses and with a fit Buddy supposedly ready to fly over to Perth, we have a chance at an UNCHANGED side! A chance to settle this team for a few weeks!! Just what the doctor ordered!!
TB, I have seen you make the suggestion that Rowbottom should be in defence a number of times now. I am with you that he is a great defensive player! He is leading the club for tackles with 7 a game (he is 3rd in the whole AFL!) and a few weeks back i shared his pressure act numbers, which were through the roof. Im afraid that is where i draw the line, as the numbers suggest everywhere else he is doing more than fine as a midfielder!
He's currently 4th at the club for SCORE INVOLVEMENTS behind Mills, Gulden and Papley!! I consider SIs to be one of most important stats in the game today as it is the difference between those who make their possessions count and those who dont! His average of nearly 6 a game shows his disposals are leading to good things = scoring opportunities!! If you dont believe me about score involvements take a look at the top 5 in that category for the current top 4 sides!!
MELB - Petracca, Oliver, Pickett, McDonald, Fritsch
WB - Macrae, Bont, Dunkley, Treloar, Naughton
GEEL - Hawkins, Duncan, Selwood, Guthrie, I. Smith
BRIS - Zorko, McCluggage, Lyons, Daniher, Bailey
That is a who's-who of the most dangerous forward half players in the league!! & you want to take one of our most promising YOUNG players in this area and put him in a back pocket??? You say you arent convinced of him because he doesnt win enough of the ball and doesnt win enough clearances with his possessions, but he is top 5 in both clearances AND contested possessions? In both areas ahead of Chad who you've made no secret of the fact you rate him so highly in this regard!! Puzzling, hm?
What about metres gained?? Another key stat. We did poorly in this area in 2020. We lost the territory battle so often. We were climbing uphill every match!! Rowbottom is top 5 for this stat (376m a match!!!)! Hes in good company with Dawson, Lloyd, Florent and Rampe, all players who gain high meterage with their rebounds from the back half! RB is a midfielder which makes those numbers even more impressive!
Maybe you will be convinced by tackles inside 50?? You said yourself it is a key part of our game and its even what made you come around to Sam Wicks! It might interest you to know Rowbottom is 4th in tackles inside 50? He's behind only forwards (Hayward, Wicks and Franklin!) and AHEAD of other forwards like Papley, Gulden, Reid and Heeney!!
Three stats that have been key to our rise up the ladder - more scoring, more territory and more forward pressure! Rowbottom is a key driver in ALL THREE areas!! Not only does he work hard off the ball but when its his turn to use it he is getting the ball to the right spots and being dangerous with it!! How can you want this player these numbers describe to be in the back line?? He is a forward half machine!! And still so young! Usually i am one of the few who are OK with your opinions of Rowbottom because i can accept them as just what they are, opinions!! But on this one you are WRONG! The numbers dont lie!
Rowbottom has also been good in the clearance work.
If you compare him to Oli Florent who is similar built wise, Rowbottom who is only 20 years of age compares not only well but probably gives us more value with what neon has mentioned.
Even comparing him to Bailey Smith from WB who was drafted in the same year, Rowbottom not only compares well, he probably adds more value due to his all round work.
The comparison to Bailey Smith is helpful.
Maybe if Rowbottom started to cultivate a dirty, street-rat mullet in the same vein and added some bum fluff above his lip, then TB would surely come around.
Who cares whether TB comes around? He has his own - well articulated, entirely idiosyncratic - opinion about Rowbottom and he's welcome to it. I even welcome him expressing it except when he denigrates the player/person. He's also made me/us think and back up our own, different opinions. No harm there.
All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated, and well supported in logic and argument than others. -Douglas Adams, author (11 Mar 1952-2001)
I agree with all your comments about COR but would like to feel out how others feel about Harry's disposals. Whenever we are defending, his courage, anticipation and pace are outstanding but when he has the ball and needs to find this next best choice, I close my eyes and pray.
Most tipsters backing Freo, which makes me feel more confident. Swans are natural underdogs.
I would be happy to see Blakey playing as second ruck against Fremantle.
Darcy will be against Hickey while Lobb seems a reasonable match for Blakey
Keeping McLean free in the forward structure (ie not 2nd rucking) seems desirable in order to help our scoring potential.
You don't play a player like Blakey in the ruck long term. He will get physically beaten up. Regardless of how good his leap is, he's not a ruck.
I'd actually like to see Stephens developed in the back half or as a run with. He's quick and fit, and should be well suited to a run with role. However, with such a small backline already, there isn't a logical role. Perhaps with injury.
I think he'd really benefit from going on a similar journey to McVeigh and Jack, with backline or tagging as a place to learn how to find the footy. Then time on ball growing over time.
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