Swans Best 22 after round 9

[mattf83]

If you were picking the Swans teams for the first week of a finals campaign, who would you pick?

Mine is based on current form, and previous proven ability to step up in big games.
B Barry Bolton Bevan
HB Kennelly Richards Mattner
C Malceski Kirk McVeigh
HF OKeefe Hall Moore
Fl Davis OLoughlin Everitt
M Jolly, J Bolton, Goodes
R Buchanan, Jack, Barlow, Schmidt
Obviously the backline is pretty interchangable based on opposition forwards.

Davis gets picked based on no-one who has replaced him has done a better job or shown more potential. It is an outrage he isnt getting picked, no-one has put their hand up and taken his spot.

Bird, Ablett, Playfair, LRT arent doing enough IMO. Bird needs longer to develop, but the others are running out of excuses. They are handy at best to fill in for injured players.

Thoughts

[rancidpants13]

If you were picking the Swans teams for the first week of a finals campaign, who would you pick?

Mine is based on current form, and previous proven ability to step up in big games.
B Barry Bolton Bevan
HB Kennelly Richards Mattner
C Malceski Kirk McVeigh
HF OKeefe Hall Moore
Fl Davis OLoughlin Everitt
M Jolly, J Bolton, Goodes
R Buchanan, Jack, Barlow, Schmidt
Obviously the backline is pretty interchangable based on opposition forwards.

Davis gets picked based on no-one who has replaced him has done a better job or shown more potential. It is an outrage he isnt getting picked, no-one has put their hand up and taken his spot.

Bird, Ablett, Playfair, LRT arent doing enough IMO. Bird needs longer to develop, but the others are running out of excuses. They are handy at best to fill in for injured players.

Thoughts

mate, i actually started thinking about something like this last week, and having left it til now has given us another important win, a road win against a good team

i have a couple of disagreements, and obviously my adopted son LRT is one of them
people still seem to miss the bigger picture with Three Blokes
and he was not as bad as many seemed to think on saturday, he stood up a few times in the second half, particularly when leo, teddy and even c bolton were off their game
i'd have him in the side at CHB just because
davis cannot be considered, not right now
as people have pointed out, playfair was not great in terms of stats against Port but did a lot of work off the ball, something davo does not do

also, malceski right at this moment is a dilemma
he's fit, but his form suggests it's his mind that's not quite there yet, he has no confidence and just the fact he hasn't shown any explosive acceleration in two games suggests he's still feeling his way back
i spose you'd still include him just on what we all hope he'll get back to

right now, i wouldn't want to drop bird, but i spose he's the one you'd omit to bring in schmidt, who showed again yesterday he's a class act
but moore, jack, mcveigh, bird, ablett, buchanan, j bolton and of course kirky, geez, talk about a gun team of hard nuts

kennelly has to come in somewhere, and you're right about barlow, also a gun

the one thing surely we all agree on is that it's a nice position to be in, and we've still got a half-dozen or so (including davo) awaiting their chance

i know i haven't actually responded to your post but it's a great thread, worthy of discussion

[MalceskiFan]

Top idea for a thread matt. If I hadn't already slacked off enough at work today I'd put mine up but will have to wait till I get home.

[SouthSwans]

B: Barry, C Bolton, Mattner
HB: Kennelly, Richards, Jack
C: Malceski, Kirk, Moore
HF: O'Keefe, Hall, Fosdike
F: Bevan, OLoughlin, Buchanan
FOLL: Jolly, McVeigh, Goodes

INT: Everitt, J Bolton, Schmidt, Ablett

EMG: LRT, Barlow, Mathews.
OTHERS: Bird, Playfair, Smith, White, Davis, Laidlaw, Grundy, Crouch, Brennan.

[No1SwansFan]

B: Barry, C Bolton, Mattner
HB: Kennelly, Richards, Jack
C: Malceski, Kirk, Moore
HF: O'Keefe, Hall, Fosdike
F: Bevan, OLoughlin, Buchanan
FOLL: Jolly, McVeigh, Goodes

INT: Everitt, J Bolton, Schmidt, Ablett

EMG: LRT, Barlow, Mathews.
OTHERS: Bird, Playfair, Smith, White, Davis, Laidlaw, Grundy, Crouch, Brennan.
Matthews isnt in our best 25 sorry SS. I would replace Mathews with Bird Smith or perhaps even Fossie.
I get the feeling crouch is done.

[SouthSwans]

Fossie is still in our best 18 he's just plagued with injuries. Mathews is still in our best 25. Bird hasn't shown me as much as I would've liked and of the bunch of others there Mathews' experience gets him into my 25.

[Liesha]

Fossie is still in our best 18 he's just plagued with injuries. Mathews is still in our best 25. Bird hasn't shown me as much as I would've liked and of the bunch of others there Mathews' experience gets him into my 25.

I think a lot of people have written Matthews off, but I still believe he is quite valuable. Holds his own when he comes into the team. Obviously it is going to get harder and harder for him to break into the firsts, but he is a great back-up should we continue to sustain injuries to our top-line players. Same with Fossie - I would love to see him back.

I agree with you re: Bird. Has heaps of potential but at present I think he is getting picked ahead of people that deserve a game more. Would like to see him spend a bit of time in the reserves.

[rancidpants13]

I think a lot of people have written Matthews off, but I still believe he is quite valuable. Holds his own when he comes into the team. Obviously it is going to get harder and harder for him to break into the firsts, but he is a great back-up should we continue to sustain injuries to our top-line players. Same with Fossie - I would love to see him back.

I agree with you re: Bird. Has heaps of potential but at present I think he is getting picked ahead of people that deserve a game more. Would like to see him spend a bit of time in the reserves.

mathews was recalled for the dogs game and, as far as i've heard, was our worst player
he is slow, he still makes ordinary decisions, he has no value as anything other than a negator, he certaily offers nothing in the way of attacking penetration
bird has played two less-than-serviceable games in nine
he's 19 years old and learns every time he goes out alongside the likes of kirky
i would play him 100 times out of 100 ahead of mathews
mathews, like crouch, is no longer worthy of a place in our best 22, 25, 30, whatever
i'm not trying to be disrespectful, but, as i've said before, and as i said when he was recalled, mathews in the team means we've taken a step backwards
there are players in similar positions at other clubs, and it is why teams such as essendon, st kilda and melbourne are struggling, because they keep playing players who don't improve the side, or are playing on past reputations

[SouthSwans]

Give him 3 more games, then continue what you were saying. Benny is a champ of this club, the game may've left him behind, but there is no need for our own Bloods supporters to be hanging shit on a bloke who has done so much for the club over the years. He's still got a few more games left in the tank, and we should give him - and Crouchy - respectful send-offs in the style that they have respected the Bloods jumper for the last 15 years.

[Liesha]

Give him 3 more games, then continue what you were saying. Benny is a champ of this club, the game may've left him behind, but there is no need for our own Bloods supporters to be hanging shit on a bloke who has done so much for the club over the years. He's still got a few more games left in the tank, and we should give him - and Crouchy - respectful send-offs in the style that they have respected the Bloods jumper for the last 15 years.

Amen to that SS :thumbsu:

[Liesha]

mathews was recalled for the dogs game and, as far as i've heard, was our worst player
he is slow, he still makes ordinary decisions, he has no value as anything other than a negator, he certaily offers nothing in the way of attacking penetration
bird has played two less-than-serviceable games in nine
he's 19 years old and learns every time he goes out alongside the likes of kirky
i would play him 100 times out of 100 ahead of mathews
mathews, like crouch, is no longer worthy of a place in our best 22, 25, 30, whatever
i'm not trying to be disrespectful, but, as i've said before, and as i said when he was recalled, mathews in the team means we've taken a step backwards
there are players in similar positions at other clubs, and it is why teams such as essendon, st kilda and melbourne are struggling, because they keep playing players who don't improve the side, or are playing on past reputations

I wasnt saying Bird hasnt been "serviceable" - I just think the time has come for him to go back to the reserves and work on his game a little. He has had more than a fair go in the seniors.

How would anyone know if Crouch is no longer in our best? Unfortunately this champion of a player and a bloke has been cruelled by injury and has not had the chance to push for selection. I would take Crouch on one leg for his heart and determination before a number of players in our current senior line-up.

And as for Matthews, well thats your opinion and youre entitled.

[rancidpants13]

Give him 3 more games, then continue what you were saying. Benny is a champ of this club, the game may've left him behind, but there is no need for our own Bloods supporters to be hanging shit on a bloke who has done so much for the club over the years. He's still got a few more games left in the tank, and we should give him - and Crouchy - respectful send-offs in the style that they have respected the Bloods jumper for the last 15 years.

a) how am i hanging shit on him?
b) what happens if those three games we "give" him end up being losses and cost us a finals place, and mathews is poor in all three???

that'll go well for the way we remember a club champion
this is a profession, mathews gets paid way more than what i get to do something i'd love to have done for 10 years
he's had a great run, won a premiership, i'm sorry if i don't see it as something we owe him, but i certainly wasn't hanging shit on him and i resent the accusation

have a look at the way the australian cricket team has handled its' outgoing "champions" such as ian healy
sometimes certain things have to be sacrificed for the greater good of the team, rather than looking out for the individual

[rancidpants13]

I wasnt saying Bird hasnt been "serviceable" - I just think the time has come for him to go back to the reserves and work on his game a little. He has had more than a fair go in the seniors.

How would anyone know if Crouch is no longer in our best? Unfortunately this champion of a player and a bloke has been cruelled by injury and has not had the chance to push for selection. I would take Crouch on one leg for his heart and determination before a number of players in our current senior line-up.

And as for Matthews, well thats your opinion and youre entitled.

crouch's last outings in the senior team, when he was supposedly fit (fit enough to be included in a finals team) were more than enough proof he can no loonger cut it
he's not 21-22 and still improving
as for mathews, i simply don;t understand the support for him
tell me who he should be ahead of?
you answer bird, and i'm sure i wouldn't be the only swans fan who could nominate at least 3-4 players AHEAD of mathews to come in for bird

[SouthSwans]

a) how am i hanging shit on him?
b) what happens if those three games we "give" him end up being losses and cost us a finals place, and mathews is poor in all three???

that'll go well for the way we remember a club champion
this is a profession, mathews gets paid way more than what i get to do something i'd love to have done for 10 years
he's had a great run, won a premiership, i'm sorry if i don't see it as something we owe him, but i certainly wasn't hanging shit on him and i resent the accusation

have a look at the way the australian cricket team has handled its' outgoing "champions" such as ian healy
sometimes certain things have to be sacrificed for the greater good of the team, rather than looking out for the individual
Gilchrist was struggling for his last year at the top, Steve Waugh also, they both went out on their own terms with big send offs.

And I dont think letting Mathews and Crouch play a couple of send off games will really impact on the team, I don't think having Mathews in the side for 3 games in place of Bird is really going to impede the team's chances of winning a match.

[Liesha]

crouch's last outings in the senior team, when he was supposedly fit (fit enough to be included in a finals team) were more than enough proof he can no loonger cut it
he's not 21-22 and still improving
as for mathews, i simply don;t understand the support for him
tell me who he should be ahead of?
you answer bird, and i'm sure i wouldn't be the only swans fan who could nominate at least 3-4 players AHEAD of mathews to come in for bird

Where did I say that Matthews should come in for anyone? I said that he was still valuable when current seniors players are out injured. I wouldnt be picking him to come in for Bird, there are others waiting in line ahead of Matthews.

And Crouchy was far from fit in that game.

[rancidpants13]

Gilchrist was struggling for his last year at the top, Steve Waugh also, they both went out on their own terms with big send offs.

And I dont think letting Mathews and Crouch play a couple of send off games will really impact on the team, I don't think having Mathews in the side for 3 games in place of Bird is really going to impede the team's chances of winning a match.

i'm asking you, hypothetically, how would you feel if a mathews blunder in defence in his 198th game cost us a goal and decided that game
and dropped us from, say, 4th to 5th or, worse, 8th to 9th
would you still want him in the following week?

actually, i don't care
i spose you're entitled to your opinion
i'm perfectly content that neither mathews nor crouch is in the senior team now

[SouthSwans]

I never said we should drop someone for him, but I believe he is thereabouts in the 25, not the best 22.

Hypothetically, If round 22 came around (vs Brisbane) and we were sitting 9th on the ladder, half a game out of the eight and a win would secure finals, and Kirk or Buchanan or Macca or Jude or Kizza etc succumbed to injury or suspension, I would say it would be smarter to whack Mathews in the side than say a Laidlaw or Brennan or Smith. He has a very cool head and knows every player inside out, he is the third longest serving Swan of the current crop (behind Mick and Leo), which people tend to forget sometimes, every Swan (apart from the two mentioned) who is playing today has come into the side while Mathews has been at the club.

I think you're giving him a bit of a rough wrap.

[Hooley McBoob]

Hypothetically, If round 22 came around (vs Brisbane) and we were sitting 9th on the ladder, half a game out of the eight and a win would secure finals, and Kirk or Buchanan or Macca or Jude or Kizza etc succumbed to injury or suspension, I would say it would be smarter to whack Mathews in the side than say a Laidlaw or Brennan or Smith.

I agree with that. But he's not in our best 22. I'd only put him in if we were ravaged by injuries to those players you mention above, the taggers.

[Costanza_]

Hypothetically, If round 22 came around (vs Brisbane) and we were sitting 9th on the ladder, half a game out of the eight and a win would secure finals, and Kirk or Buchanan or Macca or Jude or Kizza etc succumbed to injury or suspension, I would say it would be smarter to whack Mathews in the side than say a Laidlaw or Brennan or Smith.

Well qualified, I was tending to disagree with you until this post. The only issue that should matter, given that we will (likely) be in finals contention, is what 22 will give us the best chance of winning on the day. Not 'bleeding' youngsters, nor gifting games to the old boys - but who will put us in the best position to win games.

Of course if we were well out of the eight then developing the kids would become a priority.

So it becomes an issue of player Vs player. And for mine, Matthews isn't in our top 22. Not saying that he won't be at some point during the year, if god forbid someone gets injured. But I wouldn't pick him in next week's side.

[rancidpants13]

I never said we should drop someone for him, but I believe he is thereabouts in the 25, not the best 22.

Hypothetically, If round 22 came around (vs Brisbane) and we were sitting 9th on the ladder, half a game out of the eight and a win would secure finals, and Kirk or Buchanan or Macca or Jude or Kizza etc succumbed to injury or suspension, I would say it would be smarter to whack Mathews in the side than say a Laidlaw or Brennan or Smith. He has a very cool head and knows every player inside out, he is the third longest serving Swan of the current crop (behind Mick and Leo), which people tend to forget sometimes, every Swan (apart from the two mentioned) who is playing today has come into the side while Mathews has been at the club.

I think you're giving him a bit of a rough wrap.

no argument from me on brennan

[mattf83]

it looks as though this thread has stimulated some constructive argument/criticism, which to be honest was the intent. The swans board (no offence) can at times be a big love in, which isnt the best thing for a forum.

I agree on Bird needing to be dropped to the reserves for a few games, he isnt a Rioli/Selwood type player who can play at AFL level straight up. But as we have seen with Moore/Schimdt(jury still out) it can take time for young players to come good. Full props to roosey for giving him a go early.

Malceski is looking a little underdone, but after 2 games i reckon it would be a waste to drop him to find match fitness. I would expect him to be better this week, and lets face it, (touch wood) we should win the next 4 games in a canter.

Matthews and Crouch's careers are probably over, unless (touch wood again) we are ravaged by injuries, i cannot see the value they will bring to the team. If crouch can find an extra yard of pace from somewhere then maybe him, but Matthews might be done. No disrespect to him, there was a period for a few years he was one of our most valuable and underated players, but this is football, no swan songs (NPI) needed for these two. Our blooding policy this year has been outstanding (moore, jack, barlow) we cannot sacrifice it for sentimental reasons.

LRT i still believe has potential, 05gf was BOG IMO but Why cant he replicate this form week in week out is the question. Way too inconsistent, i want to like him, i played junior rep footy with him when he had played 5 games of rules in his life & he made All Australian U/15's, He is good, and adds size to the back line, but he needs to string some top games together. The position he plays is way too important to spend games as a passenger, lets hope he can get some consistency.

South Swans, as much as like your sentiment and loyalty, you need to understand reality. Noone deserves to be in the 22 if they are not pulling their weight. Is this not the Bloods ethos you so often talk about??

Rancid, i enjoy your posts and agree with you on most points.

[No1SwansFan]

a) how am i hanging shit on him?
b) what happens if those three games we "give" him end up being losses and cost us a finals place, and mathews is poor in all three???

that'll go well for the way we remember a club champion
this is a profession, mathews gets paid way more than what i get to do something i'd love to have done for 10 years
he's had a great run, won a premiership, i'm sorry if i don't see it as something we owe him, but i certainly wasn't hanging shit on him and i resent the accusation

have a look at the way the australian cricket team has handled its' outgoing "champions" such as ian healy
sometimes certain things have to be sacrificed for the greater good of the team, rather than looking out for the individual

I absolutely agree with you rancid they gave Mathews a shot a couple of weeks ago and he was shite. Love the guy really do and realise the connection SS has with him but mate if you were being unbiased you would see what is being said. As for crouchy I think he himself has given up. Both absolutely had their places in the side but have been overtaken by younger bodies.
Will both get massive send offs when they leave as they deserve.

[Costanza_]

In defense of SS, he qualified it by saying that he thinks Matthews is in the best 25, not best 22. I'd pay that. If a hard bodied midfielder drops, Matthews wouldn't be a bad compromise.

[rancidpants13]

it looks as though this thread has stimulated some constructive argument/criticism, which to be honest was the intent. The swans board (no offence) can at times be a big love in, which isnt the best thing for a forum.

I agree on Bird needing to be dropped to the reserves for a few games, he isnt a Rioli/Selwood type player who can play at AFL level straight up. But as we have seen with Moore/Schimdt(jury still out) it can take time for young players to come good. Full props to roosey for giving him a go early.

Malceski is looking a little underdone, but after 2 games i reckon it would be a waste to drop him to find match fitness. I would expect him to be better this week, and lets face it, (touch wood) we should win the next 4 games in a canter.

Matthews and Crouch's careers are probably over, unless (touch wood again) we are ravaged by injuries, i cannot see the value they will bring to the team. If crouch can find an extra yard of pace from somewhere then maybe him, but Matthews might be done. No disrespect to him, there was a period for a few years he was one of our most valuable and underated players, but this is football, no swan songs (NPI) needed for these two. Our blooding policy this year has been outstanding (moore, jack, barlow) we cannot sacrifice it for sentimental reasons.

LRT i still believe has potential, 05gf was BOG IMO but Why cant he replicate this form week in week out is the question. Way too inconsistent, i want to like him, i played junior rep footy with him when he had played 5 games of rules in his life & he made All Australian U/15's, He is good, and adds size to the back line, but he needs to string some top games together. The position he plays is way too important to spend games as a passenger, lets hope he can get some consistency.

South Swans, as much as like your sentiment and loyalty, you need to understand reality. Noone deserves to be in the 22 if they are not pulling their weight. Is this not the Bloods ethos you so often talk about??

Rancid, i enjoy your posts and agree with you on most points.

cheers
but please don't get me started on any kinda comparison between bird and rioli
you are waving a red rag at a bull by trying to tell me he's "not like rioli, who can play at afl level straight up"
bird HAS been playing at afl level all season, and is a totally different player to rioli, who's skilful and flashy but what would he do playing a bird role?
i still don't know how rioli will cope under constant pressure in a game, he might revel in it but let's see
bird has gone into the engine room in one of the hardest physical sides in the comp and been better than okay most weeks, really good in a couple, and only below-par twice ... stats are not everything
i would rather bird in our side EVERY day, in fact i think the hype over rioli is way over the top
by the way, at this stage neither bird nor rioli is in joel selwood's class, i rate him an absolute gun, probly alongside pendlebury as players who've looked silk department from their first game
as far as i'm concerned, bird has done enough to earn his place in our best 22 and he well and truly belongs

[mattf83]

cheers
but please don't get me started on any kinda comparison between bird and rioli
you are waving a red rag at a bull by trying to tell me he's "not like rioli, who can play at afl level straight up"
bird HAS been playing at afl level all season, and is a totally different player to rioli, who's skilful and flashy but what would he do playing a bird role?
i still don't know how rioli will cope under constant pressure in a game, he might revel in it but let's see
bird has gone into the engine room in one of the hardest physical sides in the comp and been better than okay most weeks, really good in a couple, and only below-par twice ... stats are not everything
i would rather bird in our side EVERY day, in fact i think the hype over rioli is way over the top
by the way, at this stage neither bird nor rioli is in joel selwood's class, i rate him an absolute gun, probly alongside pendlebury as players who've looked silk department from their first game
as far as i'm concerned, bird has done enough to earn his place in our best 22 and he well and truly belongs
Soory, but i disagree with all your points except Selwood/Pendles

[SouthSwans]

In defense of SS, he qualified it by saying that he thinks Matthews is in the best 25, not best 22. I'd pay that. If a hard bodied midfielder drops, Matthews wouldn't be a bad compromise.
Thats exactly what I'm saying, I'm not saying he should start in the guts roving Jolly, I'm saying if some of ours players get struck by injury or suspension then he would be 3rd or 4th in line to take their place.

[MalceskiFan]

it looks as though this thread has stimulated some constructive argument/criticism, which to be honest was the intent. The swans board (no offence) can at times be a big love in, which isnt the best thing for a forum.

Shut your hole matt :D

[mattf83]

F"*"k off then ________:D

[MalceskiFan]

Okay, heres my best 22. Obviously not all players would line up in the exact position named however these are the 22 that I think we have our best chance of winning with.

B: Richards C. Bolton Leo
HB: Kennelly LRT Mattner
C: Malceski Kirk McVeigh
HF: Barlow Hall O'keefe
F: Bevan O'Loughlin Moore
Fo: Jolly Goodes J. Bolton
I: Everitt Buchanan Jack Ablett

Emg: Davis, Fosdike, Playfair, Matthews

[rancidpants13]

F"*"k off then ________:D

c'mon, i think this board needs a big group hug

[Hooley McBoob]

Okay, heres my best 22. Obviously not all players would line up in the exact position named however these are the 22 that I think we have our best chance of winning with.

B: Richards C. Bolton Leo
HB: Kennelly LRT Mattner
C: Malceski Kirk McVeigh
HF: Barlow Hall O'keefe
F: Bevan O'Loughlin Moore
Fo: Jolly Goodes J. Bolton
I: Everitt Buchanan Jack Ablett

Emg: Davis, Fosdike, Playfair, Matthews

Hmmm. Interesting. No Bird in your top 25? It's a tough one isn't it. I guess we are lucky we have some depth in our side at the moment, there would be close to 30 guys pushing for a spot (forgetting injuries, of course).

I would have to have Playfair and Davis in the 22, not sure who I would drop though. Maybe Everitt? And I'd go Bird over Matthews (sorry Tom).

Can I open a can of worms here...how valuable is Barry Hall to our side? In my opinion, it is great to have a target like him up forward, but he just takes up too much room. He cracks the shits when other players lead into his space, and we rarely see him, O'Keefe and O'Loughlin all play very well in a single game. Usually O'Keefe and MOL lose out to Hall's demand for space, which means that if he plays badly, we will generally lose.

I would much rather see O'Keefe and MOL given some room - like they have been lately with Baz suspended - with some midfielders/smaller forwards contributing a couple of goals each as well, rather than a single target up forward who isn't very reliable.

Okay, that's it, I'm preparing myself for the criticism...:p

[rancidpants13]

Hmmm. Interesting. No Bird in your top 25? It's a tough one isn't it. I guess we are lucky we have some depth in our side at the moment, there would be close to 30 guys pushing for a spot (forgetting injuries, of course).

I would have to have Playfair and Davis in the 22, not sure who I would drop though. Maybe Everitt? And I'd go Bird over Matthews (sorry Tom).

Can I open a can of worms here...how valuable is Barry Hall to our side? In my opinion, it is great to have a target like him up forward, but he just takes up too much room. He cracks the shits when other players lead into his space, and we rarely see him, O'Keefe and O'Loughlin all play very well in a single game. Usually O'Keefe and MOL lose out to Hall's demand for space, which means that if he plays badly, we will generally lose.

I would much rather see O'Keefe and MOL given some room - like they have been lately with Baz suspended - with some midfielders/smaller forwards contributing a couple of goals each as well, rather than a single target up forward who isn't very reliable.

Okay, that's it, I'm preparing myself for the criticism...:p

it's your opinion, so fair enough
and i think you'd have had a lot more agreement last season, but this year he's been so much better (fitter, been holding marks, even been getting some air time)
it's players around him NOT being too hall-conscious, which really hurt last year
we were going real well before his stakerwhack, and then we looked a bit lost, but y'can't deny he's a vital player when he's in the form he was in earlier this season
at this stage i can't see davis getting back any time soon, he'll now suffer the same way mathews is ... ie, there are more players (younger, hungrier) getting in the queue ahead of him to step up when players in the 22 are hurt or dropped
i don't think there's any way we can fit hall, davis AND playfair in, unless it's by playing davis and playfair away from the forwards, which seems unlikely, certainly in davo's case
but i certainly agree we have depth at the moment that we've not had for years, it's fantastic and a kick in the bollocks to anyone who predicted we'd slide because of a lack of depth/young talent

[footyfan_25]

I agree on Bird needing to be dropped to the reserves for a few games, he isnt a Rioli/Selwood type player who can play at AFL level straight up. But as we have seen with Moore/Schimdt(jury still out) it can take time for young players to come good. Full props to roosey for giving him a go early.


He has given Bird a go by selecting him, but has not given him much opportunity during the game. Only been getting around 50% game time so far. In saying that the time he has been on he has found enough of the ball.

Any reason for the lack of game time?

[MalceskiFan]

He has given Bird a go by selecting him, but has not given him much opportunity during the game. Only been getting around 50% game time so far. In saying that the time he has been on he has found enough of the ball.

Any reason for the lack of game time?

My guess would be fitness. He's the first 1st year player to come straight into the lineup for quite some time and the difference in the level of fitness required to run out an AFL game compared to an under 18's comp would be enormous. He's doing a fantastic job for a 19 year old but I think he needs to spend some time in the twos developing.